Madison's Life Lessons

by Gracen Miller

  “Let her go, Bruce.” Momma surprised her with her no-nonsense tone. Daddy never gainsaid that voice.

  “May God have mercy on your soul,” he whispered low, his eyes a flash of fury. “I’ll pray for you tonight, daughter. Pray He forgives your impudence.”

  “Don’t bother. I don’t want his mercy or his forgiveness. He should be asking me to forgive him for judging me so harshly.”

  “God forgive her, she doesn’t mean those words,” Daddy whispered.

  Madison smirked. “You keep believing that.” Holding her head high, she walked out of the kitchen. Her audacity surprised her, but having Micah in her corner seemed to give her newfound fortitude.

  Life Lesson Twenty

  Elias tossed back a shot of Scotch and slid a snifter of the spirits across the conference room table to Micah. “When am I going to officially meet the hottie that’s got you so worked up?”

  Micah white-knuckled his glass, and resisted the temptation to brain his brother with it. “Don’t refer to her so derogatorily.”

  “Look…” His brother tugged a chair away from the table and sat, placing the liquor decanter in front of him. He dropped his feet on the table and crossed them at the ankles. “The only individual I’ve ever seen get you this worked up is dear ole’ dad. And we know how that ended.”

  He shrugged. That comment didn’t deserve a response. He’d finish fucking dear ole’ dad up with Madison’s help. It was just a matter of time.

  “I repeat, when do I get to meet the princess?” his brother persisted.

  Micah smiled as he swirled the liquor in his glass. Madison was his princess and he adored the analogy, even though his brother said it in a deprecating way. “I cannot push her too hard.”

  Elias grunted and poured another drink. “She shouldn’t have been left in Celeste’s care, not to mention that uptight Christian fucker you chose as her father.” He set the decanter aside. “I would enjoy coercing him into renouncing Father.”

  “Everyone renounces given enough persuasion.” Except for Job. He’d remained true—the bastard—but at least they’d had the pleasure of taking everything from him in the lesson. Of course the Bible got that episode wrong, one of many. It was Father who wanted to test Job, came to them with the proposition, not the other way around.

  Micah sipped his Scotch, enjoying the burn of the high-priced liquor all the way to his stomach. As for Madison…the Azura stones were murky, but he followed the sketchy prophecies the best he could.

  If he pushed too hard, he’d lose all the ground he’d made. Of all his Genesis children, he favored Madison. He felt connected to her in some primal, very physical way that he couldn’t explain. None of the others had ever affected him as Madison had, not even as kids. Of course, none had ever been as naughty as she had as a youngster either. Ah…those were the days, ones to remember. With the other Genesis children deemed total flops, and all of them already put down, all his success lay with Madison. Now that his plans were coming together in such a nice cohesive pattern, he wouldn’t endanger it with impatience.

  Micah emptied his glass in one swallow. “I know what I’m doing, Elias.” I hope. “She’ll come around.” Failure wasn’t an option. Too much time had been invested in his agenda. “None can resist my appeal. That includes Madison.” Being kindred spirits would assist his aim.

  Elias laughed and dashed more liquor into Micah’s glass. He held up his goblet and said, “A toast to your grand design, Micah. May all your dreams come true. How I will enjoy watching Father’s face when you fuck up his world.”

  Micah grinned and toasted to a future without Father’s interference.

  Life Lesson Twenty-One

  Madison came downstairs the next morning to the sound of voices elevated in quarrel. Her parents rarely argued, so this was a novelty.

  “I did not sleep with that woman, Celeste.” Daddy sounded irritated.

  Madison froze at the kitchen door. It was wrong to eavesdrop, but this sounded too good to ignore. Never one to get caught up in gossip, this was different…especially since it involved Momma and Daddy….

  “Someone should tell that woman because she’s convinced she slept with you.” The rustle of the newspaper as if one of them shook it at the other. “It’s all in here. Including the mole on your butt. Seems pretty obvious she knows what she’s talking about. The good Lord knows you’ve had ample opportunity to screw her.”

