6. Chapter 6 - Madison
“Madison, sweetheart.” Mom pulls me into a hug while Mel comes up from behind, wrapping herself around us. My arm curls around my younger sister. I’ve missed her so much. I miss our coffee dates and rides in the car. Even the damn teenage gossip. God, she looks so much more mature. Where has the time gone?
What was I thinking not coming home for over a year? Family means everything to me. I let myself isolate and wallow across the country over two men. Three if we want to get technical–but Killian and I no longer share anything romantic. Selena has been and always will be his true love. That doesn’t mean I didn’t need the distance from him as well. He and I were fine until the night Diego took me. He hasn’t been the same since.
Certainly not the man I once fell for.
“Come sit down. How was your flight?” Mom pats the seat between her and Mel.
I take a seat, placing my bag on the small coffee table in front of us. Mikayla claims her own, crossing her arms over her chest. Like a hawk, her eyes have narrowed and zeroed in on me, waiting for my response.
Fuck . She knows something. However, that look on her face tells me she’ll keep my secret. I bet she is just dying to get as much evidence as possible before she approaches me on it.
“It was fine. Screaming babies, lots of flatulence, and a bit of turbulence. Typical flight.”
Mikayla holds back a snicker and shakes her head, redirecting her attention to her phone.
Looks like we are in the clear for now.
“Madison, that is so unladylike,” Mom scolds.
I shrug innocently. “Just stating the facts.”
Mik’s blue eyes find mine. “ Facts . What airline did you take?”
“Our favorite. Obviously . Who doesn’t love extra legroom?” I laugh as casually as possible.
“Lucky you to have found a last-minute seat. Especially on New Year’s Eve,” Mikayla adds dramatically.
“ Very lucky. Speaking of luck,” I swiftly change the subject, “how’s Dad?” I ask my mother.
“The surgeon said he would let us know the progress about halfway through.”
Mad, wanna grab coffee for everyone?” Mik whispers.
I stand, too eager for a coffee and a break from all the catching up with my mom and Mel.
“Yes. The usual?” I ask, glancing between the two of them.
Mom nods her head as Mel places her headphones in, drowning us out with her music. Mik links her arm through mine as we head for the elevator. She presses the button and tugs me closer.
“Mom may believe that you flew commercial, but we both know you flew on some fancy private jet. How’s Liam? Surprised he’s not here. Bet that behemoth is pacing out front, chain smoking.” She laughs at herself and I can’t help but laugh as well. That is spot on for Liam. If we were still together and… Lainey wasn’t in the picture… he probably would be doing just that.
On a sigh, we step into the elevator. With the lack of conversation, the eerie hum of the gears fills the space between us.
“A lot has changed, Mik. I’ll get into it. But right now, Dad is my main focus.”
She pats my arm. “I know. I’m your sister. Sun and Moon remember? We may be miles apart, but I will always know when something is off with you. Moving to Arizona isn’t like you. Even having your best friend there, nothing could have kept you from your family or your man. You’re too much of a romance junkie for that. So, what did he do?”
A ding signals our arrival at the main floor. As the doors open, we step out into the brightly lit main lobby. Mik leads us to the cafeteria, still keeping our arms securely linked.
“It’s so complicated. Even saying it out loud won’t do it any justice. So I’ll give you the Cliff Notes—you’re good at that.” I elbow her playfully in the ribs.
She releases me, rolling her eyes. “Cliff Notes are the reason I still got A’s on all my exams while maintaining a healthy social life, thank you very much! Please, continue. I’ll catch on.”
I place two cups beneath the coffee machine before hitting the button to dispense questionable coffee into mine and Mel’s. Mik makes her own and Mom’s.
“The night of my graduation dinner,” I look around, making sure to keep my voice low. “I was taken…by someone close to Liam and Killian. Someone in the same line of business as them.”
Mik swivels her head, eyes wide. “I knew something was up. Taken ? What the hell Mad? That’s why Liam left our little green tea bonding moment abruptly? He ran outside looking savage as fuck and completely stressed—he never came back. Killian had told everyone you weren’t feeling well and that Liam had taken you home.”
