Chapter 29
I opened my eyes, and the room was dark, but I remembered Maddox had gotten up and closed the curtains before we fell asleep.
I quietly climbed out of the bed and grabbed my clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom.
I tried not to let any negative thoughts creep in as I emptied my bladder, brushed my teeth, and hair, and put my pajamas back on.
I opened the bathroom door, and Maddox was sitting at the end of the bed, rubbing his eyes.
“We slept late.”
His voice was still heavy with sleep. He stood up and the blankets slid from his body. He was completely naked—that really was how I preferred him. He started toward the bathroom, kissing me on my forehead as he passed. I headed downstairs to get food and brew coffee.
I was sitting at the nook, drinking coffee and eating toast when Maddox appeared in the kitchen fresh out of the shower. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a pair of linen shorts.
“When are we heading back to the compound? I need to speak with Ronan and see where his head is. If he can keep his shit straight, then great. If not, he is going to need to transfer to a different position. I want to go over the party details with Bonnie. I feel like in the time leading up to the meeting, I should be there. I’m easier to get in touch with and I can learn more there than here. ”
“We can leave whenever you want. I can have a plane waiting within the next two hours. You can get any clothes you want to take with you. I promise you though, that when you arrive Bonnie will have options waiting for you. That is something she did for your grandfather as well. No doubt she will enjoy picking outfits for you even more.”
“I probably don’t need anything I can’t get when I’m there. We have quite a number of days before anyone arrives.”
“You are correct.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and went about securing the plane.
“I am going to change my clothes. I will be right back.” I got up from the stool and went to my room to get dressed. I rummaged through my drawers. I was tired of walking around unsure of myself. I am going to grab this life by the reins, and steer—I was done letting it steer me.
In my closet, I pulled out a lightweight fitted cream and blue plaid suit.
The pants were short and fit well. I pulled out a light blue silk sleeveless top, laying it on top of the suit.
I chose white undergarments, a thin beige belt, and a pair of matching pumps.
Inside the bathroom, I curled my hair and pinned it up.
Once I applied natural-looking makeup, I got dressed.
Picking up my jacket, I opened the door and went back downstairs.
“Well, hello, Boss lady.” Maddox let out a low whistle and looked me up and down.
“Power looks good on you.” He leaned in close as if he were sharing a secret in the middle of a crowded room.
“To be totally honest, seeing you slap the shit out of Amelia made my dick twitch. I might think powerful women are attractive. But, watching you step into your power may be the sexiest shit ever.”
“Let’s hope you keep that energy. If you liked that, then I’m sorry you missed me hitting Ronan.”
I put my hand on the back of his neck and pulled his lips to mine. His hands went to my ass. I let the kiss linger, enjoying the feel of his hands on my body before I pulled away.
“Did you get the plane?” I asked, picking up my phone from the counter.
I texted Ronan, telling him I was leaving for the compound and would arrive this evening. I told him I expected to speak with him in person when I got there. I sent it and looked at Maddox.
“I did, we can leave whenever you’re ready. The plane is awaiting our arrival.”
“Well then, let’s get this show on the road. The sooner all this is done, the better. I can’t believe my grandfather just let this go for so long. I would love to know why.”
“I don’t think Ray looked at things the same way you do.
He trusted people first. You make them earn it.
You kind of work in opposite ways. I also think you are more tolerant of opinions and deviating from the norm.
Just because Alexander doesn’t fall in line doesn’t necessarily make him dangerous or even wrong. ” Maddox’s tone was regretful.
They must have been friends prior to all this. He continued talking—further cementing my revelation.
“I am starting to feel ashamed about rushing to judge Alexander myself. We were friends and I sort of let that fall to the wayside when everything went down. Our contact has been minimal and never in person, at least for the last twenty-three years. Then here you come… changing things. In case no one else tells you, I appreciate you and your tenacity.” I felt seen. Like he truly understood me.
“You get me. The way my mind works. I love that about you more than anything else.”
“You love me?” he asked, cocking his head to the side with a grin.
“I didn’t say that.” I smiled back and laughed. “Let’s go.”
When the plane landed, we got into a waiting vehicle. Maddox placed his hand on his knee closest to me with his palm up. He wiggled his fingers, and I slid my hand into his. We settled in for the short car ride. My phone chimed, and I picked it up. Ronan texted me back.
Let me know when you are here. I am at the compound and at your disposal.
I set my phone back in my lap and leaned against Maddox. He put his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head.
The car reached the compound, and thanks to summer, there was still daylight. We entered the reception area of the huge building.
“Ms. Lawson, so happy to see you again.” The pleasant looking girl beamed as she stood up from behind the desk.
“Thank you. Can you please get in touch with Ronan and tell him I have arrived, and I would like to see him in about half an hour. Also, please let Bonnie know that I will call her when I have finished meeting with Ronan. May I have some appetizers and desserts delivered to my room at about nine o’clock?
If you know what Bonnie likes to eat, go with that. ”
“Yes, Ms. Lawson. I will have that taken care of now.”
“What is your name?” I asked, holding my hand out.
“Sarah,” she said, shaking my hand.
“My name is Joslyn. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you so much for your help; I greatly appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Joslyn,” she responded with a smile.
I continued further into the building, coming to the elevators. Maddox pressed the up button.
“You’re extremely smart,” he whispered, leaning toward me.
“I am. I am also very genuine. If these people don’t feel a connection to me, then I won’t be able to trust them, and they won’t trust me. They need to know me and I, them.”
“It all amounts to being very smart,” he said, as the doors to the elevator opened.
Stepping inside the elevator, Maddox pushed the button for the top floor. The doors opened and we headed to my suite. Once we got inside, I took off my jacket and laid it on the back of the couch.
“I assume you want me to disappear while you are talking to Ronan.” I turned around and Maddox rested his hands on my hips.
“Yeah, I am going to say that would be best. I’m not sure if you are still mad at him or if he’s mad at you.”
“Oh, I want to drain his blood and end his very existence. He may feel differently, I do not know, nor do I care.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much what I thought.”
I rested my hands on his forearms and looked up at him. He leaned down and I puckered my lips dramatically and closed my eyes. When he pressed his lips to mine, I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“I really like this suit,” he squeezed my ass and kissed me again. “I am going to my room. Text me when he leaves. Or if you need me just scream—vampire hearing.” He pointed to his ear and walked to the door. “I will see you in a bit.”
“I will be fine. I will let you know as soon as I finish speaking with him.” I smiled and gave him a little wave.
He made his way out; closing the door. I went to the fridge and got out two bottles of water, setting one down in front of a chair. Opening the other, I took a drink and sat down at the opposite end of the long table. I began checking my email while I waited for Ronan to arrive.
There was an email from an address that I assumed was Bonnie. I opened it and it contained details for the coming events.
It stated that arrival would take place between noon and three o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, and a cocktail party would take place in the library at eight o’clock that first evening. I wasn’t aware of the library, or where it was. I hadn’t done much exploring the last time I was here.
Anytime I heard the word library it piqued my interest. I had a deep love for books and the things they could teach you and the places they could take you.
I continued reading and saw that Bonnie had planned a late dinner that was scheduled at ten in the solarium.
Which I also hadn’t gotten a chance to see.
This list of events would allow me more time to get to know everyone—that was a good thing.
As I kept reading there was a knock on the door and I set my phone down and answered it.
When I opened the door, Ronan stood on the other side.
“Come in,” I said as I turned and went back to my seat.
He entered and shut the door behind him.
“Have a seat,” I said, gesturing to the chair at the end nearest to the door.
I opened my water and took another drink.
“Well Ronan, I want to know if you have anything to say about last night?”