Zack’s body thrummed with desire to be with Maddie again. He was grateful Brooks had decided on a plan that would bring Zack to her. Having her taken away from him was torture, but the Coast Guard doing the taking at least reassured him she would be okay.
11
Maddie made it through the boat ride and onto the flight to D.C. with only a few tears escaping. She was alone again, but at least she was safe. The pirates were captured, and her nightmare was over. Why couldn’t she be happier? She closed her eyes and could picture Zack sitting on his dock with no shirt on, laughing up at her. Why couldn’t she be with him right now? Would she ever see him again? All she knew was his name and that his island was north of Belize. It wasn’t much to go on. She clutched the letter from her father. The Coast Guard had confiscated the forged passports and IDs, but they had left her the letter and told her she’d get the cash after the I.R.S. took out inheritance tax and cleared it. She had money now, lots of it. She could charter a boat and find Zack’s island somehow, even if it took months.
She sighed and leaned her head against the seat on the plane. It would be worth it if she was certain Zack wanted her to find him. He’d definitely seemed to want her in his arms, but there just wasn’t time to make a plan of reuniting or know his true intentions.
An hour later, she disembarked in D.C. and was taken to the Homeland Security office. The men had all been very kind to her, but she’d changed hands a few times and felt so displaced. No one and nothing were familiar.
Two men guided her into a sterile office. Maddie gasped when her mother spun to face her. Her dark hair was pulled back, and her large brown eyes were red-rimmed, but she still looked beautiful. She opened her arms, and Maddie flung herself into them. Her mom always smelled like the sweetness of gardenias.
“You’re okay? They didn’t hurt you?” Her mom leaned back and searched Maddie’s face, running her hands over her arms. “Oh, my girl, I’ve been so worried!”
Maddie pulled away. She was relieved to be with her mom, but she had so many questions. “Why did you let me go with him? Why would you put me in danger like that?”
Her mouth dropped open. “I didn’t know you’d be in danger.”
“You didn’t know your husband was a pirate?”
Her mom’s mouth thinned. “You think I would’ve allowed you into that situation if I had known who he was associating with and what he would do?”
“Mom. You had to have known. All these years he’s been lying to you. Didn’t he have slimeball men with him?”
“No. We were always alone.”
“But you had to sense something was off. Why didn’t you just divorce him and cut off all ties?”
Her mom glanced at the two agents in the room who were watching their conversation with a little too much interest. She finally shrugged and admitted, “I loved him.” A long pause, and then she sighed. “Our relationship worked for us. We only saw each other every few months, and it was new and exciting every time. He flew me to exotic locations, and it was like a honeymoon. I thought he was an international businessman like he always claimed.”
“You had no questions?”
“He always answered them. Even took me to his office in Venice a couple of times.” She glanced away from Maddie. “He was wonderful to me. My only regret was that he didn’t spend more time with you.”
“He always wanted you all to himself.” Maddie grunted in disgust. “So you let a crooked man buy you off your entire life? I thought my mother was a tough, brilliant professor who raised me to be independent and strong.”
Her mom flinched like Maddie had slapped her. “What do you mean, buy me off? He never gave me money.”
“He didn’t?” Did her mother really believe her own lame story?
“No.” She shook her head quickly. “He bought me lots of gifts, and he paid to take me on extravagant vacations, but besides that, I provided for us and liked being my own woman. That’s why our relationship worked so well. I would’ve been smothered by him being around all the time.”
Maddie walked to a chair and sat heavily in it, trying to process all of this. She glanced up at her mother. “So, he called you two days ago?”
“He told me he was going to be killed by Bello soon and told me how to get the authorities alerted to find you and to capture the pirates. Made me write down so much information my fingers cramped.” She pressed her lips together, and a tear leaked out of the corner of her eye. “And now he’s gone.”
Maddie stood and went to her mother. She hugged her. It was weird that Maddie felt little remorse for her father dying when it was obviously ripping her mother apart. She couldn’t even imagine wanting a marriage like the one her mother had described, but she’d witnessed it her entire life, and she did know that her mom had seemed happy with her lot in life. So odd.
The men gave her mom a few minutes to compose herself; then they started in on the questioning. It lasted for hours. They broke for snacks, drinks, and lunch, but besides that, they grilled Maddie and her mom on different interactions throughout their lives with her father and most specifically in relation to the pirates. When Maddie told the story of Zack and Brooks helping her, her mother eyed her suspiciously, but luckily didn’t start her own line of mother questioning.
The next day they were informed that most of the pirate ring had been captured, and it was safe for them to go home. The flight home was slow, as Maddie didn’t know what she wanted to do with herself when she got there. She’d let her college apartment go when she graduated. She and her friend, Abby, had planned to buy a house together, so right now all of Maddie’s stuff was in her mom’s garage, and she was staying back in her old room in her mom’s basement.
It was surreal to be home. Zack seemed years and planets away from her now. She knew if she told Abby the story, her friend would put off looking for jobs with her newly acquired MBA and go search for him, but Maddie still wasn’t sure if that was the best course. She wasn’t starting her new job until August, a few weeks before the new school year started. This was supposed to be a summer to relax, play, and find a house. Now she wasn’t sure what to do with herself, except pray that she could forget about Zack or get brave enough to chase after him.
