Chapter Twenty
Maddox
As soon as we arrived at Rosalie’s residence, we were escorted to a meeting room on the first floor of the grand mansion. While Kairo was inclined to touch everything, I was busy mapping the layout in my head. We were all working the moment we stepped foot past the threshold. Roman conducted a subtle perimeter check, noting every possible entry point. Kairo was memorizing the base of the home, running his hands along the paintings and pictures to feel for any wires or cameras stashed out of sight. I was observing the entire first floor and roughly sketching the rest of the layout in my head.
From the file Elijah sent us, I’ve deduced that this home has at least 7 bedrooms, a recording studio, a workout room, and a home theater. It’s lustrous in its appearance and the amenities it holds. It’s the nicest home I’ve ever been in, and as I stare at the albums lining the office walls (all ones I own and keep stashed away from the elements), I can’t help but feel a little spark of pride in my chest at my Songbird’s success. She spread her wings, and it has me itching to clip them again, but in an entirely different way.
Truthfully, I’ve always been fascinated by her. One of my sickest fantasies was birthed by her, and she has no idea what I’ve imagined doing to her while she sleeps—completely unaware that I’m looming over her like a demon bound by a fucking chain to her.
Roman would never admit it, but he’s just as excited as Kairo and me. Though he sits uncomfortably in the small, rolling chair, his bulky form overpowering the armrests, and a scowl etched into his brow, he’s a buzz with something curiousand intrigued by what we could have possibly gotten ourselves into.
Kairo paces like a stubborn child, ready to play with our shiny new toy. I’m surprised he hasn’t started frothing at the maw and clawing at the double oak doors keeping us sealed away.
I’m propped against the meeting table, my feet crossed and eyes burning from staying up the whole flight. We all had too much energy to rest. We’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time.
Hushed voices near the doors, and Kairo’s head whips up like a dog, ready to pounce on whoever opens them.
One door creeks open, and you could hear a pin drop in the room as we all hold our breath. My eye twitches when Charlie, Rosalie’s best-friend-turned-manager, enters the room. She’s dressed in an expensive set of royal blue silk pajamas as she argues lightly with the man standing behind her. She has yet to see us, but when she enters the meeting room, we all stand at attention.
“Have you even done a background check?” She questions the smaller man behind her.
He’s a dashing sort with perfectly styled hair and neat, matching dark pajamas. Considering it’s three in the morning, it explains why everyone is dressed for bed. There wasn’t much time between our response and our arrival, since we flew for three hours to get to California.
“I did a background check!” The man protests. “We needed someone quick, and they were the only ones to respond right away. I did my research.”
“You better have, Elijah. We can’t just have anyone watching over Rose—” Charlie stops the moment she sees us, her eyes saucering as they bounce between all three of us rapidly. “Oh, no, no, no!” She chants, grabbing Elijah’s shoulders. “Can I talk to you outside? Preferably, where no one can hear us?”
The man is startled by her desperation, slightly drawingback with worry in his eyes. “Sure? What’s wrong?”
She doesn’t answer him as she drags him back out to the hallway and slams the door, closing us in here for a second time. There’s a beat of silence until we hear Charlie’s voice hit a crescendo, echoing off the walls in an obvious sign of her displeasure.
“This is going great,” Kairo smirks as he posts up and crosses his arms over his chest.
Roman hums. “If we want this job, then we’re going to have to get past the manager.”
“Obviously,” I mutter as more arguing ensues on the other side of the door.
We wait five minutes before Charlie opens it again, flying into the office with purpose. “You have to leave. Now!”
Roman scowls at her. “We flew all the way out here for this job. You need security. We’re security.”
Charlie’s jaw grinds as she motions wildly to us. “Yeah, I need security! Not whatever the fuck this is!”
Elijah stands back, cautious not to get too close to the manager as his lips pull over his teeth in a wince.
“We’re security,” Kairo says with a shrug. “And we’re your only option, right?” His eyes flicker to Elijah, who holds his hands up as if to say, ‘don’t involve me in this.’
Charlie braces her hands on her head, pacing. “Okay, not a big deal. We have Rose’s high school bullies standing in her fucking meeting room. Totally cool. Perfect, even!”
Light footsteps pad in the direction of the office, and we all stop as we stare at the doors. Charlie freaks out, commanding that Elijah stop whoever is on the other side, but she isn’t quick enough as the door creeps open further, and long black hair comes into view.
It’s like the whole world stops, stalling on its axis. None of us breathes as delicately, pale features and emerald green eyes pierce right into us. My pulse slams, reminding me that this isreal.
She’s right in front of us.
My Songbird.
“What…” Rosalie’s voice trails as shock cracks across her perfect face before it’s replaced by boiling rage. “What the fuck?!”
