by Celya Bowers
“What’s with the attitude? You’re my only way in, so don’t start. Is she sick or something?”
“I don’t know. I can call and ask her, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to tell me. I think she’s hiding something from me.”
Darnell chuckled. Keisha thought she had the world by the balls just because she could work that skinny body of hers. The more he thought of Madisyn the more he regretted ever getting involved with Keisha. “Yeah, she’s hiding something from you all right. Aidan Coles. He’s at her place every night.”
“How do you know that? What could Aidan want with her?”
“When he could have you?”
“Well, yeah,” Keisha said. “I turned your head,” she said smugly. “You were lying to her so you could see me. How do you know she’s seeing him? Maybe it was just stuff to do with the charity.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” Darnell didn’t need Aidan anywhere near Madisyn. He didn’t need the press getting wind of them dating or he’d definitely be in a world of trouble at work. It was hard enough getting near her with the restraining order hanging above his head. Now he had to figure out how to get around her iron curtain of a family.
Keisha sighed dramatically. “Right now, we need each other. You want to get Maddie back in your slimy clutches and I want Aidan for myself.”
“You know, just ’cause this guy is loaded doesn’t mean his barometer for evil is off, Keisha. As much as he’s doing for Madisyn already, you have some fierce competition.”
“Let the games began.”
* * *
Aidan rolled over in an empty bed and his eyes snapped open. Madisyn’s side of the bed was still warm. He glanced at her bedside clock. It was after eight in the morning. He was supposed to meet Chase at nine to discuss what he and Madisyn didn’t go over last night about the upcoming grand opening at Mature Alliance.
He looked around for his cell phone and didn’t find it. He did spot Madisyn’s on the dresser. After he slipped on his boxers, he picked up the phone and immediately dialed his attorney’s private line.
Chase answered on the second ring. “Chase Hartman.”
“Hey, man,” Aidan said.
“Aidan, I almost didn’t answer the phone. Whose number is this?”
“That’s why I called. I’m gonna need to postpone the meeting this morning. How about this afternoon?”
“Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem, but I have a meeting, so I’ll be out of the office. But just tell me what you guys discussed concerning the charity and I can handle the rest.”
Aidan didn’t want to be a “kiss and tell” kind of guy, but Chase was waiting for an answer and he had to think of something. “We kind of got sidetracked and the charity never came up,” said Aidan.
“I bet something else did,” Chase said over his laughter. “Since nothing was discussed, why did you still want to meet with me?”
“I just want to stay on top of things,” Aidan said, already regretting the slip of the tongue.
“I think you already have been. If you guys happen to get anything done tonight concerning the charity, just let me know the details.” Chase waited a beat before asking, “Where are you anyway?”
“I’m at Madisyn’s.”
“You do realize the position you’ve just placed her in. What if someone leaks it to the press that you spent the night at your girlfriend’s house last night? Especially with Darnell wanting her back. He might up his game before we’re ready.”
Aidan hadn’t given one thought to Darnell once he and Madisyn made love. He’d forgotten about the dangerous situation and had placed Madisyn in even more danger. “I parked in the garage, so my SUV isn’t on the street announcing I spent the night.”
Chase cleared his throat. “You do know you have to have breakfast with her. If you leave without having breakfast with her it will be like you were trying to hit it and leave.”
“I’m here because I want to be. And I don’t treat women like they’re sex objects. That’s not my style.”
“Don’t get your boxers in a knot,” Chase said. “I know she’s special to you and I want you to treat her well. She’s not about your money. You might actually have to put your heart on the line for this one.”
Aidan walked to the bedroom window and glanced out of the bay window. The neighborhood looked so peaceful. Everyone was going about his or her business with no knowledge that an NFL star was in their midst.
“Aidan?”
He snapped out of the zone he was in and remembered he had Chase on the phone. “I’m here.”
“No, you’re not. You’re long gone, brother. Talk to you later.”
Aidan chuckled as he pushed the end button on Madisyn’s phone. He noticed Mike’s truck out front. “Just great,” he muttered. “He’s going to think I took advantage of his little sister. He’s probably going to kick me out of the house.”
“Close, but no cigar,” Madisyn said, entering the room. “He was ready to hang you from the nearest tree, but I convinced him otherwise. I just came to tell you that breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes.”
Aidan looked at her. “No good-morning kiss?” He walked toward her. “I could really use one.”
She held her hand out, halting him. “I have to brush my teeth first. I couldn’t kiss you with morning breath.”
He wanted to tell her that wasn’t necessary, but he knew that was important to her. “You wouldn’t happen to have an extra one, would you? I think I might cause a scene at the local 7-Eleven if I go buy one.”
“I just bet you would. Give me one minute.” She walked into the bathroom and soon returned with an unopened toothbrush, a towel, and a razor.
He couldn’t keep the curious look off his face or the jealousy out of his tone. “Do I have to ask?”
She smiled. “It’s not Darnell’s. My brothers are known to stay over with a moment’s notice, so I always have extra everything.” She walked to the bedroom door. “I’m going to use the spare bathroom down the hall. Don’t forget, ten minutes or Mike will eat all the food.” She left the room.
