The Mansion closed down to members at four in the afternoon on Sundays. Jeremy and Madison spent a few hours alone in bed after the busy weekend.

His first week in his new role left him exhausted. Jeremy found out just how much, Bevy hated the daily grind of running RAW and how little she did to run the business.

Madison explained to Jeremy that Bevy was more of the face of RAW. People liked her, and because people respected her, she got by. And the business never hurt for money; it only ached for organization.

Jeremy found many invoices overdue and orders left incomplete so when he contacted the companies to pay the invoices he expected to get chewed out. It seemed Bevy built great rapport with many of the companies and they trusted Bevy to pay the bills sooner or later which made his job a little easier. The vendors were thrilled to be getting paid, and now that they had a capable contact to do business with at RAW, they knew unpaid invoices would be a thing of the past.

Michael spent most of the time carrying boxes, organizing files and moving furniture around in the office that by the time the evenings came, he had no energy to have sex with any of the women. Jeremy assured him that it was temporary. After they settled in and organized things, the job would get easier.

Bevy, on the other hand, loved her new life. She gardened during the day, and in the afternoons Madison would sneak out of work early, and they’d play tennis together.

A few years back Bevy mentioned to the chef that she wanted to start a vegetable garden on the grounds and as soon as her role at RAW changed she commissioned some of the staff to start digging up a huge allotment on the south lawn to plant vegetables.

One afternoon, Jeremy watched as Bevy and Madison planted in the garden. Madison looked relaxed as she shoved her hands in the earth. Before they lived together, Jeremy only saw Madison as a member, relaxed from an afternoon at the spa, or meal shared with Bevy. Now, he saw Madison leave for work and come home from work and the strain on her face after her workday disturbed him.

Madison and Jeremy had cuddled in bed before they had to shower for their dinner with Bevy and Bill. Jeremy caressed Madison’s stomach with his fingertips leaving gooseflesh in its wake. “Madison, did you ever consider giving up being a lawyer?”

“What would I do if I wasn’t a lawyer?” Madison lifted her head off the pillow to look at Jeremy.

“You have RAW. You are sixty percent owner.”

“Yes, but what would I do?” She became defensive.

Jeremy realized Madison continued practicing law because it was her identity. She knew nothing else, and it was the only time she didn’t suffer from severe anxiety. He quickly dropped the subject. “We should shower, or we’ll be late and never hear the end of it from Bevy.”

 

Two hours later, Jeremy walked into the restaurant holding Madison’s hand while pulling her into the side of his body. Bevy waved from a round table for four along the wall. The hostess greeted Jeremy and Madison, and they followed behind her as she showed them to their table.

Bill looked up from the wine menu and stood when he saw Madison approaching. “Maddie, you look beautiful.” Bill kissed her cheek then offered his hand to Jeremy. The two men shook hands as Bevy and Madison air kissed each other.

“So I hear I have you to thank for returning my vibrant, happy woman to me,” Bill said to Jeremy as he took his seat.

“Yes, I’ve taken over where Bevy left off,” Jeremy responded.

“I’m sure it hard to tell where exactly this little lady left off. I assume it was somewhere in 2012.” Bill poked fun at Bevy’s disorganization.

“Thankfully, it’s not as bad as that.”

“Hey, boys, I’m sitting right here, and I’m not deaf.” Bevy interrupted.

Jeremy patted Bevy’s arm, “It’s not all bad, the vendors loved you, so it makes the business run smoother because if we need something, they’ll make sure we get it.”

Madison added her two cents, “I never noticed a problem. I think you did an excellent job.”

Bevy lifted her chin in the air, “You see my business partner is happy.”

“Jeremy, learn now, these two will always side with each other.” Bill pointed back and forth from Madison to Bevy.

The waiter came by and took their wine order then walked away. As the four of them surveyed the menu, a familiar face approached the table behind Jeremy and Madison.

Bevy noticed her first. “Don’t turn around but Carol Broderick is coming towards us.” Bevy said between her teeth.

It took Jeremy a second to recall where he knew that name. Under the table, Jeremy placed his hand on Madison’s thigh and gave it a squeeze. He looked at her and whispered. “Just breathe, don’t worry, I’m here.”

Madison took in a shallow breath as she nodded at Jeremy.

“You just smile, I’ll handle her,” Jeremy reassured her as he saw the panic settle on Madison’s face.

“Well, isn’t this chummy. Look at the four of you. How nice.” Carol’s saccharine voice crawled up Madison’s neck. “I never suspected you and she were an item.” Carol directed her comment at Jeremy.

Jeremy glanced back over his shoulder as he kept his hand on Madison’s thigh, “Good evening, Carol. How are you tonight?”

“I’d be better if this bitch hadn’t dug a hole for me.” Carol slurred her words as she jabbed her fingers into Madison’s back.

Jeremy vaulted from his seat and lurched at Carol. “Carol, I think you’re drunk. Let me escort you out.” He grabbed her wrist and escorted her towards the hostess.

Carol uttered profanities and ripped her hand away then stormed out of the restaurant.

When Jeremy returned Madison appeared better than he expected, “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

“I am, thank you for handling that.” It was the first time Madison had been in a stressful situation that she didn’t have to face alone and the anxiety she felt was minimal. “It makes a difference when someone has my back.”

Jeremy brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, leaned in and kissed her forehead.

“Why do I have a feeling that’s not the last we’ll see on Carol Broderick?” Bevy leaned in when she spoke. “She’s trouble and I wish I never gave her that temporary membership.”

“It was a mistake but it’s over. It sounds like Carol’s bitter because of her ex-husband. It has nothing to do with you, Maddie.” Bill assured her, “I hope she’s not driving, she's drunk. I should call the station.”

“No need. She just walked back in but she’s heading towards the bar.” Bevy’s eyes followed Carol’s path.

“Should we leave?” Madison asked.

“No, ignore her and let’s enjoy our meal.” Jeremy lifted his wine glass and the others followed.

Jeremy and Madison, Bevy and Bill were able to enjoy the rest of their meal without further disruption from Carol. When they left Carol sat at the bar slobbering all over the guy seated next to her.

Though Madison was relieved that she got through that stressful situation unscathed, she couldn’t help but feel that was not the last time she’d hear from Carol Broderick.

 

Two days later Madison arrived back at the mansion after a grueling day at the office. She couldn’t shake the thought of Carol and she needed to run her fears past Bevy since Bevy had known Carol for years. She’d have insight into what Carol was capable of doing.

“What exactly do you think she could do?” Bevy addressed Madison’s concerns.

“What if she suspects I’m the silent partner of RAW? If any hint of that leaked to the press, they’d be all over me and you know how that would play out. Even a rumor alone would destroy me.”

“Jeremy would never let that happen.”

“As safe as I feel with him and as strong as he is, he can’t follow me around protecting me from every reporter out there.”

“Carol’s bitter but I don’t see her being vengeful.” Bevy tried to quell Madison’s fears.

“I hope you’re right.” Madison stood from the chair facing Bevy’s empty desk. “Do you do any paperwork?”

“Not a lick! I love your man. He’s my hero.” Bevy swooned.

“Hm, mine too.”

“Where are you going?” Bevy asked as her eyes followed Madison.

“To my apartment.”

“Could you do me a favor on the way?”

“Sure.”

“Can you go to Room Eleven and look for a diamond earring? A member called and thought she lost it in there last weekend.”

“No problem.” Madison walked out.

“Take a flashlight from the front closet; you’ll need to check under the bed,” Bevy called out.

“I will and you’re welcome,” Madison yelled from the hallway.

“Thank you!” Bevy yelled back.