Perhaps if her mom came to visit, Madison would take that first step. Because if she didn’t, she would never get to know her mom. They would live their lives as acquaintances, not mother and daughter.
“Thank you, Madison. That means the world to me.” Mrs. Singer cleared her throat. “I have to go. Thank you for accepting the bodyguard. I’ll speak to you soon.” And just like that, the call ended. No goodbye, no I love you. Madison could not remember the last time they’d said those three words to each other.
Time to make a change, Madison thought as she grabbed her purse and headed out of her apartment. If her bodyguard was due at the airport in less than an hour, that was all the time she had left to be free and do what she wanted with no stern-faced bodyguard frowning at her disapprovingly.
As she headed for the elevator, her cell phone rang. It was her mom. Again.
“Hi, Mom. Everything okay?” Madison asked.
“Yes. I forgot to give you the name and cell number of the man coming to protect you. I’d hate for you to be duped by someone pretending to be a person he’s not.” She reeled off the cell number and Madison jotted it down on the pad she always carried in her purse. “And his name is Rob. Rob Newman.”
“Rob Newman,” Madison repeated.
“I’ve given him your cell phone number, so he’ll call as soon as he’s landed.” Mrs. Singer hesitated. “Please take care of yourself, Madison.”
“I will. I promise.” Madison frowned. “Is everything okay, Mom?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Singer answered brightly. Too brightly. “Everything is fine. I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon, Mom.” The elevator arrived and the doors opened.
“I love you, Madison.” And before Madison had a chance to answer, her mom ended the call, leaving her daughter perplexed.
“Going down?” There was a man already inside the elevator, his finger hovered over the ground floor button.
“Yes, please.” Madison stepped in, putting her phone in her purse as she tried to remember the last time her mom had said I love you. Christmas, her last birthday perhaps? Madison could not remember.
She looked up, watching the numbers count down from the seventh floor to the ground floor. As she watched, she became aware of the man behind her. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him in the building before, but he seemed kind of familiar.
Her blood ran cold. Where did she know him from? Had she walked into a trap? Was he the same man from this morning, the one who’d tried to kidnap her?
Madison took her powder compact from her purse and snapped it open, looking in the mirror as she brushed her fingers through her hair. Carefully, without being too obvious, she angled the mirror so she could see the man behind her. Those full lips…
He was staring at her. Right at her, his eyes unwavering as they penetrated the top of her head. Swallowing down the rising panic, she closed the compact and put it back in her bag. What should she do?
She needed to get out of the elevator as soon as possible. But if she pressed a button for one of the other floors, she would alert him to her suspicions.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” His voice made her visibly jump.
“Should I?” she asked, her voice shaky as she searched for a way to get out of there.
“Yes, you should,” he answered, a steely edge to his voice.
“Care to refresh my memory?” She put her hand in her bag and drew out her cell phone. Perhaps she could dial emergency services without alerting him. “I meet so many people.”
“We spent the summer together,” he told her.
“The summer together?” Madison’s frown deepened. “What summer?”
“You rich kids are all the same, aren’t you?” he spat. “We played together every day at the beach.”
“Played? When we were kids?” she asked, still not able to place him.
“Yes, but I was only the driver’s son. So not worth remembering,” he told her acidly.
“Driver’s son.” Her eyes opened wider. “Evan Olsen. I remember.” She also remembered how Evan’s father had left that same summer. She tried to remember the details, but it was so long ago.
“You really are a piece of work. Complaining to your mom that I was too forward. Getting my dad fired.” Evan took a step forward menacingly.
“I didn’t.” Madison shook her head. “I wouldn’t.”
“Liar.” His breathing came fast, his nostrils flaring as his fists curled by his side.
Crap. That was how she would describe her day. Crap with an extra helping of crap. But just as she tried to figure her way out of this, her phone rang in her hand, making her jump. “Gotta get that!”
She pressed the green button and answered the call, hoping it would be a distraction. She turned away, acutely aware of the angry young man behind her, but trying to let her body language soften so he didn’t see her as a threat.
“Hello.” A male voice, deep and sonorous, reached out to her down the phone, making her insides twist with excitement.
“Who is this?” Madison asked, not recognizing the voice, yet feeling a connection to it. Great, another blast from her past perhaps.
“Rob Newman. Your mother sent me.” His voice was calm, soothing. “Is everything okay?”
“Hmm.” Madison didn’t know how to answer that question.
“Are you in trouble?” Rob asked, instantly alert.
“I could be. Yes.” She glanced up at the numbers, the elevator had reached the first floor, one more floor to go.
“Where are you?” Rob asked.
“In the elevator. Perhaps you could meet me in the lobby?” Madison kept her head down, not making eye contact with the crazy guy in the elevator. She needed him to think there was someone here for her now. That if he tried something the alarm would be raised instantly.
“We’re not going to the hotel lobby.” The guy stepped forward as the elevator door pinged open on the first floor.