Aidan grinned. He could really get used to looking at her beautiful face every morning. And hopefully that would be very soon. He just had to get rid of Darnell once and for all. If only he had a surefire way to make that happen. Maybe the earth would open up and swallow Darnell. With all the security measures he had in place, Darnell would need an ace up his sleeve to get to Madisyn or her niece, but as in football, it wouldn’t be over until the fat lady sang.
He shook away those bad thoughts and walked to the bathroom. He hadn’t paid much attention to the large room the night before but now as he glanced around, he could see this room was definitely Madisyn. Cheery bright colors greeted him, making him feel even happier. As she had directed, everything he could possibly need was sitting on the counter waiting for him.
Ten minutes later, Aidan entered the kitchen ready to face Mike. He expected the older man to hit him with a barrage of questions the minute he sat down, but Mike was too busy eating.
Madisyn had changed into a tank top and shorts. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she looked very relaxed. She placed a plate filled with eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast in front of him. “Eat up,” she said, kissing him quickly on the lips before taking her seat next to him.
Aidan darted a glance in Mike’s direction, but he only smiled at him. Aidan instantly relaxed. He leaned and kissed Madisyn on the cheek. No use pressing his luck, he thought. “This looks great, baby.” He inhaled the aroma and dug into his food.
As the three of them ate in silence Aidan marveled at how different his relationship with Madisyn had become. She was more interested in the charity than his football career.
Reluctantly, he left after Madisyn refused his help with the dishes. But she did walk him to the front door. Not wanting to upset Mike any more than necessary, Aidan left with the briefest kiss on her forehead. He shook his head in disbelief. It amazed
him how fast he’d fallen in love. Aidan had known he was in trouble the moment he realized she chewed sexy.
CHAPTER 19
After Aidan left, Madisyn was faced with her stubborn brother. He had settled in on the couch and was reading the paper. She knew Mike wasn’t leaving her alone, so she’d just have to deal with it. “How about we go shopping?”
He sighed and folded the paper, placing it on the coffee table. “Okay, let’s get this over with. I can’t believe I agreed to this. I hate shopping.”
Madisyn rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “Yes, I know. I’m really grateful,” she told her brother. “However, I can always call Mom and she can take me.”
Mike rose. “There’s no way I’m putting the two women in my family in the path of danger. Dad would skin me alive.”
“Yeah, there’s that.”
Although Mike complained most of the time, she still enjoyed being with him. He seemed to cheer up when they stopped for lunch at the Touchdown Zone, Mike’s favorite sports bar. After they both ordered hot wings, fries and beer, Mike shocked her.
“I’ve had a good time today. The grocery store is next, right? I can’t believe I’m having a good time. I might even hang with you tonight.”
That seemingly innocent remark made her skin crawl. For him to say he was enjoying himself was one thing, but for him to forego boys’ night out was quite another. She took a sip of her beer before she spoke. “Okay, Mikey, out with it.” She held her hand. “And please don’t tell me the Disney version.”
“When we were leaving I saw Darnell parked down the street, watching your house. He didn’t see me. I don’t like this, Maddie. He’s getting desperate and stepping up his game.”
“I thought that was him, but I wasn’t sure. I’d convinced myself that I was imagining it. Why would he do something so stupid? He’s not supposed to be anywhere near here or he violates the restraining order.”
“He doesn’t care about that. He needs you and nothing is going to deter him, Maddie. I think Myles should stay with you at night.”
“I can’t deal with Myles O’Riley right now. You know how single-minded he gets in the summer,” said Madisyn of her sibling. Myles was only a year older than she was, but when it came to his favorite team he was a kid.
“So he gets a little nuts during baseball season. He’s promised to cut back when he’s at your house.”
Of course the men had already discussed this in detail. But Mike was with her every minute. When had he made all these arrangements? “When did you talk to Myles?”
“Didn’t. Text message.”
The computer age, Madisyn mused. Soon people wouldn’t have to talk to one another at all. She knew when she was licked. The men in her family had discussed the problem and had come up with a solution, the end. “All right, tell Myles the first stat I hear come out of his mouth, he’s out on his butt.”
Mike smiled. “He knows the drill. No talk of baseball while he’s there. I still don’t know what you have against the Rangers. They’re in the lead and headed for the pennant.”
“I have nothing against the Rangers. I love them. But with Myles all I hear is stats on every freaking baseball team and how they will lose against the Rangers. Then when the Rangers lose, he walks around like he’s in a deep depression.” Madisyn realized how, in the scope of things going on in her life, that was pretty trivial. “You know, tell Myles if he wants to talk stats, he can. That’s his thing.”
“Okay,” Mike said slowly. “Either way he’s staying. I’m sure Aidan will understand.”
Madisyn didn’t doubt it for one second. “Sure he will.”
* * *
“I didn’t think you were really that stupid,” Keisha said into her cell phone. “Did her brother see you? You know you’re just digging a deeper hole for yourself.”
Darnell nodded. Tell him something he didn’t already know. Right now he just needed some help fixing this mess. “Just find out if she’s going anywhere tonight. I gotta talk to her.” His time was running out and he didn’t have many options. But for his plan to work, he needed to get her alone.
