35. Chapter 35 - Liam
Maddy’s hand is clammy in mine as we reach Sel and Killian. They are sitting at the dining room table. A brown bag sits between them and two plastic cups are filled to the brim with Baja Blast.
“Taco Bell,” Madison voices my thoughts.
“Thought you could use some comfort food,” Sel says, patting the seat next to her.
Maddy joins her, leaning into her friend. “Thank you,” she sighs.
Sel pulls her in for a hug before opening the bag and divvying out the goods. Better be a Crunchwrap in there for my gir…for Mad. I need to work on that. It’s too easy to fall back into that feeling with her when we aren’t angry with each other.
As predicted, a Crunchwrap and a Chicken Chalupa slide across the table towards her. A wide smile grows on her face. This woman is obsessed with Taco Bell. Smart move, guys. I wink at Sel in appreciation.
“Okay. I spoke to Lindsay. She has Diego being held at their new location in Miramar. So he’s close, Madison. That’s good,” Killian announces before diving into his chicken quesadilla.
Madison takes a sip of her Baja Blast. “We need Antonio. I need to know what information he has that will help Diego’s case.”
“Already done,” I add behind a mouth full of steak burrito. “Antonio is en route as we speak.”
A relieved sigh leaves Madison’s lips before she goes in on her Crunchwrap. “Great,” she mumbles over the food.
Killian killed his quesadilla in a matter of seconds. Crinkling fills the room as he crumbles the wrapper in his hands and tosses it into the brown bag. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say we were all starved. Far from it . We’ve been eating well since the moment we got here Friday evening. Speaking of arrivals, Madison’s family is due to arrive on Wednesday in preparation of the wedding. Lex and Con are getting married on the beach this Thursday. The rehearsal dinner is also Wednesday night. All while the Feds are up our ass and Diego is missing from the events.
Madison’s father, Vincenzo Marrone, is a man of his word. If he told Diego he would end him if Madison was roped into his crimes, he abso-fucking-lutely will. He told Killian and me the same thing when we had a talk with him at Madison’s graduation dinner. Maddy never knew we knew her Dad. He kept his involvement in the Mafia a secret from his kids—that is, until now. Perhaps Vincenzo will give Diego a grace period, knowing his daughter is quite captivated by the lad.
Captivated . Who am I kidding? She’s batshit crazy over him.
Anyone can see that.
“Where is Lexi and the rest of the crew now?” Maddy inquires.
“Those still awake are in the hot tub at the pool,” Kil confirms.
Sel pats her belly, pushing the rest of her food in front of her. “I’m stuffed.” Kil covers her hand with his, smiling down at his unborn child .
“Mind if I eat that?” I ask, pointing to the rest of her quesadilla.
“All yours,” she giggles, extending her hand to pass over the food.
I scarf it down in a few bites, eliciting a smile on Madison’s tense face.
“ Savage ,” she mouths, shaking her head.
“When am I not?” I laugh, licking the sour cream and nacho cheese off my thumb.
The front door opens and we all tense, directing our attention to it. A spark of hope enters Maddy’s eyes. I assume she thought Diego was going to walk through that door. His cousin slams the door behind him, walking in our direction.
“We’re in Miami, and you guys choose Taco Bell ?” he jokes, taking a seat next to Madison and playfully nudging her in the ribs. “I love a good Crunchwrap, too—don’t tell anyone,” he whispers.
“Your secret is safe with me.” Maddy cracks another smile while finishing up her meal.
Antonio laces his hands together, placing them on the wood table. “I’ve got some good news. The Greek Coast Guard agreed to testify about their recent findings. They believe the explosion was caused by a bomb Geraldo planted. He was there to sabotage the wedding, wanting to eliminate any possible threat to his reigning power. The officiant has also been kind enough to offer a statement saying Geraldo had threatened to take his life if he didn’t lie about his involvement in the explosion.”
