I also know that one false move from my father, and Maddox will likely crush his skull with his bare hands. I’m not going to lie. That gives me strength too, having this man by my side.
My father smirks. “I saw a picture of you in the papers. Read all about how you had this fancy new job, and this fancy new fella.” He wipes blood away from his chin and snaps his nose back into place with such practiced ease, it suggests he’s done it before. “Then I got an early release and found myself flat on my ass, broke. Nothing to show for all those years I spent raising you and those ungrateful brats. I’m looking for a little help, is all. And if I don’t get it, maybe I’ll go to the papers myself. Tell them all about our daddy-daughter time together. Give the world my version of events, huh, sweetheart? How will that fit with your shiny new life? Or we can settle this the easy way, and you can help your old man out. It’s not likehecan’t afford it.”
Maddox strains to get at him, muttering threats under his breath, but I pull him back. I love him so much, and I love him for who he is, not what his family can offer me. But at the same time, I have to accept that the James name comes withresponsibility. Being part of his family means something, and I’ve exposed them to risk. I of all people need to be aware of their reputation.
I meet Maddox’s eyes and shake my head.
“Let me think about it,” I say quietly to my father. “Leave your number and go.”
“Don’t fucking bother, asshole,” Maddox growls. “Get the fuck out before I toss you out of the fucking window.”
He scribbles his number down anyway while I cling to Maddox’s forearm.
“You’ll be in touch, Ellie?” my father asks. “Because I meant what I said.”
Maddox snarls.
I nod. “Yes. But leave now, because if you don’t?—”
“Yeah, yeah. You’ll set your guard dog on me. Like I ain’t seen worse in the can.”
On that note, he finally leaves. I slam the door behind him and turn back to Maddox. Thick veins throb in his forehead and his jaw twitches. His fists are still balled, and his eyes are wild.
Then he takes one look at me, and all of that disappears.
He pulls me in his arms, cradles me, stroking my hair. “Baby, are you okay? I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you. We need to get you some better security. In fact, we need to get you out of this apartment until that sack of shit is back behind bars where he belongs.”
I cling to him, saying nothing, letting his presence soothe me.
“I’m okay, Mad,” I finally say.
“Let me see what that sick fuck did to you.” He holds me back by my shoulders and stares at the cut on my head.
“It’ll look worse than it is. Scalp wounds always do,” I assure him. “And I really did trip up and hit the door with my face. I thought it was you knocking on the door, and that’s why I opened it. Then I was so scared.”
He holds me tight again. “I’m here now, baby. I won’t let him hurt you again.”
I sniff, brushing my cheek against his T-shirt and taking comfort in the solid warmth of him, in his scent. How nice it feels to be embraced by him. “I don’t know how he’s even here. He has three years left on his sentence, and we’re supposed to get informed if he’s up for parole. The victims are given the chance to make a statement, to give their views and stuff.”
“I don’t know what happened either, baby. But it’s going to be okay. I’ll have Nathan and Drake look into it. He won’t ever get near you again. We’re also not giving that bastard a penny.”
He’s probably right, but we do need to think this through. If my father was just your average scum threatening to sell a story to the papers, no journalist would give him the time of day. Nobody likes a child rapist.
But a piece of garbage whose daughter is dating Maddox James? That’s different. That might get some traction. There are less scrupulous publications and websites out there that could bite. I can imagine him pleading his innocence, saying he was framed. That his daughter was brainwashed against him, and now the mighty James family won’t let him near her to make amends. It could fly with the type of media who’re only interested in clickbait and sensational headlines. I’d hate for Jamestech, or for Maddox’s family, to get dragged through the mud like that.
Truthfully, I hate the idea of it for myself too.
“I think we need to speak to your family,” I tell him. They need to be prepared for what might happen.
When I look up, he has his cell phone in his hand and he’s tapping out a text one-handed, his other arm still wrapped tightly around me. “Already on it, baby.”
I also need to tell my family. While I have some sway over Maddox, I have no such control over Keres, Ace, Romeo, or any of the Morettis.
My father is a dead man walking.
Chapter 35
Maddox
