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“Trev’s here,” Huck announced as he walked into the room. “Just saw him drive through the gate. You give Garrett the new code?”
I nodded. I was sure Garrett had sent him.
My father had called my phone twice today, and I’d ignored it. Getting Madeline back had been my main concern. I knew he just wanted details on her. He’d been fucking furious when he found out she’d left and I’d let her go. I had sent word that she was back three days ago, but apparently, he needed proof. As if the fact that Angel was at the big house during the days wasn’t proof enough.
Madeline was in my lap again tonight while we watched some dumbass movie Gage had bought on streaming. She fidgeted with her pajama shorts, as if she was trying to pull them down. I pointed at the blanket on the end of the sofa, and Huck brought it to me without me needing to explain. I used it to cover her, and she smiled at me so damn sweetly that I wanted to take her back downstairs. Sharing her with anyone annoyed me.
“I’ll let him in,” Huck said before Trev could get to the front door and ring the bell.
The sound always upset Angel, and I didn’t know if the nurse had put her to bed yet or not. I didn’t need her coming down here right now. Seeing Madeline in my lap like this would send her into one of her fits. I wasn’t going to leave Madeline to deal with her if that happened. Things had to change.
“What’s he here for? You know?” Gage asked me.
“To make sure I have Madeline. Garrett will want confirmation she’s here,” I replied.
I saw her eyes turn to look at me, and I met her gaze.
“He will?” she asked me, looking surprised.
I nodded my head once.
“Why?”
“He wants you safe,” I told her.
She frowned, causing a small line to appear on her forehead. There was a lot she didn’t understand about the workings within the family. Her grandfather had been important to us. That made her important. However, her being Eli’s granddaughter wasn’t what made her important to me. Not anymore. She was mine. That made her the most important fucking person within the family. Even my father understood that.
“Trev,” Gage called out, raising a hand in greeting as my younger brother entered the room, followed by Huck.
“Hey, Gage,” he replied, and then his gaze scanned the room until he found Madeline in my lap.
“Hello, Trev,” she said sweetly. I didn’t like it. I fucking hated it. But that was my screwed up shit.
“Maddy,” he replied. “You’re back. Good to know. Uh, you ready to leave this asshole and come back with me yet?” he asked her.
I knew he was baiting me, but I still scowled at him. He was my little brother and my only fucking sibling, which gave him a sense of security. With Madeline, he needed to tread lightly.
Madeline laughed and shook her head. “No, I’m good here.”
Trev shrugged. “Figured, but thought I’d check. Grand Theft Auto isn’t the same without you.”
More laughter. I didn’t like that he could make her laugh. She’d not laughed for anyone but me since we had returned. But my brother was somehow managing it.
“I was terrible at it, and you know it,” she told him.
The fact that she remained curled up against me was the only thing keeping me calm at the moment. She and Trev were friends, and that was my fault. I’d let it happen. I had to deal with that shit now.
“But you’re damn good company,” he replied.
“Careful,” I warned him.
He was getting too cocky. I had my limits.
He rolled his eyes, and my hold on Madeline tightened.
“Trev, long time,” Gina said as she walked into the room with a bottle of water in her hand. “How’s the big house?” she asked him.
He shrugged. “Oh, you know, topless pool parties, the senator fucking one of his whores in one of our guest suites, the usual.”
She laughed and dropped down beside Gage before throwing her legs over his thigh. “Good to know things are normal. I hope Angel hasn’t witnessed any of that while she’s been there,” she replied.
Trev shook his head. “Nope. We save the topless parties for the evenings, and the senator keeps to himself.”
Gage even chuckled. I scowled. Trev was not that funny.
Trev looked at Madeline, then back at Gina. “You going to be here with Maddy tomorrow night while Blaise is at the gala?” he asked.
I tensed. That was shit he had no business bringing up, and he damn well knew it.
Gina shrugged, then looked back over her shoulder at me. “I guess. Unless the nurse is staying with Angel.”
“You’ll be here,” I said, making sure the warning in my tone was clear.
Trev grinned. “I’ll come hang out, too, after I show face for a few minutes.”