12
Zack paid the cab driver, and he and Brooks climbed out of the back. Neither of them had much more than a small bag. Brooks whistled as he looked around at the imposing gate and guardhouse. The main house peeked from behind the rows of trees and a fence. “I’ve never been to the family manor. A little stuffy, but I kinda like it.”
Zack didn’t respond. He liked everything about the massive brick home where he’d grown up in Greenwich, Connecticut. The town had a lot of open space, and he’d had plenty of freedom as a boy to explore and run. The house was after the Colonial style, and because his father was usually away on business or working long hours in the city, the house had mostly good memories for him.
He and Brooks hadn’t called to say they were coming, so he wasn’t even sure if his mom or niece would be here. He walked over to talk to the guard. It was much easier than trying to get a taxi into the fortress. A limo pulled up next to him. The back door popped open and his niece leapt out. The guard wasn’t familiar to Zack, and he immediately moved to intercept Chalise.
“It’s okay, Sam.” His mother climbed out of the backseat and hurried to his side.
Zack swooped Chalise into his arms and savored the smell of baby lotion and sweetness. She grinned broadly at him, kissing his cheek before settling against his chest. Zack swallowed against his emotions as his mom descended on them.
“Zack, sweetheart,” his mom gushed. “You’re home!”
Zack shifted Chalise to his right arm and hugged his mom close with his left. They simply held each other. Zack could’ve stayed like this all day, but his mom backed away and wiped at her eyes. “I can’t believe you’re here, love. How long are you staying?” She glanced around for luggage and spotted Brooks. “Oh.” Her eyebrows arched up.
“You brought a … friend?”
Brooks cackled. “Not that kind of friend.”
His mom blushed.
Zack gestured. “This is my buddy, Brooks. I’ve told you about him.”
Brooks came forward and gave his mom a hug. “Nice to meet you, Momma.”
She gave a very uncharacteristic giggle. “Oh! You as well, Brooks.”
Zack grinned. Leave it to Brooks to charm his fifty-year-old mother. He glanced over at her. She was still fit and dressed perfectly in a red silk shirt and black-and-white-striped pencil skirt. Her blond hair and beautiful face hadn’t changed in years. He wondered if she’d had plastic surgery, but would never ask.
“Let’s go inside.” She gestured the car on, and the four of them walked up the driveway lined with oak trees.
Chalise was still cuddled into Zack. She darted a glance up at Brooks, then tucked her head back in. It was a warm June day and sweat popped up on Zack’s forehead.
“And who is this pretty girl?” Brooks asked, tilting his head down to meet Chalise’s gaze.
Chalise smiled shyly at him, but of course didn’t answer.
“Chalise.” His mother’s voice took on the soft tones reserved for her granddaughter. “Can you say hello to Uncle Zack’s friend?”
Chalise pushed her lips out in a stubborn expression that almost made Zack laugh, but she lifted a hand in greeting. Brooks took the fingers in his and kissed them as they walked slowly. Chalise grinned broader, but didn’t giggle like most little girls would have.
“It’s nice to meet you, Princess Chalise.”
Everyone held their breath, hoping she would respond, but nothing happened besides a slight red tinge to her light brown skin. Zack breathed in and felt his jaw working. He tried to control the reaction of frustration and worry. He didn’t want to pressure her, and he loved her no matter what, but he couldn’t help wondering if she would ever talk.
“So how long are you staying with us?” his mom asked.
“A couple of days,” Zack answered.
“Oh, darling. You finally come home and you’re only staying a couple of days.” His mom’s mouth pursed, but no wrinkle lines showed.
“Sorry, Mom. This was all kind of …” He glanced at Brooks, who was smirking at him. “Last-minute.”
“What’s going on?”
They walked up the concrete steps to the wide front porch. Brooks held the door for everyone, and his mom directed them into the front sitting room. “Are you hungry?” she asked before Zack could answer her last question.
“No.” Zack looked at Brooks.
“I’m fine.”
A uniformed maid came into the room. Her gaze darted between Brooks and Zack. “Can I get you anything, ma’am?”
“Some water and lemonade. Thank you, Ally.”
“My pleasure.” Her eyes lingered on Brooks before she swept out of the room.
Zack sat with Chalise on his lap. His mom sat next to him, with Brooks filling up a dainty chair.
“Tell Uncle Zack about your dance lessons,” his mom urged.
There was a pause as his mom leaned forward and gave Chalise an encouraging smile. Zack would love to hear her answer, but he didn’t think the constant pressure and hope was helping. Chalise bobbed her head to the side and smiled, but didn’t say anything.
When the silence was too much to bear, Zack was relieved when Brooks turned to his mom. “Zack’s met the love of his life, and we’re going to chase her down.”
The relief fled as Zack’s neck heated up. “Brooks! Seriously?”
“You’d tell her anyway. I know you tell your momma everything.”
His mom’s eyes were soft as she squeezed Zack’s arm. “Truly? You’ve met someone?”
