“So, what’s on your mind, Maddie?” Hannah asked as she took a drink and sat back.
I rubbed Maddie’s back as she leaned against me and let her know that I was right here. “Did you keep one of the letters that Tim sent me?”
“No, baby, I didn’t. He sent them all back before I could get them and put them away for you. I knew at the time you didn’t need to open those wounds, but I thought once a little time passed you deserved to get them.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me that he’d written to me?” Maddie asked.
“We trusted Michael when he said that he would tell you when the time was right. We didn’t know that you didn’t know.” “One of the letters was missing.” I told them. Hannah turned and looked at me.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I numbered them, and I never got the first letter back. I got number two and so on, so I just assumed that it was Maddie sending them back. She didn’t know about them until a couple of days ago.”
Hannah stood up without another word and went inside the house. It was only a minute before we heard her raised voice coming from inside. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell her, Michael! She had a right to know the truth! You have kept them apart for what damn reason? I swear if you mention his name to me I am flying down there to put my foot up your ass!” There was silence again before she called him a few choice words. “I am sending her down to you and you are going to give her the letter. You are going to make this up to her, Michael. I mean it. He isn’t fucking God. You are so wrong for what you’ve done. If she chooses not to talk to you after this, then I am behind her one hundred percent.”
A few seconds later, Hannah was back outside and moved to crouch down in front of Maddie. “Maddie, baby, I am so sorry. I thought he told you everything. Had I have known different then I would have sat you down and told you. I can’t make this up to either of you.”
Maddie moved to hug her and hid her face in her neck. As Maddie did, her arms tightened around Hannah and Hannah wrapped her arms around Maddie and whispered softly to her. I looked over at Jasmine who looked like she wanted to move over to them both and wrap her arms around them. As I sat there, I let my hand run over Maddie’s back in small circles again. When they broke apart, Hannah wiped away Maddie’s tears and rested her hand on her cheek. When she looked up at me, there was a sadness in her eyes.
“You might want to have a word with your father. He orchestrated all of this. Michael knew what was coming.”
I shook my head and my hand clenched. If I didn’t hate my father before, then I would after this trip. Looks like I was going back home to confront some old demons…
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Maddie
“Is he back in Tasmania?” Hannah shook her head when I asked about Michael.
“Not at the moment, no. He is at a conference in Sydney until next week. He said if you didn’t want to go and see him there, he would come through here before he went back home.” I nodded and chewed the inside of my lip as I squeezed my hand on Tim’s thigh. I curled back into his side when Hannah moved to sit back down in the chair across from us. I looked over at Jas, who looked as though she was ready to come over and join me on the bench seat. I held up my arm and she moved to curl into me as I curled into Tim. Hannah just laughed.
“The amount of times you three would be like that when I got home from work...” She shook her head with a smile.
Tim pressed a kiss to my head and I smiled a little. No matter what happened with Uncle Michael, I was with Tim now, where I belonged. Allan came and joined us not long after, and he and Tim cooked the BBQ, while Hannah, Jasmine and I did the rest. After a few more drinks, we all ended up crashing there so that none of us were driving.
Waking up the next morning, I curled into Tim and groaned as my head started to hurt. Tim just chuckled and kissed my head. “Aww, did someone have a little too much to drink last night?”
I shoved him for his teasing me, but curled right back into him. “It’s not nice to tease so early in the morning.”
He chuckled again and wrapped me tighter in his arms. I nuzzled into his neck and closed my eyes. Our silence didn’t last long, though. It wasn’t long before there was a banging on the door.
“Can I kill her?” I asked Tim.
Tim squeezed my shoulder. “No, you would miss her if you did.” I let out a dramatic sigh and tried to go back to sleep. There was another banging on the door followed by “If you don’t get up I am coming in!”
I groaned and threw a pillow at the door. “Go away, Evans. You’re a pain in my ass.” I heard the door open and before I could move, she landed on top of us and I groaned. “Woman, I am gonna beat you!” She snorted and I managed to get my arms out from under her and shoved her off the bed. I curled back into Tim and closed my eyes again when she stood up and slapped my ass.
“Up.”
I threw another pillow at her and sighed. Pulling back the covers on the bed, I sat up slowly and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. I looked over at Tim, who was getting up and the sight of him in just his boxers made me groan. That was a sight that had only gotten better with time. I trailed my eyes up his body and caught him watching me.
“Too bad she knows we are awake,” he said with a smirk as he pulled his jeans on. I felt the heat in my cheeks and cursed my best friend. Moving round to take his hand, we walked out to find Jasmine and took the coffee that Hannah handed us on our way past.
“Thanks, Mama H.” We walked into the front room and saw Jasmine curled up under covers watching TV. Turning my head to see what she was watching, I saw Alice in Wonderland and snorted. I crossed the room and sat my coffee down and curled up with her under the covers.
“Are you gonna go see him, or let him come to you?” Jasmine asked as she wrapped her arms around me. I looked up at Tim, who was leaning against the door before I turned back to Jasmine.
