Maddox

by O'Brien, Megan

  I raised a brow. “I thought I wasn’t allowed within a hundred miles of Vegas?”

  He helped me up, wrapping an arm around my waist and propelling me from the bathroom. “When it comes to the health of you and our baby, I’ll move heaven and earth, sweets.”

  “I wish I wasn’t mad at you so I could just ask you to snuggle me and make everything go away.” I groaned, any sort of filter deserting me given the way I was feeling.

  He kissed my temple. “Well, good thing you don’t have to ask then.”

  ****

  “Come on, baby. We gotta roll.” Maddox’s soft order came entirely too early the next morning.

  I hadn’t wanted to go home, not yet, but Maddox wasn’t taking no for an answer and I was too tired to fight him on it. And whether I wanted to admit it or not, I had begun to think of his apartment as home and there was some measure of comfort in being back in my own bed, surrounded by the smell of the man who, despite maddening me, I loved beyond reason.

  I groaned, pulling a pillow over my face. He was on a mission to get a second opinion about my sickness, and though the baby’s health was the most important thing to me, I trusted the first opinion we’d gotten. I didn’t need to drive five hours to be proven right.

  Unfortunately for me, my man was not to be deterred.

  “You’re gonna have to bring a barf bag,” I warned as he helped me sit up and offered me a few crackers. It seemed to help a bit if I ate something simple first thing. I’d told him that in passing and clearly he’d remembered.

  “I’ll bring a barf bag,” he agreed, watching me intently.

  “I’m not gonna barf right now.” I laughed at his wary expression.

  “I just want to be ready,” he replied seriously. “I even have a hair tie and everything,” he added proudly, pointing to the elastic band around his wrist.

  I patted his chest, moving past him, headed for the bathroom. “Good thinkin’, babe.”

  Hours later, a thankfully unused barf bag in the truck, I lay on an exam table with Maddox at my side. Scarlet had called in a favor to an old colleague of hers, a prenatal specialist in Las Vegas.

  Maddox sat by my side, his gaze locked on the machine as it had been from the moment it had been turned on, his hand over mine.

  “Everything looks good.” Dr. Lee nodded. “Though there is something that was missed, not entirely surprising given how early you are in your pregnancy.”

  Mad’s entire body stiffened like a board, and my heartbeat accelerated with worry. “What?” Mad demanded.

  The doctor pointed to the screen, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “There are two heartbeats.”

  For a moment time seemed to stand still as I tried to make sense of this news. “T-two babies?” I stuttered.

  “Do twins run in your family?” he asked me kindly, obviously sensing I was in total shock.

  I nodded. “My mother had a twin brother.” They hadn’t been close later in life and I’d never met him.

  “Fraternal twins run in families,” Dr. Lee shared, something I’d been aware of but had never thought would apply to me. “And it could be contributing to your morning sickness, as your hormone levels are higher. The good news is that this will likely ease once you get out of the first trimester.”

  I nodded, barely hearing what he said, still trying to grasp the fact that I was not only having one baby, but two.

  I shot an incredulous look at Maddox, who had an ear-to-ear grin on his face. “You look pretty pleased with yourself,” I accused.

  He looked over at me, his eyes shining. “’Course I’m pleased. I knocked you up twice on my first try.”

  I rolled my eyes, my cheeks growing hot. “Might be your only try, you keep talkin’,” I muttered.

  His chuckle proved he wasn’t the least put off by my warning. And really, who the hell was I kidding anyway? All the man had to do was touch me and I turned to a puddle of goo, and we both knew it.

  Dr. Lee began putting the equipment away as Maddox helped me sit up. “You’ll want to make your first prenatal appointment with your doctor,” he instructed. “If you don’t have an OB yet, I have some doctors I can recommend.”

  “Thanks, Doc,” Maddox replied. “We’ll be sure to follow up.”

  “Congratulations again,” the doctor told me in parting.

  I managed a wave, still fully in shock as he left the room.

  Maddox didn’t hesitate in crawling up on the tiny bed and curling up beside me, his large hand splayed over my belly.

