I don’t respond to him, and hope that if I stay mute on the subject, the lecture will be over, and I can forget he read me the riot act. “So,” he begins, and there goes my hope. “Are you going to ignore me? That’s mature of you, Maddox.”
He stays, moving from the bar to the living space I’d arranged between the four small apartments up here. He plants his ass in the comfortable chair, clearly not leaving.
I join him, bringing the cheap stuff and my tumbler. “Where is everyone else?” I question, mainly speaking about the girls. His girl, in particular.
“All the women went shopping; they wanted to go to Pike Street while we’re here. I mean, I’ll do anything for my kitten, but when she told me it was a girls’ only trip? Fuck, was I relieved.”
I pop one brow higher than the other. “Yeah, I have someone with them for safety and my peace of mind, my Navy SEAL friend turned private security.” He’s a controlling SOB and has to know he can hold as many cards in his life as is possible. Having security with Eve and the rest of the girls helps the Dom in him, a little with his power struggle to give Eve time to herself, but also understanding she’s safe. He sits back, thumbing for his phone with a loud chuckle. “Ah, be ready, they just pulled up, so I give them ten minutes before they find us up here.”
“And the others?” I ask, speaking of the guys.
“Jared has taken over your office. Gio’s down at the bar, enjoying a one-on-one meeting with one of his VIPs from the New York club who’s here on business. Greer is playing with one of his playboys he keeps in Seattle, Cord is on a business call with his dungeon master over an incident from last night, and I have no earthly idea where the fuck Anton is. He left in an Uber and has not been heard from.”
I lean forward with my elbows on my knees. “Yeah, Anton has kept hush-hush about someone, who he’s gotten quite close with. He won’t share anything with me.” This isn’t my top concern, though. “What happened with the LA club?”
A vein in the side of his neck pulses, and he locks his jaw tight, barely able to move it. “I’m trying to delegate. I can’t have my hands in every facet of all five clubs. And as Eve reminds me, I have some pretty stand-up guys I trust, looking out for my assets.”
“Oh, when did you come to this conclusion?” I question, remembering the ass chewing we received today.
“When I was balls deep in my girl this afternoon. See, she makes me a better man. I would not give up your girl who has you so twisted. I think she can make you a better man.”
I close my eyes as I imagine the way Drake touched Jewel today.
“Are you not going to acknowledge what I just said, asshole?” he asks.
“Nope.” My return is quick and curt, and I have no intention to sit and listen to his happiness compared to my decision. I push to my feet so fast, I knock over our drinks and the coffee table.
He pulls at my suit jacket, and it physically stops my departure. “Maddox, Cheryl Berrins was over ten years ago. She did you wrong, there’s no doubt, but to let her rule your life…”
I won’t talk about Cheryl Berrins, and I won’t stick around as he does. Pushing as close to his face as I can get without kissing the asshole, I lower my voice, my tone deep and my words harsh. “I’ve listened to everything you said. I don’t get a happy ending. It ended with Cheryl Berrins, and any chance I had with her died that day.”
He doesn’t challenge me or grab me by my collar or have a reply to what I’ve just almost spit into his face.
He lets me go as I storm to the stairwell with the laughter of all the girls below, but I don’t escape quick enough. “You’re wrong. You know that, Maddox? You deserve a happy ending just as much, if not more, than the rest of us.” I stop just enough for his words to hit me, but I’m down the stairs before the girls can stop my descent because I don’t believe him, not for a second.
Chapter Six
Jewel
The dairy farm has the cutest little country store, and it’s where Mr. Hallet chooses to train me. “Eventually, all my employees rotate. Next, we’ll train you in milking and some behind-the-scenes responsibilities. But for now, this will be your job.”
It’s not what I want—simply because it wasn’t my choice, and for this very reason, it’s what makes the job so miserable—but I recognize it could be worse. “Tomorrow, I’d like you here at two. It will be your first eight-hour shift, so be sure to get your rest.”
Again, the choice has been taken out of my hands, and I give him an appreciative smile. The man, a deacon in my dad’s church, is a decent, caring person. And from seeing how he interacts with his own children, he treats them with respect.
“Thank you, Mr. Hallet.” I untie my apron he had me wear in the store, making my way to my truck and my cell phone, which I’ve not had for the past four hours. Opening the first text, it’s from my father.
The Warden: Mr. Hallet told me you were at work, ready to go. I’ll see you at home tonight.
The next text is from Tori.
Tori: Hey, how did the first day go? So, I have your outfit ready at the house. You can use my car in case your warden comes by. I hope you have a good time tonight. See you later.
Tori has a boyfriend that she spends many late nights with. Her parents, again, have given her the tools and the trust for her to make her own choices. Her parents also turn a blind eye to me staying at the house and using Tori’s car to drive to the club, though no one, not even Tori, knows about this part of my life.
The next text is from Drake, and this gives me a reason to grin. I can feel it spread across my face because from the second I left the club, I’d been hopeful. Hopeful Drake would squash all my feelings for Maddox.
Drake: Hey, beautiful. The address to the restaurant is below. We have reservations for ten p.m. Please call me if you need anything at all. And don’t be late.
I remember, and thanks to Maddox, I have a feeling Drake will continue to remind me of my tardiness. I’m about to pocket the phone when another text comes in from my dad.
The Warden: I expect you home tonight.
Ah, poop on a corndog. This is just like him.
Me: I’m going to crash at Tori’s tonight. It’s closer to the farm, and I’m beat. I’ve done what you asked of me. Please, can I stay there tonight?
My dad, as unreasonable as he is, will most likely allow this—because I had given in to him by showing up at work. My fingers begin to quiver as I wait for his return text, hoping for once he doesn’t attempt to railroad something good for me.
The Warden: Ok, but tomorrow, I expect you home at ten to do your chores. And that truck better not go anywhere once you make it to Tori’s house.
Oh, the truck won’t go anywhere. Me, on the other hand, that’s a whole other story.
The address isn’t far from the club in Ballard. It’s high-end, as everything with Drake screams. He’s instructed me to let the valet park my car, and because this may be a test of my submissive nature, I simply reply to his text yes.
He’s at the valet as I pull up in Tori’s Prius, and the suit on his beautiful body fits like a glove. Because I’m at the mercy of Tori, who’s a couple of inches smaller than I am, my skirt is a tad bit shorter than I’d choose for myself. With the effect of the heels, my legs look even longer. I open the door, and with one shake of Drake’s head, I stop.