Chapter Twenty-Seven
MADDIE
I’m starting to understand why inmates go crazy in a cell.
Day after day, the same routine, the same walls, same everything.
At least the well-behaved ones get to go outside for some fresh air.
I don’t even get that. I do yoga, practice my dance techniques and old routines, work out, take baths, and observe Ty cook while trying to get more personal details out of him.
I’ve watched reruns of Glee, The Big Bang Theory, and started the first season of Game of Thrones.
I’m bored as fuck.
I’ve been here for ten days, and I miss Liam more than ever.
Part of me hates that I do while the other part needs to know if he’s okay.
And to let him know I’m alive. I doubt Victoria told him much about what she’s doing with me and is probably using it to her advantage to get him to do her bidding.
Unless we all play nicely, none of us will get out unscathed.
“Where ya going, Beanstalk?” I ask Ty when he grabs car keys and slips on his jacket.
I also gave him an appropriate nickname on day five because he’s a freaking giant with long-ass arms and legs. He told me he wouldn’t respond to it if I called him that, but eventually, he caved, and now I think he likes it.
Eric, on the other hand, doesn’t like his nickname—Captain Asshole. I even shortened it to Captain, but he still scowls at me.
At least Ty is nice enough where I don’t think he’ll kill me in my sleep. However, Capt. A-hole looks like he wants to smother me with a pillow dipped in chloroform. I can’t help it that I’m annoying and obnoxious after being stuck inside for a week and a half. I literally have cabin fever.
If Liam were here, he could attest to my actions. Locking me up without letting me out of the house is a one-way street to hearing me talk nonstop.
“I have to run into town and get some supplies and food,” he replies. It’s the first time he’s left since we’ve been here.
“Do I get to go if I promise to behave?” I ask
“No,” Eric responds.
He’s always creeping up on us like a goddamn sniper.
After the second day when Victoria called for Ty, he went back to being more reserved and distant.
I have no doubt she saw us on her fucking cameras and didn’t like how he was getting comfortable with me.
It took a few more days after that to soften Ty up again, and now our conversations are effortless until Eric ruins it, which happens often.
“I need things,” I tell Eric. “Womanly things.”
He shoves a hand in his suit coat and then slaps a notepad down on the counter. Grabbing a pen, he places it next to it. “Write it down. He’ll get whatever you need.”
I arch a brow at Ty who looks less than thrilled to shop for girly shit.
“Okay, if you insist.” I smirk, then jot down a list and hand it to Ty.
“Is this a joke?” he asks, cocking an eyebrow. “Tampons, pads, Midol, Dove dark chocolate, three bottles of red wine. Condoms.”
I shrug, holding back a smile. “You never know when an opportunity will arise.”
Eric’s eyes are ice cold, and it’s obvious he’s had enough of me, but it’s comical to see how far I can push him. He was clearly born without a sense of humor.
“What size would you say, Captain? Magnum’s extra-large?”
The douche doesn’t even flinch at my obvious compliment to his dick size.
“Ty, go,” he orders.
Ty nods, then goes toward the door.
“And some red nail polish!” I call out. “If I’m getting laid, I need to give myself a pedi.”
Ty snorts as he opens the door, then shuts it behind him. Eric glowers, crossing his arms over his broad chest as if he’s been waiting all day to scream at me.
“You have quite the mouth on you. Victoria doesn’t like it,” he states. “If you don’t leave Ty alone, you’ll both get killed. Enough is enough.”
Narrowing my gaze at him, I wonder how hard it’d be to grab one of his guns and shoot him before Ty returns.
“Don’t even think about it, little girl,” he says as if he read my mind. “Victoria would have the perimeter swarming to drag you back by your hair.”
It’s the most Eric has spoken to me at one time.
“Yeah? Maybe you should ask her why she’s so threatened by me…” I keep my eyes on him, then stalk away. My heart thrashes hard against my chest as I walk to my room and lock the door behind me.
I change into different clothes and work out my frustrations while I wait for Ty to return with my goodies. There’s no doubt he’ll get everything on my list minus the Magnums.
There’s a kickass stereo system in the gym, so I crank it and stretch before I hop on the bike. After thirty minutes, I’m sweating and take a water break before I run on the treadmill. I haven’t worked out this much in weeks, but it feels amazing to blow off steam.
“Maddie.” Eric’s booming voice scares the shit out of me, and I nearly trip over myself.
