“Jayden has second and third degree burns along his rib cage,” Elias began. “He is unconscious right now but the doctors feel that is a temporary response. They say his body went into shock. The injuries are bad but they are not life threatening,” Elias stated straight and to the point.
“Oh my God!” Madison exclaimed. “Is Callie okay?” she asked with evident concern for her best friend.
“She’s with Jayden right now, but she’s okay,” Elias replied.
“What about Ellie?” Andrew found words.
“She’s sleeping right now. We’ll watch her for as long as needed.”
“We should be there,” Madison said sadly.
“Madison, I know I told you that I would be there tomorrow, but, under the circumstances, I cannot. I can’t leave not knowing what’s going on with Jayden.”
“I understand,” Madison said looking down.
“I’ll figure something out, Madison.”
“I know, but listen, Jayden is more important right now. You guys need to focus on him.”
“Give me until tomorrow morning to come up with a solution. I won’t leave you high and dry.”
“Elias, we understand,” Andrew interrupted.
“I just...” Elias blew out a frustrated breath.
“I know this is not the time, but something happened today and I need to know what you want me to do about it,” Andrew continued.
“What happened?”
“Kurtis followed us to the museum. He approached Madison and stated something about them wanting to talk to her.”
“Go back to the hotel. Do not confront him, Andrew.”
Andrew ran his hand through his hair. His patience was growing thin as far as Kurtis was concerned. Both he and Nolan were due for a beating. He would try his best to avoid them but it was becoming increasingly harder to do that with them confronting him left and right. And now with the prospect of Elias not joining them, he was worried.
“Madison, take me off speaker. I need to speak with Andrew.”
“Okay,” Madison said with a frown. She tapped the speaker icon and handed the phone to Andrew.
“Hold on, Andrew. I’m stepping outside.”
“Okay,” he said as he stood up and walked a little bit away from where Madison was.
“Listen to me, Andrew. I haven’t said anything to Liam about this, but I have concerns that what happened at the shop was not an accident,” Elias said in hushed tones.
“Bowers?”
“Maybe. I don’t know for sure. But the attorneys have been stalling me. Something isn’t right.”
“You’re telling me,” he concurred, glancing at Madison. “What do you want me to do?”
“Just, be safe, look out for her. Don’t leave her alone.”
“Oh, you can count on that.”
“Let me handle things out here. I won’t leave you two without support but I can’t leave Jayden right now. I will make contact with an attorney out there tomorrow.”
“Be honest with me, Elias. Is Jayden bad?”
There was a pause. “If he pulls through the next 24 hours then he should be okay.”
“You said if.”
“Andrew. I...” Elias’s voice cracked slightly, his strong demeanor waning. “I need to get back to Liam and Ellie.”
“Is Connor there with you guys?”
“Yes, why?”
“Tell him it’s okay and I’m not upset with him.”
“Why would he think that?”
“He just will.”
“Okay, I’ll tell him. I’ll call once we know something.”
“Thank you.”
Andrew disconnected the call and turned to Madison. She was sitting with her legs crossed. Her foot was bouncing nervously as she picked at her nails. She glanced at him when she heard him approaching. With a sigh, he sat down next to her and put his arm over her shoulder before handing her phone back to her.
“What did he say?”
“To not take my eyes off of you. As if that would ever happen.”
Madison started to say something else. She knew that Elias must have had more to say than that but decided that she would wait. Andrew would tell her.
“Let’s go back to the hotel.”
She nodded as they made their way to the exit. They walked slowly, Andrew’s arm over her shoulder, both quiet. They decided on a cab instead of walking as they wanted to get back to the hotel without much thought. Neither wanted to be in New York. Both wanted to be in California with their friends. By the time the cab reached the hotel and they had made their way vacantly to their room, they were both exhausted. Although it was still fairly early, they slipped under the covers and held one another tightly. All grand plans of sex were dismissed in lieu of the heartbreak they currently felt.
18 Confrontation
Madison stood in front of the mirror, brushing her wet hair out. They had awoken starved. Recognizing that they hadn’t eaten dinner the night before, they decided to go have breakfast at Danny’s diner. She stepped out of the bathroom and saw him standing by the window. He was looking down, deep in thought.
“Anything interesting?”
Andrew smirked. “No. Not really.”
“Did you call the hospital?”
“Yes, the nurse said there was no change.”
“It’s still early. We can try again after breakfast.”
Andrew nodded and took her hand. His thumb grazed over her engagement ring. He couldn’t imagine what Callie must be going through right now. He was sure he wouldn’t be able to handle anything happening to Madison like that. That thought alone made him more determined to protect her and keep her safe from the likes of Nolan, Kurtis and Senator Bowers. He squeezed her hand as he motioned them toward the door.
“I’m so tired,” Madison sighed as they stepped in the elevator.
“I can have that effect.” Andrew grinned and tapped the button, remembering very vividly their early morning sexing.
Madison laughed and shook her head. “That you can.”
He pulled her to him, kissing her gently, languidly, taking his time to cherish every moment their lips touched. By the time the elevators reached the first floor, Madison was half tempted to order room service. She hesitantly pulled away from him when the doors opened. He placed one last kiss on her forehead before directing her out of the elevator.
