Madoc was leaning his head and body back in his ergonomic chair with his hands covering his face. He was in his intel room with Tuck and Charlie on the first floor. This is where all the large data systems and servers were stored. He had been expecting Tuck, but not Charlie – he was not happy she was here. She was a valued member of his team but she was young and spit fire from her very talkative mouth. At twenty-two she was the youngest on the team, and was one of the most important members. Charlie knew computers and the internet as if she had created it. She was also drop-dead gorgeous, looking more like an Amazonian Victoria’s Secret model than a hacker. She could hack into any agency, country or person’s system without them knowing. Not only was she frequently contacted by head hunters looking to draw her away from Madoc, but she also had several bounties on her head. She took it in stride though, and was one of the bravest people Madoc knew. She was the only one on the team that could be facing serious jail time or extradition if caught.
Tuck had shown up half an hour before two with her on his arm. Those two had a funny love/hate relationship that he couldn’t quite figure out. Tuck tended to treat Charlie like a younger sister, but would often back down from her quick temper. Charlie treated Tuck like a mangy dog that wanted belly rubs sometime. She was often socially affectionate but quick to attack when she felt disrespected.
Madoc leaned forward, placing his hands on the large wooden desk in front of him. “Okay, so you are both here. Why?” he asked.
“Here to support you man” Tuck chuckled and threw one of Madoc’s desk weights in the air, catching it before tossing it up again.
“You mean why am I here?” Charlie asked.
“Yes. I appreciate your support, but I only need Tuck for this visit and that is only for show. As you can both see, I am doing fine,” Madoc said, looking at both Charlie and Tuck. Madoc had exerted a great deal of effort today trying to make himself and his house look presentable. He was exhausted already and all he could think about was laying down and sipping an eighteen-year-old scotch before drifting off to sleep.
“You do look alright, polo shirt and joggers is a new look for you but you don’t smell and it looks like you at least attempted to do something with that beard.” Charlie looked at Tuck sideways when she said this and grinned. Tuck grinned back and carried the game a little longer. “Yeah, I mean I only smell a little urine in the hallway and Max seems to have only lost a few pounds – are you managing to feed him some garbage scraps every couple days?” Madoc covered his face again with his hands. So much for presenting a strong front today with Kathryn. Tuck and Charlie were going to sabotage any plans he had for taking back control of his life.
“Ok I see. Just so you know, when I’m better I’m going to kick the shit out of both of you – I don’t care if you are a woman or not Tuck, and Charlie you deserve what’s coming to you.” Tuck and Charlie both knew of Madoc’s proficiency in martial arts, so his threats did not fall on deaf ears.
Not only was he a walking weapon, but Madoc understood and played the game of espionage with ease. He understood who the players were, how the money flowed and what kind of leverage could exploit those in the major arenas of the drugs and sex trades; political terrorism; and government dictatorships. This was why he was the leader of the team.
“Ok we hear you loud and clear, don’t get all riled up. Your face looks really red,” Tuck said, smiling.
“Fuck off,” Madoc said through his hands. He looked up towards the screens as the visual alarm went off on his laptop. Kathryn was pulling onto the road approximately 1 kilometre from his house. He knew taping public roads was illegal, but what people didn’t know couldn’t hurt them, and it gave him the heads up he needed to prepare. “Now, you two better toe the line and shut the fuck up. This woman has the ability to make my life a living hell, and based upon our last visit she will have lots of questions for you two. You know the story, so just say something about how you are going to help me for the next couple months and check in every couple days and help with food, ok?” Madoc rose from his desk and moved towards the door. He swallowed hard, biting back unexplained nausea. Tuck smirked behind him.
Madoc moved down the hall, signaling for Tuck to close the door to the security room on his way out. He did not want Kathryn seeing that room, not ever. As he moved towards the front entrance, he heard her car door slam and waited for her to buzz the intercom and activate the hand print system. They heard a knocking at the door. Madoc knew the handprint system would have activated by now – why was she continuing to knock? Maybe she was dimmer than he thought.
