Page 28 of Maddox

"Okay," I whispered, barely audible. "Hot chocolate sounds nice."

Maddox smiled warmly, guiding me toward the parking lot. "Let's get you home then, princess. It's been a long night. “Text your friends to say you’ve left."

As we drove to Maddox's house, I felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation swirling in my stomach. Was I really doing this? Going back to his house after everything that had happened? I glanced at my phone. I wasn’t surprised to see no worried texts. But as we pulled into his driveway, I realized something important—I felt safe with Maddox. Despite my fears and reservations, some part of me trusted him implicitly.

Inside, Maddox led me to the kitchen. "Why don't you have a seat while I make our hot chocolate?" he suggested gently.

I nodded, perching on a stool at the kitchen island. I watched as Maddox moved efficiently around the kitchen, warming milk and measuring cocoa powder.

“He had a chalkboard,” I blurted out, and Maddox’s hand shook in reaction, spilling the powder. But I wanted this out. Hewas giving and giving, and I was just taking. “He used to writeClare’s naughty liston it every morning and make up ridiculous infractions so he could add to it. He said if I got to ten in the day I would be punished.” I dipped my head because my voice broke. “I always got to ten.”

Maddox took two giant strides, plucked me from the stool, and before I knew where I was, we were sitting on the couch. I was on his lap, and he was cradling me and pressing kisses into my hair. “You brave girl,” he whispered. “Thank you for telling me. It’s gone.”

I didn’t panic as I expected at being held this close, and I absorbed his words. “Gone?” I asked, and looked up at him. “All of it?” That room. That beautiful room. No, I hadn’t wanted that.

“Just the board and the chalks,” he clarified. “But if there’s anything else—”

I didn’t hear the rest of his words, because I was hit with relief so acute I burst into tears.

Maddox held me close as I cried, his strong arms wrapped securely around me. He didn't try to shush me or tell me everything would be okay. He just let me cry, offering silent comfort and support.

When my sobs finally subsided, I felt drained but somehow lighter. As if sharing that small piece of my trauma had lifted a weight I didn't even realize I'd been carrying.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "I got your shirt all wet."

Maddox chuckled softly. "Don't worry about it, princess. That's what shirts are for." He reached across and plucked some tissues from a box and calmly held them to my nose. I reached to take them, but he just said, “Blow.” I was so startled I obeyed, and he wiped me carefully and threw the bundle in the small trash can. Then he got a bunch more and carefully dabbed under each eye while I sat there completely stunned and just let him.

I yawned. Crying always tired me out, and when Maddox rearranged me on his lap so my head was on his chest, and I was too drained to do anything else but close my eyes.

When I woke, or Maddox woke me by calling my name very softly, I was lying on the couch and he was holding some water and a packet of Acetaminophen. “You need to hydrate, princess. Or you’ll get a headache.” I hesitated, but Maddox put the glass and the pills down and helped me sit up. I eyed the pills warily, and seeing my hesitation, he handed over the packet so I could see them still in their individual wrapping, and I popped two out. He handed me the glass.

“He forced me to take pills whenever he left,” I said. “I think there was something in the food as well, but by then I had so little to eat…that was a punishment as well. He had some doctor prescribe me stuff he’d just give me in a shot. I tried to fight but he was too strong.”

I glanced up and watched a tick in Maddox’s jaw jumping , and I reached up, cupping the side of his cheek before I even thought about it. He closed his eyes and turned into my hand, brushing a feather-light kiss against my skin. “I wish we’d gotten to you sooner,” he rasped, voice full of regret, of hurt.

"You saved me," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "You and your team. I don't know where I'd be if you hadn't."

I leaned forward and loved the feel of his arms as they slid around me. "It's late," Maddox said softly after a moment. "You should get some rest. Do you want me to take you home?"

I hesitated, torn between the desire to stay and the fear of what that might mean. "I...I don't know," I admitted.

Maddox nodded understandingly. "How about this—you can stay in the guest room if you'd like. No pressure, no expectations. Just a safe place to sleep."

I considered his offer. The thought of going back to my empty apartment, of being alone with my thoughts, was suddenlyunappealing. "Okay," I said quietly. "I'd like to stay. If that's alright."

"Of course it's alright," Maddox said gently. He stood up, offering me his hand. "Come on, I'll show you to the room."

As we walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but glance at the closed door I knew led to the playroom. Maddox noticed my gaze, and he pulled me close. “Don’t give it a thought, princess.”

Maddox led me to a cozy guest room, decorated in soothing shades of blue and gray. A large, comfortable-looking bed dominated the space.

"There are extra blankets in the closet if you get cold," Maddox said softly. "And the bathroom is through there. It’s full of spare toothbrushes and whatever else you might want. I’ll just go and get you a bottle of water in case you get thirsty, and I’ll leave it on the nightstand while you’re in the bathroom. Do you need anything else?"

I shook my head, suddenly feeling shy. "No, thank you. This is perfect."

Maddox smiled gently. "Alright then. Sweet dreams, Clare. If you need anything at all during the night, don't hesitate to come get me. My room is the next one down."

As he turned to leave, I found myself reaching out to grab his hand. "Maddox?" I said hesitantly.

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