The Diehard Warrior

by Youngblood, Jennifer

“Well, somebody should’ve called me,” Addie grumbled, smarting from the sting of being left out. She was sure she was overly sensitive because her nerves were shot, but still. Someone should’ve thought to call her. “Can I see them?”

  “You bet. They may be asleep, but you can at least see them.”

  “How much did Hope weigh?” Maddox asked, ingratiating himself into the conversation.

  “Three pounds and eleven ounces.”

  Apprehension sliced through Addie. “That’s tiny. Is she okay?”

  “She’ll have to stay in the NICU for a few weeks, which is to be expected. All in all, Hope is doing great. She’s a fighter,” Pops finished, pride shining in his eyes.

  “I’m so glad,” Addie breathed in relief.

  “Before we go into the room, I want to hear how everything’s going.” Concern sounded in Pops’ voice as he gave Addie a probing look. “How ya holding up?”

  She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat as she faked a smile. “I’m surviving.”

  “I’m so sorry about Jordan.” Pops shook his head, remorsefully. “I just can’t believe someone would kill him.”

  “Me neither,” she said softly. Silence settled between them. Addie glanced at Maddox whose expression was unreadable. She hated the emotions warring inside her. She loved him, no doubt about that. She wanted Maddox in her life. She’d been miserable without him. Why couldn’t she come to terms with the danger of his profession? It was the dark cloud forever looming over them. She was glad the ordeal with PZT was over, but that meant she would no longer need Maddox’s protection. Her heart hurt just thinking about it. How was she going to manage without him?

  “How’s Piper doing?” Pops gave Addie a probing look.

  She let out a long breath. “Not good. Did Corbin tell you about the hard drive that got stolen?”

  Pops nodded, his lips forming a grim line. “Yes, by a masked man with a gun.” His expression was one of shock and disbelief as he continued. “Was the drive recovered?”

  A glum feeling settled over Addie as she looked at Maddox who spoke for them both. “Not yet, unfortunately.”

  “Do you think the CEO of the other medical company—” Pops scratched his head “—What was the name of it?”

  “Barrett,” Addie supplied.

  “That’s right.” Pops held up a finger like the answer had just come to him. “Is the CEO of Barrett Medical the one behind it?”

  Maddox spread his hands. “It’s looking that way.”

  Pops tipped his head sideways, looking thoughtful. “You don’t sound convinced.”

  “Brent Barrett was arrested today. He’ll be …” he swallowed “… questioned. Hopefully, we’ll get some answers.”

  Addie could tell Maddox was tip-toeing around the subject. She looked him in the eye. “You mean interrogated.”

  He didn’t flinch. “Yes.”

  The air between them grew thick enough to cut.

  Pop chuckled. “Trouble in paradise,” he said dryly.

  The words flew at Addie like a match igniting brittle straw. “Pops, how many times do I have to tell you?” she exploded. “Maddox and I aren’t a couple!”

  “You made that very clear a few hours ago,” Maddox said, his eyes turning to balls of ice.

  Her voice rose. “Do we have to do this now? At the hospital?”

  Maddox shook his head, his voice going flat. “Nope. We don’t.” He shot her a withering look. “In fact, we don’t have to ever discuss it again.” He stood.

  Panic fluttered like a trapped butterfly against Addie’s ribs. “Where are you going?”

  “To get some air,” he barked, striding away.

  Addie growled, balling her fists. “He drives me crazy!” she lamented. Her eyes bugged when she saw the amused grin on Pops’ face. “You think this is funny?” Heat blazed over Addie to the point that she thought she might burst into flames. “You know what? I’m done talking about this!” She moved to stand, but Pops caught hold of her arm.

  “Sit down,” he ordered.

  She jerked. “What?” Her hair slung back. “I’m not ten.”

  His eyebrows raised, wrinkling his forehead. “Oh, really? Then stop acting like it. Sit down,” he instructed in a tone Addie recognized well—his fatherly tone that told her she was about to get a lecture.

  “Fine,” she huffed, her brows furrowing.

  Pops laughed under his breath as he assessed her with perceptive eagle eyes.

