Page 26 of Maddox

“Ladies,” I said expansively. “My name’s Maddox Rourke. I’m one of the owners and I would personally like to welcome you all to Kingdom.” Clare seemed to freeze as I spoke.

"Oh, um, thank you," one of Clare's friends said hesitantly. "We're just here for a girls' night out."

I smiled warmly. "Of course. I hope you're all enjoying yourselves. Can I get you ladies another round of drinks? On the house, of course."

The other women eagerly agreed, but Clare remained silent, her posture rigid. I turned to her, my voice softening.

"Clare? What would you like?"

She swallowed hard, finally meeting my eyes. "Just...water, please," she said quietly.

I nodded, signaling a server to bring their drinks. As the conversation resumed around us, I leaned in slightly, speaking low enough that only Clare could hear.

"Are you okay?"

Clare bit her lip, conflicting emotions flashing across her face. "I'm fine," she whispered unconvincingly, and edged away from me. “I just wasn't expecting to see you."

I saw her wince as she heard how ridiculous her own words were. She knew this was my club. I knew she did, which gave me pause. Had she agreed to come hoping to see me, or was that just wishful thinking?

Or worse, had she come here just to prove she could keep me at arm’s length?

I could see the way she held herself so tightly it was a wonder she didn’t shatter. Did that mean I was frightening her? Sadness crashed down on me. Why was I putting either of us through this? Even if she learned not to be scared of me, it was clear I’d never earn her trust because every time she saw me she was reminded of that cage.

I was suddenly tired of it all. “Ladies,” I smiled. “Please let any of my staff know if there’s something you need.”

I walked away even though it killed me. Clare had made her choice, and I wasn’t it.

Chapter Ten

CLARE

I watched Maddox walk away and felt the sudden chill. Why had I agreed to come? Was I out to prove to myself that I was cured? As if being Little was some sort of disease? I’d chased him away from Salvation when he was being kind, and I’d just done the same here.

And he had more right to be in both places than I did.

“Well, damn.” I blinked the girls back into focus and bristled a little at Nicola’s admiring tone as she looked in the direction Maddox was heading. There were four of us. Tammy I’d known since school. She knew most of what had happened to mebecause she’d been one of the friends I’d ghosted when Jeremy got his hooks into me at first. She knew I’d been kidnapped and held as some sick sex slave, but what she didn’t know about was the Little side of my personality.

She’d come to see me while I was recovering, and I saw how shocked she was in the changes in me. She’d tried to visit again but I’d refused and had only gotten back in touch with her the week before her birthday.

I didn’t know Tammy’s other two friends, though, and I wasn’t impressed with Nicola. She had opinions on everything. Usually bitchy ones. This time I had no intention of paying the tab. “I thought,” Nicola continued turning back to look at me, “when he spoke that you and he had something going on, but you made it clear that’s not the case.” She clinked glasses with her friend. “I’m so going to tap that fine ass.”

Irritation buzzed under my skin.

The idea of this woman pursuing Maddox made my stomach churn. But what right did I have to feel that way?

I'd pushed Maddox away repeatedly, made it clear I couldn't handle a relationship with him.

And yet...

"I wouldn't if I were you," I heard myself say, my voice tight.

Nicola raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why's that? You just made it pretty clear you're not interested."

I swallowed hard, conflicting emotions warring inside me. "It's...complicated," I managed.

"Doesn't look complicated to me," Nicola shrugged. "Hot guy, single, owns this amazing club. Seems pretty straightforward."

"You don't know anything about him," I snapped, surprising myself with the vehemence in my voice.

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