Maddox

by Megan O'Brien

I nodded, closing my eyes, hoping I could keep the nightmares at bay.

  Chapter 11

  MADDOX

  “Fuck,” I muttered quietly, staring at my closed bedroom door. Every instinct screamed at me not to leave her alone. I was not a man who second-guessed himself, who hesitated, but with Francesca looking so lost and in obvious pain I didn’t want to push her too hard.

  It was killing me to see her like this and to feel so fucking helpless. It killed me the way my club had treated her, that I hadn’t demanded that she stay with me that day. I should have protected her more—done more. I’d been struggling to bring her back to me ever since.

  I stood staring at my closed bedroom door, feeling like a stalker but not able to tear myself away.

  Finally, my phone ringing in the kitchen forced me to walk away.

  “Hi, Ma,” I greeted, half surprised she’d been able to hold off this long from checking in. I knew my pop had probably held her back.

  “Hi, honey, how’s Francesca?”

  If only my girl could hear the genuine concern in my mother’s voice.

  I sighed, running a hand over my day-old whiskers. “About as well as anyone who almost died, lost everything, and thinks no one in my life trusts her.”

  “What can we do?” she asked immediately.

  I thought about that for a minute. It was my club’s way, my family’s way to do things together. But that wouldn’t work. Not yet. “Nothing yet. She’s overwhelmed enough as it is,” I explained. “I lost her trust,” I admitted, looking out my window, staring unseeingly at the mountain range in the distance.

  “We all did, honey.” She sighed sadly. “Now, you’re not asking for my advice, but I’m your mother and I’m going to give it to you anyway.”

  I fought a smile at her no-nonsense tone. My ma had the biggest heart of anyone I’d ever known. She also didn’t take any shit from anyone.

  “That girl is hurting and she’s probably pushing you away out of self-preservation. With the direction her thoughts are likely headed, I’d bet that space isn’t going to help her much. She probably doesn’t even know what she needs right now—you need to be the one who does. Trust your gut, Mad, it’s never steered you wrong.”

  I nodded in agreement. “Thanks, Ma.”

  “I’ll give you a little more time but after that, Olivia and I want to come by and check on her ourselves. I’d bet the rest of the club will want to do the same.”

  I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold them off much longer. “Yeah,” I agreed quietly. “Soon, but not yet. I’ll check back with you guys.”

  “Love you, baby.”

  “Love you too.”

  I hung up feeling more certain that my earlier instinct had been right. I needed to keep her close. And I’d be doing just that for the foreseeable future.

  Chapter 12

  FRANCESCA

  I looked over in surprise when Maddox slipped through the door not long after he’d left. I was curled into myself on the far side of the bed and had been trying without success to sleep. Without a word, he slipped off his T-shirt and lifted the covers, sliding into bed next to me. He slid toward me, gently pulling me into his arms.

  “What are you doing—?”

  “Shh, babe,” he soothed. “I’ve got you.”

  I didn’t know if it was my pain, my mood, or it being pure Maddox, but being in his arms just then felt like exactly what I needed. I didn’t fight him.

  His chest was warm and firm under my cheek, his smell like a delicious lifeline as I tried to get a hold of myself. His hand stroked my hair, his fingers gently coaxing any tangles out.

  For hours, I faded in and out of sleep, the pain pills making me foggy. And through it all, he held me. He had to be bored to tears lying there with nothing to do, but not once did he leave me.

  By the time my stomach growled, the sun had set and his bedroom was cast in shadow. “Hungry?” he rumbled, his hand moving to my belly. It was such an intimate gesture and I wasn’t even sure he was aware of it.

  “Yeah,” I replied, shifting out of his arms slightly so I could stretch as much as I dared. My cheek was warm where it had been pressed to his chest, my body stiff from lying unmoving for so long.

  His hand flexed gently on my hip. “What sounds good?”

  “I don’t know. Pizza maybe?”

