Chapter 12
Matt
“Keep my little girl safe.” John didn’t say ‘or else,’ but I heard it.
Christ. I raked my fingers through my hair.
If you’d asked me what my day would look like this morning, the last thing I would’ve predicted was John assigning me to fake date Madi while serving as her bodyguard.
Yet, here I am. What an absolute mindfuck.
“Yes, sir. With my life,” I said, meaning every word.
“Good.” He nodded and clapped my shoulder. “And Robinson, don’t cross the line.”
“No, sir. I wouldn’t dream of it.”
But I had. I would again because I had exactly zero control over my desire for Madi, who’d starred in every fantasy since that night in Spain.
John hugged his daughter, promised he’d get to the bottom of this, and then walked to the store with his phone to his ear.
“He’s already telling Jamie.” Madi sounded defeated.
“I’m sorry, Madi.” I put my arm around her shoulders and walked her to my truck. “Let’s go check on your Jeep.”
Madi’s phone blew up with text messages before I put the truck in drive.
“Seriously?”
“What’s wrong?”
“My fucking brother asked if I was okay in the group chat.” If looks could kill, Jamie would’ve dropped dead from the look in Madi’s eyes.
“They’re-”
“Worried about me?” Retreat. “Yeah, I fucking know. But there’s no reason to freak everyone out. Dad would’ve told him I’m okay.”
She pounded her thumbs onto the screen as she replied, no doubt spitting vitriol at her brothers.
“Right.” Different tactic. “Want to vent?”
She turned to me, mouth hanging open and eyes wide.
Figuring she wasn’t just shocked by my offer, but worried I’d spill to her father and/or brothers, I added, “I promise I won’t say a word.” I crossed my heart. “Hope to die.”
“I just…”
I turned down the radio, letting her know the space was hers when she was ready.
“I love them, but hate that they treat me like I’m a weak little girl.” Madi rushed the words like she was afraid she’d clam up if she took time to breathe.
She wasn’t a weak anything, but she didn’t need to hear my opinion.
Her sigh caught my attention, so I chanced a glance in her direction.
Madi stared at her phone.
“Jay’s pissed we’re dating,” she whispered, then corrected herself. “Fake dating.”
“Does he know it was your father’s suggestion?” I asked. It wouldn’t matter to Jay; he’d probably schedule an extra training session just to blacken my other eye.
“Yes.”
She typed a response.
“Matt, I’m sorry I dragged you into this. You tried to help and now you’re stuck pretending to be my boyfriend.”
Stuck? I wouldn’t have let anyone else take this job. It’d be pure fucking torture pretending to be Madi’s boyfriend when I couldn’t lay a hand on her, but the thought of anyone else playing the part made my blood boil.
“I’m just glad your father trusts me.” It was humbling, to say the least.
“I don’t think my brothers do.”
“They will.”
“Thanks.”
“For?”
“For being there and helping me deal with Paul.”
That asshole couldn’t take a hint. If he bothered Madi again, the next hint I gave him wouldn’t be subtle, and it’d leave a colorful mark.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Madi sighed. “Sure.”
“Do you have a history with him?”
“No, I met him recently.”
“At the clinic?” I guessed.
“You know I can’t divulge that.”
I’d take that as a yes.
“Can you arrange your schedule so you don’t see him anymore?” I chose my words carefully, keeping them generic, so she didn’t have to break her oath.
“I already have.”
Good. Hearing that shouldn’t make me happy, but it did. Elated, in fact. I didn’t want Paul using the clinic to get close to Madi. Knowing he’d harassed Madi, Paul’s mere existence pissed me off.
I refused to consider the why behind my feelings. Me and relationships were like oil and water—we didn’t mix.
Madi and I are friends, at least I considered us to be, and friends help each other.