Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
EVIE
These past couple of months, Maddox and I haven’t had much physical contact other than him adjusting my hands or arms when throwing a punch because that's the most critical part, ‘throwing a decent fucking punch.’
I swear if he says it one more time, I’m going to punch his handsome ass.
That moment from a couple of months ago still lingers in my mind. I had woken up, shaken by the nightmare that Trent had found us, and I wasn’t strong enough to protect my boys. He had easily overpowered me, laughing and taunting me then I woke up drenched in sweat. Desperation drove me, pushing myself harder than ever.
Then there was his gaze, heavy with something I couldn’t name, as I briefly reached for his hand. That touch—it wasn’t the same trust I’d given him when he was teaching me self-defense. This felt deeper, more intimate. A trust I never thought I’d give another man, not after everything I’ve been through.
Maddox is careful to make sure I’m comfortable before we take any steps forward, and with that, I’ve started to feel more confident. It’s like I’m finally reclaiming parts of myself. I walk with my head held high, no longer flinching at every sudden noise. Even the nightmares have become less frequent. Sure, I still check the locks three times and keep my guard up, but something’s shifted—I’m finally starting to feel strong enough.
Working with Maddox is tough because he demands perfection. There are times when I feel like running away, but I remind myself why I’m here: to protect my two precious boys. Mercy assures me that Maddox treats everyone this way and is even harder on himself. Who would have thought? I also met Lucien; the other guy who helps run The Boxing Den.
Lucien is training with Maddox for some upcoming fight he has. The first night I met him, he thanked me for a good ten minutes for giving him a break from Sadistic fucking Sally, as he calls Maddox. Lucien moves with the quiet confidence of a cruiserweight boxer, all controlled power and precision. His thick black hair is cropped close to his head, drawing attention to the sharp angles of his jaw and the intensity in his caramel-colored eyes—warm, yet calculating, like he’s already figured me out. And then there’s his smile, slow and undeniably seductive, the kind that feels like both a challenge and a promise. He’s the first person I run into when I step into the gym, and by the look on his face he’s more than happy to see me.
"Hey, mama."
"Hey, Lucien," I call out as I step through the door leading back into the gym.
"Have I told you how much I love seeing you?"
“He in that kind of mood today?"
Lucien’s face resembles a fish out of water. "Trust me, training with him makes me wish I'd never wandered out of my pops ball sack somedays."
A laugh breaks free from my lips.
"I’m not joking! ”
“You big cry baby!”
“You just keep him bewitched, mama. He’s been much more tolerable these past few months with you around.”
Before I can argue that point a throat clears, and I look up to see Maddox glaring daggers at the two of us as he towers behind Lucien. He turns abruptly and walks away without saying a word.
"Oh, yeah completely under my spell let me tell ya.” I give Lucien a look that says you lost your damned mind. After a short sprint, I catch up with Maddox just before the door to the self-defense class shuts in my face.
"Hey, big guy," I say as cheerfully as possible. Maddox stands staring at me, not saying a word. His signature scowl and closed-off composure tell me he’s in a mood, so I choose not to engage further and put my purse down on the bench.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, I begin wringing my hands together and swaying back and forth. "Are we going to do this or what?"
Maddox pushes his glasses up on his nose, and damn I like it when he does that. "Would you rather Lucien teaches you this?"
“What? No, I want you.” Oh, my God. Ground swallow me now.
Maddox shifts on his feet, his gaze finding my face. "You seem comfortable with him," he says, his hard voice softening slightly. "Today we're going to start learning holds."
"I still don't understand," I tell him as I rub my left shoulder.
His gaze trails down my neck and lands on my shoulder. "I know you had a nasty break on that arm."
My hand instantly drops from my shoulder. "No, I haven't." The lie slips out before I can stop it.
Maddox's scowls at me. “Liar."
"I'm not talking about this while you're pretending to be angry at me." I take a deep breath.
