“Like I said, I don’t know anything. I helped him consolidate his accounts. That’s it.”
“Ms. Ellis, let’s start from the beginning.”
“Okay.”
“You were handed this case when?”
“Mr. Turner gave me the case two years ago in March.”
Mr. Snelling stared at her for a moment. “You remember the exact month.”
Sighing, Madison nodded before looking down at her twisted hands. She remembered because it was right after Andrew had left. In fact, not long after meeting with Grayson she had received a call from Callie telling her that Andrew was at the shelter. She remembered trying desperately to find him and then receiving the phone call a few days later from Andrew telling her that it was over. He left for California while Madison stayed in New York, heartbroken. She would always remember that time with such sadness and remorse. She finally made eye contact with Mr. Snelling and steadied herself.
“It was a significant month for me.”
“Tell us what you did with Senator Martine.”
Madison breathed in and began talking. They asked questions and she answered them, all the while, Nolan sat watching her. Madison tried not to let it bother her, but it did. Each time she caught his eye, he would smile. She found herself tracing her thumb over the sun on her ring, internally chanting Helios, Helios, Helios. It oddly calmed her restlessness. Her eyes caught sight of Kurtis, who was watching her movement. His eyes met hers and they were dark and menacing. This was the pattern that continued over the next two hours.
“Thank you for coming in, Ms. Ellis,” Mr. Snelling stated, closing his leather notebook. “We will be in touch prior to the hearing so we can go over your testimony.”
Nolan rose and pulled out Madison’s chair for her, ghosting his fingertips over her shoulder and brushing her hair to the side. Madison quickly stood and stepped away from him. She reached for her jacket but Nolan got to it first. He smiled as he held it up for her. She glanced around the room and the only person who seemed to be upset about what was going on was Kurtis. She snatched her coat out of his hands and headed for the door. She needed to get the hell out of that room and find Andrew. She didn’t have to look far, for as she pushed through the door, she ran right into the man she loved so much.
“Madison, baby, are you okay?”
She nodded as her head rested against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and looked up in time to see Nolan staring at him. Nolan grinned but there was no warmth behind it. Andrew eyed him suspiciously, wondering what the hell had happened in that room. He had heard Madison raise her voice once and started to go inside, but it had eased up so he stayed put, not wanting to risk being removed from the building all together. Instead, he spent the entire time Madison was in there watching the door in spite of the receptionist telling him that he HAD to wait elsewhere.
“Get me out of here,” Madison mumbled against his chest.
“Gladly,” he replied just as Nolan closed the door again.
~*~
Madison’s stomach was in knots the entire cab ride to their hotel. Her head was spinning, not only from the questions asked but also from the way that both Nolan and Kurtis had acted towards her. She knew she needed to tell Andrew everything that happened as soon as possible but she didn’t want to start the conversation until they were in the privacy of their room. She suspected that he would be angry and she needed to be able to contain it.
“Paramount Hotel,” the cab driver announced.
Andrew practically threw the cash at the driver and jerked Madison out of the vehicle. He was trying to remain calm but that calm was lost the minute he saw Nolan’s expression at the office. He had felt Madison’s rapid heartbeat and knew something had occurred. He felt extremely guilty for leaving her alone in there, defenseless, but, at the time, he didn’t know what else he could do. Andrew marched rapidly towards the elevator, not realizing how fast he was actually walking until Madison yanked her hand away from him.
“Jesus, Andrew, you’re gonna rip my arm off.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, running both hands through his hair.
He pulled her against him and she immediately nestled against his chest. She wasn’t angry at him. She understood what was happening. She had expected it. The elevator was taking forever to get there and both were growing impatient. When it finally arrived, several people exited at once. Madison watched as Andrew pressed the button for their floor and she hoped that it was a straight shot. By the time they reached their room, the tension was palpable.
“What happened, Madison?” he gritted out the minute they stepped in the room.
“They asked a lot of questions about Senator Martine,” she said, throwing her jacket off and tossing it on the bed. “They are saying that I was his accountant of record, which is bull, because I barely worked with him. Kurtis is the one who was his primary.”
Andrew stood with his arms crossed as Madison sat on the edge of the bed.
“They said that Martine is being investigated, and me too. I was pissed because Kurtis knows damn well I had minimal contact with that man. All I did was consolidate some accounts for his divorce. That was it.”
“Did the lawyers believe you? What are they planning?”
“I don’t know, Andrew. They mostly asked questions. It’s like what Elias said. They were fishing. They want to know what I know about Martine and if I know what he and Bowers are up to.”
“Did you tell them your suspicions?”
“Hell no.”
“Good. Now what about Kurtis and Nolan? Did those assholes do anything?”
Madison groaned and fell back on the bed. She didn’t want to say. She knew he would be angry. Hell, she was still angry but she wouldn’t go over there and rip their heads off, something she wasn’t entirely sure Andrew wouldn’t do.
“Madison, damn it, tell me!” he insisted.