  “What?” She pushed her hair out of her face. Yes, she felt like a moron for losing her temper. The truth was, she was a wreck—so confused she didn’t know which way was up. Traitorous tears misted her eyes, but she dried them instantly as she gulped in a breath, holding her hands tightly in her lap.

  Pops touched her hair. “Remember when Lou Ella and I went out of town for a weekend getaway? You were so upset that we left you and Corbin with a sitter.”

  She remembered it well. It had only been a year after her parents had been killed. She had an intense fear, that if Pops and Gram left, something terrible would happen to them too. “Yeah,” she said warily when she realized he was awaiting her response. Where was this going?

  He chuckled, remembering. “We were halfway to Jackson Hole, Wyoming when we got a call from Mary Bellamy. The poor woman was beside herself, telling us how you were sitting in her front yard under a tree in the same spot you were when we dropped you off, refusing to come in.” He shook his head. “You turned down all water and food she offered you.”

  “I remember,” she countered.

  “We turned around and came home.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I know. I told you a gazillion times how sorry I was that I ruined your trip. Geez. I was a kid. Can we let it go already?”

  He laughed, holding up a wrinkled hand. “I hold no grudge whatsoever. The only reason I’m bringing it up is because I’m looking at you right now, and I see that same stubborn girl who will hold her ground even if it hurts her to do so.” He gave her a look of reproof. “Mary was a nice woman. She would’ve taken good care of you had you given her a chance and not been so determined to prove your point. You love Maddox, and he loves you. Quit being so stubborn and give him a chance.”

  She felt like her head would break into pieces. “You don’t get it, Pops. It’s not about my stubbornness, it’s about my—” fear, she was about to say, then stopped herself. It wasn’t stubbornness that kept her out under that tree all day, but fear. Her heart began to pound. Fear kept her and Maddox apart. She was afraid of losing him like she’d lost her parents. She was afraid of being left behind when he went on his jobs. She was afraid of giving her heart to him, not knowing how she’d survive if anything happened to him. When she thought he was dead, it had nearly been her undoing. How could she live 24/7 with that possibility hanging over her head?

  “It’s about your what?” Pops prodded.

  “Never mind.” She bit down on her lower lip, standing. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Can we just go and see Corbin, Delaney, and the baby now?”

  He gave her a long look as he stood, his eyes tinged with pity. “All right.”

  * * *

  Addie’s first thought when she entered the room was that Corbin and Delaney looked exhausted. “Hey,” she said going to Corbin first and giving him a hug.

  “Hey, sis. I’m glad you made it.”

  His eyes were bloodshot, a layer of stubble across his jaw. He looked past her. “Where’s Maddox?”

  “Getting some air.” The bite in her voice came out stronger than she intended. Corbin glanced at Delaney, a look passing between them.

  “What?” Addie asked, eyes narrowing.

  “Nothing.” Corbin pushed a hand through his hair.

  Addie approached Delaney’s bedside and leaned over, giving her a tight hug. Delaney’s normally shiny, blonde tresses looked dull and stringy. She had on no makeup, her face pale. Still, she was beautiful. “How are you doing?”

  D
elaney offered a weak smile. “Good.” A sparkle lit her eyes. “Did you see Hope?”

  “Not yet. I thought I’d come and say hello to you both first.”

  Delaney’s smooth, melodic voice sounded so much like Maddox’s accent. Understandable, considering both were from Alabama. She and Corbin used to laugh, thinking how ironic it was that two siblings from Colorado had fallen for Southerners. Of course, it was Corbin’s friendship with Maddox that brought Maddox into her life. Corbin struck up a friendship with Maddox partially because he felt a kinship with him, being from the same state as Delaney. Around and around they went. None of that mattered now, however. She and Maddox were through. The knowledge settled like stone against her chest.

  Addie looked toward the door. Pops was leaning against the doorframe, watching her so intently that she felt like he’d burn a hole through her. Stop looking at me! she wanted to scream. Instead, she gave him a steely look before pulling a chair next to Delaney’s bed. “How did the surgery go?”

  Delaney made a face. “Ugh!”

  Addie giggled. “That good, huh?”