“Jesus. You need a bell around your neck.” Turning off the treadmill, I step off and face him. “What?”
“Boss has a message for you.” He holds out my phone, and I blink up at him, unsure if I want to read it. “Take it.”
Swallowing hard, I step closer and grab it from his grip.
Victoria
Liam can see you. I’d be careful if I were you.
What the fuck does that mean?
Instinctively, I look up at the cameras and wonder if he’s watching right now. Either way, she’s probably hoping for a reaction. Instead, my lips form into a smug smirk as I type out a response.
Maddie
Isn’t that what you want? For him to see me flirting with your guards so he’ll crawl to you?
Victoria
You’re so naive, sweetheart. Liam’s in my bed every night. You’re no longer my problem, but if you don’t behave, Liam pays. Remember that.
If Victoria wants Liam as a husband and a father to their children, she won’t hurt him.
Keeping me away ensures she’ll get what she wants, but I don’t buy her empty threats.
It’s a way for her to keep control and scare everyone in the process.
However, she has the ability to destroy me and my family if I don’t cooperate, so I’ll do as she demands.
Maddie
You got it, Boss lady.
I hit send, then slap my cell back in Eric’s palm.
With one more look at the camera, I scowl, then turn to Eric.
“She’s a bitch and you’re a bastard for working for her.
When I get out of here—and I will—I’m reporting her for abduction and blackmail.
She won’t think twice about throwing you under the bus, so I’d run after I’m gone. ”
I know my threat bounces off him like a rubber ball, but I’m so pissed and annoyed my words spew out before I think twice. He doesn’t even balk and is probably laughing at me in his head, but I don’t care. I hope her entire empire burns to the fucking ground.
Eric walks out, and I’m more fired up than before, so I get back on the treadmill and run as fast as I can. With my heart beating out of my chest and sweat burning my eyes, I can no longer feel my legs. At the sound of a light knock, I hop off and nearly fall to the ground panting.
“Hell, Maddie.” Ty stands above me.
Blinking, I try catching my breath as my arms and legs spread out on the cool mat. “Hey.”
“Uh…I got everything on your list except the condoms. They were out,” he quips, lifting the bag in one hand. “I’ll just put it on your bed.”
He turns, and I quickly speak up. “Wait.” Ty spins around and cocks a brow. “Can you help me up? I think I overdid it. My body feels like jelly.”
Ty smirks, grabs my hand and slowly pulls me up. Once I’m back on my feet, he releases me. “Heard the Boss got a hold of you.”
“Oh, you mean Crazy Bitch? Yeah, we had a good chat.” I exhale roughly and remember he’s on her payroll.
He might be nice to me, but that doesn’t mean I can trust him. She probably planned for me to feel safe with him, so when I least expect it, he’ll whack me with a crowbar and bury my body in the middle of the woods.
He holds out my items, and I take them. We stand awkwardly, both aware Victoria can see us.
“I told Eric I’d cook dinner tonight. Any requests?” he asks, breaking the silence.
“Well…I’d kill for some Chinese food. General Tso’s Chicken and an eggroll. Mmm,” I moan, then smile when he furrows his brows. “Okay, so not an option?”
“No.”
I inhale sharply and shift my neck from side to side to release some of the tension. “You should let me cook. I make some badass breakfast dishes.” The thought reminds me of Liam and when I lost our bet the very first weekend I came to live with him after my apartment caught on fire.
“Not a good idea.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Think about it and let me know.”
Ty leaves before I can say another word.
The next morning, I can barely get out of bed. My entire body is stiff and sore, and I’m cursing myself for working out as hard as I did.
Last night, Ty made Southern-style chili, and it was as delicious as everything else he’s prepared.
The three of us eat at the kitchen table, and it’s more awkward than going to prom with your first cousin.
At least during the day I can eat at the breakfast bar and chat with Ty while Eric does other shit.
Instead of my typical routine of asking him a million questions he doesn’t always answer while he cooks, I start a hot bath.
I twist my hair into a high bun and slip out of my clothes before I get into the massive tub.
Victoria might be the biggest bitch of the century, but her taste is admirable.
The jets soothe and release the tightness in my muscles.
I add some bubble bath and relax, forgetting for a moment that I’m being held here against my will. Most days, it’s easy to push it to the back of my mind, but as time passes, I lose a sense of reality and the outside world.