  He stood, and despite myself I couldn’t help but appreciate his powerful body with all his glorious muscle on display. His skin was golden brown, as though he’d spent time in the sun recently. My gaze landed on the light smattering of chest hair that had tickled my cheek as I slept. His six-pack abs curved into a delicious V that dipped into the waistband of his sweats. His skin was largely free of tattoos save for one, a Knights crest stretched across his upper back, a symbol, I assumed, for his motorcycle club. He cocked his head to the side, his eyes gleaming with something akin to amusement, and I realized he’d said something to me.

  “Erm, what?”

  His full lips quirked into a smile. “I said I’ll call it in. I’ll bring you some water, too. You want another pain pill?”

  I grimaced. “I don’t want to take those anymore unless I absolutely have to. They make me so foggy.”

  He looked like he wanted to argue, concern clear in his expression. “How about some ibuprofen then? I don’t want you to be in pain, babe.”

  “Yeah, okay,” I agreed, fighting a wince as I tried to sit up. “I really want to shower,” I added, knowing that being clean would make me feel halfway human, hopefully.

  “I’ll call Scarlet, see what she recommends.” He nodded, looking down at his phone. “And looks like my sister dropped off some clothes for you,” he added, still looking at his phone. “Come on.” He held out a hand to me, helping me off the bed and leading me toward the living room.

  “What do you mean?” I asked in confusion as I followed behind him on stiff legs.

  “She texted to say that she left a bag of clothes for you outside my front door. Sounds like a couple of the girls pooled some stuff together,” he explained as he opened his front door to reveal two large duffle bags.

  My eyes popped wide in surprise. “That’s more than I owned before the fire.”

  He hefted both into the living room and handed me a piece of paper. “Looks like this is for you.”

  I looked down at the handwritten note that was addressed to me.

  Frannie,

  I’m so sorry for what happened to you. This is nowhere near enough after everything you’ve been through and what you did for Wren, but a couple of us put some things together that will hopefully tide you over for a few days. We weren’t exactly sure of your size or complexion since my brother is a boy and was clueless when I asked him. Hopefully some of this works. When you’re up for it, I’d love to spend some time together. Maybe we can go shopping! 

  Love, Olivia

  “A few days?” I murmured incredulously, looking down at the stuffed bags that would be more than enough for the next year or more.

  Maddox chuckled. “My sister takes clothing pretty seriously.”

  “I’d say so.” I laughed for the first time since this ordeal had started. It felt good. “That was really nice of her and the other girls.”

  He squeezed my shoulder briefly. “They’re good people. You’ll see.” His phone pinged with another text, and his lips tilted at what he read. “More good news, babe. You’re all clear to shower. You just need to let me help change your bandages, and Scarlet wants you to keep up a regular course of ibuprofen. If that’s not enough, we’ll switch back to the pain pills. And Francesca, you need to tell me if it’s not enough,” he added firmly.

  “I will,” I agreed. “But I can change my own banda—” I stopped at the sight of his sour expression. “Fine.” I relented with a sigh.

  “She’s getting it,” he grumbled to himself, hoisting both bags in his hands and carrying them to his room.

  He dropped them on his bed before leaning down to kiss my temple. �
��Take your time, baby. I’ll order the pizza.”

  I was relieved to have the time to freshen up. I opened both bags, marveling at the thought and generosity that had gone into everything included. There was shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush, tampons, deodorant, underwear and bras, lots of bras. I had to laugh at the range of sizes. Clearly Maddox hadn’t been any help there. They’d included makeup in a few different shades. The clothing ranged in sizes and I unearthed several pairs of jeans, tees, bras, pajamas, and sweatpants. By the time I was done going through everything, tears pricked at the back of my eyes. It wasn’t something I was used to, being cared for. Despite the situation that had caused it and my remaining skepticism, a warm feeling settled in my belly.

  I stayed in the shower until my skin pruned, until I was sure I’d washed every bit of smoke and blood off my body. It felt amazing to be clean.