“What are you doing?” Madison asked as the man grabbed for her phone. She fought him, scratching at his face with her free hand while holding on to her phone as if her life depended on it.
Evan was more prepared this time and his strong hands wrapped around her wrists in a vise-like grip. He propelled her forward, dragging her out of the elevator. As she fought against him, snippets of the intensive self-defense training Joe had subjected her to after she was kidnapped as a child flashed through her head. She would get herself out of this. “Let go of me!”
“Madison!” Rob’s voice called down the phone as it was ripped from her hand and she was forced along the empty corridor toward the fire escape. All she could think of was that her mom was right, and she should have stayed put in her room.
However, Madison was never one to prove her mom right. She’d made it her life’s mission to turn her world around and do the unexpected.
But before she had a chance to save herself, a broad-chested man with rage crackling white hot in his eyes reached the top of the stairwell and ran at them.
For once, Madison wasn’t going to rescue herself. A knight in shining armor was going to come to her aid instead. And what a knight he was.
Chapter Four – Rob
Someone had his hands all over his mate. His mate! Rob’s head filled with rage which threatened to overtake his common sense. He had to calm down or there would be blood spilled here today.
A lot of blood, his bear said viciously, as he savagely snarled inside Rob’s head.
“Let her go!” Rob barked out the order, expecting to be obeyed.
“Just back away, friend, this has nothing to do with you.” The man holding Rob’s mate tried to appease him with a smile. “We’re just playing around.”
“It has everything to do with me,” Rob told him as he rolled his shoulders and prepared to fight. He could take this man easily, break his wrists and make him let Madison go.
“You know each other?” the man asked.
“Nope,” Madison said
. “Never seen him before in my life.”
“Then step away, dude.” The guy cocked his head to one side.
“Can’t do that, sorry.” Rob planted his feet hip-width apart, ready to fight. However, his mate didn’t appear to need rescuing after all.
As the guy opened his mouth to speak, she dug her elbow hard into his gut, brought her other hand up to punch him in the chin, and then spun around to knee him where no man ever likes being kneed.
The guy crumpled to the floor, groaning and clutching his groin. “Not again, you bitch.”
Madison put her hands on her hips. “You are calling me names?”
“Yeah. You’re a spoiled, rich bitch.” The guy tried to stand up but sank back down again with another long, drawn-out groan.
“I’m not.” Madison swallowed hard.
“Yes, you are. That’s why you got my dad fired.” The young man lifted his head and glared at Madison.
“And that’s why you are trying to kidnap Madison?” Rob added.
“It’s her fault my dad doesn’t have enough money to pay his medical bills.” Evan pulled himself to his feet. “It’s your fault he couldn’t ever get a decent job after working for your parents.”
“Why is it my fault?” Madison asked. “Your dad left for a better job.”
“My dad was fired because your mom didn’t want her precious daughter mixing with the hired help.” Anger flashed across Evan’s face.
Madison shook her head. “That’s not true.”
“Even if it was, this is not the way to resolve this,” Rob said firmly.
Madison suddenly turned her attention on Rob. “And who are you?” Her suspicions were raised. “Are you in this together? Like good cop, bad cop?”
“No.” Rob held up his hands as if to fend off her accusation.
“You just happened to be passing by and thought you’d come to my rescue?” Madison’s fierce expression was amazing, her eyes crackled with electricity and her full lips pouted, waiting to be kissed.
“No, your mother hired me.” He raised one eyebrow and waited for her to make the connection.
“Rob Newman.” Her eyes widened before narrowing once more. “But I thought you weren’t due for another half an hour or more.”
“The flight landed early, and I drove straight over.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Do you want to see my ID?”
Madison pressed her lips together and nodded. “Yes.”
He reached for his wallet and took out his driver’s license. “Okay.”
She looked at his license and then up at his face, as if seeing him for the first time. “Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed pink, and her breasts heaved as she nodded. “You were downstairs when I spoke to you on the phone?”
“Yes, I was calling to tell you I was here. I tried to call you from the airport, but your phone was busy.” He cocked his head toward Evan Olsen. “Do you want me to call the police?”
“Not yet.” She switched her attention back to Evan. “First, I want to know what this is really about.”
“I told you…” He rolled his eyes. “Typical rich kid who thinks they couldn’t possibly have done anything wrong.”
“That’s not fair.” Madison crossed her arms in front of her body as if to fend off Evan’s words. “We were friends. I was told you left with your mom and dad because your dad got a better job offer.”
“And you believed that?” Evan asked angrily. “People don’t get a job one day and leave the next. He was fired.”
“So that gives you the right to come here and try to kidnap Madison?” Rob stepped forward, only to be met by a stony stare from his mate.
“This isn’t your fight,” Madison told him firmly.
Oh, yes, it is, Rob’s bear replied.
“I’m here to protect you,” Rob told her, softening his body language.
“Well, now that we’ve caught the person responsible for trying to kidnap me, I don’t need your protection.” She tilted her head back, raising her chin in defiance.
