by Dawn Ibanez
Madison smirked and tried to keep everything light. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you admitted it,” she countered. She sat up careful to keep her blankets around her. “Where’s the body?”
“Two blocks away from Haven.” Eric paused for a moment to allow the information to settle. “Dennis isn’t happy. This one had a necklace to identify her. She was his ward.”
Cinnamon colored eyes looked at the door. Troy was carrying a tray full of food and Kayin and Aiden were trailing close behind with their own plates. “Listen Eric, I get how bad this is. I don’t want you to think I’m blowing you off.”
“But you have Troy and the boys. I understand.”
That resigned sigh Eric gave did nothing angered her. “No, you don’t understand. I’m not saying no. I’m saying give me two fucking hours, asshole,” she snapped.
Kayin and Aiden looked at each other as they climbed up onto Madison’s bed. As soon as she tossed her phone to the mattress, they giggled. “Mommy said a bad word,” Kayin sang.
Madison couldn’t hold onto her anger as she looked at her boys. All three were covered in flour, and Kayin looked like he had a mustache of dried pancake batter. “And you boys won’t repeat it,” she said sternly. When they nodded she looked at what Troy was placing over her lap. “Couldn’t decide what to fix?” she asked playfully.
Troy sat next to her and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “We did decide. That’s why we have pancakes and waffles and bacon,” he answered with a chuckle. As he gazed into her eyes Troy could tell there was something wrong. “Is everything okay with your brother?”
She picked up a piece of bacon and ate it. She wasn’t sure how much he knew of Dennis’s pack, but she had to tell him. There were going to be too many variables in play. “Another body was found.” Her eyes turned to where the boys were paying attention to their food and none to what she and Troy were talking about. “This one was your father’s ward.”
Gold eyes slowly widened. He remembered Leigh talking about her baby sister. Megan had been a product of a vicious rape but Leigh’s family still adored the young woman. After Leigh’s parents died, Dennis stepped in and took the girls into his home. Leigh had become an excellent solider while Megan wanted to simply find a mate and start her own litter. Troy looked for his own cell phone. “I have to find Leigh,” he said absently.
Madison took another bite of food. She wouldn’t show how much his reaction bothered her. There were too many ways that could blow up in her face.
Troy looked at the woman sitting on the bed. He turned to her and took her hands into his own. “It really isn’t what you think.” As he stared at Madison’s puffed out cheeks, he could only smile. “And I’m not laughing at you,” he chuckled.
“Yes he is,” Aiden replied. When his parents looked at him he smiled. “And Auntie Leigh told us that she was going to be running around the woods. She might still be there.”
Trying not to choke on her food, Madison slowly took a sip of the orange juice on her tray. “You have another woman on my property?” she asked.
“Auntie Leigh isn’t another woman,” Kayin said around his pancakes. “She’s one of the guys! She even beat Uncle Donald in Modern Warfare! Mommy even you can’t do that.”
“I can’t wait to meet her,” Madison said sourly. Her eyes cut over to Troy. “How do you know her?”
Troy recognized the look in her eyes. Normally, it would turn him off from a woman, but there was something different with Madison. It could have been it was because she was his Mate, or it could be something as simple as the fact that she was hot as hell when she was jealous. He cleared his throat and easily took her knife hand in his. “Leigh was the guard Dennis sent with me to California.” He tightened his grip on her hand when it flinched. “We’re as close as you and Casper.”
Madison’s eyes narrowed. “Casper wanted me for his wife. So if you want this chick to keep breathing, I suggest you clarify.”
Kayin and Aiden cleaned up their trays and went to Madison’s side. “We’re gonna go play,” Kayin announced. When his mother looked at him, he kissed her cheek. “Play nice. Donald says that blood is a bear to clean out of the carpet.”
Both Madison and Troy could only blink as their three year old sons climbed off the bed and left the room calmly. It was as if they didn’t realize how close their mother was to stabbing their father. Troy couldn’t help it, he laughed. When Madison looked at him strangely, he laughed harder. “And I thought watching you and Victor was weird. That was just priceless,” he gasped. After a moment, Troy tried to sober. His laughter ending when he realized what Kayin just told his mother. “Why would this Donald have to clean up blood? And why would he tell them it stains the carpets?”
