The ceremony went without a hitch, from the moment Ros appeared at the entrance to the function room on Guy’s arm. Although she hadn’t known the younger woman long, Maddie still felt the sting of tears.
She made a stunning bride. If her dress had looked beautiful on the hanger, it was a work of art on the woman. Maddie sneaked a tissue out of her purse, to dab away the moisture threatening to smudge her mascara. The flowers printed on Ros’ dress came in myriad shades of purple, one of which was a perfect match for Simon’s waistcoat and matching tie. The dress itself had been a perfect compromise between Ros’ determination to marry in something colourful and Simon’s wish for her to wear a more traditional colour.
And weren’t relationships all about compromise?
While everyone’s attention was on Ros and Guy, as they made their way to the front of the gathering, Maddie spared a glance for the bridegroom. Tall and proud, he stood at the front of the congregation. While the immaculate grey morning suit was tailored to fit him perfectly, not many men could carry off the purple waistcoat the way he did. His eyes shone with love for the woman who was about to become his wife. Maddie thought her heart would break with the beauty of it. She’d never seen a couple so deeply in love and unafraid to show it. And she couldn’t help but rejoice in the fact that Ros’ fears surrounding Nia Shepherd were utterly unfounded, to the extent that she’d even invited the other woman to the wedding. She’d taken a seat at the end of one of the rows towards the rear of the room. She was still alone.
Having handed the bride into the care of her groom, Guy took his place beside Maddie. When he’d told her a seat was reserved for her right there on the front row, in spite of everything Maddie had still felt like a fraud and an interloper. The remnants of those feelings evaporated when Guy took her hand. As if he picked up on her discomfort, without hesitation he mouthed two words to her.
You’re family.
And as if to prove it, he held onto her hand through the whole of the ceremony. Afterwards, however, Guy took her to one side before they joined the other guests for drinks.
“Why are you wearing your ring like that?”
A pang of guilt assailed her. She twisted the ring on her finger so the gems showed once more. “I didn’t—don’t—want it to be a distraction on Ros’ big day. People already know we’re in a relationship, but the sudden appearance of an engagement ring’ll take too much attention away from them.” She nodded in the direction of the happy couple.”
Guy closed his eyes. Maddie winced at the impatience in his sigh. “I’m sorry.” Her voice barely made it above a whisper.
“No, kitten, you’ve no need to apologise.” He kissed her hand. “My fault entirely. I was in too damn much of a hurry to tell the world you’re mine. Didn’t think about the consequences of doing it today of all days, and before the wedding as well.”
Maddie lifted her hand. Before she could conceal the stones again, Guy stopped her. “No more hiding. If anyone spots this,” he rubbed his thumb over her fingers near the ring, “and makes a fuss, I’ll take care of it.”
“Makes a fuss about what?”
At the sound of Ros’ voice they both turned. However, before they could hide Maddie’s hand or even congratulate the new Mrs. Northwood, she’d spotted the subject of their conversation.
“Oh my God, you did it! Congratulations! Maddie, I’m so happy for you!”
With Ros’ arms wrapped around her, Maddie spared a quick glance and a smile for Guy, who was watching them with undeniable satisfaction and approval. “I should be congratulating you. I’m so sorry—”
“Maddie, we just discussed this. It’s my fault, Ros—I didn’t intend to steal your thunder, but I couldn’t wait a moment longer, in case she got away from me.”
“As if that was likely to happen,” his niece scoffed with a broad grin. “I’m so pleased for both of you.”
“What’s going on here?”
Simon had also arrived, evidently in search of his new wife. As she stepped back from Maddie, he put his hands on her waist and guided her back against him.
“Maddie and Guy just got engaged. Isn’t it wonderful?” Ros wrapped her new husband’s arm around her waist.
“Sorry, it’s all my fault.” Guy delivered his apology with a rueful smile.
“Nonsense. It’s a bonus, seeing you two get together officially today. The best wedding present you could have given us.” Simon was genuinely delighted.