I appreciate how Maddox treats me. It’s a refreshing change from everyone else who treats me with kid gloves, afraid I will break. But I still am not going to share my domestic violence like a damn grocery list with him every time he asks.
No, not asks, because this man doesn’t ask anyone anything, he demands.
Maddox drops his arms. "I wasn't trying to be an asshole, and it does anger me." I sharply inhale. "It makes me angry that some piece of shit dared to put his hands on you."
He steps closer, his long stride closing most of the distance between us. My heart flutters with every word he says. “I could never be angry at you for that Evie.” He toys with the end of my braid. “Now tell me about that break.”
"I'm confused. Why does this matter? Why are you even asking? Because you know people break bones all the time, and nobody is keeping track, Maddox,” I ramble.
"Because I don't want to hurt you! Somebody's already done that enough in your life," he says sharply, dropping my braid.
I look at Maddox, and I can tell he's not asking like some sicko, he's asking because he's concerned. "I'm only answering you about this area," I tell him, pointing at my left arm. I can tell he wants to argue with me about it by how tightly his jaw is clenched, resembling a piece of granite, but he surprisingly gives me a curt nod.
"I had a nasty proximal humerus fracture on this arm, and when the seasons change, it aches."
“Was it an accident?” He knows the answer, but he asks anyway.
"No, I was shoved off a balcony because the pregnancy would hinder the rest of his life, and I, of course, just wanted to trap him," I say sarcastically. "Thank goodness the chaise lounge broke my fall, or it would have been my neck that ended up broken.”
He becomes unsettling still as a murderous look spread across his face. I swallow, the man is violent for a living, but if this is what you face stepping into the ring with him, I can easily see why he has so many titles under his belt. It’s as if the shadows bend to his will and brutality snap like a dog on a chain fighting to be set free.
I can feel the rage pulsing off him in waves. None of that rage is directed toward me, but I still can't help the pit of anxiety welling up inside me, and if these past few months has taught me anything, it’s that Maddox would never hurt me. Don’t get me wrong, Maddox Wilder is a bad motherfucker. It would be a downright lie to say I’m not afraid of him right now, but no matter how much pain and grief has shaped him into who he is now, the fact remains he isn’t the kind of man who would hurt women.
"Maddox," I say softly.
He doesn't seem to hear me and instead of listening to every alarm sounding off in my head, I step closer. I reach out to him with a shaky hand, taking his large hand in mine, and place it over my heart, letting him feel the frantic beat in my chest.
Trying my best to mask the anxiety in my voice, I softly say his name once more. Those green eyes lock on mine, and I know he's snapped out of whatever headspace he slipped off into. "There you are, Big Guy. Tell me five things you see."
He stares at me for a few seconds as if trying to decide something, assessing me with those stormy eyes. "Your freckles," his rough voice finally answers.
"Four more."
"All that pain you try so hard to hide behind a pretty smile."
What is he doing? I squeeze his thick wrist tighter as goosebumps coat my skin; I can’t speak.
"Those pretty eyes always give away how much fear still lingers deep within you." Oh shit.
"T-two more," I stammer as the blood pumps faster and faster through my body.
"Your courage." Maddox brings his face closer to mine, his green eyes look down at my lips.
"Maddox—”
"How many more, Evie?" His lips lightly brush mine. "Tell me."
My blood is like liquid fire, burning through my veins. I feel alive and am humming with a deep need for this man. Maddox Wilder is the storm I've been waiting for, and once he's done with me, I know I'll never be the same.
Hell, I don’t want to be the same.
"One more," I whisper.
Cradling my nape in his large hand, he pulls me flush with his hard body. "You. I fucking see you." Then crashes his mouth onto mine.
Maddox's kiss is wild and frantic like he's been starving for this. The man growls when I lick the scar that runs across his soft lips. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he easily picks me up, my legs instantly wrapped around his hard middle. He walks forward until my back softly hits the mirror. My shirt rides up and his hand brushes my bare skin setting me ablaze.
So, this is what it’s like to be burned by those delicious flames of his.
