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I glance down at Maddie's serene expression, her eyes closed and her lashes resting against her cheeks. Her dreams seem peaceful, and I hope they will remain that way and not turn into nightmares about Damien, or her deceased parents.
Maddie stirs slightly in her sleep, a soft moan escaping her lips. Instinctively, I tighten my grip around her, wanting to protect and care for her in any way I can. Even if I know I don't want to be in an open relationship with her now. All that will have to wait until the court ordeal is over. But at least we can deepen our friendship.
And as sleep finally claims me too, I can't help but be grateful that Maddie called me tonight and I pray my security team will find Damien unharmed.
Not much time passes, however, until I'm awakened by my phone vibrating in my pocket and softly ringing.
"Hello," I say, instantly alert. It must be news about Damien.
"Roland," Erin's voice is as strong as always.
"Erin? What's going on?" I ask, rubbing my eyes and glancing at the time–3 a.m.
"Listen, we found the kids. They're at some warehouse not far from where Maddie lives." There's urgency in her tone that sets off alarm bells in my head. "Some older kids lured them there, promising a fun hangout. But they spiked their drinks with alcohol and possibly something else."
"Are they OK?" I demand, fear gripping my chest.
"Police are handling it, but, yeah, they seem OK. Damien is definitively all right, but you need to get there ASAP."
"Understood." I end the call and gently extricate myself from Maddie's embrace, careful not to wake her just yet. I will make a pot of tea and bring a thermos with me so that we can flush out whatever Damien might have gotten into his system. Plus, a bit of caffeine might sober him up. I saw green tea earlier; that will have to do.
I pour water into the kettle as I dial my security guard, my free hand drumming impatiently on the counter. "We need a ride," I tell him, my voice terse with urgency. "Pick us up at the entrance in five minutes."
"Understood, sir," he replies, and I hang up.
I walk back into the living room. "Hey, Maddie," I say, gently shaking her. "Wake up."
"Uh?"
"They've found him. Damien. He's OK."
Maddie opens her eyes with a start. "He's all right? Where is he? What happened?"
"Hey, take it easy, deep breaths," I tell her. "He is safe. He was with some older kids that spiked his drink. I don't know with what, but they suspect alcohol and possibly some drug."
"Dammit, I should have known the older kids were trouble," Maddie says as she stands up.
The kettle whistles, signaling that the water is ready, and I walk back toward the kitchen. "Take deep breaths, remember. Go to the bathroom, freshen up, and we will leave in a minute. I just thought I'd fix Damien some tea to flush out his system and perhaps sober him up."
"Sure," she calls as I pour the hot water over a teabag in a cup. I still don't know if there is a thermos.
"Hey, Maddie?" I call into the hallway where she's disappeared to use the bathroom. "Do you have a thermos we can use for this tea?"
"Uh, yeah, hold on."
Maddie runs into the kitchen and rummages through a cabinet before producing an insulated bottle. "Here."
"Thanks." I transfer the hot liquid, add some cold water to ensure Damien won't burn himself, secure the lid, and grab Carmen from the bed where she's been sleeping. The weight of her small body in my arms only heightens my protectiveness.
"Let's go," I say, my eyes meeting Maddie's as we both steel ourselves for whatever awaits us outside. While I know Damien is OK, we still have a few details. I only hope nothing happened to him while he was passed out from the drugs... if he passed out from the drugs. Heck, I don't even know if drugs were involved yet.
"Right." Her determination matches mine, and I know she'll do whatever it takes to ensure her brother's safety.
We descend the stairs, Carmen still resting peacefully against me. I take in the crisp night air, allowing its sharpness to focus my thoughts.
"Roland," Maddie murmurs, her breath visible in the cold. "What if he's… you know, really hurt?"
"Then we'll deal with it," I reply, my grip tightening around the thermos. "But I don't think so. Erin said he's all right, that means he's all right."
