Thirteen
Mel sat on the floor painting her toenails a bright red to match her dress, humming along to whatever she was playing in her earbuds. Maddox scowled at his closet. He didn’t want to look too overdressed, in case Erin showed up. She wasn’t going to. But in case. He wanted to be able to breathe. And he was fantasizing about dancing with her. If only she would. It was a fantasy. She wasn’t going to show, and if by some miracle she did, she wouldn’t dance with him.
He put on a black suit jacket over his jeans, leaving his collar casually unbuttoned. He felt stupid as he fixed his hair, remembering his dad fluffing it on top the last time he spoke to him. Tonight was about nothing but protecting his family’s reputation and keeping up his persona to aid Redge in his investigation. Secure your alibi. Keep things status quo…dance with your life mate, if only.
“So?” he said loudly to Mel to get her attention.
She pulled her earbuds out. “Huh?”
“Do I look, normal?”
She chuckled. “You mean do you look like a rich prick?”
“Yeah.”
She winked. “Spot on, M…Just kidding. You look fine. No one’s going to look at you and go, hey, he’s a killer! Or he’s found his destined life mate!”
“It’ll have to do, then. Are you ready to go?”
“Almost. Do I look like your hot date?”
“You’re a bombshell. But you already know that, don’t you?”
She smirked. “I know.” She looked at the new watch he’d given her. “I love this thing, M. It’s not as feminine as Erin’s, but it’s still very pretty. You’re lucky you got me something for my trouble tonight. Especially since Kendrick is going to be there.” She shuddered. “I will stomp him to death with my high heels if he gets handsy with me. Don’t try to stop me either.”
“Hey, no means no, love…I uh…asked Erin to come tonight.”
“Do you expect her to show?”
“No. I just wanted you to know, in case.”
“If she shows, will you trust me again? Follow my lead?” Mel asked.
“I will do my best.”
“Good. I won’t badger you for drinking, so long as you don’t go so far as to pass out or vomit.”
He chuckled. “Thanks. I really want to drink. This was one of the worst days I’ve ever had.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and opened a portal for them to Paradigm. It dumped them out in the main square, thirty feet from the club. They were spotted almost immediately and swarmed by people taking their picture and asking questions.
Maddox kept his hand around Melina. She smiled smugly at them all and leaned suggestively against him. The same question was asked by numerous people at once. “Is she your girlfriend, Maddox? Are you a thing? You’ve been out together before. Is it serious?”
He just smiled and walked Mel into the club. People parted for them. Kendrick waved from the back, at the VIP table. Maddox felt Mel stiffen next to him as they walked over to Kendrick, and her smile grew fixed, her eyes cold. Kendrick put his fist out. Maddox bumped it with his own and slid into the oversized booth.
“What’s your poison tonight?” Kendrick asked. “This place is so overrated. They stick only to the legal stuff.”
“That’s fine. Nothing strong tonight.”
“What about you, Melina?” Kendrick leaned close to her, smiling.
“I’m not drinking tonight.”
“That’s a shame,” he turned to Maddox. “So, where’s Mystery Girl?”
He shrugged. “She might show. But this isn’t really her scene. And her name is Erin.”
“You still claiming exclusivity?”
Maddox gave him a warning look.
Kendrick held his hands up. “Hey, just wondering since you came in here with Melina on your arm. Mystery Girl doesn’t mind that?”
“Erin,” Maddox said through his clenched teeth.
Mel squeezed his arm under the table. He looked at her. “I’m going to get you a drink, M. I’ll be right back.”
She slid out of the booth and disappeared on the dance floor. Kendrick watched her go, his eyes fixed on her ass. He blew out a breath. “I really need that. You’ve got to help me out with her.”
“Mel doesn’t change her mind easily. That’s on you.”
The music was loud, the lights dim. People on the floor were calling to him, trying to get his attention. One girl was particularly loud, waving at him. He smirked at her and waved back while pictures were taken constantly. He reminded himself this was why he was here. He suddenly realized just how stupid his life was and had been for the last year and a half.