  “I’m just glad it’s over, and we have an adorable baby girl to show for it.” She gave Corbin a look of such complete adoration that it evoked a longing in Addie. She wanted what they had—to be so fiercely devoted to one another that nothing, not even Corbin’s profession, would stand in their way. Delaney was so petite and dainty, yet she was strong and resilient.

  “Are you okay?” Delaney asked, concern touching her features.

  Addie forced a smile. “Yeah.”

  Corbin stepped up beside her and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Maddox and Sutton have been keeping me up to speed on the situation with Jordan and PZT. I’m cautiously optimistic that it’s over. I guess we’ll know for sure if Brent Barrett was the one behind everything after he’s interrogated.”

  Her mind hung a little on the word interrogated. She looked at Delaney whose expression didn’t change, as if it were the most common thing in the world for a man to be arrested and interrogated for attempted kidnapping and possible murder. She hugged her arms. “I’ll be glad when it’s over.”

  Corbin nodded in understanding. “I’m glad you’ve had Maddox to keep you safe.”

  “Yes, he’s done his job well,” she quipped. “Now that this one’s wrapped up, he can move onto bigger and better jobs.”

  Corbin raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at his lips. “Is it my imagination? Or do I detect some hostility?”

  She half stood and shoved him.

  “Hey,” he yelped, catching himself before he slipped off the bed. He straightened his shoulders. “In all seriousness, Maddox is crazy about you, sis.” He paused, holding her with piercing green eyes identical to her own. “It would be a shame to let petty grievances stand in the way of what the two of you have.” He gave Delaney an intimate smile as he reached for her hand. “If you play your cards right, sis, you might just end up finding something wonderful.” He raised Delaney’s hand to his lips and planted a kiss. He grinned like a lovesick schoolboy at Delaney. “Isn’t that right?”

  “Absolutely,” Delaney exclaimed, breaking the word into syllables like Pops did. She looked at Pops who beamed. Color refilled Delaney’s face, making her look radiant.

  Addie scowled, the mushiness getting to be a little much. “Please tell me you’re not gonna break into song.” Pops’ favorite catch-phrase was “absolutely.” Delaney had been so impressed by it that she’d written a song about it that topped the charts, staying at number one for a record number of weeks.

  Corbin chuckled. “Nah, Delaney’s had a rough day. We’ll give her a few days rest before she has to start earning her keep,” he winked.

  Delaney shook her head, laughing. “Yeah, yeah. That’s mighty kind of you,” she said dryly.

  “Well, you know, I’m kind that way,” Corbin drawled, mimicking a Southern accent.

  A few lyrics from the song rushed through Addie’s mind.

  I’ll absolutely love you … for the rest of my life … until the stars fall from the sky.

  They say I’m damaged goods, and I admit it absolutely, but baby you give me more hope than a person ever should.

  Damaged goods. That’s what Addie was. Her stupid fear kept her apart from the man she loved, and she was too chicken to rise above it. A tear escaped the corner of her eye. Quickly, she brushed it away, embarrassed for anyone to see her crying. She glanced at Delaney and could tell from her concerned expression that she knew something was wrong.

  “Hey,” Delaney began, glancing at the clock. “They’re bringing Hope in for me to bottle feed in about twenty minutes.” She looked at Corbin. “Why don’t you go and find Maddox?”

  Corbin frowned. “Hey, are you trying to get rid of me?”

  A smile broke over her lips. “Absolutely.”

  Everyone laughed at the reference.

  Corbin stood. “All right. I hear ya.” He ruffled Addie’s hair, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Love ya, sis.”

  Addie flashed a mischevious smile. “I love you too, Dad.”

  He straightened to his full height. “Hmm …” he mused. “Dad. I like the sound of that.”

  “Fatherhood looks good on you,” Delaney added, a secret smile passing between her and Corbin.

  Addie wrinkled her nose. “Enough of the lovey dovey junk. You’re making me want to puke.”

  Corbin patted her cheek, pursing his lips, his voice going taunting. “Don’t worry, sis. Your time will come.”

  She slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.” Corbin got great delight out of pestering her.

