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“Nope. I’m doing some background on Mueller. Now that we know the truth, there are probably dozens of trafficked girls who have family and any number of them could have gone after him.”
Surprise flashed in her eyes. “Smart. Let me know if you get a lead.”
“Will do.” I saluted her and flashed a teasing grin. “Be careful with the Black Jacks; they don’t do well with powerful women.”
“Thanks for the tip, but that’s what backup weapons are for.” With a devious smile, she walked away, and I got back to my own work.
Getting lost in the details of gun calibers, grooves and spiraling was a solid distraction from my personal life. Still, all day, Maddie’s words replayed in my head. I couldn’t even believe she thought I’d walk away from her or our baby. Didn’t she realize I couldn’t walk away?
If she didn’t, I would damn well show her.
As soon as my shift was over, I headed straight to Ashby Manor. She could hide from me over the phone, ignore me, and ignore the talk we needed to have. If I just showed up, however, she’d have no choice. She’d have to talk to me.
The door opened to reveal Thomas, the well-dressed man that no one, not even law enforcement, was quite sure what he did for the Ashby family, and for Sadie Ashby in particular. “Mr. Ellison, how may I help you?”
“I’m looking for Madison. Is she around?”
Thomas nodded and took a few steps back. “She’s up in her room. Is she expecting you?”
“No. But she’ll see me.”
“Of course. I’ll let her know you’re here.” He disappeared into a small room and returned a few seconds later with a tight smile. “She doesn’t want any visitors.”
I couldn’t accept that. “She’s being emotional. She’ll see me; just show me to her room.”
Thomas looked unsure, and I didn’t blame him. His loyalty was to the Ashbys and not someone he perceived as there to fuck up their peace.
“If she refuses to see me, I’ll leave.”
“I know,” he said simply and nodded for me to follow him up a wide, slightly winding staircase and down a long, dimly lit hall.
“I’ll wait here.”
The last fucking thing I wanted was an audience, but Maddie was emotional, which meant nothing was easy. I knocked gently and waited for an answer, but none came.
“Maddie, it’s me. Open the door.”
I heard the sniffles first. “I told Thomas to tell you to go away. I don’t want to talk, Jamie.”
“Yeah, well, you’ve had more than a day to figure your shit out, Maddie. You’re done shutting me out. Open the damn door.”
“No.”
“Don’t make me break this fucking door down, Madds. I don’t want any beef with these people, but if you don’t open this door, I will.”
Movement sounded on the other side of the door, and I figured it was just as likely that she would open the door as it was that she might shimmy down the side of the house. But a full minute later, the bedroom door opened, and Maddie appeared with tear-stained cheeks, red eyes, dressed in farting unicorn pajamas.
“Happy?”
“Ecstatic,” I shot back, my tone thick with sarcasm. I looked over my shoulder at Thomas, who nodded and gave us privacy. “Talk to me, Madds.”
She stepped away from my touch, her watery eyes looking at me with uncertainty. “What’s there to say? I’m gonna be a fat and ugly broke ass single mother.”
“Single? What the fuck are you thinking?” I pulled her into my arms until she came willingly and leaned against me. I kissed the top of her head.
“I love you, Maddie. I fucking love you. Do you see these shoulders? They’re big enough to carry everything that comes our way.”
She let out a watery laugh and shook her head. “That’s a mighty big promise, Jamie.”
“I don’t make promises unless I know I can keep them. You and me and our baby? I promise to always be there, to always protect you and to always love you with everything I’ve got.”
I cupped her sweet face so she was staring into my eyes, seeing the truth of my words.
Maddie leaned against my hand and let out a sigh that spoke of all her torn emotions.
“I love you too, Jamie. But I’m scared. I don’t want you here just because you knocked me up.”
“I’m here because I love you, and I knocked you up. I’ve always wanted you, Maddie. Even last week, when I let you walk away thinking I didn’t, I wanted you. Now though? Now I’m never letting you go. You’re mine.”
“Yours? You gonna put a ring on it?” There it was. A glimmer of the saucy smartass I loved so much.
“Damn straight.” I pressed against her and kissed her lips slowly, letting the fire build naturally, and in seconds, we were inferno hot.
