Page 63 of These Jagged Edges

Maddox gives me a quick nod. "Crystal."

I take a deep breath before continuing. "Maddox, I never askedyouto teach her self-defense, I simply asked if she could come to the gym to learn self-defense. You told me once you thought all women should learn to defend themselves."

"I do but?—"

"Baby, I’m not saying to ignore the river of grief and pain you feel toward her, but she needs to learn how to defend herself."

"Evie, I taught her self-defense. She knows it.”

“Well, she needs a fucking refresher Maddox,” I snap.

His eyes turn into slits. “Why?”

I grab the hem of my shirt and twist it in my hands, not sure how to answer him. His large hand covers mine stopping their fidgeting, his eyes searching mine. "What are you not telling me, Pretty Girl?” he asks softly.

"It's not my story to tell, but trust me, Maddox, she needs this.”

His eyes search mine for a long moment before he lets out a deep sigh. "She can join Lucien's classes. That'sifand onlyifshe wants to Eves."

Oh, she will, I think, but I don’t tell him that. I kiss his cheek and grab the cake before heading next door. I knock once before Vic opens the door. His tired eye crinkles when they see me.

“Bout time you brought your ass home, I was getting worried.”

“Hush girl. I was out preparing to be stomped on by those two left feet you got.”

Laughing I hug his neck. “Happy Birthday old man!” We spent the evening dancing and eating cake. And guess what? I only stepped on his feet twice. Damned man.

Chapter Twenty-Three

One month later

EVIE

Allison finally movedout of that seedy ass motel and got an apartment close to the gym, much to Maddox's dismay. While she hasn’t heard any more from her ex-pimp/boyfriend I think she feels safer being close to the gym. After all, she began taking Lucien's self-defense classes twice a week, and while I may have pushed Maddox to let her take self-defense classes at The Boxing Den, I haven't meddled anymore between them.

As Mags and I agreed, only they could come to terms with everything between them in their own way and at their own pace. Ultimately, it’s up to them to come to a resolution that feels right for them. It could happen next week or ten years from now, doesn’t matter.

Maddox’s trying his best to resolve his resentment and move forward. Slowly, he began talking to us instead of keeping everything bottled up. He talks more and more about Livvy, and he can stand being in the same room with Allison for more than a fewminutes before storming out. Growth looks good on the big guy, and I’m damn proud of him.

As I sit quietly in the cool night air I take a deep breath. It isn’t often a nightmare rattles me anymore, but when they do it makes me feel so small and vulnerable. Like I’m back there in that house all over again. Back to being the weak version of myself who just accepted the things that happened to her. I shiver just thinking about it.

Funny enough, my nightmares didn't magically vanish because Maddox and I share a bed, but I don’t get them as often when he’s here. Usually, on the rare occasion I have one, I wake up surrounded by Maddox as he holds me and softly talks me through it.

Having awoken tonight to a peacefully sleeping Maddox, I sought solace in the quiet night. Well, almost if it wasn't for the cicadas and crickets. Weirdly enough I find their sounds to be soothing. I guess that's to be expected after living in the South my entire life.

"What’re you doing out here?"

I must have jumped ten feet off the step I was sitting on when I heard Maddox's voice. With my heart racing I find him standing in the dark night with only moonlight illuminating his huge figure.

"What are you, part cat?" I hiss at him.

Maddox isn't a bit bothered he just scared the ever-loving shit out of me, instead, he takes my spot on the step. His big body looks cramped as he sits. Even from this height, I’m just barely a head taller than him.

"Eves, why are you out here?" His rough voice sounds concerned as his warm palms run up the back of my legs.

"I couldn't sleep."

In a knowing look, he cocks his eyebrow. "Couldn't or didn't want to?"

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