Chapter 32
Nate
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Matteo demands.
I give him the rundown, not missing one detail. “I have pictures and videos. I’m sending them to you now. I need him found, Matteo. I don’t care how it happens. I need it done.”
“Fuck…Nate.” He goes quiet, but I can hear his heavy breathing. “I’m going to figure out a way to come home and help.”
“Right here on the corner is great. Thanks.” I tap my card and step out of the taxi.
“Matteo, I love you like a brother. I want nothing more than to see your ugly face.” He chuckles softly.
“But if you come home, Juliette’s going to lose her mind.
And if Becks finds out, you’re dead. It will cause more drama than I can handle right now. ”
“Yeah. Okay,” he says, but the disappointment in his voice is unmistakable.
I know he misses New York.
I know he misses Becks even more.
And I know, better than most, what it feels like to break someone else’s heart while your own shatters in the process.
But for once, I’m putting myself first. I’m prioritizing what’s important to me.
And that’s Madeline.
“My brother already texted me back.”
“Who, Lucian?”
“Yeah, he’s the only one in New York right now. He’s already got my cousins involved; they’ll handle this. Did you call Ethan? You need protection just in case.”
“Called him first. He’s sending over three guys for now. Hopefully, more tomorrow.”
“Good. Any ideas as to what this is about?”
“No fucking clue.” I scrub a hand down my face. “I don’t have psycho exes like Harrison or Leo. Maybe a few pissed-off clients over the years, but no one I can think of who’d go this far.”
“Nate.” I look up to find Benny standing in front of my building, waiting for me with his arms in the air. “What the hell, man?”
“I gotta go. I’ll keep you posted, and Matteo?”
“Don’t say the rest of that sentence. I already know…do whatever it takes.”
My jaw tightens. “You know I wouldn’t ask you if this wasn’t important. Thank you.”
“Trust me, I know.”
Matteo is not deeply involved in his family’s business, so for me to call and ask for his help is a big deal.
I’d never put him in this position if I didn’t have to.
We hang up, and I take my suitcase from Benny. “Listen, I can’t get into details yet, but the man I ran after? He’s bad news. And he’s been in this building more than once.”
Benny’s face drains of color. “Did I let him in? Was he on the list?”
“No. No, you’re good, Benny Boy.” I grip his shoulder briefly. “We don’t know who he is yet. But something’s not right. My security team is on the way, and they’ll be stationed outside and on my floor. They’ll fill you in.”
“Okay,” he says, still rattled. “Let me know if you need anything.”
I’m about to get in the elevator when I see three men who are wide and tall enough that they need to maneuver themselves through the door, and I know from that alone that they’re part of the security team.
“Hi. Nathaniel Davenport.” I extend my hand. “We’ve met briefly before while you were working for my sister-in-law and niece.”
“Yeah, we remember. I’m Danny, I’ll be your contact,” the first guy says in an accent I can’t pinpoint.
“Who will be stationed where?”
“Having been here before with Juliette and Claudina, we’re familiar with the building, and although Ethan’s original plan would normally suffice, we think it’s better we have two men manning the outside since you have a freight entrance.
Your floor is secure with one guard since you share it with your brother. ”
“You’re the professionals. I trust your judgment.”
They all exchange a quick nod. “Any idea who we’re looking for?”
“None,” I snap too quickly, then exhale sharply. “Sorry. It’s not even six in the morning, and it’s already been one of the most anxiety-inducing days of my life.”
“We understand, trust me. We don’t underestimate any situation, and we can only imagine what you’re going through.”
“There’s no obvious threat on my end. But with my family history, it could be anyone. Hell, I wouldn’t even rule out my biological parents. Maddie’s brother is also in the public eye, and he has a laundry list of people who hate him, men and women.”
“Mason Cunningham, quarterback for Philadelphia?”
Of course, they already know him.
They have a profile on anyone who steps in or out of Claud and Jules’s lives.
I nod once. “Is there anything else you need from me? I need to call my brother and get up to my girl.”
“When you can, send us Madeline’s contact information.”
“Will do.”
I walk toward the elevator and immediately dial Leo.
When he doesn’t answer, I call him three more times. “Pick up, fucker.”
Five more times until finally his croaky voice comes over the speaker.
“Calm down, you pussy. I’m leaving now to stay with Maddie.”
“Leo.” My voice breaks, and for the first time, I let my emotions show.
I’m fucking petrified, and I know he hears it.
After last year, when we went through a horrific situation with Claudina and Juliette, we’ll all be on high alert for the rest of our lives.
