He eyed me steadily. “Because I wanted to take you on a proper date. You deserve that.”
I cocked my head to the side, both afraid to ask the question in my head and at the same time compelled to do so. “You don’t think I purposefully gave you wrong information?” I challenged.
He eyed me steadily. “Not for a second.”
I breathed out a small measure of relief before resignation took hold. “But your club does.”
His nostrils flared as he stepped closer, clasping my face in his hands. “I’ll admit they might. What happened to Wren shook the club. But you know what? For the first time, I don’t give a fuck what they think. It’s you and me, baby.”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t want you to lose anything for me.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want that either. I also know what I need. And that’s you. I can’t lose you,” he decreed, his nostrils flaring. “And this shit with your uncle? He likely deliberately fed you wrong information. You’re in danger. I want you to come back to Hawthorne with me, tonight.”
My eyes popped wide. “I-I can’t, Maddox. The bakery—”
“The bakery is a business. This is your life we’re talking about,” he argued vehemently.
“The bakery has been my life,” I declared passionately. “It’s all I’ve had for years, Maddox. It’s all I have left of the family that loved me. I won’t abandon it.”
He hung his head for a moment, his hands still cupping my face, before his eyes met mine again. “This doesn’t feel right. And if you’re determined to stay in Vegas I can’t guard you properly with his eyes everywhere.”
I offered him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “I’ve been dealing with this my whole life. I’ll be fine.”
“I understand you love that bakery,” he replied, “but we gotta figure something else out here, sweets. It may not be tonight, but it has to be soon. Staying in Vegas isn’t a good option. I want you in Hawthorne, with me.”
“But we’ve only known each other….” I trailed off.
“I don’t give a fuck how long it’s been. You’re my girl.” He spoke as though his word was law, with a finality and confidence that warmed me from the inside out.
After a moment, I nodded. We’d sort the details later. For now, I couldn’t deny the look in his eye or the fact that I wanted to be closer to him too.
His hands moved lower, grasping my hips as his lips met mine in a passionate kiss. I gripped the material of his tee, trying to steady myself as my knees went weak. His lips were full and firm as he caressed my mouth. When his tongue met mine, my answering moan spurred him on. “Christ, I want you,” he murmured against my lips.
“Soon,” I agreed breathlessly.
“Anything feels off, you call,” he ordered once we’d reluctantly pulled away. “And I want you checking in often.”
“Okay.” I got into my car, him watching my movements with a conflicted expression that spoke of how wrong he felt it was to let me drive away.
And I had to admit, it felt wrong to me too.
Chapter 6
FRANCESCA
It was close to midnight several days later but I couldn’t sleep. I hadn’t heard from Maddox all day, which was unusual. He usually checked in at least once a day and called around the time he knew I went to bed. This was the first time since we’d met that I hadn’t spoken to him, and I instinctively knew something was wrong. Both my calls had gone straight to voicemail and my texts had gone unanswered.
I lay staring at the ceiling imagining every possible terrible scenario, ranging from him being hurt to him having met someone else. When my phone rang, his name flashing on the screen, I was immediately relieved.
“Hi,” I answered, my tone cautious.
“Babe.” His response was tense and tired all at the same time. “I’m sorry I haven’t called. It’s been a fuck of a day. Wren was taken.”
“What?” I exclaimed, sitting upright in bed. I’d never met Wren but Maddox cared about her and therefore, so did I. “How can I help?”
“I don’t think there’s anything you can do. Xander, Max, and I went to an address we’d been given looking for this asshole earlier today. But he was already at my house—took her right out from under Caleb’s nose,” he snarled, referring to his younger brother.
“Oh my God,” I breathed. “Do you know who he is? Where he took her?”