  Daddy had a mole on his butt? TMI! And ewwwww. She shuddered at the completely unwanted and creepily intimate mental image running through her head.

  “I don’t know how she knows about that.” She could picture her daddy’s face turning ruddy. That’s what it did when he was agitated and he sounded very troubled.

  “I can’t believe you’d embarrass our family this way, Bruce.”

  Oh, Lord, Momma was laying it on thick. She had been getting it on with two deacons and yet had the nerve to chastise Daddy over one woman? Dear God, her family was screwed up! No wonder they thought she was a sinner when they both were the biggest sinners of all.

  “I swear to my all-knowing, righteous Father I did not sleep with her.” Call her crazy, but she believed him.

  “I don’t believe you. Not until Miranda tells me that with her own lying tongue.”

  Miranda was Daddy’s secretary. Oh, this was juicy. A scandal would create an investigation from the Baptist association. Her family tended to keep their life private. If this leaked out, it would cause a small town furor. Daddy would have trouble going out in public with this hanging over his head.

  “Miranda’s going through a difficult divorce. People know me and will assume her husband is responsible for the unfounded rumor.”

  She quietly snorted. Keep dreaming, Daddy. This couldn’t get much worse for him and, mean as it made her feel, she enjoyed watching him squirm in her mind’s eye.

  “Don’t be too high and mighty, Bruce. This small town is always looking for easy gossip and you just handed it to them. A well-known preacher cutting out on his wife is a scandal that’ll haunt your career. You better nip this in the bud now! Call a press conference and set the town straight.”

  Calling a press conference was more likely to keep the scandal stirred up, but no one asked her.

  Madison jerked with sharp squeal when the doorbell rang. She took off with a yell. “I got it!”

  Men in blue greeted her. The one who spoke was Deacon Maxwell, one of the men she’d caught Momma with. “Morning, Madison. Is your daddy home?”

  Goodness! What nerve to come calling at their door after what he did with Momma. And to look Daddy in the eye afterward? She didn’t know how he dared.

  The other officer, Sims, gave a ‘this is official business’ nod. Both wore grim expressions. Something probably happened to one of Daddy’s parishioners. That was the only time officers were ever presented on their doorstep.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll get him.” Madison walked quickly to the kitchen. Daddy looked at her over the rim of his cup when she entered. “Officers are here to see you.”

  He sighed. “Looks like today’s going to be one of those days.”

  Momma had been near the refrigerator and was out the door greeting the police before Daddy could shuffle out of his seat good. As she followed him down the hall, Momma obviously invited the men in because they’d adjourned to the den. Momma offered them coffee as she and Daddy joined them.

  “It’s not one those types of visits, Celeste.” Deacon Maxwell twisted his hat in his hands. Madison guessed it wasn’t everyday he visited his lover’s house.

  “What’s wrong?” Daddy swigged the remainder if his O.J. and placed the glass on the coffee table. “Is a parishioner injured? Just let me grab my bible and keys.”

  Daddy started to turn away.

  “You won’t be needing those, Brother Wescott.” Poised in a half-turn Daddy looked at Officer Sims. Madison held her breath waiting for more information to follow. “You’re under arrest for the rape of a mino
r.”

  Madison gasped and threw her palm over her mouth.

  “Oh, Satan’s minions!” Momma slumped into a nearby chair as the officer withdrew handcuffs. “He said....” she dropped her hands in her face and anything else she might’ve said was smothered behind her palms.

  “That’s ridiculous! I haven’t raped anyone. I’m a preacher, I wouldn’t do such a horrible thing.”

  “You have the right to remain silent....”

  “You both know me. You know I wouldn’t do this. I have an underage daughter…I know how precious chastity is. I would—”

  “Bruce,” Momma interrupted quietly, a glint in her blue eyes and her shoulders rigid. “I think you should shut up. I’ll call, Micah Dominus.” Madison’s gaze zip-lined to her mother. Micah had told her none of his clients were innocent. Momma went on as if she didn’t notice Madison’s reaction. “He will resolve this obvious slur against your good name.”

  “You don’t need those handcuffs. I’m not exactly resisting arrest.” Daddy’s hands shook.