  “Gonna build us a house,” he murmured. “One big enough to fill with kids.”

  “Two isn’t enough?” I sputtered.

  He looked up at me. “With you? Baby, I feel like I want to spend the rest of my life putting babies in you.”

  “Yeah, well, I don’t know if I want to spend the rest of my life pushing babies out.” I blanched.

  He propped himself up on an elbow, his other hand cupping my face. “You’re worried?”

  “Terrified!” I exclaimed. “What if my body can’t handle it? I’m already sick as a dog. I have to keep not one baby safe, but two! Not only with my body, but from Bruno and my uncle.” I shuddered even saying the words.

  “Neither one of them is getting anywhere near you or our babies,” he growled. “And you aren’t alone.” His tone softened as he looked into my eyes. “I can’t help with carrying them, but I’ll carry you. Gonna be here every step. Every doctor’s visit, every craving, every bout of sickness,” he swore. “And you’re strong, baby. Stronger than you’ll ever know. These babies are so lucky you’re their mama.”

  My eyes stung with tears as his words took root. I was strong. I’d been through a hell of a lot in my life.

  And before, well, I hadn’t had Maddox Black at my back.

  Chapter 25

  MADDOX

  I pulled up to the Las Vegas Police Department with a still shocked woman at my side. I’d wanted to take her straight home, but since we were already here, she’d convinced me she wanted to give her statement so that hopefully the investigation into the fire could be closed. Cooper had agreed to meet us, so I’d relented.

  Two babies. I was shocked as shit and pleased as hell. But the protective side of me was in overdrive. All I wanted to do was drive her home and keep her under lock and key until the threats from the Rossis were over.

  The roar of Pop’s and Gunner’s bikes sounded as they parked alongside us. I’d been cautious in coming to Vegas, bringing man power and weapons. I hoped I wouldn’t need either.

  “Ready?” I asked her. She looked a little pale as I reached a hand over to gently cup her face. “Did you eat the rest of that toast?”

  I’d had Pop pick her up some buttered toast and a Sprite from a nearby restaurant.

  “I did, I’m fine,” she assured me quietly. “Let’s get this over with.”

  I couldn’t agree more.

  I ushered her into the station, my hand clasped over hers as my pop and Gun flanked us.

  Dan Cooper had been a friend of the club’s for years, having helped out on occasion with our legal dealings. When we walked in, Cooper met us at the door, clasping my pop’s hand in greeting. “Good to see you, Black,” he greeted.

  “You too, Coop,” my pop replied. “Thanks for helping out our girl,” he added, his gaze soft when he looked at Francesca.

  To say my parents were taken with her was an understatement. To say they were excited to be grandparents was something else entirely. My mom had shrieked herself into a crescendo only dogs could hear when we’d told her over the phone this morning.

  I couldn’t imagine what she’d do when she learned we were having twins.

  “Not a thing.” Cooper shrugged, holding a hand out to Francesca before patting my shoulder. “Good to see you, Mad. Let’s get this sorted.”

  Francesca and I followed him back to his desk, leaving Pop and Gun to wait for us at the front.

  An hour later, I could tell Francesca was tired.
It had been a long day, and having to recount the tale of how she’d lost everything wasn’t something anyone would look forward to. Hell, hearing it infuriated me all over again.

  “I think that should do it,” Cooper said, staring down at his notepad. He looked tired and stressed. Sweat beaded on his brow and he’d gained weight since the last time I’d seen him. “I’ll make sure this goes through the proper channels, and I’ve already spoken directly to the insurance adjuster, confirming you aren’t a suspect. I would imagine you should be hearing from them shortly.”

  “Thank you,” Francesca breathed in relief. I knew she wanted the payout to put toward the new business, but it was more than that. It was closure.

  “Let’s get you home,” I told her, rising from my seat and offering her a hand up.

  “Francesca, before you leave, there were a few items in the evidence room recovered from the fire I wanted you to have a look at,” Cooper said. “It should only take a moment.”