Danny’s was a mere half mile down the street on 46th. They maneuvered down 47th to 7th to 46th where they entered the deli-type establishment. They took a seat in a booth near the window and perused the menu. There weren’t a lot of breakfast selections so they made a quick choice.
“I should probably call my mom today. Let her know what’s going on.”
Andrew nodded, while his brows creased noticeably.
“Andrew, is there something you need to tell me?”
“No, why do you ask that?”
“Because you look like there is.” When he didn’t respond, she asked, “Are you going to tell me what Elias said?”
Andrew tried his best not to smirk or laugh, but Madison’s attempt to look fierce was not coming off very well. She crossed her arms and huffed angrily. He glanced outside to thwart his snicker, knowing that would only anger her more. The sidewalks were crowded. It didn’t matter, day or night, there were always a host of people moving about and cars following close behind the ones ahead of them. Always busy, always rushed. In a hurry for who knew what. When he turned back to Madison, she was still posed in exactly the same manner she had been when he first turned.
“He thinks maybe Bowers was responsible for what happened at the shop.” She relaxed her stance and he continued. “He told me to keep an eye on you.”
“He thinks Bowers was behind it? How?”
Andrew shrugged. “I don’t know, Madison, but I think he’s right about Bowers. He’s the only one that hates both me and Elias. What better way to hurt us then to hurt Jayden?”
“Yeah, but...” she looked down b
iting her lip.
“What can I get ya?” the waitress asked, standing next to the table.
“Two western omelets, a coffee for me and a mochaccino for her,” Andrew said quickly.
When she walked away, Madison spoke, “He’s a senator. If people found out he did something like that he’d be ruined. And for what? Because he doesn’t like us.”
“Madison, people have murdered for lesser things.” He smiled as the waitress poured them coffee. He took a sip and then stared across at Madison. “You and I both know that Bowers and Nolan cooked the books for that program. If I were to guess, there is a lot of money on the line, which means I don’t put anything passed them.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Greed can make people do horrible things,” Andrew stated and took another sip of his coffee.
“So, if Elias can’t come, I guess we’re back to contacting one of those other attorneys.”
“Elias said he would find a way to help us. But yes, I think we need to contact those attorneys when we get back to the hotel.”
“Okay,” Madison said as the waitress brought over their plates of food.
There was no talk as they both devoured their breakfast. With full stomachs and a head full of caffeine, they felt good, as good as one could be in their position. They were ready. Ready to take on the world and problem solve this situation. As they walked down the street, they started to feel cheerful and almost optimistic. That is until they heard a familiar voice coming up from behind them.
“Madison, I need to talk to you.”
Andrew turned abruptly, pulling Madison behind him. “You have nothing to say to her,” Andrew gritted between clenched teeth.
Kurtis glared at him. “No one asked for your opinion, rapist.”
“Stay the hell away from us.”
Kurtis stepped closer to him. “Why don’t you run off? Ruin someone else’s life.”
Andrew’s fists clenched and he felt Madison tug on his shirt. “Let’s go, Helios,” she urged.
Andrew closed his eyes for a moment and then turned and started walking with Madison. He couldn’t let Kurtis bait him into a fight. He kept running over what Elias had told him. Do not confront them. He wouldn’t. He wasn’t about to let them win this. He increased his stride. The sooner they got back to the hotel, the better.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought, run off, coward,” Kurtis stated loudly behind him. “Madison, he can’t offer you anything. He’s just a low-life criminal. A rapist.”
Madison raised her hand up and flipped him off without even turning. She heard him laugh, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of thinking he got to her or Andrew. She glanced at Andrew, whose eyes were focused ahead of him. Determination was etched across his face as they crossed the street.
“Madison, I can help you out of this. Don’t you want that?” Kurtis asked, touching her shoulder.
Andrew emitted a low growl that originated from deep within his chest. He pushed Kurtis away, causing him to stumble backwards some. “Don’t. Touch. Her.”
Kurtis smirked, happily. “What are you going to do, convict?”
“Leave us the hell alone,” Andrew breathed out and turned again, yanking Madison with him.
“For some kind of badass you sure seem like a coward to me.”
Andrew kept walking. Let it go, Andrew. Don’t let him get to you! He told himself.
“I hear your friend isn’t doing so well. Maybe he’ll die so he won’t know what a coward you actually are. I don’t know about him, but I, for one, am sorely disappointed.”
Andrew turned abruptly and was right in front of his face. “What did you say?”
“That could have been Madison that was hurt and it would have been your fault for being too stupid to have the wiring checked,” Kurtis smirked as Andrew’s eyes grew wide.
“How do you know what’s going on?” Madison asked incensed.
“Oh, Madison, I know about a lot of things. Like I said, I can help you if you let me.”
“Do NOT talk to her!”
“So now that you have nothing to offer, I suppose you will leech off of Madison again, huh? Use her, bring her down?” Andrew flinched slightly at his words, which empowered Kurtis even further. He grinned evilly as he glanced at Madison. “Tell me, Madison, do you still think this low-life is worth marrying?”
