Page 29 of Maddox

He paused, looking at me questioningly. "Yes, princess?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "Thank you. For everything. For being so patient with me, even when I keep pushing you away."

He leaned forward and brushed a kiss on my forehead, and it took me a long moment to let go of his hand, but I did and shot into the bathroom to hide.

I even grabbed a quick shower because the bathroom was so lovely and well-stocked, then brushed my teeth. When I judged he’d had enough time to get me the water, it occurred to me Ididn’t have anything to sleep in and, wrapping a towel around me because I couldn’t exactly sleep in my sheath dress, I cautiously opened the bathroom door.

My eyes flew to the bed. The first thing I saw was a small gray bear lying against my pillow and my throat tightened. Coming straight from the club I didn’t have Mr. Snuggles with me. Then I saw the giant t-shirt that must belong to Maddox and I scooped it up and inhaled. It was clean, obviously, but the lingering scent of whatever laundry soap he used reminded me so much of Maddox, I couldn’t get it on fast enough.

I pulled back the comforter then paused as my gaze landed on the nightstand. He’d brought me water and left the bottle with a still-sealed cap on it. It wasn’t even his thoughtfulness at the gesture after I had explained about Jeremy drugging me, it was the pink princess insulated travel mug next to it.

He’d put it there but not filled it with water, leaving the choice to me. It was like stepping off a cliff. If I did this, I knew I was heading in a certain direction. What if I panicked again? How much of my crazy would he put up with before he decided enough was enough?

What did I want?

With trembling hands, I reached over and opened the bottle of water, then poured it in the pink cup and screwed the lid on. Then I grabbed the bear and climbed into bed, and for the first time in a very long time, I wished I wasn’t alone.

Chapter Eleven

MADDOX

I wasn’t sure what woke me, but old habits die hard and the instant I heard a noise that didn’t belong in my house, I was up on silent feet, Glock in my hand, and opening the door. My heart jumped as I saw the door to Clare’s room wide open, but then I heard a noise downstairs. I took a quick glance to make sure Clare wasn’t in bed, then followed the sound of what seemed to be…singing?

I stopped at the playroom downstairs. The door was open but none of the lights were on, and Clare was sitting at the small table in the dark.

I put the gun on the top shelf out of sight as soon as my heart rate returned to normal, and chuckled. “You really wanted to color, huh?” It had to be, what, three a.m.?

“Naughty girl, you’ll get wet,” Clare remarked and sang, “It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man…”

Every hair on the back of my neck stood up and I felt a chill run down my spine at Clare's eerie singing in the dark. Something was clearly very wrong. I approached slowly, keeping my voice gentle.

"Clare? Sweetheart, are you okay?"

She didn't respond, just kept softly singing nursery rhymes to herself. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see she was rocking slightly in her chair, and tears were silently streaming down her face.

"Clare," I said a bit more firmly. "Can you look at me, please?"

She turned her head toward me, but her eyes seemed unfocused, like she wasn't really seeing me.

"The bad man is coming," she whispered. "Have to be quiet or he'll find me."

My heart clenched. She was clearly in the midst of some kind of flashback or night terror. I needed to ground her in the present somehow.

"Clare, you're safe. You're at my house, remember? The bad man can't get you here. I won't let anyone hurt you."

I slowly reached out and gently touched her arm. She flinched at first but then seemed to relax slightly at my touch.

"Maddox?" she said uncertainly, her voice small.

"That's right, princess. It's me. You're safe here with me."

I felt her relax, go almost boneless, and scooped her into my arms. I carried her back to bed.

And this time I didn’t leave her.

I didn’t sleep for the rest of the night, just held Clare in my arms, until she showed signs of waking.

I carefully extracted myself, not wanting to startle her when she woke. I headed downstairs to start some coffee, which I now knew she liked, and prepare a light breakfast, my mind whirling with thoughts of last night's events.

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