“Let’s call the police and make sure Evan is working alone.” He took his cell phone from his pocket and dialed the number for the police while keeping his attention fixed on Evan, just in case he thought he could run off. Although he had to admit it was difficult not to let his attention wander. He was consumed by the nearness of Madison. Her scent overwhelmed him.
“Wait.” She put her hand up. “Before we call the police, I want answers. And my phone!”
“I’ve already told you everything,” Evan insisted as he handed the phone back to Madison.
“So because you think I was the reason your dad got fired, you decided to kidnap me?” She held out her hands, her expression one of disbelief. “That’s it. Nothing more?”
“Nope. I saw you on TV while I was visiting my dad last night. There you were all happy and successful, while my dad is waiting for treatment. I don’t expect someone like you has ever waited for anything in their life.” The anger and resentment Evan held for Madison ran deep. It was like a festering wound and one that would not heal itself.
Rob pressed redial. “This is a matter for the police.”
Madison didn’t argue, instead, her expression was one of misery. “We were friends.”
“I thought so. But then you stabbed me and my family in the back,” Evan was convinced his story was right, but Madison’s memory of the same event was different. Much different. One of them was wrong. But he couldn’t tell who.
We believe our mate, his bear said.
That doesn’t mean she’s right, Rob pointed out. Just because she believes what she says doesn’t mean it’s right. Our memories get all jumbled up, especially as the years pass by.
“I was eight years old,” Madison said in her defense. “I did not stab you in the back.”
Evan’s stern expression faltered for one second. Was he questioning his memories, too? “It broke my dad. Not being able to provide for his family.”
“I’m sorry. But that doesn’t make your actions right. You said you had a gun.” Madison’s bottom lip trembled. “Why would you do that? No matter what you think I’ve done, why would you try to kidnap me?”
“There was no gun.” Evan shrugged, and Madison rolled her eyes and turned away from him as Rob gave the details to the police.
“The police are on their way.” Rob wanted to wrap his arms around his mate and hold her close. But her hunched shoulders and crossed arms gave him no way in. She was trying to be strong, but every breath shuddered through her body as she inhaled and exhaled deeply. “Are you okay?”
Madison nodded. “Tired. It’s been a crazy day.” She looked over her shoulder at Evan, who looked like a caged animal.
He’s not a shifter, his bear told him.
That’s a relief, I’d hate for him to shift into a bird and fly out of here. Rob tensed, his hand raking through his hair as he let that thought sit with him for a while.
“Are you okay?” Madison asked. “You look pale.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, lost in her eyes as he pulled his focus back to the corridor. “The police are here.”
“How did you…” Madison turned around as the door at the end of the corridor opened and two policemen approached.
“I have good hearing,” he explained, reminding himself that Madison probably didn’t know about shifters. “Which is why I’m such a good bodyguard.”
“Bodyguard?” Evan Olsen rolled his eyes. “Of course.”
“Don’t!” Madison snapped. “Don’t talk as if…” She sucked in a lungful of air then puffed it back out.
“Come on, Madison.” Rob held out his hand to her. Madison looked down at his hand and then up at his face, a crooked smile sliding across her mouth. He wanted her to reach out and take his hand, as if it was a commitment between them, a first step in her trusting her life to him.
A little melodramatic for first contact, his bear said.
Sometimes I can’t help myself, Rob said. And this is one of those times.
“Thank you.” Madison placed her hand in her pocket and smiled easily. “I can manage.”
Rob inclined his head. “The police will need a statement.”
“Of course.” She turned her head and watched as the police put Evan in handcuffs.
“Maybe we could grab a coffee on the way to the police station,” Rob suggested.
“Police station.” Madison looked dazed before her expression cleared. “Of course.”
“Coffee.” He caught hold of her arm. “You’re shaking.”
Her eyes flicked up to his. “Two attempted kidnappings in one day. It can shake a girl.”
“You’re strong.” He fixed her with a look that conveyed his admiration for her and the way she handled herself.
“Not as strong as I’d like to be. And not as strong as other people.” She nodded and pressed her lips together, before giving him a gentle smile. “But I appreciate your compliment.”
“You are welcome.” Rob pressed the button to call the elevator. “I meant it.”
“You don’t know me,” Madison told him. “We’ve only just met.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t know you.” Rob gave a short laugh. “That doesn’t sound creepy at all.”
“Yes, it does.” She glanced sideways at him. “All my life people have always thought they knew me. They look at me and all they see is my mother’s daughter.”
“And that’s what you think I see?” he asked.
“You were hired by my mother.” Madison entered the elevator as the doors opened and once inside, she placed her hand on the elevator wall for support.
“Your mom hired me, but I’ve never met her, so my opinions are my own.” He pressed the button for the ground floor.
“You didn’t Google her…or me, before you took the job?” Madison asked, turning around and leaning her back against the wall. “No background checks to see who you might be asked to protect?”
“Not on this occasion. Why, do you have a skeleton in your closet that you thought I might find?” He raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled, the color returning to her cheeks.
Savior Bear Page 3