I can hear that he’s getting out of bed and moving quickly. “What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?”
“I didn’t go to London. Just…get home immediately, okay?” I hang up, and don’t worry about the panic I’ve just instilled in him.
I need to check on my goddess.
I stand in the doorway and watch Maddie and Skye sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the storm building around us.
My shoulder rests against the doorjamb. I close my eyes as frustration burns behind them.
Who the fuck is this guy, and what does he want?
Sabotage is not new to the Davenport family. But why would anyone come after me, Maddie, or even Leo?
My phone buzzes, and I see it’s an unknown number.
Unknown: It’s Danny Mitchell from Scott Security. Giving you a heads-up that we’re requesting all video footage from your building and will be questioning your neighbor, Owen.
Thanks.
Danny—Security: After review, if we don’t have the right angles, we’ll go to the city for their cameras.
Fuck.
They cannot go to the city if Matteo’s family gets involved.
I quietly step out of the bedroom and ease the door shut behind me before crossing the living room and dialing Danny.
He picks up immediately.
“Hi.”
“Listen, I know you’re doing your job—”
“We’re aware of your friend’s family,” he cuts in calmly.
“I’ve worked with Ethan for a long time.
We’re good friends. You can trust me.” I stop pacing.
“If it comes to pulling city footage, we won’t name you.
It goes through as a private client request. We’ve got an understanding with the NYPD.
We scratch their backs, they scratch ours. ”
I blow out a breath of relief. “Got it.”
“Talk soon.”
“Wait. I had Ethan do a background check on one of my employees, Lincoln Sutherland. I’ve never had an issue with him until Madeline joined our company. He might have a vendetta against her since he believes his seniority at the company guarantees him projects that Maddie has been selected for.”
“Is he right?”
“What?”
“I’m not trying to accuse you, but we need to know facts to see what angle to play.”
I know the answer to this without thinking twice. “He is completely in the wrong. Maddie has built a strong reputation and is one of our best architects. Better than me, better than Lincoln.”
“Got it. That’s all I needed to know.”
The line clicks dead, and I begin pacing the length of the downstairs, going through my mind’s Rolodex.
There’s no one else I can think of, and I know now what I have to do, and I’m dreading it.
I dial a number I’ve known by heart for more than half my life.
It rings three times until he picks up. “It’s my one motherfucking day to sleep in, Davenport. Seriously?”
“We need to talk, Mase.”
“What’s wrong?” His voice sharpens. “Put Madeline on the phone right this second.”
I swallow my irritation. “Calm down and listen.”
“Nate…” His breathing goes heavy. I can practically feel the heat of his temper through the phone.
“I don’t have many details yet, but it’s safe to think that either me, Leo, or Madeline has a stalker, or someone was hired to watch one of us.”
“I’m on my way.”
Of course he is.
“I thought so.”
“Tell me exactly what you know.”
I do. Every last detail I have right now, every move we’ve made since getting back together. Every client who has an issue with Leo or myself.
He starts rattling off names, and I know he’s feeling the same guilt as I do.
Two very public lives, both blaming ourselves that we can’t stay away from the paparazzi or the gossip columns.
A car door slams, then I hear Mason talking to a driver.
“You’re getting driven here?”
“No. Helicopter. I’m in an Uber. I know a guy who knows a guy. He’ll be ready to leave from Penn’s Landing helipad as soon as he does all his checks. He lives in Rittenhouse Square, too, so he’ll be quick.”
“What’s the flight time? Forty-five from Philly?”
“Give or take, it depends on whether we get clearance for the Tribeca helipad. We’ll find out soon.”
“All right.” I drag a hand through my hair. “I’ll alert security. Maddie will probably still be asleep when you get here, so be quiet.”
“How is she?” he asks, his voice softer now. “She called me last night.”
“She’s been out cold every time I’ve checked. Definitely sick overnight, but I’ve been up since four and haven’t heard her move.”
“Good. See you soon.”
The line goes dead.
An hour crawls by, and I want to throw up, not because I’ve caught the bug, but because I’m sick with anxiety.
Where the fuck is my brother?
I’ve called at least ten more times, and his phone now goes straight to voicemail.
Matteo has no update and tells me I need to give him more than sixty minutes. The logical part of me knows he’s right, while the rest of me is barely hanging on, desperately needing answers.
That’s it, I can’t take it…I get up and pour myself a drink before I start pulling out my hair.
Both of my hands are shaking, causing the scotch to slosh over the side.
Fuck. Me.