“Well, we’ll still try to keep a low profile,” Maddie insisted.
“And I need to introduce her to everyone—there wasn’t time before the ceremony. Now go and enjoy the attention.”
With her hand enclosed in Guy’s, Maddie allowed him to lead her away. “Are you really going to introduce me to everyone?”
“I may be guilty of a slight exaggeration there. I’m not sure I know all the guests, but the ones I would especially like you to meet are… I guess you could call them extended family. Your family too, now. Not to mention the fact that, since you’re going to accept Alex’s offer, you’ll be working alongside them as well. One thing you should be aware of—they’re all members of the club.”
“They’re in the lifestyle?”
Guy nodded. “But don’t worry. This is a social occasion, and no one’s on protocol today. Come on—we need to make a start on the champagne and canapés.”
As he introduced the cluster of guests, Maddie was able to put faces to the names for whom she’d made reservations at the hotel as part of the service she’d provided for the wedding. She doubted she’d ever seen a more attractive or charismatic group of individuals.
“It’s lovely to meet you all. Guy’s told me so much about you all.”
“And none of it good, I’ll bet.” The man identified to her as Ryan Quinn winked and grinned before taking a sip from his glass.
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly say.” Reassured by the warm welcome she’d been given, Maddie allowed a small, mischievous grin to flirt with her lips.
“I hope you’re all duly impressed with the arrangements for today. Maddie is the events manager for the hotel, and responsible for putting everything together.”
She blushed at the sheer pride in Guy’s voice. “I can’t really take any of the credit for today—it’s my job, after all. Ros did all the hard work—I was merely the facilitator.”
Which was entirely the wrong thing to say, if her fiancé’s expression was any indication. Something told her, later in the evening, her backside might regret her mouth’s lack of restraint. It was only when she looked back at the people around her that she remembered they were in the lifestyle too. The Doms among them were regarding her with knowing looks. Maddie groaned.
“Quite.” Guy’s tone was dry, with a noticeable lack of humour. “Alex, I thought I saw Beth before. Everything all right?”
“Fine—she’s just gone to check on Charley. Our daughter, Maddie. Almost six months old now.”
The Lombards weren’t the only guests taking advantage of the professionally staffed crèche facility Ros had requested. Several couples had brought children with them, some of them quite young, and the crèche provided a peaceful haven for when the festivities became too exciting.
Maddie put on a brave smile. Mention of the Lombards’ baby reminded her for a moment of the child she’d lost. Guy’s arm around her, drawing her into his side, told her he remembered too.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realise the conversation would take that direction,” he murmured.
“It’s okay.” She laid her hand over his. “Things like this are always going to happen. It was a long time ago—I can deal with it.”
“Have I missed anything?”
The new voice belonged to yet another stunningly beautiful woman—the mysterious Beth, given the way she went directly to Alex. Maddie could only marvel at how far from a harried, relatively new mother she appeared to be. Like the blonde woman—Stacie Fraser, if she recalled correctly—she too wore a necklace that ha
d the look of a collar. The Quinns had thrown her for a moment, until she realised that in that relationship, Fiona was the Dominant, even though there was no doubting Ryan’s alpha masculinity.
“How’s Charley?”
Beth rolled her eyes and glared at her husband. “Charlotte is fine. She’s out for the count at the moment. I’ve asked the nurse to let me know when she wakes up, then I can bring her down.”
“Let me know, and I’ll go and get her.” Alex kissed his wife.
And that was how Guy would have been. Every inch the proud father, if their daughter had lived, if their relationship hadn’t failed, if, if, if… How she hated that word.
“Come back to me, kitten. Remember what we said about not being able to change the past?”