Madison shook her head as a smile crossed her face. “They’re boys. There are times when they don’t agree with each other or with Alex. When they start to fight Donald usually pulls them apart.” She pulled her hand away from Troy’s and went back to her pancakes. “Then he reminds the boys about how much work they’ll leave for him if they continue to be little heathens.” She slowly chewed her pancakes and watched Troy as his gaze started to wander around the room. “You still haven’t explained about Leigh.”
He was going to come clean. It wouldn’t be cool for his Mate to kill his best friend. “What I meant was, she’s my best friend,” he said seriously. When Madison’s eyes rolled he continued. “Leigh went with me to California and stayed with me while I was out there. She also explained a lot of what being a Werewolf was.” Troy couldn’t help but notice the way Madison’s lips pressed together. He leaned forward and nipped at her lips. “Don’t be like that. She knew we were Mated.”
“So why is it so pressing that you call her?” Madison challenged. She was trying to keep her emotions under control. She didn’t like feeling jealous.
“Because if that body was Dennis’s ward, then that means it was her sister.”
Madison looked at Troy with wide eyes. The serious expression he wore tore at her. “I’m sorry. Go find her, please. I’m just being a bitch.”
He leaned forward and kissed her again. “You’re being a Mated woman,” he whispered. “Get dressed. I’ll take you to Haven after I find Leigh.”
Chapter 16-
Troy hadn’t found Leigh. After following her scent to the perimeter, he discovered that she had left with Dennis. While he was irked with her leaving, he understood it. If someone told him either of his sisters needed him, nothing would stop him from leaving.
Madison parked her car in front on a simple nondescript alley and spotted Dennis. The Alpha was furious as he paced along the sidewalk. When his angered gaze focused on her, he started to growl. A soft breath left her as Troy also started to growl at the threat to his Mate. “He’s grieving,” she said as she turned off the ignition. “He treated her like a daughter.”
That was a fact Troy didn’t want to look at too closely. His golden eyes were fierce as he looked into her eyes. “He doesn’t need to take it out on you,” he argued.
And there it was. His protective instincts, his humor, his way with the boys, the way he just wouldn’t see her in a bad light. It all pointed to one thing….He was in love with Madison.
And Madison loved him for it.
Without a word, she leaned forward and kissed him. She was thankful Werewolves couldn’t read minds. There were still some things she wanted to keep to herself. When she pulled away from him, she caressed his cheek. “I got this,” she said softly. “You go find your friend and comfort her. If she needs a place to crash, she can stay at the house.”
Troy ran his fingers through her hair. “Thank you,” he whispered as Madison turned to get out of the car. As he followed suit, Troy spotted Leigh at the entrance to the alley. “Leigh.” When she turned to him, he simply opened his arms.
Madison went over to Dennis, completely ignoring the raven haired beauty running to Troy’s arms. “Eric told me it’s Megan,” she said conversationally.<
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“I want whoever did this,” Dennis growled.
Madison stepped past Dennis and saw where the body laid. Her heart tightened when she saw a young man that had become familiar in her home the past few months. “Brian,” she said tenderly.
Wet brown eyes looked at her. Brian was the young wolf Claude left to train the boys. He was also becoming one of Alex’s best friends. “She heard I had slept with Silvia McCoy. I tried telling her that it happened a long time ago.” Brian sobbed harder as he touched Megan’s hair.
“Come here, Pup,” Madison sighed. When Brian made no move towards her, Madison went to his side. “I’ll find out who did this,” she said before hugging him, “but I need you to leave. You don’t need to see her like this.”
“Come on, Pup,” Dennis said harshly. “Let the Necromancer do her job. And you need to explain exactly what you and Megan fought about.”
Brian stood and shuffled down the alley to Dennis, leaving Madison with the dry husk of Megan’s body. Madison knelt beside the corpse and called her Magic to her. After a moment Madison placed a hand on Megan’s forehead. “Wake up Megan. Tell me who did this.”
Vacant blue eyes opened. “He said his name was Cord,” Megan answered. “He was in the club.”
