Seventeen
Maddox cracked his knuckles and paced while he waited for Mel and Erin. Kendrick sat on the couch, his head leaning back and his eyes closed, already high. Then he laughed for no reason.
“What are you on?” Maddox asked.
“New mix. It has shadow sand cut into the cocaine with a touch of some off-world meth type stuff. Fucking happy making. You really need to try it.”
“No thanks. The girls are my drug of choice tonight. If you’re going to act like the court jester, I’m not taking you along.”
“Relax. I’ll be my usual charming self in a few minutes.” He laughed again. “I only took a little, and it zips you up fast and drops you almost as quickly.”
“You better drop fast. I’ve got Mel and Erin tonight, and I don’t want you scaring Erin or flapping your lips about the shit we’ve been in before. She hears any stories from you, and I will let Mel cut you into tiny pieces, like she been asking to.”
Kendrick snorted, and then he grabbed himself. “Mel and I are going to damage each other so hard one of these days. I don’t care if she kills me afterward. I know it will be worth it.”
“Keep tripping. I want your word.”
“My word? The hell are you talking about?”
“To not tell Erin shit about me.”
“Oh, sure. No problem. You’ll screw it up on your own fast enough. And then Mystery Girl will come running to my open arms. And I know she must be a real firecracker cause you don’t have your usual once is enough attitude toward her.”
“Shut up.”
“Ha! She must be a very bad girl under that sweet exterior.”
Maddox stopped pacing and narrowed his eyes at Kendrick. “Why do you always want what’s mine?” he asked seriously.
Kendrick raised his head and gave him a dirty look. “Yours? The whole world is yours, isn’t it? What the hell has happened to you? You’re acting all weird. This new you sucks.”
Maddox blew a breath out through his nose and scowled. Status quo, he reminded himself. Erin knew all this was fake. He’d ask Mel to quietly remind her of that throughout the night.
“Sorry. You’re right. I need a drink. I’ve been in my head too much the last few days. Kinda screwed up over Selena.”
Kendrick’s expression relaxed, and he leaned his head back again. “Not over that yet? It’s old news. You just need to get back into things. Stop sticking to one girl. The more you have, the happier you’ll be. Whoreing soothes the soul, brother.”
Maddox turned away from him so Kendrick wouldn’t see him roll his eyes. Mel was right. He needed to cut Kendrick out of his life for good. He just couldn’t do it tonight.
He continued to pace, a strong sense of unease in his stomach. What was he thinking bringing Erin to this? She wanted to come, he reminded himself. But she was his princess. He wanted to put her in a tower away from everything to do with his life before her.
They were getting somewhere, he could feel it. She’d changed dramatically toward him since she learned about his anonymous activities. They’d turned a corner. He really hoped tonight wouldn’t be a setback or worse.
To the world, she wasn’t anything to him except maybe a passing interest. He had to make sure it looked that way tonight to keep her safe. Would that jerk Jaris show up? Had she asked him to come? Did he still matter to her? She hadn’t given him up, so he must still matter. How could he change that? He knew. His mind blurred with images of the two of them in the rain, her body’s response. The intensity just in touching her bare skin and the way she rushed under his hands. He knew how to change it…
He shook himself from his thoughts of having her under him. Not until she said it. Not until she stopped being ashamed. He had to stick to that, no matter what.
He heard the girls come through the portal in his room. They both giggled, and then they came out of his room. His eyes locked on Erin. He blinked. Why had destiny been so good to him? She was a fantasy. The dress she wore showed off a great deal of her legs and clung to her curves like a second skin. Fit in. That was a joke. She would draw every eye.
Mine. No one is going to take her away from me.
He needed her. She was killing him looking like that. And he had to limit how much he touched her and the way he touched her tonight. It was all wrong. She was his mate. They should be alone. Dead to the world for weeks or months, doing nothing but enjoying each other.
She looked at him funny, like she was searching for something in his face. Then she smiled. He really needed her, but he hadn’t moved an inch. Kendrick moved past him.