“Liam and Killian are involved in… Let’s just say that the club we went to— The Triskelion —it’s all part of the life they live.”
“ The life . As in… the mob?” She lowers her voice, peering at me sideways as she pours cream and sugar into each of her cups.
“Yes. Killian is the leader of the entire syndicate for New York, Connecticut, and Jersey.
“Well. Fuck . And goody two shoes Madison thought dating the head of it and then his brother was… smart?”
“Yeah. I guess I did. I’ve never felt more alive in my life. But after some…complications…I needed a break from it all. I thought leaving that world behind would make me go back to being a goody two shoes but it didn’t. It made me crave the risk, the unknown, and the kind of love I’ve always dreamed of even more. I became a stronger woman through all of this.”
Mikayla puts lids on all the coffees and places them in a cardboard carrier. We check out, making our way back to the elevator. I’m surprised she’s remained so calm about what I just told her.
“So back to this taken thing. Were you actually with Killian in Mykonos? Or were you a hostage?” she questions, her voice trembling.
“It started out as a prisoner situation. But the man who took me never once hurt me. He helped me. And then in return, I helped him.” I smile at the memories of Diego and me bickering over my desire to help him. I release a small chuckle thinking back to his cheerful Post-Its and motivational quotes.
“What the fuck are you smiling over? Madison …you can’t be serious,” she hisses appallingly. “Which floor is neuro on? We need to get your brain checked. STAT .”
“Liam and I reunited. It wasn’t so cut and dry or as bad as it sounds.” I’m downplaying it for her sake. “I was always safe with Diego. But to answer your question– no . I wasn’t in Mykonos with Killian. He was there eventually to handle business. I was with Diego, Selena’s brother.”
“Holy shit. You fell for your captor. Of course Beauty and the Beast was your favorite Disney movie. All makes sense now. Tell me the truth. You fell for him, didn’t you?”
The doors open to the surgical waiting room. I shoot my sister a look to zip it. In silent understanding, she nods.
“Yes,” I whisper in confirmation.
A woosh of air leaves Mik’s lips. “And now you’re with no one. All alone in Arizona. Madison… ” she chastises.
“Yup,” I pop the p, all the emotions gathering thickly in the back of my throat.
My father’s girlfriend, Diane, joins us a little while later. She is such a sweet woman. Dad certainly adores her. We do too. She fits in perfectly with our crazy family dynamic.
“I’m so sorry it took me so long to get here. I was in Florida visiting my sister when I got the call.”
“No worries, Diane. We were all scattered around when we got the call too. He’s doing okay. The last time the nurse came out, she said the surgery was going well and that it should only be a little while longer before they close him up.”
“Thank God,” she lets out a sigh of relief, sagging back into her chair with her hand over her heart.
Just as we all fell back into our respective texts, emails, and music, the surgeon comes out. He spots me first, walking over to our little group.
“Mrs. De La Cruz?” he asks incredulously. “I didn’t realize I was performing your father’s surgery. It’s a surprise your husband didn’t give me a ring. ”
My mouth must be hanging open like a fish because my sister steps forward before my mom gets the chance to overhear.
“She prefers to go by Madison.” She shoots the surgeon the ‘shut the fuck up’ eyes in her kindest voice.
Thankfully, understanding crosses his features. “My apologies, Madison.”
I nod gratefully as Mom, Diane, and Mel reach us.
“How is Vinny doing?” Diane asks with concerned eagerness.
“The surgery went well. He is extremely lucky. We expect that he will live a much healthier life moving forward. Of course, that comes with the responsibility of making sure he maintains a healthy diet, adding in low-strain exercise when fully recovered. He is in recovery now. I can let you see him briefly. Unfortunately, only one person may stay overnight. Hospital policy,” he states. His conflicted eyes flick to mine.
I turn towards Diane. “Diane should stay. We will part ways after and reconvene in the morning.”
“I agree,” Mom and Mik say in unison.