“I remember.” Maddie closed the door on the memories and regrets. “Why don’t we make today a new start?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
He could use more Sunday mornings like this, waking up to sunshine streaming through the windows and the woman he loved curled against him. Maddie was sleeping soundly after a wonderful day of celebration and great company, before they’d seen Ros and Simon off on their honeymoon. Watching his fiancée play with Charlotte had made his heart ache with pain and wonder. She’d have been an incredible mother to their daughter.
“What time is it?”
The muffled words, preceded by a groan, vibrated across his chest. Nope, some things didn’t change. His woman was still at the owl end of the spectrum. He adjusted his arm around her. “There’s plenty of time before breakfast. Go back to sleep.”
“Uh? ’kay.” She snuggled into his side and draped a long, silken leg over him. It wasn’t too much of a stretch to picture those legs wrapped around his hips in the throes of passion. The image brought a smile to his face and a vow to make it happen in the not-too-distant future. For now, though, he was content to enjoy the peace and quiet.
The enjoyment didn’t last long. The entire hotel rocked under the force of an ear-shattering blast, or so it seemed. Within seconds, both Guy and Maddie were out of bed and dragging on their clothes.
“Guy?”
“I don’t know.” He made a grab for his jacket. “I only hope it’s a gas leak, because if it isn’t…”
A flash of silent understanding passed between them. When another explosion came moments later, shaking the building to its foundations for a second time, he realised it was a forlorn hope. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“You’re not the only one. I have to help with the evacuation.” Maddie twisted her hair up and clamped it into place.
Guy grabbed her hand. “We both will.”
Making their way through clusters of confused, panicking guests and members of staff who were trying to help them, Guy and Maddie sprinted through the hotel. Their destination was the wing where the Spectrum Security group were located.
Their friends were already dressed and ready for action. Guy sent up a silent prayer of thanks for Maddie’s foresight when she booked the block of rooms together, especially when Alex and Beth appeared with their baby daughter.
“What the hell is going on?” Alex cradled his daughter while his wife pulled on a jacket.
“I’ve put you all in danger. I’m sorry.”
“Maddie, we don’t know that for sure.”
The way she looked at him broke Guy’s heart, but they didn’t have time to argue. He turned back to Alex. Although the other man was the CEO of Spectrum Security and the person to whom they all looked for leadership, in these circumstances he was husband and father first. With the ease of too many years of experience, Guy slipped into command mode.
“Alex, take Beth and Charlotte, and get out of here. Stacie, Fiona, you go with them. Get everyone you can find out of the hotel—”
The sound of rapid gunfire and blood-curdling screaming stopped Guy in his tracks. He turned to the others. “You need to get help fast.”
“I can’t get a signal.” Cam Fraser held up his phone.
“Neither can I.” Ryan stuffed his back in his pocket, as Alex gathered the women together.
More phones came out—all of them were useless. Guy cursed. “They must be using a jammer.”
Stacie ducked away from the group and dashed back into her room. She emerged seconds later with more bad news. “The land line’s dead, too.”
The sound of shouting cut through the hysterical yelling. The words were foreign and indistinct, but the accent drove Guy to face Maddie. She looked as if someone had just handed down a death sentence.
“It’s them.”
The bleakness behind the words tore through him.
“You know who’s behind this?”
Maddie answered Alex’s question. “It has to be the Bratva. They’re here because of me. You have to get everyone out of here now. If they manage to take hostages…”
Guy knew with grim certainty there was no if about it. The layout of the hotel, and the level of panic and confusion amongst the guests would ensure some of them would run straight into the enemy’s path. “What’s the safest route?”
“The kitchen. There’s a tunnel—it comes out at the old ice house. It’s not an approved evacuation route, but it’s going to be the best way to get everyone to safety.”
“You know the way? All the way to the ice house?” Guy prayed that she did—it would give him the perfect reason to insist she went with the others.
“Yes, but—”
“Good. I want you to go with Alex. Get to safety, and get help.”
“I can help more here.”
“Don’t argue—not about this. They need you to show them the way.”
“What about you?”
