Page 80 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

Liam staggers a bit before collecting himself.

“The two of you, upstairs balcony by the pool,now.”

God,she’s fucking beautiful in that blue velvet dress. That dip in the fabric revealing her cleavage and slit running to her thigh should be illegal. Don’t even get me started on that mask—fuck. She hasn’t forgotten about me after all. The gorgeous Blue Monarch mask has my cock turning to steel in my pants. There’s something about the blue, it accentuates her eyes. Dark chocolate irises with flecks of amber swirl with anger. Directed right at me.

Mariposita.

Definitely not the first response I thought I would receive from her, but then again, she thought I was dead. She watched me die.

And I did die.Temporarily.

Madison snatched the drink off the bar, bringing it with her as Liam lead the way up here. Unlike downstairs, this balcony doesn’t protect us from the elements. And tonight is particularly chilly. A light dusting of snow is expected, adding to the cute little theme Madison created.

Steam curls in ribbons off the heated pool. If tonight goes well for us, I could bring Madison back up here tonight and show her just how sorry I am. My cock twitches and painfully presses against my zipper.I need to calm down.We’ve got things to discuss. Images of my fist cracking against a skull and blood spraying everywhere comes to mind, distracting me from how hot my wife looks tonight.

She’s angled herself against the railing, grilling me and sipping her drink. Maybe the lavender will help her chill the fuck out. This conversation needs to be had when she’s done fuming.

Liam walks over to her and takes his jacket off, draping it over her shoulders. His hands linger there longer than I’m comfortable with. I’m almost certain they haven’t fucked. Antonio has filled me in as well as Killian and Selena. Madison has kept to herself, working on her training—which I am happy to hear—even though Liam is the one training her. I watch them, as I take a sip of my tequila neat. The burn is welcomed, bringing fire back into my veins. New York is fucking cold and I hate it.

“Liam, can I have a cigarette?” Madison’s voice penetrates the silence.

“Ya, baby.” The petname irritates the fuck out of me. He reaches into the pocket of his jacket and pulls out the pack of menthols. Retrieving two and slipping them between his lips, he lights both, and hands her one.

“Thank you.” Her eyes linger on his, silently sending out a message.Shit. Maybe I played dead for too long.

She takes a long drag before walking over to me. Smoke sifts out of her lips as she speaks. “Who knows?” she spits, not trying to hide the venom in her voice.

My feet carry me until I’m inches away from her. It’s then that I discover the moisture on her lashes. Her newfound strength holding the breakdown at bay. Liam closes in on us, placing a supportive hand at the base of her spine. I shouldn’t allow it, but Madison instantly relaxes when he does.

Shame I’m about to ruin her faith in him.

“My sister, Killian, Antonio, and your man there.” I nod my head in his direction.

Madison gasps and steps out of his embrace.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Liam growls at me. He takes a step forward but her hands come up, warning us both to stop.

Taking another drag, and leaving the cigarette hanging loosely between her plump lips, she unties her mask. On bated breath, we watch as she frisbees the damn thing into the pool. It floats on the surface a few seconds before sinking to the bottom. I mirror her, flinging mine into the pool as well. Liam just lifts his own to his forehead, remaining quiet, and watching the storm brew behind Madison’s eyes.We both know that spells trouble.

“Ya know what, I don’t care. I’m so done with the lies.The betrayal.The fucking games. And most of all, I’m done giving my heart out….only to watch it breakagain and again.” The anguish in her voice guts me.

I reach out and grip her waist. “Listen to me, it had to be this way. Killian and I agreed this was the best course of action.” Her fist snaps back before sheplows it right into my brow.

Fuck. You go, baby.

That was by far the hottest thing I’ve ever seen her do. Surprise widens her eyes when I don’t release her. Warmth oozes down my face and over my lips.Ahh, her training definitely paid off.I sneak a glance at Liam who is now crossing his arms over his chest and biting back a laugh.

A moment of mutual understanding before his anger returns.

“Killian only recently told Liam.” I don’t know why I say it. I currently may feel threatened by the prick but I’ll always be grateful. He saved my life twice and then took care of the most precious thing in the world to me.

Smoke blows into the night sky as Madison releases an aggravated cry. “You both have five minutes to explain everything. And then I’m leaving.”

“Killian didn’t tell me any of this,” Liam snarls. Madison’s eyes volley between the two of us, wondering who she can trust.

“Well that…changes things…” My brows pull together.Why the hell wouldn’t Killian tell his own brother?“The night of my surgery, after you fell asleep on me, Killian came in with my sister. He explained to me that the authorities in Greece weren’t easily convinced with our story of fireworks destroying the yacht. After we returned to the States, the Greek authorities contacted the U.S government, informing them of my role in our organization. My name was on the top of a very long list of most wanted criminals. Naturally, your name was attached—being newly married to me. Someone paid off the officiant to give up that information. My guess was Geraldo. Killian suggested I pretend to the world that I died. To help clear your name. And mine.”

Madison rubs her knuckles and then takes another puff of her cigarette. The glow of the cherry illuminates the few tears gliding down her cheeks.

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