Chapter 15 Madeleine #2
Could Mauro have stopped me?
Most likely.
But he didn’t.
Because he knows the men in here won’t respect me if they think I’m weak.
So he did what any big brother would do.
He swallowed his pride and let me claim victory.
He grins, looking up at me, and I reach out to help him up.
“Umm, since when did you learn how to kick someone’s ass?” Scarlett asks, visibly impressed.
“I grew up with four older brothers.” I shrug.
“Vin taught me to lead. Leo taught me to hunt. Alex taught me to shoot. And Mauro taught me to fight.” I raise an eyebrow.
“You know that I never liked playing with dolls. I preferred this instead.” I glance over at the group of men.
“Let this be a reminder: don’t ever think about fucking messing with me. ”
“Yes, ma’am.” One of them salutes as they all walk off, heading back to the gym equipment.
Scarlett laughs and leans against the corner pole. “Does Eli know he’s the bodyguard to a skilled assassin?”
My smile falls at the mention of his name, my heart constricting as I bend down, reaching for my gym bag.
“There you are,” Leo’s voice calls out as he approaches, stepping into the ring. He wraps his arms around Scarlett, pressing a kiss on her forehead. “How much longer do you think you’ll be? Brutus misses you.”
She chuckles softly. “And what about my husband?”
“Oh, Firefly.” He cups her cheek, brushing his lips over hers. “Let’s go home, and I’ll show you just how much your husband misses you.”
I glance at Mauro, pretending to gag as he silently laughs.
“Well, not that I don’t love being part of this grotesque display of affection, but I should get going.” I lift my bag and slide it over my shoulder.
“Are you sure?” A small frown forms on Scarlett’s face as she slips out of Leo’s hold and steps toward me. “We could have a takeout and movie night.”
Leo scowls at the suggestion.
“I think my brother might murder me if I borrow you any longer.”
“No, he won’t,” Scarlett replies.
“Yes, he will.” Leo’s arm slips around her waist, pulling her to his side.
God, I need to get out of here.
“It’s fine, really. I have to go through the books for the casino anyway. I’ve been neglecting them for too long. I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Fine, but don’t work too hard. It’s almost Christmas,” Scarlett reminds me.
As if I could forget.
It’ll be the last one with my family.
My throat tightens at the thought.
“Umm, Leo, do you know when Eli will be back?” I ask.
He checks his watch. “Probably not until late. He had to take care of something in the city with Vin and Alex.” He eyes me curiously. “Why?”
“No reason.” Just didn’t really feel like being alone today. “I didn’t know if I should order enough food for two or just myself tonight.” I manage a small smile. “Guess it’s just me.”
Scarlett appears ready to stop me, but I don’t feel like being the third wheel today. Not when I have so much on my mind. So, instead, I turn and yell over my shoulder, “Meet you outside, Mauro!”
He grunts in response, and I catch a glimpse of him packing his things in a nearby mirror.
As I walk out of the building, my phone rings, and when I look down and see Alastor’s name, dread squeezes around my chest.
There’s no avoiding this.
Pressing it to my ear, I ask, “What do you want—”
“Where is it?”
My movements pause, my heart quickening.
“Where’s what?”
“Don’t play games with me!” he roars.
“I don’t know what you’re—”
“My two-million-dollar McLaren is missing!” he screams so loud I have to pull the phone away from my ear.
So, that’s how Eli got his revenge. I bite down on my bottom lip to suppress a laugh.
“Well, where did you have it last?” I ask, amusement laced in my words.
“Madeleine! Do you think this is funny? I know it was Eli who did this!”
Fuck. “Do you have proof?”
“No,” he grits out. “Because conveniently for whoever stole my car, the security system in my building was down at the same time.”
“Gee, that really is unfortunate.”
“You fucking bitch! Just tell me where he put it!”
“I have no idea. Besides, it’s just a car.” I sigh. Today, of all days, I’m not in the mood for this, him, or anything. “Why don’t you just go buy another one?”
“There were only a certain amount made, and they were all allocated to exclusive customers! There aren’t any more available in the whole goddamn world!” His heavy breathing fills the line. “He will regret this!”
No. No. No.
“Alastor, you’re being ridiculous. You don’t even know if it was him who took it. I’ll just give you the money to buy—”
The call goes dead, and panic floods my heart.
I pinch the bridge of my nose as a sudden headache forms between my eyes.
This isn’t good.
A hand lands on my shoulder, and I scream before quickly realizing it’s just Mauro.
“Shit, sorry.” I laugh, trying to play it off.
His brows furrow, concern etched in his eyes. His fingers move quickly over his phone screen before he turns it toward me.
Are you okay?
I smile. “Aren’t I the one who should be asking you that? I mean, I did hand you your ass in front of all your men in there.”
He stares me down, trying to read my thoughts, but I won’t let him see them—at least not all of them.
“You know what today is?” I ask solemnly.
He nods without hesitation.
“It never gets any easier,” I admit, lifting a shoulder as I look away. “I keep hoping that one of these years it will, but it just doesn’t.”
He types on his phone.
Let’s get some ice cream. He would have wanted us to. He always said it made everything better.
“He was right.” I clear my throat, buttoning my coat. “But you’re paying.”
He grins and wraps his arm around my shoulders, leading me to his car.