“Was Cord another Wolf? Or maybe he was a Mage?”
“I don’t think so. I mean, he wasn’t a Wolf and I’m not sure about the Mage thing.” Her eyes tried to look around but couldn’t. “Can Mages make you want them?”
Madison frowned. “You mean sexually?” she asked. When Megan nodded, she shook her head. “There are some that can plant the suggestion, but to make it so strong that you actually act on it? No, that’s not possible.” Madison looked at Megan and saw the confusion and regret on the young woman’s face. “What happened with you and Cord?” she asked again.
“I had fought with Brian. I went to the club to think. Usually I talk with Daddy, but he had to run last night. Cord bought me a drink. Then he asked me to dance. At first I kept saying no, but he kept touching me.” Megan’s eyes grew panicked. “You have to understand, I’m not a slut. I don’t care what anyone says. I wanted a Mate. He just kept touching me. After a while, I didn’t want him to stop.”
“I understand,” Madison said calmly. “You were a victim, and I won’t let anyone blame you.” She moved her hand to cover Megan’s eyes. “Is there anything you want me to tell your family?”
“Tell them I’m sorry. And I love them.” Megan’s gnarled hand grabbed Madison’s wrist. “And please, please tell Brian I don’t blame him. I love him and I wanted to be his Mate. I was just stupid. It’s not his fault. Make him understand that.”
Madison looked at the entrance to the alley and saw Dennis holding Brian. The younger wolf had fallen to his knees as he listened to Megan. Madison looked at the heartbroken corpse again and took a slow breath. “I promise, he won’t blame himself,” she said softly. Her eyes were full of tears as she pulled her magic away from Megan. It wasn’t often that a death affected her. This young woman hadn’t had a chance to live.
Dennis walked over to Madison and helped her to her feet. “You will want to see the club tapes from last night, correct?” He frowned when she stumbled for a moment. “I’ll have Troy drive you over and we can all view them together.”
Part of Madison wanted to object to having Dennis try to take over the investigation. His overbearing nature was part of who he was. Add that to his relationship with Megan, Madison would have to count herself lucky that he didn’t just take the information on the tapes and run. “I want to discuss what you’re going to do with her body, and with Brian.”
Dennis paused for only a fraction of a moment. “I’ll talk with her sister. By rights she should be placed with her parents. But I want her close. I could put her with my family.” He kept his arm around Madison as he walked her to her car. He easily opened the passenger side and helped her into it. “As for Brian, I may send him with Claudia to Germany. If he wants. Or he could stay on with the twins. I will leave the choice to him.”
Troy came over to where Madison and Dennis were and frowned at how weak his Mate was. “Are you alright?” he asked.
As Madison nodded, Dennis shook his head. “Can you please take her to my club?” he asked. It didn’t surprise him when Troy reached into Madison’s coat pocket and took out her keys. Dennis then looked over Troy’s shoulder and saw Leigh trying to hold herself together. “Is Leigh staying with you as well?” he asked. “I want to ask if she wanted Megan here with us or in Richmond with her parents.”
Leigh wiped at her eyes and looked at Dennis. “I want her here,” she answered before running her fingers through her hair. “Mom and Dad are family but she was raised here with the pack.” Tears filled her eyes again. “I don’t know if I can afford a plot.”
Dennis and Madison both looked at her. “Don’t worry about that,” they said in unison. Dennis looked at Madison for a moment before nodding at her. “Thank you Madison, but as Alpha, I will handle everything with Megan’s service.”
Madison nodded as she turned to Leigh. “I don’t know if Troy told you, but you’re more than welcome to stay at my place. It could be for as long as you need.” She reached out and touched Leigh’s hand. When the female Werewolf gripped her hand as well, Madison nodded. “The boys would love to have you, and I’m sure Troy wouldn’t want you to be alone. I’ve only met your sister in passing but you’re Pack. We won’t leave you.”
Dennis looked at Madison with widened eyes. He was used to the bratty woman that respected no one, save Victor. He had forgotten she could also charm the pants off of many of the other Nobles of the Supernatural world. He gently touched her shoulder and squeezed it. “Again, thank you,” he said roughly. He turned to the car approaching and felt another growl rising in this throat. When he saw the driver, he closed the door and looked at Troy. “Take them to the club. Have Remy pull up all of the footage from last night. Make sure he knows how important it is.”