  I chose simple black cotton panties and after a few tries, found a bra that fit. I played around with the makeup and though nothing on earth could cover my bruising, it helped mute the intensity a bit. I’d take anything I could get.

  I stared at my bandages, debating again doing it myself.

  As though he’d sensed what I was about to do, a quiet rap sounded on the bathroom door. “Pizza’s here. You ready for some help?”

  I stared into the bathroom mirror, clutching the soft white towel around my frame.

  “Baby?” His tone was gentle but insistent.

  I opened the door, looking down at the ground. Under the lights, with mirrors all around, I felt on display—as though my ordeal was splattered across every surface, but mostly all over me.

  He cleared his throat. “Sweets.” His sober tone had me looking up at him with both wariness and curiosity. “I know you’ve been through hell. I know you’re unsure of me, and I can’t even imagine what’s going through that beautiful mind of yours. But you’re safe here. With me. If you don’t want me to help you with your bandages, I’m not gonna force you. I just want you to feel safe. I want to take care of you.”

  Once I’d been given the choice, the answer was easier. “Can we just get out from under all these lights?” I asked quietly.

  His gray eyes lit with relief. “’Course we can. Come here.” He offered his hand, guiding me gently toward his bedroom.

  “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” I asked skeptically as he sat me on the edge of the bed.

  He chuckled. “I can manage. If there was stitching required, I’d call for backup. Promise. Wouldn’t want to mar this gorgeous skin. You were in good hands with Scarlet.”

  “She’s a doctor or a nurse I assume?” I asked as he got to work on the bandage on my arm, removing it quickly and applying fresh ointment.

  He nodded. “A nurse. She’s Cole’s wife, our prez. We have a few nurses in the club actually.”

  “I’d imagine you need them,” I murmured.

  He looked up at me from where he kneeled in front of me. “Not as often as you’d think. We keep our hands pretty clean. But if trouble comes to us, we don’t back down from it.”

  I nodded silently as he replaced the first bandage and got to work on the one on my chest, the smallest of the five.

  “How is Wren doing?” I asked quietly.

  “Good, thanks to you,” he murmured meaningfully. “She and Max have both checked in on you, wanting to make sure you’re doing okay.”

  His expression turned pensive once he’d finished replacing the first two bandages. “Gonna have to move this towel down, sweets. You okay with that?”

  Hell, at this point what more did I have to lose? I let the towel fall to the bed, all too aware of the bandages that marred my sides and belly, a belly that held none of the definition his had. Suddenly it felt like I did, in fact, have more to lose.

  He looked up at me, his gaze tracking my expression as though he wanted to read my mind. “Are you scared about something?” he demanded, with a fierce expression that told me he was ready to slay all of my dragons.

  I shook my head no.

  “Will you try to tell me?” he asked gently, holding my towel back up around me, knowing I needed the security.

  My fingers twisted in my lap. “I’m just….” I struggled to articulate my thoughts. “I have nothing to my name, my body is riddled with ugly wounds, my face looks like a mutated bowling ball, and sitting in front of you in my underwear wouldn’t be my first choice!” I exclaimed in agitation, moving my arms to cover my stomach.

  “You’re self-conscious?” he asked, and his incredulous expression had me looking at him wide-eyed. Clearly he had more to learn about women than bra size.

  “Not typically. But right now. Yeah.”

  “Why?” he demanded gently as he kneeled in front of me on the floor, his hands gripping my thighs.

  My cheeks burned with a blush. “Well for one, you look like you’re carved from stone or something. You’re hot, Maddox, you have to know that. And I’m in just about the most unflattering position ever, looking worse than I ever have, and I’m pretty much wholly dependent on you, something that’s incredibly uncomfortable for me. And I wasn’t sure we ever would, but had we gotten to this point, um, intimately, I definitely pictured it differently. So yeah… this is hard for me.” I shrugged.

  He cocked his head, his eyes flaring with interest. “How did you picture it?”

  “I think I’ve shared enough for today,” I shot back irritably.

  A smile tipped the corners of his luscious mouth. “All right, fair enough. Let me tell you how I pictured it.”