“Yes.” He fought the grin, but couldn’t hide it from his mom. “But I don’t know if she wants to be with me.”
“Any woman would want to be with you,” his mom insisted.
The maid brought in a tray with a carafe of water and various kinds of individual lemonade flavors.
“True,” Brooks said. “Unless I’m around.” He winked at the maid, who blushed and almost dropped the tray.
His mom waited until they all had a drink and the maid was gone before leaning into Zack. “Why would you say something like that? Of course she’d want to be with you.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Brooks insisted, sipping his strawberry lemonade. “She told me she wants him. He just needs to grow some, ahem, guts.”
His mom blinked at Brooks, obviously not accustomed to his manner of speech.
Zack pulled out his phone and opened the photos. There were dozens of pictures of his island and Belize. He knew Chalise would love all the pictures of the local children who liked to sell him stuff when he went for supplies. He handed it to the little girl, who grinned up at him and started scrolling through.
“It’s a really long story, Mom, but I promised Brooks that in two days I would go to Montana and try to find Maddie.”
“Maddie? Montana?”
Zack loved his mother, and he’d always shared a lot with her, but he was exhausted from traveling, worrying about Maddie, and the tension of being back in America. Despite his hat and sunglasses, a pair of college-aged girls had recognized him at the airport. They asked to take a selfie with him and then wanted him to sign their arms with a marker. Thankfully, Brooks had joked with them and the men had been able to escape.
“Brooks?” Zack looked to his friend. “You on?”
Brooks grinned. “Because I am the master storyteller, my boy has just given me permission to share his.” He clucked his tongue. “Fill in any holes, my friend.”
Brooks proceeded to share Maddie’s story with his mother. Zack held his niece and answered questions or clarified points along the way. He realized it was insane to want to be with someone after knowing her for two days, but his mom didn’t give any indication that’s what she thought. She kept glancing at Zack with warm smiles. Zack was glad to be with her and Chalise again, but he knew the next two days were going to drag until he could get to Maddie.
13
Maddie walked in the house late. She dropped her stuff off in her room and went back upstairs to raid the fridge and try to find something palatable. She missed Zack’s cooking. Sighing, she flipped the hair off her neck. It was hot in the house. She missed Zack more than his yummy food.
She and Abby had spent the entire day touring houses. She hadn’t told her friend that she’d be able to pay cash for her half of the mortgage. It was still pretty foreign to think of all that money, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to use it. The government had cleared it, so it must be clean, but she didn’t like the thought of her father buying her off on his deathbed. It would be fun to use the money to buy the house for her and Abby, but she knew Abby too well and knew something like that would tick her off.
Her phone rang.
“Hey, Abby.”
“I’m just dying over that great house on Quinn Creek. I loved all the rustic details mixed with the modern updates, and the windows and view are amazing!”
“It would be a nice, quiet spot. I swear, though, are we twenty or eighty? We should probably be looking at condos close to the university.” She pulled out a cheese stick and an apple. It was a lame dinner, but it would work.
“Pshaw. We’ve done that scene. I want tranquility. I want to plant a garden.”
“What am I going to do living out there all alone when Russ proposes next month?”
Abby chortled. “You wish.”
“I wish! I thought you wished.” Maddie peeled off some of the cheese and popped it in her mouth.
“I don’t know if it’s right, Maddie-girl. I mean, we’ve been dating for a year, and if I haven’t had that confirmation yet, what does that say?”
Maddie choked on the cheese. She’d known Zack two days and ached for him every minute since they’d been pulled apart by the Coast Guard. What did that mean? Was that the confirmation Abby was talking ab
out? But falling hard and fast wasn’t a smart way to start a relationship.
“Hello? Are you there?”
Maddie swallowed. “You just don’t feel right about it, do you?”
“Nope. But that’s okay. There are a lot of hotties just waiting to meet me.”
Maddie laughed. “For sure.”
“Like Zack Tyndale.” Abby said his name on a dreamy sigh. “You actually met him, and it sounds like he was into you. Someday I’ll find mine.”
Maddie nodded, though her friend couldn’t see her. She’d googled Zack and his pictures more times than she wanted to admit over the past couple of days. She’d studied, or rather drooled over, the images. Brooks had told her Zack was a changed man, and he did seem different now that she knew him. There was a sparkle in Zack’s eyes that was absent in those pictures. She liked to think the sparkle was reserved for her.
“I want to go find him,” she admitted to Abby.
“Really?”
Maddie heard a tapping like footsteps. She whirled around to look, but saw no one. Must’ve been something outside. Her mom was meeting with their pastor again tonight. On Sunday, they were going to hold a funeral service of sorts for her father. She hoped it would give her mom some closure.
“Let’s do something crazy.” Maddie set the cheese on the counter, her stomach churning too much to eat right now. She pulled in a quick breath, then spit out the words. “Before we settle down to work and be old maids, let’s fly to the Caribbean, charter a boat, and go find Zack.”
Abby let out a whoop. “You know I’m in, baby! But …” The excitement in her voice faded. “That might take our whole down payment for this house.”
“My dad left me some money. I’ll pay for the trip.”
Caribbean Rescue (Destination Billionaire Romance) Page 13
