Page 3 of Deserving Maddie

"How is it you have time to pay attention to my sex life? Is Falcon not keeping you busy?"

It was a dumb question. He knew that as soon as it left his mouth, but that's how crazy this woman made him.

Trista released a very unladylike snort, paired with a wave of her hand. "We all know that's not the case. He keeps me plenty busy, but I need to keep an eye on you, lover boy. Make sure none of those ladies are leaving my friend with a broken heart."

If that was the case, then she was doing a shit job. One of those ladies did, in fact steal his heart. Well, she stole something. Ray just wasn't really sure what yet. All he knew was he couldn't get her out of his head. Not even work, something he immensely enjoyed, could distract him from thinking about Maddie.

"Did you two only come here today to harass me? You both realize neither of you actually works here, right?"

"We know, and if we didn't, Wes likes to remind us." Ember leaned farther back in her chair and smiled.

Trista was married to Falcon and Ember to Giggles. Both worked for Wes and were a part of Bravo Team. Their marriages were the only reason Wes had yet to restrict their access to the building, despite his many threats.

"We have to keep you on your toes, and last I checked, we workedwithWes, so that practically means we work here. Wes just doesn't pay us," Trista explained.

His boss certainly didn't see it that way.

"But to answer your question, no, we didn't come just to harass you. We need your help."

Ray didn't officially work for Trista but a lot of times he helped her out. Especially when it involved any of the women they rescued.

"I'm all ears."

"One of the new girls who came to us last week is having trouble with an ex-boyfriend. He's part of a motorcycle club. Still a prospect, but making her life hell. It's why she came to us. He threatened to have his buddies turn her into the club whore. I doubt he has the pull within the club for that, but I don't want to take any chances."

Trista might bust his balls nine times out of ten, but she protected those she cared about like a lioness. She was also the type of woman who was great under pressure, so if she was seeking him out for help, then it was important.

"Give me the information and I’ll look into it."

Trista pulled a folder out of her very large purse and slapped it on his desk. Of course, she came prepared. It was why he didn't tell her when she got the information to come see him. He knew if she was coming to him, then she already had everything he needed. This wasn't their first rodeo, and likely wouldn't be their last.

"I appreciate it."

Both women stood up and headed for the door. Ray thought he was finally going to get a moment of peace, but Trista ruined it when she stopped in the threshold and spun around.

"Oh, Ray?" He looked up over his glasses at her. "Don't think I haven't noticed the lack of women the past couple of weeks. You going to tell me why that is?"

He kept his mouth shut. No way was he going to admit the reason for such a change of behavior was because Maddie left him. But he should've known Trista would figure it out. She was too smart for her own good.

"She did the walking." It wasn't a question. "That's why you've changed. For once, someone walked first rather than waiting for you to kick them out."

Trista's expression was contemplative.

"Now I want to meet this woman. See if she deserves a high five or a punch in the face."

He wanted to call her off and say it was nothing, but like the hurricane she was, Trista whipped out of his office before he could.

Ray tossed his glasses on his desk and leaned his head back onto the top of his chair. For three weeks, he had done everything in his power not to think about Maddie. He wasn't a forever kind of guy. He liked all women. Liked the variety in his life. Never had someone piqued his interest for more than one night, and he was okay with that.

He never lied. The women he took home knew what they were getting into. He made it very clear before they left wherever they met. It was his only rule. But somehow, Maddie had slipped under his defenses enough for him to fall asleep with her in his bed. Then in the morning, she was gone, and he didn't feel the usual relief that brought.

Maybe Trista was right. Maybe he only wanted her because she walked first. Or maybe she meant more to him than he thought. Either way, he would never know because he had no way of getting in touch with her, and that sucked.

Chapter 3

Shewasscrewingthissingle-mother thing up left and right. So much for celebrating—a week ago she managed to get Gabe and Charley to school on time. This week, her son made it his life's mission to drive her completely insane. Every morning, he had an excuse. A plausible one, though. He couldn't find his backpack. Maddie was pretty sure he hid it. He didn't have any clean underwear. That was on her because she forgot to put the clothes in the dryer the night before, but he shouldn't have waited until the last minute to put all his dirty laundry in the hamper. But her personal favorite was he forgot to do his homework, so he absolutely had to do it during breakfast.

He then proceeded to pull out his perfectionist side and write every letter with precision. She had to give him credit. Her son was tenacious in his pursuit not to attend school. In the end, she won. When the principal called and told her Gabriel had detention, she gladly agreed he was in need of the consequence. With any luck, the principal could do the one thing she couldn't.

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