Page 38 of Maddox

“So they’ve been sold,” I croaked out.Fuck.We’d been there. How could we have missed it?

“If there was anyone there then, the room they were held in could have easily been blocked against thermal images as well as making it soundproof. Eric wouldn’t have known, and all our intelligence said Clare was the only one there,” Dion said.

“It’s already being developed as a country club,” Eric said. Blakeny already had a championship-level golf course outside, so there isn’t much internal work to be done. From the website that’s been set up, members are already flocking to join.”

I blew out a frustrated breath.

“How’s she doing?” Gideon asked.

“I’m trying to make her Little side a safe space, but if the only time she reveals this is when she’s Little, that puts me in an impossible situation.”

“And Blakeny being back in the states isn’t going to help,” Dion said, and we heard a gasp from the doorway.

We all turned immediately, and I was on my feet before I realized. “Princess,” I said comfortingly and drew Clare close.I was immensely relieved when she let me. “You remember Gideon?” She nodded then looked at Dion.

He smiled gently and introduced himself.

“I remember you from the club.”

Then she looked at me. “He’s back?” She shook her head. “Do you know, I never wondered where he was. I just wanted to never think about him ever again.”

“We’re trying to work out where he might be holding the other princesses you told me about,” I said, trying to explain.

She frowned. “What others?”

I blinked. “The ones you said were held in the naughty room,” I said, hating to remind her. She frowned in confusion.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Which knocked me for a loop. It was as if she really didn’t remember our conversation.

“You know my Little girl called Abby,” Gideon said breaking the awkward moment. “She’d very much like a play date with you. We live next door.” Which was a huge exaggeration as our houses may be close, but close as in a good half a mile apart.

Clare smiled shyly. “I’d like that.” She clearly understood Gideon’s meaning ofLittlegirl. Then she looked at me. “I think it’s time I went home. I can call an Uber.”

Words failed me. But I took a deep breath. “You would be safer here, at least while we find out what’s going on.”

She looked at me, but her smile was a little forced. “I think it’s time I went home.”

I stood frozen, watching Clare's withdrawn posture. She'd shifted from the warm, affectionate Little who'd been curled against me just moments ago to this guarded woman who wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Clare," I said softly, "I understand if you need your own space. But with Blakeny back in the country, I'm concerned about your safety."

She wrapped her arms around herself. "I can't...I can't just move in with you because he's back. That's not...that's not how this works."

Gideon and Dion exchanged glances, then Gideon cleared his throat. "What if we had someone keep an eye on your place? Just as a precaution."

Clare bit her lip, considering this. "I have to go back to school soon. I can't just disappear from my life because he might be somewhere in the same state."

I wanted to argue, to insist she stay where I could protect her, but I knew pushing would only drive her further away. "Alright," I said finally. "But at least let me drive you home and check your apartment first."

She nodded reluctantly. "Okay."

As Gideon and Dion prepared to leave, I pulled Gideon aside while Clare went to the bathroom. "Have Eric check the security at her building. And set up surveillance."

Gideon nodded grimly. "Already on it. I'll have someone watching her place 24/7."

Twenty minutes later I was driving Clare home.

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