“And the rest of Diego’s crimes? How are we going to get past him lying to the world about his death?”
“On paper he did flatline. So that’s the truth. We can spin it to look like he went into hiding after that, afraid his uncle was still alive after the explosion and he wanted to try and protect you…” Killian proposes.
“I already have my lawyer reviewing all our paperwork. He’s going to do a Skype meeting with us tomorrow afternoon to help solidify the angle we are taking,” I state.
Madison’s gaze reaches mine, full of appreciation. You’re welcome, baby . Whatever I can do to help get that smile permanently back on her face, I will. I promised no matter our relationship status, she would always be mine to protect.
And that’s what I am doing— plus, I’ve come to enjoy the camaraderie Diego and I created.
As we sit around this table, the last two days filled with nothing but unease and tension, I suddenly am overwhelmed by a strong sense of family. A blended family, but a family nonetheless. We have all come together, allies or not, to help out Diego and Madison. This is what has been lacking in our group for the last year or so. I turn to look at my brother who is likely feeling the same way. He shoots me an understanding grin.
“It is all going to get sorted out. Diego will be back here soon enough,” I promise.
“I really hope so,” Madison says wearily. “When did you become so positive?” she jabs playfully.
“It’s called manifesting, Maddy.” I wiggle my fingers in the air for a spooky effect.
“Wow.” She crosses her arms over her chest, looking impressed with my use of spiritual jargon.
“You should get some sleep. We have our final fittings early tomorrow morning,” I remind her.
She stands, tossing her garbage into the brown bag. “That’s a good idea. I need to shower and attempt to sleep,” she agrees sadly.
“Want me to walk you up?” I offer.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine. Danny is still waiting for you.” She nods to the living room where Danny is tattooing Lexi’s brother.
I almost forgot about my tattoo. Before the crazy unfolded, I planned on getting the Tree of Life tattooed on my back. Right between my shoulder blades. The roots represent my past, my upbringing, and my romantic connections—specifically one.
Lifting my head, I spot Madison hugging Kil and Selena goodnight. She’s taught me so much. She keeps me grounded. Her influence in my life has had a huge effect on my spiritual growth and desire to keep pushing for more for myself. Even though there is heartbreak and a shit ton of it, there’s healing, there’s maturing, and strength through all of life’s unpredictable challenges. The Tree of Life is about accepting endings and embracing the new beginning.
How poetic is it that I have chosen to get it now, at this stage of my life? I have been planning on getting this tattoo for a while now. It’s as if fate required the lessons Madison taught me to truly embrace getting this inked into my skin. So I can truly live by the meaning of it. Its place at my back is a gentle reminder that my past is behind me. It’s time to look towards the future and stop looking back.
Stop looking at her to save me.
That doesn’t mean Madison can no longer be a part of my future—but that chapter of ‘us’ is closed. I am hopeful we can create a new version of what that means to us moving forward.
My phone rattles the nightstand next to me. I squint at the number on the screen.
Lindsay.
“Hello, love,” I mumble.
The sheets screech as I lean up on my elbows. I slept on my stomach last night, allowing my new tattoo to breathe.
“If I told you I could get a phone call in with Diego and be in your bed in about an hour, what would you say?” she purrs.
My eyebrows raise at her boldness. She’s always been like this, but today she’s extra direct. I run a hand through my unruly hair and stare up at the white ceiling. Below this navy blue sheet, my cock throbs with the thought of a quickie. All this pent-up stress could use a good outlet. The problem is, she wouldn't be able to touch my back— and she’s a scratcher. After a night with her, my back looks like a goddamn scratching post.
“I want the phone call to be with Madison. Then get your pretty arse over here so I can fuck you. On one condition…you promise to keep your hands on the headboard like a good little agent,” I growl.
“Diego will call this phone after I hang up. I’ll see you in an hour, handsome.”
The phone disconnects, leaving me scrambling out of bed.