“Well, you made that girl’s night,” Kendrick laughed. “You should go ask her to dance. She’d pass out.”
“You go ask her to dance.”
Kendrick looked back at her, and he smiled. “You know, brother, I think I will.”
He headed out onto the floor toward the girl. Maddox sighed, his eyes scanning the floor. He almost swallowed his tongue, and his heart stopped. Erin stood across the room looking at him. Her hair was like an ember in the dark. I’m going to die right now. The dress she wore…how much of her it didn’t cover, sections of it cut out so her skin was there for everyone to see.
He stood up, walked to her, grabbed her hand, and took her straight out of there. The portal took them back to his room where he had her out of that dress in three seconds flat.
He closed his eyes and exhaled, still sitting in the booth, trying to school his thoughts. When he opened his eyes again, she was smiling darkly at him.
I surrender. He messaged her. You own me.
He watched her read his message. But it didn’t make her smile or give him a saucy look. Instead, she looked at him with fear and shook her head. What? What did she want?
He started to get up.
Melina came back. “Where are you going?” she asked.
He pointed at Erin. Mel looked, her eyebrows raised. “Sit down, you fool. It’s a trap.”
“What?”
“Just sit down. Drink this.” She handed him a glass.
He hesitated.
“Trust me, M. Please. This could go sideways fast. She has no idea what she’s doing. She’s not the type for this game.”
“What game?”
She gave him a little shove, and he leaned back in the seat again, downing the drink she brought him.
“I asked her to come. She came. I want to dance with her,” he argued.
“Yeah. You’re blinded by her…her…”
He snorted, still staring at Erin.
“At a loss for words? She’s so gorgeous, she’s dazzled you, too.”
“That’s the point, Dumbass. She’s done that to scramble your brain. To what end, I don’t know, but it can’t be good for you.” She pointed aggressively at Erin. “That is bait. There’s a sharp hook underneath.”
“It’s worth it.”
She shoved him back again as he moved to get up. “Don’t make me hurt you. I will.”
He locked gazes with Erin again, trying to search her face. Then he spotted Jaris, looming close behind her. He whispered something in her ear. She nodded as he gave her a little push forward. Maddox exhaled. Mel was right. Damn.
What are you doing? He messaged her.
I thought you wanted to dance with me. I’m waiting.
“I see it, Mel,” he said. “Thanks. Stay here.”
She crossed her arms as he stood. “Eyes up. Brain on, M.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He ignored the hands that grabbed at him and the voices that begged for his attention as he walked up to Erin. He stopped a few inches from her. She was trembling, and her gaze darted around at all the people looking at them.
“So cold, Erin,” he said. “Haven’t you done enough to me for one day?”
She looked down.
“Go ahead. Do your worst.”
“No,” she shook her head taking a step back from him.
He moved forward. “Will you dance with me?”
Her eyes rounded, and she glanced at the onlookers again. He came close and leaned down, putting his mouth next to her ear. “Say no. Make it loud so they can hear. Stomp out. It will be all over the society section tomorrow that I was rejected. You win.”
She pulled back from him. “You’re serious?”
He nodded. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth, and then she looked at Jaris.
“Dance with me,” he said louder holding his hands out to her.
His breath caught as she did the exact opposite of what he expected and moved into him. “Okay.”
He clasped her against him and turned her in a circle. She was shaking like a leaf as she braced her hands on his shoulders. He could tell she was going to bolt any second. His hands held her waist, his fingers skimming the skin exposed there. Their connection surged in the physical contact.
“You surprise me…” he said in her ear.
She pulled away from him. He let go. They stared at each other for a moment, then she turned and left the club. He held still and watched her go. People began asking him questions about Erin.
One guy thumped him on the shoulder. “I hope the poor girl doesn’t go kill herself now.”
Maddox scowled and pushed through the crowd and back to Melina. She stared at him, her eyebrows raised. Kendrick sat too close to her, trying to engage her in conversation.
He sat down, grabbed a shot off the table, and tossed it back.
“Not as expected,” he said to Mel.
