Wrong.
The very first name on the top of the stack was Saint Walsh.
Maddox’s was a very close second.
For months, I stupidly recruited the best fighters I stumbled across who had no association to the Walsh brethren, all the while making out to my uncle that I was close to signing his unicorn fighters.
You know the rest of the story from there. It has both good and bad parts.
When an unexpected tremor darts down my spine, Maddox murmurs against my neck, “If you want me to stop, Demi, tell me to stop. I’ll stop before the ‘s’ leaves your mouth.”
We’ve had many discussions that newly fledging couples shouldn’t have the past two months, but the circumstances surrounding the loss of my virginity haven’t been widely examined. Maddox knows it was via my choice, but his constant reminders that I never have to do anything I don’t want has me wary if he’s held similar talks with other people.
The man I gave my virginity to is no longer a part of my uncle’s crew, but news about what we had done circulated amongst the men even faster than the confusion as to why my uncle was so upset.
Hating that I’m letting memories of my past sully new memories, I pop open the button of Maddox’s trousers before lowering the zipper.
“Hold up,” Maddox says, placing his hand over mine. “What’s going on in that head of yours. You’ve got a big ol’ crinkle right here.” He rubs his thumb down the middle of my forehead. “You only ever get a groove there when you’re fretting.”
“I’m not fretting. I’m fine.” I inwardly curse before trying to pull the wool over his eyes for the second time. “I’m just tired. We had an early start after a late night. I’m wrecked.”
“Nope.”
That’s it.
That’sallhe says.
Nope.
“I’m afraid we will be seen.” I’m not proud of my ability to lie without flinching, but when the odds are stacked against you, you have to give it your best shot.
Maddox denies my lie with a shake of his head this time around. “Try again.” When my lips twitch, he adds, “And give honesty a shot this time. Lying doesn’t suit you.”
The disappointment in his tone is like a knife to the chest. “It’s my uncle.” The fact his facial expression doesn’t alter advises he was aware of who my unease centers around. “Something feels off. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he’s gone, but I’m just shocked he gave up so easily.”
My once-inflated chest deflates even more when Maddox places me back onto my feet. “Saint said the same thing. Col is the king, and Dimitri is the prince, so why is Dimitri the one giving orders?”
I shrug, truly confused. “It was most certainlynotlike that two years ago.”
Hearing something in my voice I didn’t mean to express, Maddox asks, “Do you think the change-up has something to do with Dimitri’s daughter? She’d be around that age.”
“Fien is two?” My cousin’s unknown daughter was one of the many discussions we’ve had the past couple of weeks.
Maddox rakes his fingers through his hair before lifting his chin. “Two-ish? It’s hard to tell from a photo.”
“At least he has a photo. All I remember of Kaylee are the blurred images in my head. I can’t even remember what color her eyes were.”
He sucks in my sharp exhale before asking, “Are you sure you don’t want me to ask Dimitri about her? He’s older than you, he may remember.”
Just offering to place himself on Dimitri’s radar for me has me loving him even more, but I’d rather keep him as far away from my family as possible. “Dr. Avery is convinced my memories will eventually unlock. I merely need to be patient.”
I pop my elbow into Maddox’s rib when he mumbles, “Better you than me. I wouldn’t last a week.”
“I don’t know about that. You did good keeping this a secret.” I step past him before waving my hand over the unconstructed doghouse. “How long have you been working on it?”
“Are we talking total hours combined or straight-up days?”
I smile at the nervousness in his tone before replying, “Whatever you feel comfortable with.”
