I just stared at her, not sure what to say. It sounded terrible, but she was right in a sense.
“Don’t look like that. I don’t feel any type of way about it, so you shouldn’t. I mean, I did when Carlos brought it up, but it really made me take a look at myself.”
“What do you mean brought it up?” I said, cutting her off.
“Long story, but he basically asked if I had a price.”
“A price? That’s bullshit, Maddie.” I was angry about what he implied, trying to figure out why she wasn’t. Trooper’s best friend or not, he wasn’t about to disrespect Maddie.
“Relax, killer. He’s kind of blunt. You’ve been around him, so I’m sure you know that. He asked if I would go back to Richard, but the way he asked was like, ‘could he buy you back. Is there a price he could offer to make you stay?’
“As messed up as it was, he had the right to ask, and it was sorta cute because it was his way of being insecure. A man like Carlos doesn’t show any weaknesses or insecurities, but he did with me. He didn’t want to get all cozy then I just said fuck it, the money’s good, I love my life, so I’m going back. I can’t really blame him for that.”
“Yes, you can,” I stated bluntly, rolling my eyes.
“No, I can’t. He was being honest and I respect him for that. At least we’re on the same page. I’m with him, he’s with me, and the rest we’ll figure out.”
“Have you heard from Richard?” I asked.
Lincoln had been extremely quiet. I wasn’t sure if that meant he’d gotten the message or if he was just trying to figure out how to ruin things for me.
“He’s been calling and texting every day, threatening me, but I haven’t answered. Carlos wants to pay him a visit, but I don’t want that. Richard knows people, and as much as Carlos says he’s protected, I don’t trust Richard. I know what he’s capable of. I just want my divorce so I can move on and be happy. If they keep crossing paths, it will end badly.”
“Trooper threatened to kill William.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, but he won’t because of me. I’m so mad at him, Maddie, but I don’t want him to die and I know Trooper will do it.”
“Are you going to go see him?”
“See who?”
“Your father?”
My head snapped up quickly as I peered at her.
“No, why would I do that? We don’t have anything to discuss. I just hope he will let me do my job and leave me alone.”
“Not William. Your real father.”
I paused for a minute to think about my answer. A part of me wanted to, but another part of me didn’t. I had no idea what to expect. I felt bad that he was in prison because of me, but also hurt that he hadn’t found a way to fight for me either. Everything was so messed up.
“I thought about it.”
“I think you should. You need to know him, or at least get his side of the story. Your mother loved him, Sophie. There has to be a reason for that. And Trooper loves him too. He can’t be all bad.”
“I don’t think he’s bad. I just don’t know him.”
“I think you should try. Talk to Trooper about it.”
“I will.”
She and I talked for a bit longer before she had to get her things from her house. Carlos had an apartment in the city he was letting Maddie stay in. She and her husband still shared a place. Although he was never there, Carlos wasn’t trying to hear that. It was cute to me how protective he was over Maddie already. Carlos was good for her, the same way Trooper was good for me.
As I walked Maddie to the elevator, then headed back to my office, I noticed a few people in the boardroom, our VP and CFO with my father. I found it strange that they were there without mentioning anything to me.
“Hey, what’s going on in there?” I asked my father’s assistant after Maddie was gone.