“Not at all,” she agreed.
“What are you talking about?” Kendrick asked.
“Nothing,” Maddox said.
His watch pinged.
Your house, in one hour.
I’ll be there.
He took another drink, feeling conflicted.
Jaris’ grip on her arm was beginning to hurt, not from the burn, but how hard his fingers dug in. They walked in silence for a block from the club and down an alley, then he lost it.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“You’re hurting me.”
He let go. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
She rubbed her arm and looked down. “Nothing about that felt right to me. I couldn’t do it. That’s not me. I’m not built like that.”
“He’s getting to you. Isn’t he?”
“No.”
“Then let’s ruin his night another way.”
“How?”
“Spend the night with me.”
“You mean…”
“Yes.”
“I can’t do that…it would feel like torture to me. I can’t even imagine how painful that would be. It hurts so much just to kiss you.”
He turned his back on her and walked away.
“Jaris?”
He stopped and hung his head. “I’m sorry. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Erin stood still for a moment, all alone on the street. The dress against her skin felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. She walked slowly to the hub and caught a portal home.
“Dad? I’m home.” She didn’t say it too loudly.
He was dozing in his recliner, an open book on his chest. She sat on the armrest and touched his head. His temperature felt normal. He blinked and looked at her.
“Hey, honey. Finished with your date?”
“Yeah. The first one anyway.”
He laughed. “You need to pick one.” He looked at her dress, and his humor vanished. He frowned at her.
“I know,” she said quickly. “Bad choice. I’m going to return it to the store tomorrow.”
“You could bring the jealousy between your young men to a murderous rage wearing stuff like that. It’s dangerous.”
“I know. Well, I know now. You’re right. How are you feeling?”
“Not too bad. A little better. Guess what I heard today?”
“What?”
“The gift giver is back. A few families have reported receiving anonymous gifts.”
“I know,” she smiled. “They planted a tree at Selena’s grave. I wish I knew who it was. It meant so much to me, what they did for us when Mom died.”
He patted her hand. “When are you going to bring your other guy around to meet me?”
“I’m going to end it with him.”
“Oh…well. Try not to break his heart too badly.”
“Okay, dad. I’m going to change clothes then I’ll be heading out again for a little while. Do you need help getting into bed?”
“No. I’m fine. I can do it on my own.” He pulled her down to kiss her on the forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
She headed to her room, tears blurring her eyes. She carefully stripped out of the dress and folded it before heading to the shower. She felt dirty. She dressed in plain jeans and a T-shirt after she was clean and decided to not put on any makeup. She went invisible again as she walked out of Anue…to him.
She passed under the dome into the garden and took a deep breath of the summer flowers blooming in vines covering the stone wall. She sat again on the bench next to the fountain and leaned her head back. She was early. The house was dark. He wasn’t here yet. Should she message him? Her heart strained, heavy and tired.
I’m at your house. I’m a little early.
I’ll be there in a second. I just have to bow out of this bullshit circus first.
She looked up at the stars and waited for him to show to their appointment. Would he have Melina with him? She thought back through the crappy, weird day. Not once had she been burned by him touching someone else.
Lights came on inside the house. Guess he was home. She didn’t budge. In a few minutes, the door opened, and he came out on the porch.
“Hey,” he said easily. He wasn’t wearing the suit jacket anymore. His collar was unbuttoned, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
“Hey,” she answered. “It’s nice out here. Do you want to come sit with me?”
He moved forward instantly. Their eyes connected as he walked to her and sat down. He reached for her hand. She gave it. The connection hummed and pulled pleasantly between their palms.
“You said…” she hesitated, remembering his message. “You said going out tonight was an act. What did you mean?”
“I had to do that so no one suspects anything is different. Someone is trying to frame me. There was another girl found dead early this morning. My name carved on her.”
Erin gasped. “Oh my gosh! Oh…” The weight of what he said fell on her. “When did you find out?”
“Midmorning.”
She let go of his hand and hunched over, wrapping her arms around her middle. “I’m sorry, Maddox. I was hitting you so hard right then, too.”