  I looked at Francesca, gauging whether or not it was worth even the few extra minutes. I wanted her in bed resting as soon as possible.

  “Maybe it’s something of my nonna’s,” she murmured, the hope in her eyes making up my mind for me.

  We’d talked about it more than once, and I knew that much of what she’d lost in the fire had been more an inconvenience than anything: her clothes, a few books I’d already replaced. But losing all the photos of her parents, her grandparents’ marriage certificate, and her nonna’s ring had cut deep. Which was why I couldn’t argue against seeing what the police may have recovered.

  I rose to follow, unwilling to leave her side even for a moment. Cooper looked at me warily but didn’t comment as we walked through a corridor and down a short flight of stairs. “Sorry, Mad, only Francesca is cleared—you’ll need to wait here,” he informed me when we reached an unmarked door.

  Alarm bells went off in my mind as I watched him intently, trying to read him and deciding to go with my gut. “You know what, Coop, we’ll need to do this another time,” I told him, pushing gently on Francesca’s lower back, guiding her back toward the stairs.

  “Sorry, Maddox, I can’t let you do that.” His dull tone had the hair rising on the back of my neck as he drew his weapon, aiming it at the two of us.

  I pulled Francesca behind me, a deadly calm sweeping over me. Nothing and no one would hurt my family. I just wished like hell I’d been able to bring my gun into the station.

  “How did they get to you?” I asked him, no longer caring anything for the traitor in front of me but knowing I needed to buy some time.

  “I’m sorry, Maddox.” He sounded ashamed, beaten down. “I met someone. They’ll kill her if I don’t hand your woman over. Never had anything to lose before.”

  I heard Francesca’s intake of breath behind me, my tee clutched tightly in her hands as she huddled against my back.

  “That’s not happening,” I growled, watching as sweat slid down his temples. Why the hell hadn’t I paid more attention to his stress level? I’d just figured he was working too much overtime. I never imagined it was something like this.

  Cooper had always been steady, but now his gaze was frantic, his entire body seeming to vibrate with anxiety. It was clear he was conflicted. But with my girl’s life being the source of that conflict, I didn’t spare him an iota of sympathy.

  “Well, this is taking entirely too long.” Bruno’s tone was nearly bored as he emerged from the unmarked door and without a second glance, fired a round through Cooper’s temple.

  Francesca’s shriek of horror was louder than the silenced shot that had taken Cooper’s life as he lay staring sightlessly at the ceiling above him.

  “Let’s go, Francesca.” Bruno held out a hand to her.

  “Not on your fucking life,” I growled.

  “Definitely not on my life, but on hers if you don’t move.” He smiled nearly gleefully as he pointed his gun at me and fired. I grunted as the bullet found purchase in my shoulder but was determined not to move an inch from my girl.

  “Maddox.” Francesca’s horrified gasp sliced through me.

  “I’m fine,” I bit out. The last thing she needed to worry about was a flesh wound. I’d had worse.

  “Francesca, let’s go,” Bruno repeated. “I will keep firing. I would rather not hit you in the process, but if that’s what it takes…,” he warned.

  “Stop. I’ll go with you.” Francesca’s quiet declaration had me gritting my teeth.

  “You stay behind me,” I ordered as she did exactly the opposite of that, stepping out from behind me and into his sights. “Fuck, baby,” I rasped. I couldn’t hide the agony in my voice.

  She looked over at me, her expression remarkably calm. “You’ll find a way. I know you will.”

  She knew I’d come for her. And I would. I’d come with a thirst for blood and a blistering demand for vengeance.

  Her expression was fierce, determined. My woman was a lioness, a warrior.

  I’d never been prouder—or more fucking scared.

  He pulled her through the door, his gun now pointed at her, knowing that was far more effective at forcing my caution. I’d take as many bullets as I needed to but would never risk her.

  I had my phone to my ear within seconds, barking out orders to Gunner for him and Pop to get on their bikes and haul ass out to the side entrance. I waited only a moment, not wanting to risk Francesca by following too closely, before I ran through the door they’d disappeared behind just in time to see the taillights of a black Lincoln turn the corner.