“I hadn’t really decided yet. I don’t want to leave him to come to me in case he doesn’t.”
“So, go to him. You know he is gonna try and avoid it for as long as he can. He has let it go this long now. What’s a bit longer?”
I picked my coffee back up and asked. “What makes me think he isn’t going to tell me anything? He has had how long now? What’s to stop him turning round and saying that I know now, he isn’t gonna say any more on the matter?”
“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll tell ya,” Hannah called from the kitchen. I couldn’t help but laugh. She wasn’t going to let him let this go. Tim moved away from the door and I laid my head on Jas’ shoulder. Did it really matter what he said, or why he did it? Tim was here now and I knew what happened. Was getting that letter just going to open old wounds, or would it answer questions? Tim had already told me what happened, so unless it was going to have something he’d forgotten to mention then I didn’t really need it.
“At least talk to him. Your choice, though.” I sipped my coffee and thought about it as we watched Alice in Wonderland.
A few hours later after Hannah was happy that we had been fed and were hangover free, we all went back to Jasmine’s. Jas went back to bed to sleep before she had to work tomorrow, which left Tim and I to our own devices. We were laying there watching movies while his hands ran up and down my back.
“I booked us a hotel in Sydney…” I lifted my head to look at him.
“I hadn’t decided if I was going or not.” I told him.
“The decision isn’t just yours, Snowflake.” I frowned and sat up so that I was straddling his waist.
“I’m sorry, want to run that past me again?”
“I need to know if my dad had something more to do with this than I thought. I am high 90’s sure that he has, but I need to hear the words out of Michael’s mouth because I know Dad would never give me a straight answer.” I looked down and nodded. I hadn’t thought about that. In truth I had only been thinking of how I felt and what I wanted. I didn’t think about what Tim wanted and if he
had questions.
“When do we leave?” I asked him.
“Tomorrow. If you don’t want to go, then I understand. I won’t make you go, but I need to know. That man has tried to ruin my life and I lost you. I need to know.”
I bent down and pressed my lips softly against his. “I’ll go. Then I think we should book our flights and try and get some more answers. Michael won’t be able to tell us everything.” I kissed him again softly and laid my head back on his chest. “I love you.” I told him.
“I love you too, gorgeous.”
I smiled as I felt his lips press against my skin.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Ghost
The next morning, after we said goodbye to Jas - which took an hour on its own - we got into Maddie’s truck and headed off for Sydney. I’d told Hannah what we were doing the day before when I got her advice on what I should do. She was always the person we turned to for advice, or turned to if we were in trouble. The school was shit scared of her, so we usually got out of it pretty quick unless we deserved it. Hell hath no fury like that woman. She had always been there for Maddie growing up. She was her surrogate. She never tried to replace her mum, which was why we called her Mama H. Hannah never had much respect for my Ma though.
She saw how we were being raised, and didn’t like the way Ma answered to her husband like she didn’t have a choice or couldn’t think for herself. He had spent years making her submit to him, and her fear of being alone and the fallout from leaving him stopped her from standing up to him. It was different for Hannah, because she married a man who had been raised to respect women and treat them like a queen. When Jasmine was born he was over the moon because he had a princess to spoil. Maddie’s dad had adored Maddie right up until the day he died.
When he passed away, Michael took over. I never felt sorry for myself. If my dad wasn’t the way he was, then I wouldn’t have turned out the way I did. I had always been determined to not repeat the cycle. Once I went to the Army, that was my focus. I never dated, because it wouldn’t be fair on someone else. Not when I still thought about that beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed girl I’d had to leave behind. My first love. Hearing the sound of Maddie’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked over at her when she asked me if I was okay.
“I am. Just thinking.” I told her.
“Don’t think too hard baby, you might hurt yourself.”
I laughed. “Always the smartass, Snowflake.” She grinned at me and I took her hand in mine. Bringing it to my lips, I kissed her knuckles. “I’ll get you back for that comment.” I told her.
“I don’t doubt that, baby. I only know I’m safe because I’m driving. All bets are off when I stop, though.” She replied.
“As long as you know.”
A couple of hours later, we reached Sydney. We checked to find out where Michael was gonna be and headed that way. I had booked us a hotel not far from there anyway, so we were going to meet him for dinner and talk. Well, I hoped that was the plan, anyway. I was in half a mind of whether or not he would actually show up or not. I was ready to track him down if he did run, though. Pulling into the hotel, we gave the valet the keys, took our bags inside, and checked in. After getting our room key, we headed upstairs to drop our stuff before we headed out for some fresh air. After coming from the country, ‘fresh air’ was a loose term. I had always hated the city. Even back in the States I lived away from traffic and people and all of that mess. I liked the seclusion and silence. Just the thought of being in the city had me a little on edge. Moving to the fridge and getting a bottle of water, I moved to take out my valium. I took one from the bottle and downed it with some water. Sitting down on the bed, I dropped my head and tried to calm myself back down. My heart was racing, and my hands had started shaking.
