“Thank you.” Frustrated, I rubbed my face. I had to get my mind into my work. People depended on me. My phone buzzed.
Madden will meet you at the Mark at 2.
My lips twitched. If I could pick anyone to have on my team, it would be Christine.
**
At exactly two p.m., I spotted Madden Steele striding through the restaurant, and I rose from my seat.
“Good to see you again.” I shook his hand. “Although I hadn’t anticipated it to be so soon.”
His eyes twinkled. “I thrive on spontaneity, and Christine told me it was a matter of some urgency, so why don’t we order and get to the point?”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Christine? She said she’d be here.”
His gaze was steady. “She assumed you’d be more comfortable with me alone.”
The waiter appeared, and we ordered—Madden the chicken club, and me only a soup because my stomach couldn’t handle much else.
I explained my relationship with West, from law school to the hotel hookup and our reconnection. Madden listened intently until I was finished. “So now that Weston’s been outed, you think they’ll come after you?”
“Listen. Weston knows I was a foster kid. But I’m worried they’ll come after him by using my birth mother’s past—and bythey, I mean his father or the press. Or both.”
Madden’s lips thinned. “Trust me, I know all about family deceit and sabotage. And I’ve heard of his father.” Distaste dripped from his voice. “Enough said. Archer and I faced similar issues—his escorting background was fodder for the tabloids for weeks, and my aunt fed them every juicy bite they wanted. You need to get ahead of the information so they can’t hit you with a surprise.”
“I agree. I called ACS, and they could only tell me my mother was incarcerated after the drug raid on her house.”
Madden pulled out his phone. “Give me names, dates, and any other information you’ve got. I’ll have it checked out and call you when I have something. I’ll put a rush on it, and it’ll be confidential.”
The knot of anxiety that had gripped me since the morning loosened.
We finished our lunch, and Madden paid the bill.
“Thank you, Madden. I appreciate your help.”
“Neither you nor Weston should have to live under the threat of whatever it is that’s coming.” We walked out to the street. “Who contacted Weston? Was it a news organization?”
“It’s calledPoliticlout. Weston was so upset about the phone call from his father, he didn’t want to talk about anything else. He has no idea I’m talking to you.”
“I’ve heard of them.” I could almost see the wheels turning in Madden’s head and remained quiet. As head of a multibillion-dollar real-estate enterprise, Madden Steele was as savvy a businessperson as they came, and I’d welcome any and all suggestions.
“I’ll have my publicity people nose around and let you know.” His smile was grim. “I’ll be in touch. And for what it’s worth, don’t let small, petty-minded individuals determine how you live your life or whom you want to love. Surround yourself with people you can trust to always be in your corner and have your best interests at heart.”
“I think I have.” I extended a hand, and we shook. “Thank you.”
He walked away, leaving me wrestling with my thoughts. My calendar was light that afternoon, and Weston was running on back-to-back meetings, so there was little chance for us to connect. In my office, I called Bill.
“Hey, kiddo. What’s goin’ on?”
“I have some questions. I’m asking them for a reason that I’ll tell you about, but not right now.”
“Uh, okay. Shoot.”
“What do you know about my birth mother? Did you ever get any information on her? I-I need to know where she lives, or just anything.”
“Listen, kiddo. Your mother and I didn’t ever wanna say anything because we didn’t wanna upset you.”
“Upset me about what?” I grimaced. “What could be worse than what I already know?”