Madison leaned up and looked at him. “Kurtis was being typical Kurtis. Just, you know, arguing with me. He was angrier about you than anything else. Nolan on the other hand was staring at me the entire time.” She sat completely up and frowned. “You know, creepy staring like,” she twisted her lips together as she tried to find the right words. “I don’t know, it just made my skin crawl. It was like he was undressing me or something, and then when I was getting ready to leave, he touched me.” Andrews’s eyes widened, and as much as she didn’t want to, she continued, unable to lie to him. “Not sexually or anything like that, but he brushed his fingers against my shoulder and touched my hair. It made me uncomfortable.”
Suddenly, Andrew started pacing angrily. His fists were balled tightly and he looked like he wanted to hit something. Madison had a quick flash to Halloween when he punched a brick wall and she quickly rose. Before she could get to him, he had turned and was heading for the door. Madison stopped him. She wasn’t sure how to calm him but knew that the last thing either of them needed was for him to be arrested. Then she would be completely alone.
“Don’t go, Helios.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and brought one hand to his belt buckle and the other she rested over his crotch. “I need you.”
Andrew’s hand slammed against the door but he made no attempt to leave, so Madison pursued. She quickly undid the buckle on his slacks and drew the zipper down. She spun him around as he banged the back of his head against the wall. He was desperate to leave the room and beat the crap out of both Nolan and Kurtis. Nothing was hindering him this time. It would just be two men fighting versus one being on parole. But Madison was distracting him from his mission.
“Nolan is a piece of shit and Kurtis will never be you. I’m yours, Andrew. All yours.”
He looked down at her and his eyes darkened. He grabbed, pulling her toward him, crashing his lips to hers. This was not a gentle and loving kiss. This was a kiss that claimed ownership. His hands moved quickly to unsnap her bra. All the while, he kissed her harder, tugging on her lips, her tongue. His teeth gnashed agains
t hers in an almost brutal fashion. He pushed her backwards until the bed stopped their progressive movement. Madison moaned out in delight, which motivated him further. He climbed atop the bed, pulling her with him. He watched her, the primitive and wanton need within him escaping. He needed to be inside her, he needed her warmth to quell the savagery in his heart.
“Andrew,” she drew out his name.
Her entire body was trembling, not in fear, as she knew Andrew would never hurt her, but in desire. He was generally gentle with her, but every so often, he would become extreme, usually when his sense of inadequacy reared its ugly head. He controlled that side of him so well nowadays, but being in New York and hearing what had happened with Nolan and Kurtis opened that up for him.
“More, Andrew, more,” she screamed out.
She wanted every ounce of his fire expelled on her. As much as she despised Nolan and Kurtis, she loved Andrew more. She would not see him behind bars for protecting her. He continued to pound into her. The sweat dripping from his brow while his faced strained in conquest. The vein on his forehead pulsing with every thrust he made. His head dropped and he moved his body even closer to her. His opened mouth hovered just above hers.
“You feel so good, Andrew.”
His tongue peeked out of his parted lips as she stretched her neck to kiss him. He breathed into her, grunting and kissing. Their mutual pants of pleasure escalating in both volume and intensity until Madison screamed in ecstasy as her orgasm washed over her weary body. He growled into her mouth, capturing her screams as his whole body shook from the force of his own release. His hips continued to move for several more seconds before finally stopping.
“Don’t go!” Madison said, yanking him to her when he started to get up.
“Let me get a washcloth,” he mumbled.
“No, lay with me,” she insisted.
He nodded against her and then shifted them so they were both on the bed. They immediately entwined themselves together. So close that it was difficult to know where one began and the other ended. They held each other in this manner until they both succumbed to sleep.
“Madison, wake up,” Andrew nudged her.
“No,” she whispered.
He snickered slightly before tapping his lips on her tangled hair. “We only have a couple of hours before we need to be at your mom’s. We should shower.”
“You first,” Madison grumbled.
“Okay, sleepy head,” Andrew said with a peck on the lips. “We can call Mr. Bennett before we head out.”
“Uh huh,” Madison replied already dozing off again.
13 Into The Fire
Andrew held Madison close to him as the taxi took them towards Queens. Madison was quiet now and quite possibly asleep. Today had already been draining and he couldn’t imagine it getting much better. He was praying that her mother would be more tolerant with him tonight than she had been in the past. Andrew let his fingers gently massage her scalp and got a soft moan in response.
“I think we should have planned this better, Helios.”
“What do you mean, babe?”
“Having dinner with my mom after the crazy day we’ve already had seems insane to me.”
He kissed the top of her head and grinned. “I suppose, but it’s too late now. She already hates me so I don’t want to stand her up and give her more reason to despise my existence.”
“She doesn’t hate you, baby.”
Andrew chuckled. “Yes, she does.”
Madison sat forward and tucked her hair behind her ear. “It really isn’t you, Helios. It’s her. What she doesn’t like is the fact that you have many of the same wonderful qualities my father had. I think that scares her.”
“Because she thinks I’m going to use again?” he questioned.
She took a deep breath. “I think that there’s a part of her that worries you won’t do that and that somehow that is a reflection on her. Like...”
Madison stopped talking. She almost didn’t want to give voice to the thoughts in her head right now. Andrew stared at her confused. She was taking a few deep breaths and then she looked at him. There was a profound sadness in her eyes.