“I don’t have to ask her nothing,” Keisha said proudly. “Madisyn is as predictable as snow in North Texas. Friday night she has a meeting with the Mature Alliance charity. She’s a volunteer.”
“She was always claiming she wanted to do something, so I guess she finally did. Where is this place?”
“Forget about it,” Keisha warned. “You’re not going to get anywhere near her.”
“Why not?” Darnell thought his plan was simple. Snatch Madisyn as she walked to her SUV. Persuade her to attend the dinner with him.
“Because, you idiot, she’ll be with Aidan. It’s his charity. If they’re as chummy as you say, you’re not going to be able to talk to her.”
“Shit.” Another problem he was going to have to fix. This whole mess was Madisyn’s fault. If she had just taken him back as she had so many times before, none of this would be needed. He should make her pay for that alone. If he didn’t get that promotion, he just might.
* * *
She watched her target. Slipping the device under his car without his knowledge had been the easy part. The hard part was listening to what had to be the stupidest man. He was talking a blue streak to someone named Keisha, who was most likely his accomplice in this mess, she guessed. If Keisha had a brain, she’d better start using it or she’d be in the jail cell next to Darnell’s.
Her cell phone buzzed and she looked down at the display. Chase. She knew this case was very important to the attorney and was beginning to understand why. Aidan Coles. She answered before it buzzed again. “Callahan.”
“Hey, it’s me, Chase. How’s everything going?” He sounded nervous. “He was spotted parked on her street this morning. He’s not supposed to come near her. You told me that you could assure her safety. I can’t tell my client you’ve got everything under control if something happens to her.”
“Chase, calm down. You’re the one not in control. Yeah, I know he was parked on her street. I also know your boy spent the night. I won’t go into what he was doing, but I would caution him if they’re going to play house, better do it at his place. At his house there’s lots of security.”
He took a deep breath. Chase didn’t often get rattled unless it had something to do with Aidan. She knew Aidan was his only client, thus his concern. “All right, Cadence. I know you and your team are good at what you do. Where’s Darnell now?”
She hated when people used her given name. What was her African-American mother thinking? She knew exactly what she was thinking. She wanted to preserve Cadence’s father’s Irish heritage. “Giving some stupid girl the blues. Some women just don’t deserve to live. Aidan will be with Madisyn tonight, right?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Nothing yet.” She wanted Darnell to think no one was onto him for now. “Just tell your boy to stay on his toes. My team can only cover so much ground, so no dates.”
“Gotcha.” He took another deep breath. “Anything else to report?”
“Yeah. You need to relax.” She ended the call.
She owned a successful security company and had jobs that took her and her elite team all over the world. She was good at what she did, but men seldom let her do her job.
* * *
Later that evening, Mike dropped Madisyn off at the Mature Alliance building for her charity meeting. He looked at her with a very serious look on his face. “Now Maddie, if things change and Aidan isn’t taking you home, don’t you hesitate to call me.”
She appreciated his concern. “I will.” She slid out of the truck and closed the door. “If anything changes I’ll let you know.” Aidan had promised to take her home after the meeting.
“Okay. I’ll just wait until you’re safely inside.”
She knew that Mike wouldn’t budge one inch until she entered the building. “Thanks, Mike.” She walked up the walkway, knowing that she was safe for the momen
t. When she reached the glass doors, she turned and waved good-bye to her brother. Once inside she was greeted by one of the hockey players on the charity committee.
“Hey, Madisyn, it’s nice to see you this evening.” Jason Taggot extended his hand as he neared her. “Aidan is running a little late,” he said on a rush. “He said he’d explain when he got here. We can wait for him in the conference room.” He guided her to the large room on the left of the main offices.
Madisyn didn’t really like all these men thinking she couldn’t manage to stay safe for thirty seconds without someone looking after her. She took a seat at the large mahogany table and stared at him. “Aidan put you up to this, didn’t he?”
Jason smiled at her. “I plead the fifth.” He shifted in his seat when Madisyn narrowed her gaze at him. “It’s only because he cares about you so much. He didn’t give me specifics, but told me not to let you out of my sight until he got here.”
What could she say? “Thanks, Jason, I appreciate your concern. You don’t have to stay in here with me. I promise I won’t move until Aidan gets here. I’m sure you have other things to take care of.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m staying right here. I would never cross Aidan. I’ve only seen him really mad once in my life and I don’t want to see it again.”
Okay, her curiosity was piqued. “When?”
Jason shrugged. “I really shouldn’t be telling you his business.”
“I understand the man rules and everything. I just want some insight to Aidan.”
He sighed. “It was a few years ago and his mom was trying to get him to do something for his stepfather, but Aidan flat out refused. I mean, that’s so not like him.”
Madisyn knew of Aidan’s rocky road with his stepfather and how he wanted to patch things up now, but what on earth could have caused him to act so out of character? Aidan was considerate, kind, and gentle, not this mean, unfeeling man Jason was describing. “I’m sure Aidan had his reasons.”
“True, but I never pressed him for details and like I said, it’s never happened again. He’s usually a go-with-the-flow type of guy.”