You let another man touch you, Petal? Trent's harsh words whisper inside my head, and I freeze up. Fear consuming every molecule of my body.
I push at Maddox's chest. "S-stop."
Maddox slowly withdraws his hand and cautiously sets me on my feet. I take a few steps away from him, turning to right myself. Reminding myself that I’m stronger than this, reminding myself the voice in my head holds no power.
He no longer has any control over me! This is my life and my body! Damn it! Why the hell can’t my head get the memo?
Grabbing my purse, I dash for the door, the walls are closing in on me, and I need to get out of here. "Evie, wait." I pull the door open when a giant hand slams it shut above my head. "Goddamn Evie! Just hang on a second."
A small metal cling registers in my ears. I drop to the floor, drawing my head onto my knees and raising my hands to protect myself as best I can from what I know is about to come. "No! Not the belt, please!" I sob. “Please not the belt! I’ll stay I promise! ”
I beg because he likes it when I beg him not to hurt me, and I need to please him.
"Evie." I hear a muffled voice break through the haze. "Good job. Just keep breathing. You’re safe. The boys are safe. It's okay to come back." Opening my eyes, I find Sophie sitting beside me. Where the hell had she come from?
Sophie brings a hand up, "Breathe in," and lowers her hand, "Breathe out." Sophie repeats the motion until I can feel the vise grip on my lungs finally loosen. Tears stream down my face, and I try and apologize. "Don't Evie. You don't owe anyone anything."
Humiliation fills every molecule of my being as I realize where I still am. "How long have I been like this?" I ask stretching out my stiff legs.
"Last twenty minutes or so. I was dropping off something for Mercy and heard you screaming," Sophie says rubbing a soothing hand up and down my back. I look around for Maddox, trying to think of how to get out of here without having to face him.
"Maddox isn't here."
I give her a slight nod and kiss her cheek. "Thank you, Soph."
Sophie gets a far-off look on her face. "I know all too well how our demons can threaten to drown us."
Where Lou is vivacious and outspoken, Sophie is withdrawn, never going anywhere she doesn’t need to, leaving Lou to handle more social aspects of the bakery. The crazy thing about damaged people is we can spot one another a mile away.
The first time I met Sophie, I knew there was something about her, whole but fractured, like a bone that hadn't set back right after it's been broken. Something that left us forever changed, causing us to shrink away from the world in our own ways. My demons recognized Sophie’s right away. Almost delighted as if seeing old friends .
A person can endure so much cruelty that, eventually, it changes the very essence of who you are, snuffing out your inner light. The hands that promise to cherish you most become the same hands that inflict the most pain. A lesson I'm all too familiar with.
"Evie," I hear Maddox say, and I can't help the flinch from hearing his voice, guess he hadn’t left after all.
Shame and embarrassment flood my senses, and I bolt. All I want is to go home and cuddle my boys, forgetting that today ever happened. I should’ve known I had a fat chance of that happening.
I had one hour to lick my wounds at home with my boys before someone knocked on my door. I was honestly expecting Lou or Mercy, not the sheriff, but here he stands with my purse on his arm, looking slightly off-kilter.
"Evening, Evie."
"Henry."
"I, uh, stopped by the gym, found this, and figured I'd bring this by." He keeps his distance but reaches a long arm out, holding my purse out. Sure, he just "stopped" by, but I’m not going to call him out for his lie.
"Thank you."
The large man looks at the sky and takes a deep breath. "Lou never told you who the person was who came up with your new social and birth certificate, did she?"
I feel all the color drain from my face. It was Henry this whole time? I should’ve known. Who else in town had a reach like that? Who else was crazy enough in love to do whatever a certain blonde needed whenever she needed it? I should be skeptical, but all I feel is gratitude. I close the distance between us and hug the grizzly man. "Thank you isn't enough."
Lou knew everybody and knew their dirty secrets even better. She told me it paid to tend bar because once people had a few drinks, their lips became as loose as their legs. So, she knew everyone in town, even the shadier people in Thunder Ridge who lived in the somewhat gray area of right and wrong.
