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Blinking in surprise, Madison observed as Stone gently tousling Timothy’s stylish, dark curls. A warm smile graced her lips as she witnessed the interaction between Stone and the young boy.
As Stone looked down on Timothy with a mix of understanding and compassion, Madison marveled at his unwavering strength. Despite his failing health, he seemed invincible, his mighty presence filling the space.
His frailty had been eclipsed by an inner fire that burned fiercely behind his gray-blue eyes. He was a guiding touch, a steady hand in the midst of chaos, and a give-no-fucks force to be reckoned with.
In that fleeting moment, their eyes met. Madison’s lopsided smile conveyed her profound appreciation. She couldn’t quite fathom the depth of their connection, but she knew it was something special, something that went beyond words. The loss of her brother was his loss as well. A tragedy that forever connected them.
With a brief smile back, Stone crouched down beside Timothy, his voice gentle and sincere. “Young man, take as many teddy bears as you want.”
In an endearing display, the little boy wrapped his tiny arms tightly around Stone’s neck, their connection heartwarming to witness. As a token of his gratitude, Timothy handed Stone an envelope, which caught Madison’s attention.
Instinctively, Madison dove her hand into her pocket, expecting to find something, anything. But it was empty. Amused and bewildered, she shook her head. “Cordelia is breeding the next Bling Ring,” she muttered under her breath.
Before she could intervene, Stone opened the envelope and removed the card. A photograph fluttered to the ground, elusive like a leaf on the wind.
For a long moment, she stared as the handsome image stared back. Her eyes widened as the realization sank slowly to the pit of her gut. The hair, the eyes, the crimped sadness of a smile.
The resemblance to her husband was uncanny, almost haunting. Every feature, from the tousled hair to the piercing eyes, bore the unmistakable mark of familiarity. It was as if a slice of Alex’s soul had been handed down and captured in that snapshot. And it was almost too much.
In that moment, a whirlwind of dizzying emotions kicked up from Madison’s core. Anguish mingled with wonder, uncertainty intertwined with demands for answers.
Reality hit her like a tidal wave, threatening to pull her under its weight.
It was a glimpse into Alex’s past…one that rarely cracked open. Her husband, was never an open book. He carried an air of enigma that she had grown accustomed to, but now, there could be no secrets. Especially considering this was a school portrait, bearing this year prominently along one side.
Stone snapped up the photo, and handed her the card.
Mrs. Drake — Let’s meet.
xoxo,
A.
Dizzy with a mix of confusion and raw emotions, Madison’s hand flew to her temple, her head spinning as her senses dulled into darkness.
CHAPTER7
ALEX
“You can uncover your eyes now,” Jordan’s voice lacked the sultry tone Alex always anticipated. He removed the blindfold, tossing it aside and allowing his eyes to adjust to the blinding brightness.
His gaze flickered towards Jordan, catching sight of her narrowed, penetrating eyes. Her intense gaze at the road ahead made it clear she was neither relaxed or untroubled. It was obvious she could navigate the winding roads with ease, yet her air of vigilance was unmistakeable.
Jordan had the innate ability to anticipate danger lurking around every corner, and her heightened awareness sent a clear message—she was on edge, ready to confront any potential threat that dared to cross their path…
And eliminate it.
Alex looked over the winding roads, the landscape triggering a momentary wave of déjà vu. The last time he found himself in this terrain, it had been during an emergency landing, a desperate maneuver to for survival. But today was different. Today, he was going through the front door, an entrance no doubt reserved for very few.
His heart raced in his chest, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. The anticipation of seeing Paco again after what felt like an eternity sent sparks of excitement and nervous energy through Alex’s veins.
Paco wasn’t just a former co-worker or a partner in crime; he was an integral part of Alex’s life, a pillar of support and a trusted confidant. Now, with Madison’s second trimester in full swing, Paco’s absence felt even more pronounced. The days stretched on, dragging like an eternity without Paco’s infectious charm and quick wit to brighten their days.
But as the weeks turned into months, their interactions became fewer and farther between, leaving a void that seemed to inexplicably grow. The once vibrant connection between them had dimmed, and Alex couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that the increasing distance was deliberate and intentional.
Paco Robles might be a global mastermind, but seriously? The fucker can’t pick up the phone?
Despite the dense forest that surrounded them, one final turn revealed an imposing sight—a towering ten-foot solid metal gate—twice as wide and impossible to see around. Impenetrable.