Andrew drew his fist before he could stop himself. Everything Kurtis said resonated within him and it needed to be expelled. Expelled with violence. The swings came hard and fast, one after the other. He couldn’t see anything but Kurtis or hear anything but the sounds of his fists hitting flesh. He wasn’t sure if Kurtis had even landed a punch against him, but soon a piercing scream halted his movement. He then heard more sounds, including a police siren, which stopped him all together.
“Andrew,” Madison cried.
He stepped back, placing his bloodied hands on his knees. He looked at the bleeding mess on the ground. Kurtis’s face was pummeled and his breathing was ragged. Kurtis rolled to his side coughing and spitting out blood. Andrew glanced at Madison, her eyes weren’t on him, but across the street. When Andrew turned to see what she was looking at, he froze. Nolan stood across the street with a cocky smile on his face as he tilted his head in the direction of the police sirens.
“ANDREW!” Madison shrieked, forcing Andrew to turn.
He had been staring at Nolan, kicking himself for playing right into Nolan’s hands. He knew the police were on their way and that he would likely be arrested, leaving Madison vulnerable. When Madison had screamed, he turned to see what was going on and that’s when he saw it. Kurtis had a crazed look on his battered face as he launched himself at Andrew. Andrew shifted out of the way but Kurtis was able to latch onto his shirt, and jerked him towards the street and into oncoming traffic. In that split second of time, all that Andrew had ever wanted flooded his mind, he and Madison married, her holding his child, the two of them growing old together. Andrew shifted him and Kurtis just as a cab driver screeched to a stop, but not before it knocked him and Kurtis up the street.
“NO!” Madison screamed through tears.
Andrew lay on the ground unmoving and Madison’s heart sank into her stomach. She was frozen in time, frozen in a life without Andrew. This couldn’t be happening to her, to them. She willed her body to move. And move it did. She ran to him and dropped to her knees.
“Andrew, baby,” Madison cried. “Baby, don’t leave me.”
Madison brought her ear to his chest and could feel that he was at least breathing, an action that caused more tears to flow. Relief flooded through her. He was alive! She glanced across the street to where Nolan had been, but he was nowhere in sight. She wondered where he had gone, but would not think of that now. She then looked towards Kurtis, he was still unmoving. She wouldn’t deal with the implications of that. She turned to Andrew.
“Helios, baby, please. You need to open your eyes.”
She gently ran her fingers through his hair and carefully inspected his body, which is when she spotted the pool of blood. Her heart beat rapidly as she slipped her hand to the back of his head and felt the wetness present. She looked up and around. She needed help, wanted help. As she turned towards the sidewalk, she saw that the police were now on-site while the cry of the ambulance could be heard approaching.
“Ma’am, what happened?” The officer asked as he came up beside her.
“That man,” she motioned to Kurtis’s lifeless body, “has been following us. He approached my fiancé and I. Andrew was forced to defend us.” She turned back to Andrew, touching his cheek lightly. “Kurtis tried to throw Andrew into traffic.” She glanced back at Kurtis. There was an officer talking to several people nearby. Madison then turned to the officer next to her. “Is he dead?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Madison nodded and looked down at Andrew. “There was another man here as well, right before the accident.”
“His name?”
&n
bsp; “Nolan Crawford. He works for Turner and Crawford.”
“How is he associated with this?”
“I don’t know, but he was standing across the street.” Madison pointed to where Nolan had been standing. “He was watching us.”
“Excuse me,” the paramedic stated as he kneeled down next to Andrew.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
“He was hit by a car.”
“Do you know if he has any allergies?”
“We’ve never talked about that but I don’t think he does.”
They took his vitals and the paramedics continued to talk to one another while Madison watched helplessly. The officer asked her several more questions and then began interviewing witnesses. Madison felt as if she were in a trance. It was all too much to handle. First, finding out about Jayden and that Elias wouldn’t be coming, and now Andrew. She felt alone. Pulling out her phone she dialed a number she never thought she would.
“Hello.”
“Mom,” Madison immediately started to cry. “Andrew’s hurt. I... I don’t know what to do.”
“Madison, where are you?”
“46th and 6th.”
“You need to hold it together. Do you hear me?”
Madison tried to rein in her tears.
“Quit crying, Madison. If you go to the hospital all weepy they won’t tell you anything. They’ll act like you’re some emotional mess that can’t be trusted with information. You need to calm down.”
“I’m alone, Mom,” Madison whimpered.
“No, you will never be alone.”
“They’re putting him in the ambulance. I better go.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.”
Madison pocketed her phone and headed towards the ambulance. She stole one last glance at Kurtis. There was another person there now, examining the body. Madison wondered if that was the coroner. She felt sympathy for him even though she knew she shouldn’t. But he had been her lover at one time and that had to account for something. She always knew he wanted more from her. It was something she was never willing to give. She briefly wondered if she had been more forthcoming would he have gotten mixed up in Nolan’s mess. She shook her head and hopped into the back of the ambulance. She was not responsible for this. Kurtis was, as well as Bowers and Nolan. She would not feel guilt.
Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3) Page 20