  My breathing accelerated at the pure unadulterated lust in his eyes.

  “This beautiful as all hell woman, who I’ve wanted since the day I first saw her, who I can’t even be in the same room with without getting hard, is on my bed and in my arms.” His hands moved up to the towel and I allowed him to pull it down. “She’s all luscious curves,” he continued, kissing my belly reverently. “Softest skin,” he rumbled before putting his head between my breasts. “And she smells so fucking good I can barely breathe.”

  My own breathing was audible as I fought for composure.

  His mouth moved to my neck, his kisses making me shiver. “You make me absolutely fucking crazy, Francesca,” he groaned, the sound nearly primal. “Your body is perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. Not one thing. And you might need me for a minute while you pull things together, but I’m so fucking gone for you I don’t know what end is up. So if you’re feeling a little bit vulnerable—don’t. You have all the power here, baby.”

  His raw honesty appeased my vulnerability, and it gave way to lust.

  I pulled him to me, needing his mouth on mine more than anything else. His lips devoured mine, his tongue teasing deliciously before plunging into my mouth as his hands twisted in my hair, pulling me closer. His torso moved between my legs and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, anchoring him to me. His hands drifted down my frame, his fingers brushing over my bra-covered nipples with feather-light touches before pinching with purpose, causing them to ache with need. He continued his journey south, his fingers dancing over my panty-covered core with expert control. Finally, his thumb pressed against my bundle of nerves, and with a few practiced circles, I went over the edge, crying out against his delicious mouth that hadn’t left mine.

  He kissed me slowly, deliciously as my breathing gradually slowed. “So, you think I’m hot, huh?” he asked against my mouth with a smile.

  I pulled back, smacking his shoulder. “You know you are.”

  His expression grew serious as he reached up to cup my face. “Only one woman’s opinion I care about.”

  I didn’t doubt he meant that, and for the first time since I’d arrived, that intensely private part of me, the part afraid to let others in, to trust, it eased some.

  Hell, maybe there was hope for us yet.

  Chapter 13

  MADDOX

  My phone pinged with a text just as we were finishing up our pizza. The last few hours had been com
pletely different from when Francesca had originally arrived. She’d been so much more relaxed, eager to smile. I’d even made her laugh.

  It was fucking perfect.

  Need you at the club. Bring your girl or lock her down somewhere.

  The text from Cole couldn’t have come at a worse time.

  Can it wait?

  My phone immediately began ringing in my hand, Cole’s name flashing on the screen.

  Shit.

  “Yeah?” I answered, standing up from the couch where Francesca and I had been watching a movie. I gestured to her that I’d just be a minute and moved into my bedroom.

  “This is Rossi shit, Mad.” Cole’s tone was tense. “Gunner and Cash spotted a couple of their men scoping the area. I think they assume she’s here. We need a plan for how we’re handling this, both for the next few days and long-term.”

  “Right,” I grunted. “Give me an hour. I need to talk to Francesca and get her sorted.” I was already thinking of where to take her. She wouldn’t like it but I sure as fuck wasn’t leaving her alone.

  “All right,” he agreed gruffly and clicked off. I’d known Cole my entire life. He was family. Family I respected the hell out of and trusted implicitly.

  I immediately fired off a text to my pop, formulating a plan.

  When I walked back into the living room, Francesca was watching me warily. “Everything okay?”

  I nodded, sitting down next to her and placing a hand on her thigh. When I was close to her, hell even in the same room, I wanted to touch her. I needed to. “That was Cole. I wouldn’t do this now but it’s important. I need to get to the club.” Her quiet intake of breath told me she knew what was coming next. “I can’t leave you here alone, baby. If I could, I would. But I can give you a choice. Do you want to come with me to the club? Or I can drop you off at my parents’ place. It’s just my parents and my sister there.”

  Her eyes were solemn as she looked at me. “This is about my uncle, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. No sense lying to her, even if I wanted to. Which I didn’t.