The benefit of that for me, I thought, was when she showed up one night on my doorstep yelling "Surprise!" with a new social security number and birth certificate with the name I'd decided to use.
The name I picked was so random I knew Trent, cop or not, would have hell trying to find me. My new name had no association with anything from my old life, not a color, or even a passion of mine. Not that I had any and I didn't consider being slapped around a fun way to pass the time. Evie Taylor was born in the same shady motel where I found out I was pregnant. Following bad gas station food and watching a rerun of some mummy movie.
In fact, when Lou gave me those papers that read Evie Taylor, I think it was the best present I’ve ever received. I hugged her and cried so hard she was worried my water would break. Just thinking about that night puts a smile on my face.
"No thanks necessary." He wraps one arm around me and gives me a firm squeeze. I end the hug by stepping back and asking the one question that plagues me every day.
"Is there any way he can find them?" I gesture my thumb over my shoulder towards the house to my boys.
Henry grabs my shoulders gently in both hands. "There's no way he can ever find you or those boys, Evie. I promise. The boys are safe, and so are you. As far as he's concerned, you're dead. I had a buddy from up north file the death certificate and send him some ashes."
"My God, Henry! You could lose your job. What’s wrong with you!"
Henry gives me a crooked smile I've seen Mercy wear once or twice. "Gray area, little sister, and seeing the relief on your face just now was worth it. "
"EVIE!"
I knew Sophie would call Lou, I'm just surprised it took her this long to get here. The big man before me cringes before turning to face the wrath of my pale blonde best friend.
"Lou."
She stomps up my porch in dirty overalls and a blue bandana on her head, looking every bit the beautiful mess she is. She looks between us and narrows her eyes. “Henry Joseph Wilder! We promised not to tell her! What the hell is wrong with you!”
"She needed peace of mind and to know she has more people to lean on than you and Joe!"
She points a finger in his face. "That's all she needs!"
"No, Louisiana, that's all you need. Evie has a whole town full of people who love her and those boys. The girl is walking sunshine! Everybody loves her!"
Watching the two is like watching two toddlers fight over their favorite toy. It's messy and loud, and after the trainwreck of a day, it's the last thing I want to be a part of. I put my hands on my hips and prepared to handle these two like my children.
"Whoa! Both of you stop!" I turn to Lou. "He told me, Lou, and I'm okay. I'm glad he did. Now I can breathe a little easier, and I'm so proud of you for going to him to help me." I know how hard that was for her to do, but I wouldn't dare say that in front of him.
"Evie, it's not that simple," Lou says, looking down.
I tip her chin up. "Lou, life’s too short not to fix the things we can fix while we're here."
Henry's radio goes off, and he looks at Lou as if telling her goodbye is the hardest thing he's ever had to do. "Come get breakfast with me in the morning? As friends?"
Lou says nothing, and the big man visibly deflates and bids us a good night before heading down the steps. I give Lou a look that says what the fuck are you doing? I can see her panic before saying, "Wait! What time? "
I can’t see his face, but I can hear the smile in his voice as he tells her seven at Joe's. Before she can even rebound from that encounter and turn her sass my way, I decide to just lay it on her, "I let Maddox kiss me today, and then went completely catatonic and had one of my episodes."
I haven’t had an episode like that in over a year, and the last one was in Vic's garage, bless his heart. All I remember was him asking me to hand him the belt from the top of his toolbox. When I came to my head was in Lou's lap, and I was still in the garage. That one had lasted an hour. The second Lou yelled I was good, Vic barreled through the door. Misty eyed; he gave me a stern look before wrapping me in a tight hug. Vic got rid of every belt in his house after that.
Lou's eyes almost budge out of her head, and what do you know, for the first time in her life, she's speechless. "Close your mouth before you choke on a bug and come inside. I need a damn drink." I turn on my heel, leaving her on the porch, mouth still agape.