Page 63 of Wretched Heart
Maddie tears off another chunk of bread, but she’s lost interest in eating. She meets my eye.
“And this involves Killian. He’s the contact you met in Las Vegas, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” I say, wishing she hadn’t heard that part of the conversation. I don’t want her to be drawn into that side of my business. Especially now that Killian is aware of her existence too.
“I take it he’s one of the bad guys.”
Reid refills Maddie’s wine glass. “They won’t even let me meet with the McConkeys.”
Maddie reaches gratefully for her drink. She keeps her eyes fixed on mine when she says, “But you want Hugo to meet him?”
“Hugo has already involved himself with people like Killian, without any help from me,” I reply. “Whatever happens to him, was going to happen anyway.”
I debate how much more to share. I’m pretty sure Maddie wouldn’t object to my plans, but I don’t want her to think less of me. And arranging a hit on Hugo isn’t even the worst thing I’ve done. There have been many times when I’ve had to resort to violence, and no doubt, there will be again. It’s the reason I can’t stay married to her.
“The only way I can protect you is to make sure Hugo isn’t around to hurt or control you,” I continue because I know I have to. “Killian can make that happen. Do you understand?”
Maddie chews her lip. “I don’t care what happens tohim, but what about Jen and my niece? Are they in danger? What if the people Hugo’s been mixing with come looking for him?”
“I won’t let anything happen to them, or to you.”
Maddie has absentmindedly torn the bread into a blizzard of crumbs on her plate. “But you won’t be here, Hunter,” she reminds me.
“You’re my wife. They won’t dare touch you.”
“But I won’t be your –” She stops mid-sentence and looks over my shoulder to the door.
Fuck.
I don’t need to turn around to know who’s just arrived.
“Carry on,” Ash says. “I wouldn’t want to interrupt this scene of domestic bliss.”
His closed expression gives no hint of emotion, which isn’t unusual for my brother. He’s the master of self-control, but I’ve learned the hard way that the icier he is, the closer he is to erupting. I’d like to think I’m my brother’s equal, but my heart rate has skyrocketed. I’ve been dreading this moment.
As I get up from my seat, Mace and Reid do too. I put a hand on Maddie’s shoulder so she knows to stay where she is.
It’s Connie who greets our brother with a hug rather than the tight nod I’d given him. “Asher Griffin, you should have warned us. Are you hungry?”
My big brother’s voice softens a fraction when he says, “I’m fine for now, Connie. Rory sends his love and some of Scotland’s finest shortbread, best with a cup of tea, apparently.” He hands over a gift bag. “Why don’t you go and have an early night. I promise, we’ll clean up after ourselves.”
Connie pulls back to scrutinize his features. “Fine, I’llmake myself scarce. But you have an early night too.” She presses a hand to his cheek, rubbing his beard. “You look like you haven’t slept for days.”
“I’ve had a lot to keep me awake,” he says, his voice growing cold again as Connie moves away and he looks to me.
I don’t break our gaze as I lean in to whisper in Maddie’s ear. “Let me do the talking,” I say before kissing her cheek.
I’m safe for now because Ash isn’t going to do or say anything in front of Connie, or anyone else for that matter. He’ll wait until we’re alone before he goes nuclear. I tell myself he can berate me all he wants. It isn’t going to change my marital status. Whether Ash likes it or not, Maddie is my responsibility until I say otherwise. And I’m not going to move on that.
“Right then,” Ash says, when Connie’s left. “Do you want to do the introductions, Hunter?”
“Sure, why not?” I say. I impress myself with how casual I sound. “Maddie, this is my brother, Ash. Ash, this is mywife, Maddie.”
I can see the vein in Ash’s temple throbbing. I’m sure Maddie can see it too, but that doesn’t stop her from slipping from my grasp so she can stand. “I’ve heard so much about you, Ash,” she says, hurrying towards him before I have a chance to pull her back.
Ash doesn’t know he’s about to beMaddisoned, and reluctantly extends an arm to shake her hand.
Maddie tuts. “I think we can do better than that,” she says, going in for a hug.