Guy gazed at the face looking at him with such a crazy amount of love and worry. Christ, he loved that face so much. He shot a questioning look at Cam and Ryan. Each man nodded.
“Maddie, listen to me. I need to know you’re out of harm’s way. If it is the Bratva, and they are after you, you can’t be here. Go with Alex.”
“But I can help you. I haven’t forgotten—”
With absolutely no sense of shame or logic, Guy went Dom on her and played on her weakness for the Lombards’ baby. “If you stay, who’s going to make sure Charlotte and her parents are safe? Go. Get out of here and get help.”
For a moment he thought she’d carry on arguing, but then, with mixed feelings, he watched her lead the women away, with Alex bringing up the rear.
“Okay, so what’s the plan?”
His expression grim, Guy turned to the remaining two men. He couldn’t give Cam a specific answer, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have an objective. “We buy them the time they need to get away, and stop whoever’s behind this hurting anyone else. Let’s go.”
Keeping low and moving fast, Guy led the way to the devastated lobby but stopped short, before they were seen. The sight that greeted them could hardly be worse. Upwards of thirty hostages, a mix of staff and guests, some of them attendees at the wedding, were being held at gunpoint.
Black-clad hitmen, armed to the teeth with a fearsome array of semi-automatic weapons, knives and explosives, prowled among them. The lack of respect for the broken bodies, lying where they’d fallen, fuelled Guy’s rage even further. People like him, like Cam and Ryan, they knew what the risks were when they signed up to face threats like this, but these people had no idea and weren’t equipped to deal with this situation.
The leader shouted out some orders in Russian, leaving Guy in no doubt about who they were, and why they’d attacked the hotel.
They were the Bratva. They’d come for Maddie, and were prepared to kill to take her.
>>><<<
She’d been trained by the best. In spite of the intervening years, every trick she’d ever known came back as fresh as if she’d learned it yesterday.
Using the behind-the-scenes staff areas, Maddie led the way to the kitchen. On the way, they picked up another half-dozen terrified guests and members of sta
ff. As the group progressed through the hotel, the sounds of gunfire and conflict—thankfully without any further bomb blasts—waxed and waned, but the screaming never seemed to vary.
This was all her fault. Now, though, was not the time to wallow in guilt or worry about how they’d found her. Guy had given her a job to do, and once it was done, then she could go back to him.
No one else was going to die because of her.
She looked back at the three women she knew in the party. She was most concerned for Beth, who was trying to keep her daughter as quiet as possible. Thank God Alex was with them.
“It’s not much further. There’s a large storeroom at the back of the kitchen, by the walk-in freezer. Go into the storeroom, and straight ahead, you’ll see another door. It’s kept locked, but the key is on a hook to the right of it.”
“Why are you telling us this?”
Maddie swallowed hard. Alex was a Dom, not to mention a former officer in the SAS, and he’d take a very dim view of what she was about to do. “You have to know in case something happens to me.”
“Nothing’s happening to you. Keep going.”
They made it to the kitchen without encountering any of the enemy, and once inside the store room, Maddie unlocked the door to the passageway.
She turned to Alex. “Be careful. There are no lights, but if you use the torch on your phone, you’ll be able to see enough. It’ll take you about five minutes to get to the other end. The door there’s bolted on this side, but not otherwise locked. When you go through, the ice house is on the right. If you’re out of range of the jammer, you should be able to get a signal, but if not, keep going past the ice house. Take the first path on the left, and when you hit the road, turn right, and keep checking for a signal.”
“You’re coming with us, right?” Fiona said.
Maddie bit her lower lip. The submissive in her found it difficult to refuse the frowning Domme, but she had no other choice. “I can’t.”
“Guy will give you shit if you don’t, and rightly so,” Alex weighed in.
As if she didn’t know. “I can’t leave him, or the others. I know this place better than any of them, and like it or not, he needs me to cover his back.”
No Going Back (Club Aegis Book 6) Page 21
