“Frannie,” I corrected, holding out my hand. I was still deciding if I liked Maddox’s use of my formal name.
“Frannie,” Cash greeted, his full lips tilting around the toothpick between them. “Nice to finally meet you.”
I wrinkled my brow in confusion. “Finally?”
Cash’s gaze swept to Mad and back to me. “This one’s been wanting to keep you to himself,” he stage-whispered with a twinkle in his eye.
I instantly relaxed a little at his teasing. “Ah well, looks like that ship has sailed.”
Maddox snorted, pulling me into his side. “Hardly. Cash is here to install additional security. Can’t be too careful.”
My spine stiffened at the reminder and I nodded. “Okay, well then, um, thank you. I’ll make some coffee.” I pulled away from the two of them and went to busy myself in the kitchen.
Cash made his way back to the bedroom carrying equipment I hadn’t noticed until now.
I felt Mad’s heat at my back as he caged me in against the counter. “Baby, nothin’s gonna happen to you,” he promised. “But I’m gonna take every precaution. I don’t want that to make you feel scared, I want you to feel safe.”
I relaxed at his words, melting just a little at his tender tone. “I do feel safe with you,” I murmured, turning in his arms. “I just also forget with you—for the first time I can—and then it all comes rearing up again and catches me off guard,” I admitted, my gaze shifting to the side.
His hand cupped my cheek, coaxing me to look at him. “I’m glad you can forget with me. And someday soon this will all be part of our past. But for now, my first priority is to protect you. So, Cash is gonna install some added security,” he repeated. “He’s also another set of eyes to watch the building. And if for any reason I can’t be with you here, he will be.”
“Okay,” I agreed quietly. I wasn’t going to argue, not when he was going to so much trouble. And plus, he was right. The threat of my uncle and Bruno was all too real. “I’ll make you two breakfast,” I offered, my hand pressing against his muscular chest, really just because I could. I didn’t think I’d ever tire of touching him.
He grinned. “I’m sure Cash will appreciate it.”
“Appreciate it” didn’t seem to cover it. Once I slid a freshly baked cream cheese cinnamon roll in front of him, I didn’t know if we’d ever get rid of the man.
“Fuck, that’s good.” Cash groaned around a mouthful of his second helping.
“So you said,” Maddox grunted irritably, shoveling in the eggs and bacon I’d made him. “Can you not cook for him ever again?” he demanded of me.
I bit back a laugh. Truth be told, it was a recipe I’d been working on for a while, so seeing someone enjoy it meant I was at least close to perfecting it. Plus, seeing Maddox get so irritated was kind of amusing.
“Fuck you,” Cash replied easily. “You’re the freak with no sweet tooth,” he accused. “At least I can be a willing test subject.”
He sort of had a point.
“Are you done?” Maddox demanded.
“I’ll give you some to take with you.” I laughed at their banter. Clearly, the two were close—they fought as I’d imagine blood brothers would.
Cash stood, his blue eyes serious as he turned them to Maddox. “You’re all set up. You know how to use it, just make sure you do. If it gives you any trouble, holler.”
“I will, thanks, man,” Maddox replied as they clapped each other loudly on the back in parting.
“Thanks, Cash,” I added.
“Darlin’, you keep cookin’ like that, you don’t have to thank me for a damn thing, ever,” he replied bluntly before throwing up a two-finger salute, opening the door, and letting himself out.
“He’s… something,” I commented.
Maddox grunted. “He can be a cocky ass but he’s loyal.”
I nodded, accepting that without comment. “What do you want to do today?”
He eyed me for a moment. “I’d prefer to stay close to home, and you’re still healing up. How’s a lazy day sound to you?”
Truth be told, it sounded like heaven, and I told him as much.