Troy looked at the other car as well and frowned. “I smell Madison’s Magic.”
“It’s another Necromancer,” Dennis answered. “I’ll handle him. You get her to the club.”
Madison opened the door and stood. She made a show of sticking a piece of candy in her mouth and looked at the pair in front of her. “I hope you two realize that I know who that is.” She then turned her attention to Dennis. “And you are going to do exactly what I say, or this whole investigation is going to be screwed for Megan.”
Dennis looked at the tall man that stepped out of the car. He had seen Ashton plenty of times, however, when everything was said and done, he would rather deal with Madison. As crazy as she was, she always played fair. “What do you want me to do?”
Madison looked at Ashton and inhaled when he smiled at her. “Too late,” she mumbled. She then stepped away from Troy and Dennis and painted a smile on her face. “I didn’t know you were back in town.”
Ashton looked her over. “Madi, it’s so nice to see you again,” he said smoothly. “You haven’t changed since the last time I saw you.”
She wouldn’t let him get to her. Ashton had a way of making you want to throw yourself at his feet or off a bridge. Madison embarrassed herself once before, and she would be damned if she would ever put herself in that position again. “Oh, you don’t have to lie to me, Ashton. I know you can’t stand the sight of me. Afraid of a little old me?”
His eyes rolled. “Please. You have to be of substance to be a threat,” he said easily. “Now that I have returned to the Council, you can stay on your hiatus. How are your children? I heard they were puppies.”
Madison snorted as she tucked her hair behind her ears. “My boys are fine. Yes, their father is a Werewolf. I don’t know if you were brought up to date on all of the gossip, but my Mate is the heir to the East Coast Pack.”
“Yes, I did hear someone mention that. You know how Wolves are. They are a dog eat dog society. I wouldn’t be too surprised if you and
your Mate are overthrown.” Ashton turned his eyes to where Dennis and Troy were standing and smirked, knowing that they could hear every word of the exchange. “He looks rather scrappy to me.”
Madison laughed. When she saw the insulted look Ashton wore, she laughed even harder. “You have been out of play for way too long, Ash,” she said making sure to use the name she called him all of those years ago. “You always forget that it’s the scrappy ones you have to watch.” She stepped closer to him and allowed her Magic to run free. “The scrappy ones get down and dirty. And it’s the scrappy ones that know the value of kicking where it hurts, even when you’re down.”
Ashton looked into her eyes, his own flashing red for a moment. “Even after all of these years you still hate being scrappy. How pathetic,” he whispered darkly. When she continued to smile at him, he inhaled. “When Pan decided to give you to the Vampires. A few of them thought you were nothing more than a spoiled little throw away. Your parents didn’t want you, Pan couldn’t control you, so they took in the little lost child. Did you ever fill in the gap of the princess they lost? Or were her shoes too big to fill?” he asked.
Madison chuckled. “I carved my own place,” she said simply. “Did you ever get over your mommy and daddy issues?” she asked blinking her eyes innocently.
“Why are you here Madison?” he asked.
“Dennis and Eric asked me to look at the body. It’s a Council case, and it’s on Dennis’s property. The victim is also his ward. The Council will have to turn this over to Dennis and his people if he orders it.”
“And if Madison is removed from this investigation, I will demand that it be given to my people,” Dennis added from the car.
Ashton glanced at Madison and nodded. “It seems we’re at check,” he said lowly.
She allowed all pretenses to fall. Madison stared at Ashton for a moment before answering him. “This isn’t a game. After everything you’ve done, if you think you can stand here and act like nothing ever happened, you’re out of your mind.” She was about to turn back to Troy and Dennis when she paused. “Just so you know, Troy and I may be scrappy but we can still fuck up the big dogs.” Her powers fluxed around her in answer to Ashton’s. “So let’s be clear on this. I won’t have you coming back to the East Coast and trying to play Prodigal Son. Get out of my town before you get thrown out.”