“Mr. Pearson… Madoc, it is Kathryn Davis. I’m here for our appointment.” Madoc felt stupid walking up to the door without opening it, but he wanted her to use the security system he had put into place. “Ah, hi Kathryn, if you just put your hand on the screen beside the door it will scan your print and open up the door,” Madoc said.
“That’s not going to happen Madoc, you don’t get my handprint again. Please open the door and let me in so we can get started.” Tuck and Charlie both smirked at each other. Madoc turned back to them and gave them a death stare. He wondered whether this was a make or break moment in the power struggle. His strategizing political side knew the correct choice, but his ego and pride wanted the other.
Tuck and Charlie’s mouths both dropped as Madoc made his way on his crutches to the large wooden doors and unlocked several sliding bolts.
Madoc opened the door and looked at Kathryn with a firm stare. Kathryn stared back, giving away nothing. Madoc saw the challenge in her eyes and felt the stares of Tuck and Charlie at his back. He felt like he was in a pressure cooker. “Hello Kathryn,” he said, waving her in. As she walked into the entrance, Madoc did a double take. She looked completely different to the last time he’d saw her. Her tight black workout outfit covered her head to toe. Her ass looked spectacular in those pants and the teal shirt brought out her softly tanned skin tone. She was short too, much shorter than last time. He felt like a colossal ogre compared to her miniature frame. What she couldn’t know was his thing for braids – he loved women with braids and hers were long and softly woven to allow some pieces to escape. He could tell she had very little makeup on, and he caught the scent of citrus as she passed. He might not have noticed her on the street, but here in his space within a couple of feet of her, he was no longer feeling his ire but an overwhelming sense of awe. This was Kathryn, this was what she looked like when relaxed. He immediately wished Tuck and Charlie would disappear.
Chapter 10
Madoc had clearly been pissed off when he’d answered the door, but she hadn’t focused on that. She noticed that he looked better today and had changed outfits. He had a white casual polo on and long black joggers that covered his thick cast. He had somehow gotten a pair of black and red trainers on his feet and a red hoodie covered his shirt. His face looked groomed, but still rough – she liked it. He smelled amazing as she walked by, a stronger woodier smell than before. Kathryn immediately realized her and Madoc were not alone and was briefly disappointed. She mentally rebuked herself quickly, she had, after all, demanded that somebody else be here.
“Hi there, my name is Kathryn Davis, physiotherapist,” she said, holding out her hand first to the young woman and then to the Chris Hemsworth look-alike on her right. Both were gorgeous and were much taller than her, especially since she wasn’t wearing her heels. Madoc cleared his throat and came up from behind her. “This is Tuck, a friend of mine from University who lives nearby and his, ah, younger sister Charlie.” The woman spoke first; she seemed to have a slightly different accent than all of them.
“Heya, how are you? It’s nice to meet you Kathryn. Madoc has told us a little about you. If we can give you any advice, it would be to go hard on him. He’s a bit of a cry baby and tends to quit if things don’t go his way,” Charlie said with a shit-eating grin that she couldn’t hold in. Kathryn was happy to find that somebody in Madoc’s world had the guts to call him out. Tuck grinned
at Madoc.
“Now Charlie, go easy on him, the poor baby hasn’t had his snack yet today. He’s bound to be cranky.” Kathryn smiled at the two and turned to Madoc. She could sense the fury rolling off of him, though he maintained a straight face.
“Well I’m happy to hear somebody might be making Madoc a snack because I’m pretty sure he hasn’t been eating properly.” Kathryn was amused by them but felt it was time to take control of this interaction and make sure everybody knew who was running this show. “I suppose this is probably your first visit to Madoc since his hospital release?” Kathryn didn’t wait for an answer. “Somebody should have come by to see him, if not stayed with him during this first week until the proper therapists could be sent out. Madoc has been in real danger of hurting himself further and it is time for him and those who care about him to get serious about his treatment plan if they ever expect him to get well and return to his jet-setting lifestyle.”
