Page 27 of Defending Madison

“Yeah. I know it. Her brother doesn’t want us involved, and he told her about the wife. She’s a good friend, but we haven’t been together in more than a decade. It was a marriage of convenience because she needed health benefits. I should have told Madison, but didn’t. She is still pissed from the betrayal.”

“Well, at least you understand why she’s pissed. Did you explain it to her?”

“Yeah. She finally let me tell her all the gory details.”

Banner blows out his breath. “You’re a good guy, Dix. I know this from personal experience. You need to man up and talk to her again. She’s had time to process whether she can forgive you or not. You need closure. It’ll help your overall attitude, as well.”

“Her brother will not be happy.”

Banner glances at me. “Who’s her brother?”

“Brian Bennett.”

“Whew. He’s a real prick. He’s got so many issues. He doesn’t have any right to judge you.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

We pull into the stadium parking area as Kyle and the head of stadium security hang their heads. Kyle blurts out. “A player has a stalker.”

My eyes ping to the man. “Who?”

“Benny Bennett.”

Damn it. My heart clenches as my inner demon raises his fists. No one is going to hurt Madison. “Let’s go inside, and you can tell us everything.” I flick my eyes to Banner.

“See, this is why we hired you, your great instincts. You’re running this show, I’m just here for logistical support. Thanks to you, we’ve got everyone’s info, and we’re ahead of the game.” We walk inside the building and into the large conference room where other staff members congregate. I nod at Kyle. “What do we know?”

The security chief tosses a file onto the table. “A month ago, we got the first weird letter. It wasn’t unlike typical overly-interested-fan letters. But it seemed different. Then we got three letters, two large envelopes, and now, a package.” His gloved hands set the box in front of me and Banner. “It’s a…” He opens the box. A stuffed animal with red paint dripped over it with its head removed. The security chief hands me a blue nitrile glove. “Pick it up.”

I slip on the glove and pick up the body of the blue bunny. Underneath, words written in the same red to look like blood. “Die Benny.”

Banner grits his teeth. “Any idea why there’s a bunny?”

My heart pounds in my chest, blood rushes into my brain and the sound pulses in my ears. “Her brother wanted to nickname her ‘bunny,’ but it became ‘benny’.” I blow out the breath I’veheld. “Only someone close to her would know that.” I turn to look at Banner. “Who’s on Madison?”

“Maxim left the poker game right after us and headed to her apartment building. We’re going to encourage her to move into the apartments in the Quad.”

“Good luck. She’s not easily convinced of things.”

Banner smirks. “Maxim is very convincing. The women adore him.”

“Of course they do. It’s that Russian accent he turns on and off.”

Banner chuckles. “Da.”

We drive back to the Quad, and my hands itch to get my hands on Madison. Maxim texts Banner that she’s agreed to move into one of the open apartments. I should relax, but my heart is pounding out of my chest. “We need to handle her day-to-day protection, and the team goes on travel next week.”

Banner blows out his breath. “It makes sense for you to travel with the team and oversee Madison’s security.” He turns his head. “Can you get her to agree?”

“She’ll agree or I’ll call Lily. She’s her agent.”

Banner laughs. “Are you sure that’s the card you want to play?”

“Sure. I showed you tonight, I never play the right card, why would this be any difference?” Banner’s laugh only heightens my anxiety. “I’d like to stop by Graham and Ella’s condo to apologize.”

Banner’s forehead wrinkles. “Pfft. Why?”

“I’d like to talk to her about Madison’s online security.”

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