“And we brought all your soap making stuff too!”Dylan continues.“The big pot thing, and all those oils, and the molds—everything!Maddox said you might want to work while you’re here.”
Della’s throat clears from beside me and she leans close.“Told you.”
Maddox walks over to where I’m sitting, lowering himself to his knees in front of me.He scratches the scruff lining his jaw and sighs.“I should have asked first, but...”His words trail as he glances at Della.“I spoke with Shadow while we were out.”
Della sits up straight beside me, her eyes locked on her brother.
“The Fallen Demons have been looking into the attack,” he continues, his voice low.“They’re not sure who’s behind it yet, but they think it might be a rival club.That Rodeo Roundup was targeted because they’re silent owners.”
An audible gasp sounds from Della.“Maddox, we just signed a deal with them.If that’s true, what if they try to hit the ranch next?”
Maddox shakes his head.“Shadow doesn’t think that will happen, and he’s beefing up security here.I’ve put everyone on alert, and we’ve got eyes on every access point to the property.”He brings his gaze back to me and takes my hands in his, his calloused thumbs rubbing gentle circles on my skin.“Until we know what’s going on and who’s behind the attack, I want you and Dylan to stay here on the ranch with me.”
My throat tightens.“Maddox?—”
“I need to know you’re both safe,” he interrupts, his voice cracking slightly.“And the only way I can know that is if you’re here, where I can protect you.”Maddox squeezes my hands.“I know you have responsibilities, and I respect your independence—that’s why I brought your soap supplies.You can continue your business from here.We’ve got plenty of space in the kitchen, and if that doesn’t work, we can set up a workshop in one of the empty rooms.”
Della turns to me.“I can help you if you teach me.We can even get that website you’ve been wanting up and running.”
I’m not used to this—people rallying around me, offering solutions, making space in their lives for me and my son.For so long, it’s been just Dylan and me against the world, scraping by, making do.
I look up at Dylan, then back to Maddox, whose gaze holds something deeper, something that makes my heart hammer inside my chest.
“Okay,” I whisper, the word barely audible even to my own ears.“Just until things settle down.”
Dylan’s face breaks into a relieved smile, and Maddox exhales like he’s been holding his breath for hours.He brings my knuckles to his lips and presses a gentle kiss there.
“Thank you,” he murmurs against my skin.
“Where should we put all this stuff?”Tyler asks, shifting the box in his arms.
Maddox stands, not letting go of my hand.“Dylan’s things go in the blue bedroom upstairs.Amelia’s things go in mine.The soap supplies can go in the sunroom for now.”
“I can help you set up your soap station after lunch,” Della offers, patting my knee.“Judy’s making her famous chicken soup.You have to eat something or she’s going to keep cooking, and we’ll run out of food.”
I highly doubt that, but I keep that bit to myself.
“And I’ll help Dylan get his PlayStation hooked up,” Wyatt adds.
“He’s just offering to help Dylan set up his video game because he wants to play himself,” Grant says, earning a chuckle from everyone.
Everyone except for Maddox.
He crouches down in front of me again.“You okay?”he asks quietly, his eyes searching mine.“I know I sprung this on you.If you need space or time?—”
I silence him by leaning forward and pressing my finger against his lips.Then I take his face in my hands and kiss him softly, fully aware we have an audience.
Also not giving one single fuck.
“Thank you,” I murmur against his lips.
Maddox’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles against my lips, the tension in his shoulders dissolving almost instantly.
Grant clears his throat.“Well, I think that’s our cue to make ourselves scarce.”
Wyatt nudges Dylan’s shoulder.“Come on, kid.Let’s get that gaming system hooked up so you can kick my ass inCall Of Duty.”
The rest of the room empties quickly, leaving Maddox and I alone.He doesn’t waste any time.His hands come up to frame my face, and he pulls me in for another kiss.This one isn’t a gentle press of the lips like the one I planted on him before.It’s deep and consuming, like he’s trying to pour everything he’s feeling into it.His tongue invades my mouth, sweeping through it with an urgency I match.When we finally part, we are both panting.His forehead touches mine and his thumbs trace my cheeks.
