Madison

The week goes by quickly. I’m fully moved into Bryce’s penthouse, and Kaylee’s living with Galen but spending most of her time with Henry. We have plans for dinner with them after our trip to New York City.

It’s the day before we’re leaving, and my dad wants to meet for lunch. Since I’m not working until the following week, I have plenty of time to meet him. When I get to the restaurant and I'm shown to his table, he stands up and gives me a hug.

“Hi, honey. So good to see you.”

I smile and take in his embrace. “You too, Dad. How are you?”

“Been better.” He tries to smile, and I know he’s hiding something. He’s always been a muscular man, and right now, he looks weak and fragile. His sunken eyes indicate he’s hardly getting sleep.

“Dad—”

He interrupts me and says, “You look different. Are you with Bryce?”

I’ve been keeping him updated with our relationship and hoping to introduce them soon. These two men are important to me, so I want to ensure they get along.

“Yes. We’re heading to New York City tomorrow for a few days, then I start my new job. I moved into his penthouse too.”

The look on his face makes me feel like I’m fifteen again. He’s not happy with this revelation, and I have no idea if it’s because he’s afraid of letting me go or if he has an issue with Bryce. It can’t be the latter. There’s no way my dad and Bryce know one another. Surely, one of them would have told me if they did.

His phone goes off, and he looks at it, his face contorting into an agitated look, before he puts the phone back in his pocket.

“Dad. Are you okay? I’ve noticed things seem weird with you.”

“Yes, honey. Everything’s fine. Please don’t worry about me. Tell me more about Bryce and what you’re going to be doing since you aren’t working as a personal stylist.”

The conversation goes well with my dad. We laugh, he listens to everything I’m telling him, and he asks one more time if I’ll consider working for him.

Our lunch comes, and Dad excuses himself. When he gets up, I notice he left his cell phone behind. I know it’s not right, but I need to know, and every detail of my father’s life would be on his phone. I look towards the restrooms and pick it up, knowing I only have about thirty seconds. His code’s my mother’s birthday, month and day, and I quickly click on his messages. The most recent one is a number without a name.

Unknown: The fourth transfer complete. We need to talk as soon as possible. I will be leaving out of town until the following week. Don’t ignore this, Conrad. It needs to be done, and I need your word.

Unknown: Now’s not the time to come clean to her. You have too much riding on this deal. Once everything’s done, then you can do whatever you want. Remember, if you let her know the truth, you’ll end up hurting her, and we both know that’s the last thing you want to have happen.

I must have read the messages a few times before putting it down and acting like I don’t know anything. Something’s wrong. If he’s not going to tell me, then I’ll use my own resources to find out.

After lunch, Dad walks me out and gives me another hug. He seems happy, but something in his eyes and the way he’s looking at me sends doubt coursing through me.

“It was good seeing you, honey.”

“You too, Dad.” I pause, giving in. “Dad, I’m going to ask you one more time. Is there something wrong?”

He blanches and quickly recovers. “Everything is fine. Stop worrying about nothing.”

“Dad, I’m sorry. I saw the text messages on your phone. Something’s going on, and if you don’t tell me, I will find out.”

“Please, Madison, let this go.”

I can feel my hands tremble. “I can’t. What the hell’s going on, Dad?”

He reaches and grabs my hands, bringing me closer to him. “I’m doing something to ensure your future. Whatever happens, you need to remember how much I love you. Everything I’ve done in my life was for you and will continue to be for you. No matter what. That’s all I can say for now. Everything will make sense when you come home from the city. Trust me, Madison, that’s all I’m asking.”

“Okay. Fine. As soon as I return, you’re going to tell me what’s going on, and then we’ll handle it like we always do … together.”

“I love you, honey.”

I lean in and kiss my dad’s cheek. “I love you too, Dad.”

Peter gets out of the SUV and opens the passenger door for me. I look at my dad one more time before getting in. He drives through the Chicago traffic, and I can’t stop thinking about the number on his phone. I have it in my memory, so whatever he’s hiding, I’ll find out sooner than later.

* * *

“We’re here,” Bryce announces, bringing my hand to his lips. “Wake up, baby.”

“I’m up.” I smile and sluggishly get up from his lap and stretch before looking outside his private jet. “Are you sure your mom and Renee know I’m coming, and they’re okay with it?”