“Ladies. You take my breath away.”
Erin’s smile became fixed facing Kendrick, and Melina scowled.
“Save it,” Mel said. She hooked her arm in Erin’s and pulled her close, away from Kendrick.
“Are you ready to go, M?” Mel asked him.
“Yeah.”
Still lightheaded from the way Erin looked, he opened a portal, and the four of them went through it to Paradigm. The main square was filled with people, and like before, they were swarmed as soon as they were spotted. Mel clung to his arm and smiled for the cameras like usual. He glanced over his shoulder at Erin. She looked down and discreetly held Mel’s other hand. He needed to get Mel another present soon for being so wonderful.
He didn’t answer any questions and led them into the club. Security was up inconspicuously, as he’d requested of the owners earlier in the afternoon. The music was loud, and smoke hung in the air over their heads as they moved through the people dancing on the floor. This was his time. Right then, before the focus of the club was on what he was doing.
He leaned to Mel. “Go to the booth.”
She nodded and let go of him. He turned on Erin and grabbed her around the waist, moving her back into the heart of the dancing crowd. Her eyes flashed at him, and her lips curved up. She didn’t ask him what he was doing, she just flowed into it. The bass of the music was hard, and she moved her awesome body along with it. The last time, she’d been scared. Now she surged under his hands and against his body as they danced.
Hell, yes! She could really do this. She was sensual grace. Not one inch of her was awkward or frightened now. She was a great dancer. He hadn’t expected her to jump into this like she did. He wanted to catch her off guard so she wouldn’t say no, but she smiled at him as she swayed, like it had been her idea.
His hands slid lower, his mind blank except for the beat and the way her hips hit along with it under his hands. The song changed, the tempo going up. She raised one eyebrow.
“Whatcha got, Maddox?” she challenged.
He spun her in a circle, showing her how he could rule her. She went with it and let him lead. He’d never danced with someone who moved with him like she did. It was so hot. Then she turned her back to him and blew his mind. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, held the back of his neck with one hand, and moved her hips back against him. What was she doing? Had she forgotten she didn’t want to be seen with him? Had she just lost herself in the music?
What was he thinking? He had to get her off the floor before everyone started looking at them. She was too hot. Eyes were going to start sticking to her. He grabbed her hips and turned her around again, catching her lips with his for a second.
“We need to do this again. In private,” he said in her ear.
“Agreed. Nice moves, player.”
He directed her off the floor, his hand still possessively on her hip.
“Mel told me I could dance with you once tonight. I guess I have to hand you back to her now.”
“Not if you don’t want to,” he smiled.
“No. We have to remember why we’re here. Mel’s your girlfriend. I’m just a drive-by.”
They almost made it to the booth where Kendrick and Mel waited.
“Maddox!” someone shouted.
They turned. Jaris stood there, looking murderous. People cleared away from him.
“Oh no,” Erin said. She pulled away from him and moved toward Jaris.
Maddox’s heart tore as he watched her go to him. He forced himself to hold still.
“Jaris, let me explain.”
“Explain what?” he shouted. “That you lied to me? Come with me, Erin. You belong with me, not him. You have to end it with him now.”
Maddox froze inside. He couldn't breathe. Was she going to listen to him? She looked over her shoulder, her gaze locking on his, and he couldn't read it. Then she looked back at Jaris. Was this the moment she would end it? Was he about to lose his soul? Right then and there?
Jaris held his hand out for her. Erin looked at it, then she shook her head and backed away from him.
“No. I’m sorry, Jaris. It’s over between us.”
Maddox couldn’t believe what she said, what she did, as she moved back to him and took his hand. It looked like Jaris was as shocked as he was.
Jaris’ shock shifted into rage. “I thought you were better, Erin. But you’re just another stupid girl, ready and willing to be used.”
“That’s enough,” Maddox warned him. “She’s made her choice. Just leave now.”
Jaris decided to step forward instead.
Maddox moved protectively in front of Erin. “Don’t force me to hurt you. Just leave.”