Kathryn could tell this group of Vogue models didn’t know how to deal with being criticized by someone like her. Madoc turned to face Kathryn head on.
“Hold on Kathryn, it isn’t their fault. I didn’t expect to need any help – that was my mistake. We have a plan going forward… they have agreed to help me in the coming weeks. Tuck is going to drop in every couple of days to bring by some food that I can throw in the microwave and Charlie is going to help with laundry and cleaning on weekends.” Madoc did not break eye contact with Kathryn in case she sensed the lie.
“Screw that! Me do the laundry and cleaning? Why would I want to touch your nasty underwear or clean your bathroom? No, Tuck can do that and I will pick up your groceries,” Charlie blurted out. Madoc closed his eyes slowly as Kathryn smirked and turned towards Charlie. Kathryn had found her weak link and knew it – she lowered her bag.
“Charlie that absolutely makes sense, why would Madoc want Tuck’s younger sister who is obviously young and very attractive to see all of his dirty laundry? Furthermore, why would Tuck, your older and likely protective brother, want his younger sister being so close and involved with his good college buddy in his desperate time of need? Sounds like a recipe for disaster!” Kathryn said this last statement laughing, aiming the rhetorical question at Tuck to see if he would keep up the charade.
“No, no,” Charlie said, her face red, “I’ve known Madoc forever and it really isn’t that big of a deal that he asked me. I’m just always the one getting the crappy jobs!” Charlie looked to Tuck to support her further. Tuck looked at Kathryn – she could see the daring in his eye. She had stoked the fire alright.
“Kathryn you are perceptive – Madoc, Charlie and I only briefly talked about how to help him in the coming weeks. It seems he and I made some assumptions about Charlie’s willingness. You are right,” he said turning to Madoc, “I don’t want Charlie hanging out with you or doing your nasty laundry. You can hire someone to do that. I don’t know what I was thinking and thank god Kathryn is here to talk some sense into me.” Kathryn completely ignored Tuck and turned back to Charlie. She pulled out her smartphone. “Charlie, do you mind giving me your brother’s address? I think I’ll forward some handouts on certain exercises that will be helpful for him to have if he wants to spot Madoc while he’s in the gym.” Charlie looked somewhat stunned at the question. “Ah, ya… um, Tuck just moved there and I don’t really know the address… Tuck, what’s your address?” Tuck and Madoc both looked like deer in headlights.
“Okay since I’m dealing with the three stooges, here is how it is going to go. Madoc obviously called you guys in as reinforcements for his little charade here, but that ends today. I don’t care if you live by him or if you went to school with him, you are going to help in his recovery and get serious about being around during the next couple of weeks. I want both of you to come with us to the gym and, as I mention tasks he shouldn’t be doing, please offer a solution or your assistance before I assign it. Got it?” Kathryn looked directly at Tuck when she asked this, then turned to Madoc. “If this isn’t going to work for you Madoc- please end our contract now. Otherwise, can you show me the gym?” Madoc simply nodded, too shocked to speak, and took off towards the back of the staircase where several doors lined the hall. Kathryn followed briskly, while Tuck grinned wildly at Charlie. Charlie just giggled and followed everyone, encouraging Max to come along and protect them all from Kathryn.