  “I’m sorry, sir, it’s protocol.” Officer Sims didn’t look sorry.

  Deacon Maxwell smoothed a finger around the inside his stiff shirt’s collar. Too tight or feeling guilty?

  The Deacon snapped a metal cuff on a wrist and Daddy blanched as he was turned. The second manacle clicked into place, binding his hands together behind his back.

  “I’ll have you out of jail in no time, sweetheart.” Momma rose to her feet regally, her hands clasped together in prayer-like fashion between her breasts. “And I’ll see that justice is served on all guilty parties.”

  “Are you threatening us, Mrs. Wescott?” Officer Sims got in her face.

  Madison held her breath, unsure of what would happen if both her parents went to jail.

  Momma laughed and sent Sims a sassy stare. “Don’t be silly, I never make threats. They’re beneath me.”

  Something in her gaze said she didn’t have to make threats when she could back up a promise.

  The officer nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response. “It’ll take a couple of hours to process him. Your lawyer will know what to do.”

  They walked Daddy out in cuffs and a handful of neighbors gawked, the cruiser’s red and blue lights the most likely culprit in bringing the rubberneckers out of their early morning beds.

  Momma turned and slammed the door. “Bastard!” Madison’s eyes widened at the curse. Momma never cursed. “This will be all over town in an hour.”

  With no idea of what to say she held her tongue.

  Momma raked her gaze over her. “Your father is innocent.”

  “I know.” Strangely she didn’t care either way. That couldn’t be a good sign. A good girl would definitely care.

  “Did you get an earful of our conversation in the kitchen?”

  Madison shook her head and swallowed hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Jesus, you suck at lying. Damn shame.”

  That was something Momma definitely knew a lot about, and should consider herself an expert on.

  “No worry, Madison. If you think the kids will bother you at school skip today. No point in us all suffering.”

  The other kids would need to acknowledge her first. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to go get breakfast before I leave.”

  “Madison?”

  At the kitchen door she turned at the sound of her name.

  “I won’t apologize for what you saw the other day. Deal with it.” Momma huffed and went on. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand a woman’s needs yet. When you’re married you’ll understand why I did the things I have.”

  God, she hoped to never understand. She’d do whatever necessary to never become like Momma.

  Life Lesson Twenty-Two

  Celeste barged unannounced into Micah’s office. The door slammed against the wall and shimmied. He’d expected her an hour ago.

  His assistant, Nicole, made an attempt to peek over Celeste’s shoulder, but she got rewarded with a body slam against the door. Volatile women displeased him and her capricious behavior…is pissing me the fuck off!

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Dominus!” Nicole squeaked out beneath Celeste’s forearm to her throat. “I tried to stop her.”

  He thought Celeste sneered at her, but couldn’t be certain from his perspective.

  “It’s satisfactory.” Micah twirled his pen at them. “Release her, Celeste.” At his order, she shot him a quick glare over her shoulder. His teeth clenched. “Now!”

  Or by all of hell’s minions, I’ll feast upon her…With a huff, Celeste jerked away from his assistant. Smart move.

  “Nicole, shut the door on your way out, route my calls to the answering agency and depart.” He predicted the atmosphere was about to get violent. No reason for Nicole to be privy to any potential unfortunate incident.

  Nicole glanced at her watch and frowned. “But it’s only nine a.m. Much too early for lunch and we have a million motions due today, not to mention trial prep.”

  “Take off the rest of the day. Go to the spa, treat yourself on me.” Just leave.

  “But we have trial tomorrow and we need to go over the depositions.”

  He’d memorized the depositions. Trial prep was simply a formality.

  He held her gaze, as he spoke quietly, but with authority, “Nicole.” She lowered her eyes immediately. Submissive, the way he preferred all women.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll see you in the morning and…thanks.”

  He grinned a welcome and watched Nicole exit quietly, shutting the door with a soft snick. Celeste snorted her disgust and stomped across his office, anger blazing from her face.

  “A sexual scandal, Micah?” Using her forearm, she swiped everything off his desk in one sweep. “A sexual scandal!”