“You just didn’t have enough, did you? Not enough women to whet your appetite. You had to take the one woman who was different, and you brainwashed her. And now you’ve reduced her to just another whore.”
Maddox saw red. No one would talk about Erin like that. His right hook landed on Jaris’ jaw and sent him sprawling to the floor. Security moved in and picked him up off the floor. All eyes were on them. He turned to Erin. She looked up at him like a scared animal. He took her hand and pulled her back, past the bodyguard next to the entrance to the VIP section where Mel and Kendrick both stood, watching.
He felt like he was going to burst out of his skin, but he thought it was better to stay for a little while and act like nothing was out of place. Let the buzz around Jaris die down a little. Erin kept her head down as they all sat and ordered drinks. He could feel her trembling next to him. He didn’t touch her.
Mel leaned close to him and whispered. “She chose you.”
“No, she didn’t, not really. She just didn’t choose him,” he whispered back.
Kendrick’s eyes kept darting back and forth between Maddox and the two girls. “Well,” he said finally. “That will be all over the news soon. It’s been a while since Maddox had fighting headlines. Should make a nice change.”
“Shut up,” he mumbled at Kendrick.
They all drank when their drinks hit the table, even Mel. Maddox really needed to get Erin alone now and talk to her, find out where her head was. He decided they’d been out long enough and was about say they could leave when the real shit hit the fan.
Every watch in the club pinged. His stomach dropped as he read the headlines. Somehow, the person trying to frame him had gotten their story through Kindel’s wall. It was worse than he imagined, and it all painted him as a murderer and the whole family as corrupt. He sighed as everyone looked at him.
“Time to go,” he said.
They all slid out of the booth, and he opened a portal, taking the four of them back to his house. Kendrick plopped on the couch and leaned his head back again. Mel paced. Erin stood still, scrolling through the news on her watch, frowning as she read.
“What are you going to do, M?” Mel asked.
“I have to go to Fortress.”
Erin looked up. “Now?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry there’s—”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Erin cut him off.
He took her hand, led her into his room, and shut the door.
“What can I do?” she asked.
He pulled her against him and kissed her mouth. She gave softly, but there was worry behind her response.
“We need to talk, but I have to go now. Will you stay here with Mel, so I know you’re safe?”
“Okay. How long will you be?”
“I don’t know. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He kissed her again.
“If it’s really late, will you wake me? Please.”
He touched her cheek. “Why are you doing this? What changed?”
“I…”
His watch pinged. It was Redge.
“Go,” she said. “I’ll be here.”
“Thank you.”
Maddox opened a portal and left. Erin stared at the space where he’d just been, his words in her head. What changed?
She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. This trouble would blow over. He would have the best advice on what to do or not do. The falseness of the story in the media would be exposed. And she would do what she could to help him through it because he’d helped her when she needed him. He’d protected her, and he’d saved her dad. The last thing she would give him right now was attitude.
Mel’s raised voice drew her attention back to the living room. Erin came back out.
“It’s not happening, Kendrick. We just need to do what we can for Maddox right now. Are you his friend, or not?”
Kendrick sneered at Mel, then his face smoothed. “I know you resist me so hard because you’re scared of how much you really want it.”
“That must be it. You caught me.”
Mel looked ready to burst. Erin came up to Kendrick and stood a little too close to him. His eyebrows lifted as she put her hand on his arm.
“Can I speak to you alone?” she asked quietly.
He smiled wickedly at her. “Sure, sweetheart.”
He followed her back to Maddox’s room. Mel looked at her confusedly. Erin winked at her and shut the door.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“I’ll help you with Melina.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. She’s around too much. She ruins the time I get alone with Maddox. I’ll pour honey in her ear about you. She’ll listen to me.”
“What do you want in return?”
“Could you leave us alone for the rest of the night?”
“That’s all?”
“That’s it.”
He shrugged. “I had somewhere to be anyway.”
She gave him a sweet smile and put her hand on his shoulder. His eyes betrayed how much he liked her touching him.
“Thanks, Kendrick.”