Kathryn was quiet until they reached the large state-of-the art gym which was surrounded by bay windows looking out onto the fall foliage of the back yard. A treed lot with a babbling creek and waterfall hugged one side of the yard and led her eyes to a massive hoary maple towards the back. Its leaves verging on turning blood red. Kathryn could have gotten lost in the scene, but Max’s movement past her brought her back to reality. The gym was a massive space, mirrored along each wall and contained by a red-tread path. Newish black equipment was layered throughout the room with TV screens lining each wall. Kathryn was surprised they hadn’t turned on as soon as they’d walked in, but became suddenly aware of the music that had – Pearl Jam. Ok, she thought, he has taste at least. As Kathryn scanned the room, her vision rotated from pieces of equipment to the stabilizers she’d need for her assessment. Earlier that morning she had touched base with the orthopaedic surgeon and had gotten the go-ahead to try lite weight bearing depending upon his pain levels. She already knew that it might be harder than normal given his reluctance to admit any signs of vulnerability. “Ok, we’re going to do a range of exercises and tests. I will measure them and you give me a number out of ten for pain, ten being the worst pain you have ever felt and one being no pain at all. It’s important you are as honest as possible – pain doesn’t necessarily mean bad and I need to know your areas of strength and weakness to pick the right program for you.” Madoc nodded again. Nobody had said a word since they had entered the space. It was the first time since meeting Madoc she had truly felt comfortable in his space. “Ok Doc’ let’s do this.”
Chapter 11
Nobody had ever called him ‘Doc’, he wouldn’t have allowed it, but he liked it coming from her. He was impressed; she’d controlled the room with without saying a word. He could tell Tuck didn’t know how to manage her and was giving her space. Charlie was watching Kathryn like a hawk. Madoc smiled to himself – he was liking her dominance for some reason, and that typically wasn’t his style. He was usually turned on by non-committed, apathetic party-girl models who could handle one-night stands and quick departures. She was a woman you spent your life with. He liked the way Kathryn dominated not with anger but with assertiveness. She reminded him of a small but deadly puma, not as big as the other jungle cats but certainly as terrifying. The subtle urge to be around her, listen to her, and have her attention all at the same time flooded his senses.
Madoc complied with each of her tests, the last ones made him break out in a sweat. He was frustrated and in a lot of pain by the time they finished an hour later. Both Kathryn and he had taken off their sweaters midway through and were flush from activity. He had gone over to get her water from the fridge, but kept sneaking glances back. He couldn’t stop looking at her face, and was turned on by her confidence amongst his team. She was beautiful and strong… and completely out of the question.
“So, Madoc, I’ve got some good news and bad news. Good news is you can start to put some very lite weight down on the cast, but only enough to help with balance. It is important not to overdo it too quickly with that as it can lead to set backs. Bad news is your range of motion is worse than it should be, meaning you need to do daily stretching exercises here for at least thirty to forty-five minutes a day with a spotter – so one of these guys needs to be coming by each day since I can only come for two or three more visits before discharge. The person who is not coming daily should be bringing fresh groceries every two-three days. Fresh fruit, veggies and lots of protein… shakes are great. Tuck, please come every three or four days to help him with getting into the accessible shower downstairs for the next two weeks.”
Tuck looked out of the corner of his eye at Madoc. Madoc wanted to protest but was too exhausted to fight any longer.
“Ah, boss lady, I’m not sure Madoc really needs that, I mean it seems pretty safe in there.” Madoc appreciated Tuck trying to vouch for him and save him the humiliation, but he didn’t expect Kathryn to budge.
“Ok, you don’t have to go in there with him but you do have to make sure he is using the right bathroom for showers and gets out in one piece without any falls. I’ll leave it up to you two to figure out how to keep that cast dry.” Madoc looked at Tuck, who shrugged and smirked, turning to follow Kathryn out.
Chapter 12
Kathryn was wrapping things up by the entrance when Tuck and Charlie both received a phone call at the same time and took off. It was weird, but Kathryn figured maybe they were dating and just looking for an excuse to leave. “Ok Madoc, you did great today. I’ve got your email now, so I’m going to forward you the list of exercises I want you to do each day. I’ll send it by tonight. Don’t do anymore exercise than I’ve recommended. In your situation, more isn’t better.”
She had been impressed by Madoc today – he had handled a lot, especially with the audience. But he also seemed more authentic. Something told her she wouldn’t have any more problems with him. Madoc nodded. “Thank you, it was… it was better than I thought it would be. Sorry about those two, but they’re all I have at the moment.” Kathryn nodded without saying anything. “Ok, so you’ll email, and then when do we meet up again?”
Dangerous Care (Dangerous Care Saga #1) Page 4