“Tim, baby? Are you okay?” Maddie came to kneel in front of me and took my hands.
“I’m okay. I’m sorry, gorgeous. I didn’t think being in the city would have this effect on me. I was okay in Queensland. I don’t know why I am having a panic attack now.”
“Shh, baby, it’s okay.” Maddie stood up and moved to sit behind me. “Lay back, babe.”
Closing my eyes, I laid back so that my head was now laying in her lap. Her fingers softly ran through my hair and she massaged my temples. It wasn’t much longer after that that I could feel the Valium and her relaxing me take effect and I felt myself calming down.
After I was okay, I opened my eyes to see Maddie looking down at me. I gave her a smile and reached up to brush my finger down her cheek. “God, you’re beautiful.”
A red blush came over her cheeks and I grinned. Shifting a little, I moved my hand to rest on the back of her neck and I pulled her down to meet my lips. My heart was racing again, but this time it was for a whole new reason. I felt like that teenage kid again, sleeping with Maddie for the first time. Pulling back from her lips, I ran my fingers through her hair. Her head dipped and I closed my eyes as she kissed me again and moved so that she was now straddling my waist. I didn’t want to rush her, but God, did I need to feel her body close to mine again.
“Maddie?” I pulled back to look at her. “Are you sure?” She nodded and pulled her jacket off and dropped it on the floor.
“I know you won’t hurt me and aren’t just trying to get in my knickers, baby. I’m just not sure I can hold out much longer... I need you, Tim.” That was all I needed to know. Moving my hands to her waist, I rolled us over so that I was on top of her and I stood up. Taking her hand, I pulled her to stand up. Brushing her hair out of the way, I moved my hand to her back and reached around to unzip her dress. Sliding the straps slowly down her arms, I let it fall to the floor. Maddie stepped out of it before her hands moved to my shoulders and she pushed off my jacket.
Stepping forward and pressing my lips against hers again, I pulled my arm out of the jacket, with a little difficulty at first, and tossed it to the side. I moved my hands to her waist. Her body gave a small shiver at the feel of my hands against her bare skin. Sliding my hands up her back, I unclasped her bra and pulled back again. I heard her huff a little, but once I pulled my shirt over my head, she let out a soft groan. Undoing the belt of my jeans after dropping my shirt to the floor, I kicked off my boots and my jeans.
Putting my hands back on her hips, I pulled her closer again. I needed to have her close to me. There was an ache in my chest when she was out of my arms. I slid my hands down to Maddie’s ass, lifted her up into my arms, and carried her back to the bed. Laying her on the bed, I trailed my lips down her jaw and down to her neck. I moved my hands to cup her breasts and slowly ran my thumb over her nipples as her back arched off the bed.
We had a couple of hours before we had to meet Michael; I was going to use every second of that showing my girl just how much I loved and missed her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Maddie
A couple of hours later, Tim and I were dressed and ready to go and meet Michael. I was sure it was the last thing on his mind after that shower, but it was the reason why we were here. After I had promised to make it up to Tim later, we left our hotel room and headed for elevator. Pressing the button and calling the elevator to our floor, I squeezed his hand. I knew how he felt about confined spaces and elevators in particular. When the doors opened, we stepped inside and I wrapped his arms around me. I couldn’t help but smile when he nuzzled into my neck and pressed his lips against my skin. I wrapped his arms tighter around my waist and closed my eyes. I had a bad feeling in my stomach, and I just needed the safety of his arms while I could. I don’t know what I expected to hear from Michael about what happened, but I knew nothing good could come of it. I opened my eyes when the elevator stopped. When the doors opened, I came face to face with Michael.
“Want to quit groping on my niece long enough for me to say hello, Timothy?”
I felt Tim tense and we stepped out of the elevator. Moving toward my uncle, I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him hello. “Hi, Uncle.”
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I pulled back and he moved his hands to cup my cheeks. “You okay, Princess?”
I nodded and gave him a smile. “I’m good, Uncle. Shall we go eat?”
Michael wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me out of the hotel. Reaching out and grabbing hold of Tim’s hand, I made sure his hand was tight in mine. I needed him close to me. Walking out to the footpath of the hotel, Michael let me go and we got into his car. I was surprised when he got into the front, letting Tim and I have the back. I thought for sure he would make Tim sit in front. We pulled up at the restaurant and Tim got out. Before I could open my door, he’d opened it for me. I took his hand again and pressed my lips against his cheek before turning and heading inside.
Dinner was polite. Everyone talked and kept it civil, yet I knew Tim really wanted to get the answers. Despite that, he was perfectly behaved. After dinner we all decided that it was a nice night out, so we walked back to the hotel. I knew I needed to bring up the letter, but I just didn’t know where to start. I took Tim’s hand in mine and laid my head on his shoulder as we walked in silence.
Hell On An Angel (Fated Love Book 2) Page 9
