Page 46 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
"I'm glad to hear that." Maddox wraps an arm around me, and I rest back against him for a moment.
I tilt my head up to look at him and ask, "What's happening?"
"Branson called. A couple of hunters called saying they heard a woman scream. They tried to follow the sound, but they couldn't find anything, so they called Branson. The search has moved." He runs his hands through his hair.
"You want to be out there with him, right? We'll be fine here. I don't want you to worry. Besides, Colton offered us a threesome, so we'll be occupied for five minutes."
"Hey, now," Colton stutters. "One night wouldn't be enough with this one." He slides his arm around Judean, who doesn't push him away.
Interesting.
Cupping my face in his large hands, Maddox rests his forehead against mine. "Dad is expecting Colton, you, and Judean at his cabin." He softly brushes his thumbs over my cheeks. "You'll get to meet my mom." He smiles. "She will loveyou both." After placing a lingering kiss on my forehead, he pulls back and stares at his youngest brother.
"Bro, I've got them. I swear I do." Colton huffs, irritated.
"This is all your fault!" Richard shouts, charging across the room.
Maddox steps in front of me, causing Richard to stop short.
It doesn't stop him. "You're to blame for this, Sofie Ryan," he snarls.
"That's enough!" Maddox says. "The only person to blame is the one who took her life."
Stepping out from behind Maddox, I warily eye Richard. "I'm so sorry about Samantha, Richard. Her death has nothing to do with me."
He huffs and puffs, and his eyes fill with tears. I feel myself becoming emotional and step forward to put my hand on his arm. "I trust the sheriff to find the person who did this. I know it won't bring her back, but it will give you answers. I'm really sorry."
Pulling himself together, he shakes off my hand. Maddox grips my shoulders and moves me away.
"You're not sorry," he hisses. "You didn't like her. You wanted her dead so you could come back to me without her interference.”
My eyes pop wide open in shock. What the hell has gotten into him? He's delusional. "I'm not going to lie to you. I didn't like her. But I sure as heck didn't want her dead. It's awful to accuse me of that." I pause. "Besides, if I loved you, I never would have broken up with you."
I turn my back on him, intending to leave with Colton and Judean. However, Richard has other plans and reaches out, grabbing the back of my jacket. I spin around to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. "What are you doing, Richard?" I demand, feeling a mix of fear and anger bubbling inside me.His grip tightens on my jacket. His eyes are filled with a strange intensity that sends shivers down my spine.
In the blink of an eye, Maddox's fist shoots out and hits Richard square in the face. Richard releases his hold on me as he falls to the ground. Maddox catches me as I stumble. "Stay the fuck away from her," he says. "I will protect my woman with everything I am, so heed my warning. You touch her again, and you'll be joining your sister."
Wincing, I grab Maddox's arm and drag him away. Catherine and Bernie, another member of the bachelorette party, help Richard.
"Nice right hook, bro!" Colton hits his brother on the shoulder. "Bad timing, but great all the same." He takes my hands and pulls me toward Judean. "Bro, I'm going to shower, and then we'll hang out with Mom and Dad. Keep us updated."
Maddox nods in my direction, and I feel his eyes on me until we're out of sight.
As we step into the garden, Colton says, "You know, I could get down with having a threesome with you two!”
"In your dreams, Romeo," I chuckle, relieved that he has lightened the mood.
With Coltonin the shower and Judean relaxing on the couch, the cabin is quiet and peaceful when I step onto the back deck. Colton has a view of the mountains and the ravine below. I walk to the end of the deck and sit down in a very comfortable chair. Inhaling the scent of the wilderness, I sigh softly, closing my eyes and feeling completely content and at peace.
I settle deeper into my chair and listen to the sounds of nature surrounding me, wishing something evil wasn't lurkingin the shadows of the trees. As night begins to fall, I worry about Maddox being out there with such a predator. I know the killer is targeting women, but that doesn't mean he isn't dangerous to the men and women hunting him.
A thud comes from inside, making my heart race with fear. "I'm being silly," I think as I shake it off. Judean probably knocked something over. My eyes grow heavy, and I struggle to keep them open, even when I hear the door to the back deck slide open. "Juju," I smirk. "I could sleep here."
She doesn't answer.
A bad feeling rushes over me.
I snap my eyes open to see what she's doing and open my mouth to scream. But nothing comes out as the huge man dressed in dark green from head to toe covers my mouth and nose with a rag. I struggle, kicking and clawing at him. He's too strong, easily overpowering me. I try not to breathe, but I need air. Tears run unchecked down my face as the world goes black around me.
