Franklin directs the driver as I pull Maggie across the seat until we’re touching again, her body trembling against mine. My fingers burrow into her hair, and her head falls to my chest. I press a lingering kiss to the top of her head. “It’s okay. You’re okay. You did it. I’m so proud of you, beautiful.”
Her body trembles harder, and a muffled sniff hits my ears. I massage her scalp as I continue to whisper how good she did and how amazing and brave I think she is. By the time we’re pulling up to the hotel, she’s calmed down a little. Or at least enough that we can get her through the lobby without bringing more attention to her than walking with three men in suits already does.
When we’re about to enter our room, I let Maggie go in, and I stop Franklin. “I need a favor. Can I shoot you a text in a few?”
His gaze turns quizzical, but he agrees. “Sure, I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll see what I can do.”
I nod my appreciation and enter the room. Maggie’s sitting on the edge of the bed, her shoulders slumpedforward. Kneeling in front of her, I place my hands on her knees. Her head lifts, and the anger I’ve been barely suppressing comes roaring back at how worn out she looks.
I take a deep breath. “Do you want to talk about today? Maybe about who that guy was?”
She grimaces and whispers, “That really scared me.”
“Who was it?”
“David, Reese’s friend. The one who called me.”
My muscles bunch as the anger continues to mount. “What the fuck was that prick doing there?”
Shrugging dejectedly, she shakes her head. “I don’t know. I didn’t see him in the courtroom. But then again, I didn’t look around much. He could’ve been in there, and I just didn’t see him.”
I slide my hands underneath her dress and up the outsides of her thighs, needing the feel of her skin to calm the rage boiling inside me. “Maggie, I need you to know that you’re safe with me. Nothing bad will happen to you. I won’t allow it.”
She cups my cheeks. “I believe that, Ian. So much.”
I kiss her softly, then say, “Why don’t you go take a shower? I have a couple of calls to make, then we can get dinner.”
Lips pursed, she wrinkles her nose. “Do I have to look presentable for dinner? Because I really just want to be comfy.”
“Baby, you can wear whatever you want. All I want is you with me.”
She leans forward and presses her lips to mine in a kiss that ends way too soon. “Okay, I’ll go shower.”
Standing, I grasp her hand, pulling her to stand next to me. “Take your time. We have all night.”
When the bathroom door clicks behind her, I retrieve my phone from my pocket.
Me: Franklin, about that favor…
Maggie stepsout of the bathroom forty-five minutes later, looking refreshed and much more relaxed than when she went in. She ambles over to me, looking adorable in her baggy pajama pants and my T-shirt from the day before, her large glasses perched on her nose. I open my arms, and she steps into them, wrapping hers around my waist and resting her cheek on my chest.
“This is a dumb question, considering, but feel better?”
She sighs. “Yeah, a little. I’m starving.”
“Perfect, I have a surprise for you.” I loosen the hug enough to grab her hand. “Put some shoes on and let’s go, beautiful.”
Once she’s put on flip-flops, I lead her out of the room and into the hallway. I nod to one of the agents patrolling the hallway. He returns the nod and follows us to the elevator. Maggie gives me a curious look when I push the button for the top floor, but I don’t explain. She’ll find out soon enough.
We exit the elevators, and there are only a few doors, so it doesn’t take long to find the one I’m looking for. I insert the key and push the door open, gesturing for Maggie to go ahead of me. I hope the concierge followed through like she said she would.
When I texted Franklin about wanting to have a special dinner with Maggie, he helped me arrange with the hotel to get us set up in one of their executive suites for the eveningwith a fully catered dinner, complete with a bottle of wine and dessert, and the most romantic setting they could manage on such short notice.
At first, the front desk was hesitant, but when I explained there was no budget, they were a little more willing to accommodate my requests and got me in contact with the concierge who worked with the restaurant to get it all set up as quickly as possible.
Maggie lets out a gasp, and a smirk settles on my face.
The agent stays in the hall outside the door, and I enter the room behind her. Spinning around, Maggie leaps into my arms. I stumble back a half-step before I catch my balance. Her shoes slip off her feet, where they dangle, and land next to mine. Over her shoulder, numerous flameless candles cast a dancing glow around the room. A small dining table sits in the middle with cloche-covered dishes, along with a bottle of wine in a chiller. I was told the dessert would be in the fridge in the kitchenette.
