Why had she even gone to him? Maddie swiped away at her tears as she hurried out into the alley. Why had she even told him about the baby?
Because it had been the right thing to do. Beth had told her that she needed to tell Jace about the baby because he would resent her if she didn’t. If she didn’t say anything and he heard about a baby being born, Jace would put two and two together. He wasn’t stupid. Maddie knew she had to tell him and give him a choice.
But why did it hurt so much? Why couldn’t she just send him a note instead of going in person?
Maddie hoped she wasn’t going soft. She couldn’t bear to go soft with regards to Jace Howard.
The drive home felt long and difficult. It was still light, but Maddie was struggling to see through her tears. They just wouldn’t stop.
She was already having problems with dehydration from the vomiting; she didn’t need any more problems with crying now. With everything that had gone on, Maddie was amazed she was still carrying a baby.
Her street was quiet when Maddie pulled in. A jeep was parked under a tree outside next door, but Maddie paid it no attention as she climbed out and went up to her front door. She was exhausted and wanted to have a long bath before she tried to sleep. Telling Jace that he was the father to their unborn child had completely drained her.
“Hey, princess. Where are you going?”
Maddie turned. Three men were coming across her neighbor’s lawn towards her. They were all big and burly, wearing sleeveless black jackets and beards. One of them had long hair down to his shoulders, another was bald and the third had a bandana. All of them had a logo of WL and a picture of a leopard’s head tattooed on their right arms.
The Wild Leopards. Maddie pulled up, eyeing them nervously. They were too close for her to run and could come in after her. She didn’t want to fight them because of the baby. She was stuck there.
And what were they doing here? They were way out of their territory.
She faced the one who had spoken, Long Hair.
“I’m going home. What does it look like?”
“Fancy some company?” asked Bandanna, leering at her with yellowing teeth.
Maddie scowled.
“Not really. I’ve got the flu.” She coughed hard to make a point. “You might just catch it.”
Bandanna chuckled and licked his lips.
“I’m willing to risk it.”
Long Hair glared at his companion and turned to Maddie. He was closer in age to her. Maddie had probably gone to school with him at some point. He scowled at her.
“One of your friends threatened one of us. He disrespected us. We don’t like that.”
This again. They had come all the way out there, to Maddie’s house on the far side of Tucson from their own territory, to threaten her.
“I don’t know who threatened you or if it even happened at all. I don’t pay attention to all that. And there is no point in taking it out on me.”
They looked at each other. Maddie wondered if she could get back into her car and find her gun in the glove box before they grabbed her.
“How about we use her to our advantage?” Baldie suggested, eyeing her in appreciation. “In more ways than one.”
“Sounds like an idea.” Long Hair agreed. “If we’ve got the president’s baby sister, then maybe we’ll get some answers.” He approached Maddie and reached for her. “Exchange you for the one who threatened us sounds like a good plan.”
Maddie tensed. She was not going to be used as bait.
“You can go straight to hell,” she snarled.
Bandanna laughed and took out a flick knife, sliding out the blade.
“It looks like our little lady here is a firecracker.” He blew her a kiss. “I love firecrackers.”
“And I suggest you leave this firecracker alone. She’s off-limits.”
Maddie jumped. The Wild Leopards men paused and turned. Jace was coming up the drive, carrying a long metal bar. He looked like he was barely holding in his fury.
What was he doing here? Had he followed her the whole way back? Maddie wondered how none of them had noticed he had arrived.
Long Hair hesitated. Baldie faltered. But Bandanna didn’t back down. He advanced on Jace.
“Who the fuck are you?” He snarled.
“I’m your worst nightmare.” Jace wielded the iron bar. “Fuck off out of here before I let the president know his sister is being harassed by the Wild Leopards.”
Bandanna sneered.
“You can’t get rid of us on your own.” He waved his knife in front of Jace’s face. “Make us leave.”
Jace knocked the knife away with the bar, spun and kicked Bandanna high in the chest. Bandanna gasped and staggered onto his knees. Jace then kicked him across the face, knocking the man onto the ground, where he lay with a loud moan.
Long Hair and Baldie hadn’t moved. They stared at their companion on the ground. Jace caught Long Hair’s eye and nodded at their vehicle.
“Good thing you brought the jeep and not your bikes. That would’ve been interesting, getting a riderless bike back to Casa Adobes. And I suggest you get out of here before I let both Lyman and Archer know what’s going on.”
They didn’t hesitate. Long Hair and Baldie hurried to Bandanna, who was still moaning. They dragged him towards the jeep and bundled the barely conscious man into the back. Baldie got into the back while Long Hair got behind the wheel. Then the jeep was squealing its tires from standing in its attempt to get away.
Maddie could feel herself shaking. She was still trying to take in what had happened. The bastards had gone out of their way to get something from her and, if Jace hadn’t turned up, they might have got away with it.
Maddie wasn’t risking her unborn child for anything.
“You okay?”
Maddie looked up. Jace was approaching her, dropping the iron bar. He looked at her warily, his eyes full of worry. He was worried about her? Maddie let out a slow breath.
“I’m fine. It’s not the first time someone’s used me to get to Jeremy. And it certainly won’t be the last.”
When Jeremy had gone for the presidency, he had laid out what could be in store for Maddie should he get it. Maddie had understood that she could be in danger but actively encouraged Jeremy to go for it. She could take care of herself and word had got around quickly after the first couple attempts to kidnap her. Now, they mostly left her alone.
But, now she was pregnant, the game plan for her had changed.
Jace didn’t look happy about this. He glanced at her stomach, which was still flat.
“Now you’re carrying a baby. If they find out, you’ll be a bigger target.”
“Bigger how?” Maddie arched an eyebrow at him. “Do you mean by me getting bigger around the middle as the baby expands.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Jace said irritably. “They find out the president’s sister is pregnant, they’ll use that as his weakness. But if they find out I’m the father…” He swallowed. “Well, then you become a weakness for me.”
“For you?”
“Who else?” Jace pressed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed gently. “I want to protect you, Maddie, but you’re adamant that I shouldn’t.”
Maddie wished he wouldn’t touch her; she couldn’t concentrate when he did that. She shrugged him away.
“I’m not asking for protection, Jace. I’m asking for help with the baby. That’s all, nothing more.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “You don’t make me a bigger target if you don’t say anything.”
Jace raised his eyebrows at her.
“You don’t think I’m capable of protecting you, do you?” he asked quietly.
Maddie’s throat tightened. That was the problem. She did think he could protect her. But Maddie knew that, if Jace was around her, things would happen where the chemistry would explode again and Maddie didn’t want to take that risk.
The spark was still there, much to her shock. And it was even brighter. She took a step back.
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
If Jace was insulted by her insinuation, he didn’t show it. He moved towards Maddie before she could react, cupped his hand against her jaw, and kissed her. It was very brief, and he pulled away quickly, but Maddie felt the kiss all the way down to her toes.
Jace was breathing heavily, his eyes burning brightly with desire. He still wanted her, even after all these months.
“I want to be in the baby’s life, Maddie,” he said huskily. “Whatever you want, I’ll do it. Just let me have a chance.”
Maddie knew she should. And Jace was acknowledging the baby. That was something. She bit her lip and nodded.
“As long as you don’t beg me to get together with you again, we will be fine.”
The smile Jace gave her was one full of relief as he stepped back, his hand falling from her face.
“Thank you.”
Maddie couldn’t speak. She knew that, if she said something more, she would be one step closer to jumping on him. Turning around, Maddie hurried to her condo and let herself in. Her hands were still shaking as she shut the door and they didn’t stop until she leant against the door and heard Jace’s motorbike leaving.
To be continued
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