“You and I need to spend more time together. Alone.”
“I guess we’ll have to see about that,” she said suggestively.
He glanced over at the open portal on the wall. His smile flashed. “Okay, sugar. I’m leaving. I’ll see you soon.”
He opened the door. Mel stood there frowning, her arms crossed over her chest. He walked over to her, circled her closely, and then moved toward the front door. “Goodnight, ladies.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, Erin locked it and shivered. “Beast.”
“What did you do to make him leave so easily?”
“I told him I’d talk him up to you if he left. And I am a woman of my word. You should let him in your pants, Mel, cause he’s wonderful. There. Has that convinced you?”
Melina laughed. “It has! I’ve been a fool, not seeing the treasure right in front of me. Thank you for opening my eyes!”
They both slumped on the couch and took their heels off.
“Thanks for everything tonight,” Erin said.
“Has it hit you yet?”
“No. I feel the weight of what happened at the club and whatever he’s having to go through right now, but I’m coasting. It will hit me soon, I’m sure. Then I’ll probably cry a bit. Just warning you. I’m a big cry baby.”
Mel snickered and patted her knee. “I won’t tease you if you cry. So are you with M? You rejected that other guy.”
“My head’s not clear. All I can be right now is here for him. I can’t decide something so big in the middle of all this drama.”
“Okay,” Melina smiled broadly.
“What?”
“It looked like you two really clicked on the dance floor.”
Erin smiled too and blushed. “Yeah. That was…good.”
Mel laughed. “M likes to dance.”
“I do, too.”
“Wanna watch a movie or something while we wait? Take our minds somewhere else?”
“Sounds good.”
Mel chose the movie. Erin tried to get lost in it, but she couldn’t help but check her watch every few minutes. An hour later, both of their watches began buzzing like they were about to blow up.
“He’s on.”
Erin enlarged and projected the feed up into the air. She held her breath, her heart racing as Maddox began to speak.
“The tragedy of Trish’s death, along with the recent death of Selena has both disheartened and enraged me. I had nothing to do with either crime, and I fully believe someone is attempting to frame me. I have given Fortress my full cooperation, and I will do whatever is required of me to assist in the investigation. This is one of those times that words utterly fail, but I wish all possible solace to the hearts of the families of these young women.”
The next moment, Redge filled the feed. “Maddox is not a suspect. An investigation is underway. Fortress will find and bring the individual or individuals responsible for these crimes to justice. I’ll take three questions only.”
Erin blew out a breath and turned it off. She didn’t care what questions were asked.
Melina scooted close and rubbed Erin’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”
“It was fast…He did good, right?”
Mel nodded. “Yeah. He did good. He was open, you know. His face, his eyes. I could see him.”
Erin exhaled and leaned against her. “Thanks for everything tonight. Thanks for staying with me.”
Kendrick slid another drink toward Jaris. He took a sip and set it down, his head beginning to slump. He was wasted.
“I just didn’t think this would happen.”
“Hey, man, lots of us have lost our girlfriends to Maddox. It sucks. If you want her back, he never keeps anyone long.”
“Yeah, if only she wasn’t his destined life mate. He’s never letting her go.”
Kendrick pushed the drink back into Jaris’ hand. “Say that again.”
“What?”
“Erin is Maddox’s destined life mate?”
“Yeah,” he mumbled miserably.
“Are you sure of that?”
“Of course I am. She was mine first. Then she made eye contact with him, and that was it…”
“I’m sorry. I’m just a little confused. If she’s his destined life mate, why is this not common knowledge and why did she continue to spend time with you?”
“Because she hates him, or she did. She swore to me she was going to reject him after she punished him for everything he’s done. For Selena…Erin’s too soft for that, and he must have exploited her sweetness. And now he really does have her.”
Kendrick smiled to himself and took a drink. “Well, I’m very happy I tracked you down, Jaris. You’ve given me a great gift.”
“Huh?” he asked drunkenly.
“Never mind, buddy. You just drink your troubles away. I’ll take care of everything.”