“You were. I was really sick. I’ve never felt that bad in my life.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Erin…what’s going on? You told me you were going to hurt me. Why are you apologizing?”
She stood. “I’m really screwed up. I’m not built for revenge. It’s not me. And right now, I’m just too tired to be pissed at you.”
He stood up, too. “I know it’s not you. You’re not a cruel person.”
“How would you know?” she would have snapped it, but it came out only somewhat testy.
“I’ve been listening to your heart for days.”
“Oh…” she felt exposed. “I came to the club to humiliate you.”
“I know.”
She faced him. There was too much truth hanging in the air around them. She decided to just give up for the day. “You could have easily humiliated me instead…you didn’t.” she swallowed. “Thank you.”
A small smile lifted his lips. “I really did want to dance with you.”
“I like dancing,” she admitted. “I do it a lot in the privacy of my room…I’m sorry about the dress. I don’t know what I was thinking. I couldn’t wait to get out of it.”
He snorted. “All I could think about was getting you out of it. You looked…I don’t even have the words. I won’t ever forget the way you looked tonight. Thank you for that, even if it was meant to hurt me. I’m glad you changed though. I probably wouldn’t be able to speak to you right now if you hadn’t. I ‘d just stand and stare.”
She looked down and rubbed her arms. The pain buzzed like a high frequency in her nerve endings. She held her hands out to him. He didn’t take them.
“I should go home now. Aren’t you going to touch me?”
“I’m going to ask you for more.”
“Maddox, don’t.”
“Please. Just let me hold you for a moment. That’s all I’m asking for.”
She exhaled raggedly and closed her eyes. “Okay.”
“Okay?” his voice held disbelief and hope. He took a step toward her.
“Wait!”
He stopped. “Erin…”
“Just wait.”
She glanced at him nervously for a second and then turned her back to him. She pulled her chin down to her chest and wrapped her arms tight around her torso. She was as closed physically as she could be. “Okay. It’s okay now.”
His hands were on her shoulders first. They slid down her arms to her hands. She bit down on both of her lips to keep from moaning as his chest pressed against her back. His breathing wasn’t steady, and his heart beat hard next to her spine. He dipped his head and pressed his lips against the top of her shoulder. Then he held still, his arms wrapped around her.
All the pain untied and dispersed like steam. This situation was torture, and she suddenly hated it more than ever, but not for the same reasons as before.
“You want to know how you can really get your revenge on me?” he asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“Since you’re not a cruel person and you don’t really enjoy hurting me the way you did today…Just end it now, Erin. I promise you there is nothing else you could ever do to me that will compare to that. I know you want to end it…So just do it already.”
She pushed gently against him, and he let go. She faced him. “You don’t want it ended?”
“No. The fact destiny chose you for me has been the greatest honor of my life. It will haunt me as long as I live, that you couldn’t stand me. And that was my fault. And I did so much damage there was nothing to salvage.”
Tears choked her. “All right, Maddox. I’m going to end it. Right now.”
He reached out and wrapped his arm around the back of her waist, pulling her slowly to him.
Her eyes went wide, but she didn’t fight. “What are you doing?”
“I’m kissing you goodbye.”
She touched his face and shut her eyes as he closed in. A jolt went through her core as his lips came down on hers. How could anything so bitter be so sweet? His heart filled hers with agony and longing. Tears ran out from her closed eyes. His tears fell on her cheeks also. Her breathing hitched as he entered her mouth and pulled her tighter against him. She had to let go. She clung tighter, reaching up and crossing her arms behind his neck. He hauled her up to her toes.
I want you. She thought. Then she panicked. This couldn’t happen again. Well, it could. She wanted it. She wanted him, so hard. Sanity fought to grab a hold. She shook her head and pushed him away, ready to scream and strike at him for trying to seduce her. Her ire died immediately when she saw the look in his eyes. He was heartbroken. There was nothing false in the moment.
She wiped at her tears angrily and ran from the garden.
He sat down, both his hands on his chest, trying to hold his heart together.