When I open the door, Shadow strides in with Maddox right behind him.
When I swing the door open, I’m surprised to see not just Shadow but Maddox standing there, their faces grim.Shadow pushes past me, his eyes scanning the apartment until they land on Dylan.
“You okay, kid?”Shadow asks, his voice softer than usual.
Dylan nods, but I can see the tension still lingering in his shoulders.
“Tell me what happened,” Shadow says, lowering himself onto the couch across from Dylan.Maddox remains standing, his eyes locked on me with an intensity that makes my skin warm despite our current situation.
Dylan takes a deep breath.“He came to get me from school early.I asked him if Mom was okay, and he said yeah, that she knew he was coming to get me.I figured she got called into work or something.”
“I fucking hate him,” I interject, unable to stop myself.Maddox crosses the room and takes a seat next to me, placing a hand on my thigh.His fingers squeeze gently, and I realize in that moment that one simple gesture from this man has the power to ground me.Oddly enough, it doesn’t terrify me, and that speaks volumes.
Dylan continues, his voice steady.“He took me for pizza, then to buy that video game he’s been promising for months.He asked what I’ve been up to lately, and I told him about the ranch and the riding lessons.”His eyes flick toward Maddox.“He didn’t like that.”
Before Dylan can elaborate, his phone chimes with a text.He swipes it from the coffee table, glancing at the screen.I hold my breath, thinking it’s Russell again.I should’ve blocked him like Dylan asked.
“It’s one of my friends from school.A new tournament is starting,” he says, looking at me.“Can I go to my room?”
I nod, watching as he disappears down the hall.As soon as his bedroom door clicks shut, Shadow turns to Maddox.
“I don’t like this,” he says, his voice low and dangerous.Then he shifts his gaze to me.“I don’t care what you say, Amelia., I’m going to straighten his ass out once and for all.”
For years, I’ve been the voice of reason, begging Shadow not to do anything that would land him in jail.I never wanted Shadow to be the man responsible for Russell’s demise, fearing how that would affect Dylan.
But tonight, I say nothing.
My silence is permission, and we all know it.
Shadow stands, jaw set.“I’ll call you when it’s done.”
He leaves without another word, the door closing behind him with finality.The apartment suddenly feels quiet until Maddox breaks the silence.
“I’m not letting Dylan or you out of my sight until Shadow puts Russell in his place,” he says, his voice leaving no room for argument.“Or in the ground.”He reaches for my hand.“I’m camping out on your couch.We’ll order in.Whatever Dylan likes.”
I don’t fight him.The thought of having him here, standing guard over us, sends relief washing through me.I lean forward and kiss him passionately.Maddox seems surprised by my forwardness, but only for a second.His hands cup my face as he responds with equal intensity, his lips warm and firm against mine.
His stubble scratches lightly against my skin as he changes the angle, deepening the kiss.His hands slide from my face to my hair, fingers threading through the strands as he pulls me closer.I melt against him, my hands his chest.I can feel his heartbeat quickening beneath my palm.
When I pull back, I whisper, “Okay.”
His eyes search mine, surprised by my sudden surrender but pleased.His thumb traces my cheekbone.“Just like that?No argument?”
“Just like that,” I confirm.“I’m tired, Maddox.Tired of fighting this battle alone when you’re right here offering to help.”
He pulls me against him, and I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat.
My sheets feel like sandpaper against my skin.I can’t sleep knowing Maddox is just thirty feet away, lying on my couch.
“Fuck it,” I whisper, throwing back the covers.
My bare feet make no sound on the hardwood as I pad from my bedroom to the living room.The moment I catch sight of Maddox, something inside me stirs.He’s stretched out on the couch, one tattooed arm thrown over his eyes, the other dangling toward the floor.No shirt.Just those worn jeans riding low on his hips, the top button undone.His long legs hang awkwardly over the armrest.
He senses me before I say anything and sits up in one fluid motion, his abs rippling with the movement.
“Everything okay?”he asks, voice rough with sleep.
I shake my head slowly.“No.”