“You know, like, maybe my dad didn’t love her, or me, enough to stay clean.” She shrugged her shoulders and looked away from him.
“Madison, I’m sure your father loved you and your mother as much as I love you.” He brought his hand to her face and turned her to him. “Just because he used again doesn’t mean he didn’t love you guys.”
“I know,” she said softly.
“Baby, I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been times where I just wanted it one last time, especially a few years ago. You remember what it was like for me?” She nodded slightly as he continued. “I don’t think any addict can say with one-hundred percent certainty that they’ll never use again. I know I’ve told you I never would and I plan on keeping that promise but...” he looked down, unable to complete his thought.
“But you’re realistic enough to know that nothing is a guarantee.”
He looked up at her. “I would never purposefully do anything to hurt you, Madison. You know that right?”
“I know you wouldn’t.” Madison looked down at her ring, twisting her lips as she contemplated her mother’s response to their engagement. She finally looked back up at him. “How do you want to do the announcement?” she asked, changing the subject.
“I think we should tell her right away. This has been a stressful day as is. Let’s not prolong the agony.”
“Okay, right away it is.”
Madison looked around and recognized that they weren’t that far from her mother’s residence. The cabbie stopped in front of her mother’s townhouse and told them the amount. Madison dug out her cash and paid him as they stepped out of the cab. They stood in front of the townhouse her mother had bought ten years ago when the market was good. It was a modest two bedroom with an enclosed garage, small yard, and old-fashioned stoop. Madison took Andrew’s hand in hers as they started walking up to the door.
“Out of one fire and into another. We must be gluttons for punishment,” Madison said, only half joking.
Andrew gave her a half-hearted smile as he knocked on the door. Jacqueline answered almost immediately. She was dressed to the nines in a sharp blue dress with diamond accessories. Her hair was down and flowing in a way that was very similar to Madison’s. She smiled brightly for her daughter who she hadn’t seen in so long before she pulled her into a tight hug.
“You look tired,” Jacqueline immediately said.
“I am. You look wonderful, Mom.”
Jacqueline grinned and stepped aside so that they could enter her home. She then smiled at Andrew. “Can I take your coat, Andrew?” she asked politely.
“Thank you,” he answered, removing it. He then helped Madison out of hers. “You have a beautiful home, Ms. Ellis.”
“Thank you, Andrew. Can I get you both a drink?”
“A glass of wine would be fine,” Madison stated, arching her brow at Andrew.
Jacqueline nodded and went to pour them a glass. Madison was pleasantly surprised that her mother was being so nice. She suddenly felt superb at the mere prospect that her mother had finally accepted her relationship with Andrew. When Jacqueline returned, she had three glasses on a small sterling silver serving tray. Andrew took two glasses and handed one to Madison.
“What should we toast to?” Jacqueline asked.
“How about,” Madison smiled at Andrew and then raised her glass. “We toast to mine and Andrew’s engagement?”
Jacqueline looked between them. “Your ... what?”
Madison lifted her left hand so her mother could see her ring. “Andrew designed it. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Jacqueline’s mouth parted but no words came out. She looked at Andrew and then Madison again, the shock on her face not hidden. “You’re engaged?” she muttered almost unintelligibly.
“Yes, Mother. Aren’t you happy for us?”
Jacqueline tried to smile but it was most definitely forced. “Of course, as long as you’re happy, then I’m happy.” She tapped Madison’s glass and then Andrew’s before downing the entire content of her wine glass. “I better go check on the meal.”
After she exited the room, Andrew took a sip of his wine. “Well, that went better than I expected.”
Madison side-eyed him and then burst into a fit of giggles. This, of course, caused Andrew to laugh as well. They had both been so uptight most of the day. The pressure of it all weighed on them. The meeting at her old office, Andrew’s anger, and their subsequent wild sex was a little too much at this point. After they napped, they tried to get ahold of Mr. Bennett, but he was still in court so they left him a message that they were on their way to dinner with her mother and would contact him when they returned. So between the exertion that the sex had released and the peals of laughter they were now expelling, all the stress they were feeling began to roll off of them. Maybe the old adage was true, laughter was indeed the best medicine. When Jacqueline returned, both Andrew and Madison were still doubled over as they tried to calm down.
“What’s so funny?” Jacqueline asked confused.
“Nothing,” Madison replied with tears coming down her cheeks.
“Dinner is ready. Why don’t we go in the dining room?”
“Okay, Mom, just give us a minute.”
After Jacqueline exited the room, Andrew yanked Madison close to him and planted a long and sensuous kiss on her lips. Madison immediately draped her arms around his neck, leaning into him. Allowing the comfort of his lips to erase any negativity and discomfort the day had brought them. There was no Nolan or Kurtis or Senator Bowers, there was only Andrew. She let her arms linger around his neck as their kiss started to dwindle until the point where they were merely pecking each other’s lips gently. He breathed in deeply.
“Nothing could ever change how I feel about you.”
Madison held him tightly. “Me either.”
Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3) Page 14