  Gunner and Pop’s bikes came into view seconds later and I hollered the make and model of the car, gesturing for them to follow it.

  My heart hammered in my chest as I raced for my truck, grateful I didn’t have the bike. I didn’t feel the pain in my shoulder—my adrenaline was at an all-time high—but I doubted I would have been able to manage my Harley.

  I’d lost sight of Gunner and Pop and prayed to fucking God they had eyes on Francesca as I hit Call on my cell.

  “Maddox.” Asa picked up on the first ring, sounding perplexed that I’d called.

  “Cooper was dirty. It was a setup at the station. Bruno has Francesca,” I ground out in rapid fire succession. I had no time to waste.

  “One of my men got a line on him right after you left the club,” he replied, his tone cool and collected. “I’m fairly certain I know where he’d take her.”

  I prayed he was right. The thought of losing her, of losing our babies was more than I could comprehend. I’d never survive it. I wouldn’t want to.

  “His blood, it’s mine,” I growled.

  “Understood.”

  Chapter 26

  FRANCESCA

  “They’re still following.” Bruno’s driver glanced in his rearview mirror for what felt like the hundredth time, his grip tense on the steering wheel.

  “We’ll lose them when we swap vehicles,” Bruno replied, too calmly for my liking.

  The sound of Axel and Gunner’s motorcycles behind us was just about the only thing keeping me sane as I sat beside Bruno in the back seat of a town car.

  I stared sightlessly out the window, trying to slow my racing heart. Being this close to a monster of a man made my skin crawl and my palms sweat. My scars tingled in memory of what he was capable of.

  The car weaved through traffic as we headed toward the Strip, where the chaos would surely make us more difficult to follow, especially in a car that looked like nearly every other.

  “Do we have enough of a lead?” Bruno asked the driver.

  “Yes, sir.” At first I didn’t know what he meant, but then the car was pulling quickly into an underground lot, a large gate closing behind us.

  I closed my eyes, fighting the urge to scream in defeat as the car pulled smoothly into a spot and the engine was cut.

  “Alone at last,” Bruno purred, his hand gripping my upper thigh painfully.

  “You’re disgusting,” I spat.

  He gr
inned. “I couldn’t care less what you think. In fact,” he leaned in close, causing me to shrink back against the door, “I like it so much better when you fight me.”

  I shuddered, hoping that somehow, someway Maddox would be able to find me.

  The driver was soon pulling me out of the car and shoving me into a waiting SUV.

  “Is everything ready?” Bruno asked.

  “Sir.” The driver nodded as he once again took the driver seat and Bruno slid in beside me in the back. “The jet is being prepared now.”

  The jet. Holy hell.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, utter terror flooding my veins.

  “Time to go home, my pet. Our true home. Vegas is done. We’re going back to Italy.”

  I swallowed back the bile that rose in my throat. Maddox would never be able to find me. The mafia organization in Italy ran deep. There wouldn’t be a trace left of me once we hit Italian soil. What would happen to me? To our babies? I resisted the urge to cover my belly, not wanting Bruno to know that I was pregnant.

  God only knew what he’d do. I had to try to escape. Once I stepped foot on that plane I had no chance.

  “Is my uncle already there?” I asked quietly.

  He scoffed. “Your uncle is a coward. He’s not in Italy. He’s in the ground. I made sure of that myself. I run this family now.”

  What is left of it. The fact my uncle was dead was the only good news out of this nightmare.

  We pulled back onto the Strip through another exit, the lights and celebratory atmosphere a direct contradiction to the doom inside me. My heart thudded as I waited for the car to stop before yanking on the door handle.

  Locked.

  I hadn’t dared try it in the sedan with his gun trained on me. Now, I had everything to lose.

  Bruno chuckled, amused. “Do you think I’d be so stupid, pet? I mean really, give me some credit.”

  I growled in frustration.

  “You are beautiful when you’re angry,” he purred. “I’ve always thought so.”

  “Because you’re a pig,” I hissed, remembering all the times he’d leered at me when I was far too young.