“Naked woman,” Madison said, gritting her teeth as she pointed out that teensy-tiny detail.
Frustrated, she teetered between two sides of anger. On one end of the cruel spectrum were these pictures and everything they represented. The man she loved and the life they cherished would forever be a target.
But how lightly he was taking it hit her harder. And pissed her off even more.
Here he was, Alex Drake, the global tycoon, who blew this off as not much more than the tail end of an unworthy business transaction. Apparently, years of being attacked had made him immune. She hated how he must have fought this alone for so long.
“Naked woman,” he said lightly. “Her name is Shelly. Nice girl. You two would hit it off.”
“Obviously. We have a lot in common.” Sometimes, I hate how much I love this man.
A FaceTime request hit the screen. Paco held it up, giving Madison the option. She barely let the second string of chimes hit the air before clicking to accept.
Paco slipped out of the room, tripping over his own feet as he stumbled away toward the suite’s living room. With an audible swear, he closed the bedroom door behind him.
Face-to-face with Alex’s image, she clung to the traces of irritation that had swamped her a moment ago. You might be unbelievably adorable with your warm eyes and that magnetic dimple, but I’m still peeved.
“Madison, I’m sending you the video clip from the body cam Richard hid in my tie tack.”
“You don’t have to do that. I know nothing happened.”
“No. You think nothing happened, because you love me and have faith in me. And your love and loyalty go without saying. But you have to see it. You need to know for a fact exactly why the photos look the way I can only imagine they do.” He chuckled the last of his words out.
Calming down, she said, “Fine. Seeing is believing. Send me the clip. Can’t wait.” The ping of a text came from her phone, providing a link to a familiar secure DGI website. “Maybe I’ll invite some of your top female fans and have a Facebook viewing party.”
Normally, Madison would expect some witty retort and an extra dose of banter from Alex, but neither of them had the energy. Every mile of the dozen or so countries between them weighed on them.
“What can I do?” he asked softly, his sincerity ringing through.
In an instant, Alex had changed. In a steel-gray business suit that never failed to hold up appearances, he loosened his tie. The look in his eyes was unmistakable. He’d call everything off and sweep her away in an instant if he thought for a second she’d let him.
“Nothing.” Madison’s timid response was backed by a firm squint. “I’ve been typecast as the weakest link, and getting ominous envelopes with images of you in questionable activities is just par for the course.” Forcing a grin, she said, “I’m fine. I’ll just rent a post office box and let the floodgates open.”
“Fine, huh?” He studied her, and she let him, giving him her best poker face yet.
I’m not fine. I miss you more than you can know. “Yes. Fine.”
“Fine enough to watch the video?”
Her hesitation warmed to a full smile. “Yes. I promise. I’ll watch your porno with nice-girl Shelly.”
“I can’t wait for your Rotten Tomatoes review.” He took a moment before saying, “You know this is just the beginning. Is there any chance I can convince you to head home after Paris?”
Madison shook her head. “And miss all the action?” She raised the photos into view. Frustrated but giggling, she added, “Not a chance.”
His gorgeous eyes hardened as he held her gaze.
Worry all you want. There’s not a chance in hell you’ll pull this off without me.
“I know what you’re thinking.” She teased him away from his concern, arching her body as she stretched and settled back into her pillow.
Instantly, the furrow in his brow relaxed. “And what’s that, Ms. Taylor?”
“You’re wondering how you can have your cake and eat it too. Send me home and still keep me happy.”
Shedding his blazer, he corrected her. “That’s not at all what I’m thinking.” He slipped off his tie. “True, I want to keep you away from here because those photographs are just a warning shot. Someone wants us to stop digging up the past. But you know me, Madison. I won’t shy away from a fight, and I wouldn’t keep you from this one because it’s more yours than mine. But,” he tugged loose his collar button, “that’s not what I was thinking.”
The devilish turn of his lips set his tone to naughty. “What I was thinking is how I’d love to give you a few FaceTime step-by-step instructions on how I can have my cake and eat it too.”
“Wait.” Madison’s breathless protest was weak at best. Licking her lips, she bit back an indulgent smile. “I’m in Paco’s bed, and he’s in the next room.”
Alex lowered his voice to a sexy rumble. “Then lock the door. And keep your screams to a minimum.”
God, I want this man.
Thrilled, she nodded. “Send Paco a do not disturb text, and I’ll lock the bedroom door in case he doesn’t see it.”
She rushed to the door, but before she could reach it, it opened after a quick knock. But it wasn’t Paco.
“Mom!”
Seven
Shocked, Madison stared at the woman who’d just entered. In her modest travel clothes and casually curled shoulder-length hair, her mother filled the room with cheeriness.
Madison hugged Joy hard, seeing Paco standing back and apologetically pointing to the do not disturb text as he mouthed, “Sorry.”
Aloud, he said, “I got word a gorgeous mother-of-the-bride was in the lobby looking for her daughter. I asked them to send her up here.”
From the cell in Madison’s hand, Alex’s voice boomed. “Hi, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Oh.” Madison held the phone to her mother.
Joy grabbed it, waving a delightfully scolding finger at Alex via FaceTime. “Alex Drake, how many times do I have to remind you to call me Joy?”
“Just a few more times, and I’m sure I’ll get it. You look wonderful. Had we known you were coming, we would have arranged your flight.”
“Well, everyone kept sending me all the Facegram posts and Instabook shots from Madison’s party. Even if I missed the festivities, I had to come. And I called and texted Madison, but she never answered.”
Madison hid her smile at her mother’s mishmash of social media platform names and gave her another hug. “Sorry, Mom. I wasn’t checking my phone last night, and it was dead this morning. I still haven’t checked it.”
“No worries. I won’t be in your way at all.”
Too late. Her quiet shrug to Alex gave him all the excuse he needed.
“Madison, why not enjoy the day with your mom? The jet will be on standby and ready to go whenever you are, Joy. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of, and we’ll make all the arrangements for your flight back home.”
“Home?” Joy shoved her face closer to the cell screen, her protest firm. “I’m going with Madison to see you. In Shanghai.”