“Yes. Of course, baby. They’re excited. We’re meeting them tonight at Per Se, then heading back to the hotel before Renee’s graduation.”

I look at the time to see it’s almost four. “Okay, sounds good.”

The driver Bryce hired for us while we’re here takes us to a hotel. The traffic is horrible, and we don’t get there until close to five. Dinner’s at six thirty, and I look like a hot mess. For the past few days, I’ve been sick to my stomach. Nothing’s settling and everything makes me feel like I’m going to vomit. I took a pregnancy test early this morning, and it was negative, so I know I’m not pregnant. I’m not sure what else it could be, and I don’t want to go out tonight if I’m sick. The idea of being stuck in the hotel room while Bryce spends time with his mom and sister without me makes me sad. He brought me here to meet them. I can’t just spring that I’m not feeling good on him.

Getting to our suite, I rush into the bathroom, turn on the shower, and kneel on the bathroom floor, my face in the toilet. Just being in the elevator made me sick.

“Ugh,” I moan and rest my forehead on the porcelain seat. “What the hell’s going on with me?”

Picking myself up, I strip out of my clothes and step into the shower. The hot water soothes me. I guess this is the cure. Everything in my body relaxes, and I feel a little stronger.

A knock on the bathroom gets my attention, and I see Bryce walking in. He’s holding a glass of juice, and my heart swoons.

“I got you this. I heard you getting sick, so I had room service bring fruit and juice. Are you sure you’re okay?”

I shrug. “I’m going to get through this weekend with your family. I’m not going to miss it. I don’t know what else could be wrong. I took a pregnancy test since I was throwing up and sensitive to food. I’m not pregnant.”

“Well,” he says, shoving his hands into his pants, “most likely you caught a little bug. Drink this juice and come out to eat a little before we leave.”

“Thanks, babe.”

Bryce smiles and I notice his erection tenting in his pants. If only we didn’t have to hurry to get ready.

“You need to go! If you don’t, we’ll be late, and I don’t want your mom and sister to see me with just fucked hair.”

“You’re lucky I love you and will do anything you ask.” He smirks and closes the door behind him, leaving me to finish up.

After we’re both ready, I hear Bryce’s phone ring. He yells for me to get it, and I do without looking at the caller.

“Hello?” There’s silence on the other end. “Hello?” I lift the phone from my ear and see it’s a number without a name, so this caller isn’t in his contact list. Maybe it’s the wrong number. “Hello?” I say one more time before the call drops.

“Who was it?”

“Not sure. Most likely a wrong number. You look so handsome.” I take in the crisp black tuxedo he has on and hope tonight goes by quickly.

“This color purple looks beautiful on you, sweetheart.” He leans in to kiss me. “Ready?”

“Sure am. Lead the way.”

We get to Per Se and are led to the table where his mom and sister are waiting for us. They both stand when we get to the table, and I see the love in their eyes for Bryce. It warms me to know he has a great support team and family.

“You must be Madison,” his mom says and comes to give me a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

I hug her back. “You as well, Ms. Hunter.”

“Oh gosh no, no. Please, call me Justine.”

I smile. “Okay.” Justine moves aside, and Bryce’s sister, Renee, comes over to hug me.

“Whatever you’ve done to my brother, please don’t ever stop.” Her voice is cheerful, and it makes me wonder more about Bryce and his past.

“I don’t plan on it.”

Renee takes my hand, and the four of us sit at the table. Their voices are so happy, and they can’t stop talking about Bryce and his accomplishments. I look over to see Bryce drinking, and I nudge him, mouthing, “You okay?”

Yes.

I love you.

I love you too.

Bryce’s hand sneaks into mine, resting on my lap. I love this connection with him. Even the slightest touch from him makes me weak and dizzy with passion. With desire.

“Madison, you must tell us how you met Bryce! We haven’t heard too much about you,” Justine eagerly says.

Bryce holds my hand a little tighter. I tell them the story about being his personal stylist to his pursuit and where we are now. Renee and Justine swoon and laugh, delighted Bryce and I are together and happy.

After dinner, we walk around the city and say our goodbyes with the promise of seeing each other tomorrow for Renee’s graduation.

By the time we’re in the hotel room, I’m exhausted, and all I want to do is fall asleep in his arms. That feeling is short lived when Bryce gets a phone call, and he mouths, “I’ll be back.” An hour passes before I fall asleep, wondering what’s going on and why he’s getting calls this late at night.