Page 139 of The Renegade Billionaire
“What are you saying?” I ask.
“It all points back to Alistair Montgomery. At least the money trail does.”
Madison sways on her feet, and I want to kill my father for an entirely different reason. She’s got so much on her mind already, the last thing she needs is to hear about a narcissist on a war path.
“M—Montgomery?” she stutters. I flash a worried glance at Grey, who nods toward the bed, so I guide her into the room and sit with her in my lap.
“That’s my father,” I tell her. “He’s always been evil, but I had no idea he’d go to these lengths.”
Her body trembles, and I look at Grey as if he can help, but he shrugs and looks as panicked as I feel.
“It’s okay, though,” Sage says. “I hacked into his personal computer so we can stop him before he comes here.”
“Here?” Madison scrambles to get free of my hold.
“Fuck. This is too much. Can I meet you guys downstairs in a few minutes?”
Sage stares at Madison with confusion and sadness.
“Yes,” Grey says, taking Sage by the arm.
“I’m sorry, Madi. I didn’t mean to upset you.” The worry in Sage’s voice makes my anger hit new levels.
I’m so fucking tired of my own father ruining every good thing in my life.
“You didn’t,” she manages to console him just before Grey shuts the door.
“Madison, talk to me.”
Her chin is trembling, and I think I can actually hear her teeth chatter. “No, sorry. I’m fine. Really. It’s all just, it’s a lot.” She reaches under her pillow and pulls out the box—it’s the final dagger to my heart that only just learned to beat. “Honestly, go do what you have to do. It sounds serious, and I’d like to be alone for a bit anyway.” She waves the box in the air, and the pit in my stomach expands painfully.
“Right. Yeah. I’ll come back up as soon as I can, okay?”
“Actually, I—I think I should be alone tonight.” She stares at the floor as the world crashes down around us.
“Are you sure?” I choke out. “Madison, I meant it when I said I’m here for you, okay?”
“I know. I’m… It’s been a long day. I’m tired. I’ll see you in the morning, all right?”
I nod even though she doesn’t see it.
“Can I at least hug you before I go?”
She nods, but she’s shivering, and I know she’s crying before I touch her.
“It’s okay. We will be okay.” My words do nothing to console her. And when I leave her room that night, it’s with the awful fear that once morning comes, nothing will be the same.
32
MADISON
“You know they’re coming back,”Sage says. He’s been following me around the inn all day. He’s worse than a dog with a bone.
It’s only been a week since Braxton and Grey returned to California to sort out whatever messes his father caused, though my heart says it’s been much longer than that.
He calls multiple times a day, but I don’t know how to tell him that it was his father who helped ruin my life. The fact that they can’t locate him is what keeps the fear flowing through my bloodstream faster than cyanide.
“Madi,” Savvy calls from somewhere in the house. “We know you’re here, and we came with boxes, but you’re also not getting rid of us, so show yourself now.”