  He just laughed. “All right, Pops. Let’s go find Maddox, so Delaney and old sour puss can have some girl time.”

  “Thank you,” Delaney chimed, blowing him a kiss.

  “I’m not a sour puss,” Addie grumbled, then stuck out her tongue as he left the room.

  18

  “Okay, what’s going on?” Delaney asked when it was just the two of them.

  Addie let out a long sigh, shifting in her seat. “Oh, you know. Life.”

  Delaney laughed. “Yep, it can be a real kick in the pants sometimes, huh?”

  A giggle gurgled in Addie’s throat. Man, she liked Delaney—how real and down to earth she was, calling it like it is. “Yes, it can be.”

  “I’m glad you’ve been safe. Corbin and I’ve been worried about you.”

  Guilt soured her stomach. “With all you’ve had going on, I’m sorry I added to your stress.”

  She waved the comment away with a flick of her wrist. “That’s what family’s for.”

  A wave of tenderness went through Addie. “Corbin and I may give each other grief,” her voice caught, “but I’m so grateful for him. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he hadn’t stepped in to help during all this.”

  “He only wished that he could be there himself.” Delaney gave her a perceptive look. “Knowing he couldn’t, he sent the next best man to do the job—someone who loves you as much as Corbin.”

  Addie choked out a strangled cough.

  Delaney smiled. “You’ve got it bad for Maddox, don’t you?”

  It was on the tip of Addie’s tongue to deny it sheerly out of spite, but she knew the answer was written all over her face. “Yes,” she admitted, “I’m in love with him.” It felt good to say the words out loud.

  “Okay, you love him. From what Corbin says, Maddox is madly in love with you. What’s the problem?”

  Tears gathered in Addie’s eyes. “Everything.” She clenched her fists. “How do you do it?”

  “What?” Delaney frowned.

  The intensity of her feelings shook her body as she rattled out the words. “You and Corbin have a baby together. How do you live each day, not knowing for sure when he walks out the door to some dangerous situation that he’ll come back?” She looked at Delaney, desperation clawing at her. She needed reassurance, something she could hang onto.

  Understanding seeped ov
er Delaney’s features. “I don’t,” she said simply.

  Addie’s heart dropped through her chest and spilled onto the floor in a tattered heap. “That’s what I was afraid of,” she said hoarsely, looking down at the bed.

  Delaney reached for her hand. “Addie, look at me,” she commanded.

  Despite her best effort to hold them back, tears dribbled down Addie’s cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, “you must think I’m a complete idiot.” She gritted her teeth, hating herself right now. She hated her fear, hated her weakness. And hated that she couldn’t be more like Delaney.

  “No, I don’t think you’re an idiot at all. Of course I worry about Corbin. I’d be stupid not to.” She paused. “The thought of losing Corbin tears me up inside. Don’t you see? None of us has any guarantees. Any of our lives could end tomorrow—today, including yours, Addie.”

  “Yeah, believe me,” she chuckled darkly. “I’ve got that reality cemented in my brain after Jordan’s death.”

  A shadow crossed Delaney’s features. “As you know, my growing up years were rough. Before I met Corbin, I feared I was so damaged by my past that I’d never be able to love anyone again.” Her eyes misted. “I was at my lowest when Corbin entered my life. Not only did he save me physically, but also emotionally. My life started anew when I met Corbin.” A tender smile curved her lips. “Then I met Wallace, you, and now we have Hope.”

  Delaney’s eyes held such wisdom that Addie felt like she was seeing into her soul.

  “Yes, Corbin and Maddox have dangerous jobs.” Delaney let out a sardonic laugh. “Life is dangerous.”

  “Amen,” Addie quipped.

  “You can’t spend your life mourning the hypothetical. You need to learn to be happy in the moment, for those moments are the stuff life is made of.”

  Addie jerked, remembering the card on her refrigerator. “What did you say?”

  “You need to learn to be happy. Trust Maddox. Trust yourself.”

  Be happy. It always came back to that. “I don’t know if I can do it,” she lamented. “I’m not brave like you. I can’t knowingly enter into a relationship that’s so risky.” She shuddered. “As much as I want to, I just don’t think I can go there.”