  Micah elevated his eyebrows, surprised the windows didn’t crack from her shriek.

  “You forget your place, woman,” Elias remarked stoically from the bar.

  Celeste jerked around to face him and her shoulders went brittle stiff. Micah could imagine her surprise at seeing his brother. He rarely ventured away from home.

  “Calling in reinforcements, Micah?” Her question a sneer at his strength, and the tone filled with disrespect.

  He didn’t need reinforcements and they both knew it. Neither would he allow her to bait him, so he simply stared at her.

  His brother swirled the amber liquor in his glass. “Proceed with caution, Celeste.” She should consider herself lucky because Elias never offered up threats. Typically, his victim received the warning as he delivered justice.

  “I forewarned you.” More than she deserved. Micah plopped his feet on his desk.

  She whipped back around. “You’re angry with us for some perceived injury we’ve caused Madison and—”

  “Perceived?” His temper sparked hotter than the flames of Hell yet surprisingly didn’t ignite a very tangible fire in the room. He knew his anger showed as she took a step backward. And collided into Elias who’d moved in silently behind her. He steadied her with a hand on her shoulder. She blanched at his touch.

  “There was no perceived injury, but a very real one.” His voice darkened. “Madison had been distraught. Crying. So hard she sobbed.” Goddamn it! He’d thought something endangered Madison’s life when she called him from the pay phone bawling. He would’ve killed Celeste if he hadn’t possessed the tenacity to reign in his rage. Just thinking about Madison’s behavior had him struggling to hold it together all over again. “If I touch you right now, I’ll be tempted to kill you. At the very least, maim you.” He met his brother’s cool gaze over her shoulder. “Elias, hurt her for me.”

  She got out, “Wait!” before Elias clamped his hand over her mouth.

  Micah held up his hand. “Let’s hear what she has to say first.”

  “You sure, Brother? Her screams might appease your anger.”

  “Allow her to speak.”

  “Oh, very well.” A reluctant frown f
littered across Elias’s brow before he lowered his hand to Celeste’s throat.

  “Your actions have harmed her as well. That’s her father you’ve scandalized in the community.” Desperate to blame others for her guilt? He pitied her. She went on. “How do you think the kids at school will treat her?”

  Micah bet his heritage Madison cared little about this incident. “Her schoolmates are of no consequence. They fail to appreciate her magnificence as it is.”

  “They’ll make fun of her! Tease her about her Christian father being a pedophile…an adulterer.”

  “You would have us believe you care about Madison after the way you’ve conducted yourself?” Elias ran his mouth along her neck. Trembling, Celeste’s eyes closed. “The way you’ve allowed her to be ridiculed by your mockery of a husband?” His fingers noticeably tightened on her throat and relaxed.

  Entertained by his brother’s terror tactics, and amused by her very evident fear, he taunted with, “Present me one reason why I shouldn’t give you to Elias?”

  His brother’s eyes glowed at the idea. Bottom lip quivering, her eyelids snapped open.

  “I will do anything you want, Micah, just do not—”

  Elias bit her earlobe and she elicited a tiny squeal. Being his brother’s live entertainment would be a miserable existence.

  “You’ve abused my future wife and yet you expect mercy from me.” Sarcasm darkened his voice. “The paradox I find myself in.”

  “Not,” his brother whispered into her ear. Celeste attempted to strain away, but he detained her with ease.

  “You’ve got one chance to redeem yourself.”

  “Anything.”

  Elias sulked silkily, “But I wanted to coax screams from her.”

  Having firsthand knowledge of his brother’s torture tactics, Celeste grimaced. “What do you wish from me, Micah?”

  He held her gaze, allowing a slow smirk to touch his expression. “That’s for you to determine, Celeste.”

  I will not hand feed you atonement, you must earn it.

  An amused chuckle emerged from his brother. He released Celeste and walked around to face her, perching on the edge of Micah’s desk. Elias toasted her with his goblet. “I’ll enjoy watching you attempt to earn redemption, but I’ll relish plucking scream after scream from you.”