Page 41 of Deserving Maddie

"Trista," Ray sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?"

"Trista," Falcon snapped. "I warned you to stay the fuck inside."

Maddie's gaze bounced between all three. This Trista chick didn't seem the least bit phased by either man yelling at her. In fact, she put her hands on her hips and gave back just as good as she got.

"I will call you whatever the hell I want because it's just who I am, and you don't get to boss me around." Trista stared each man down as she threw out her tongue lashing. "Except in the bedroom," she tacked on.

"We were in the bedroom."

Well, she read that situation wrong. Trista wasn't one of the many women Ray liked to pick up. This was Falcon's wife.

"Oh, please," Trista huffed. "We were snuggling, so that doesn't count."

"When it comes to your safety, I'm the boss."

Maddie bristled at Falcon's tone. It wasn't quite the same as the one Anthony used with her, but it was still meant to be followed.

"I know, big boy." Trista patted Falcon's large chest. "That's why I made sure to grab my gun before leaving the house."

Trista turned around and lifted the back of her shirt. Sure enough, tucked into the waist of her pants was a small handgun.

"So, I'm guessing the slashed tires outside are the reason for the screaming alarm?"

Trista's words took a second to sink in. Between the alarm, her missing phone, and then meeting new people, she had almost forgotten what had started all this.

"Wait. What slashed tires?"

Maddie really hoped Trista wasn't talking about her car. It was the only one in Ray's driveway; he always parked in the garage.

Ray walked over and put his arm around her waist. Hauling her close to his side. "That's what we were coming in to tell you. Someone slashed all four of your tires."

She shut her eyes. This couldn't be happening.

"Why?" That's all she had the energy for. It was like someone had swooped in and stolen it from her.

"We're not sure. I need to watch the security footage, but we don't even know if you were the target. It's my driveway."

That didn't make her feel any more comfortable. Coming to Ray's house was supposed to be relaxing. Maybe that was presumptuous of her, but with everything going on, she needed one outlet.

"Who did you piss off, lover boy?"

"Is it your life’s mission to annoy me?" Ray grumbled.

Maddie was very confused by the dynamic of this group. In some ways, Trista reminded her of Kat. Outgoing and without a care in the world of what others thought, but even Kat had moments where she tamed things down a bit. Trista didn't appear to have that same quality.

"It is actually. And I think I'm doing a mighty fine job at it."

"Maybe a little too good of a job, princess,” Falcon responded. “Time to go."

"Ah come on," Trista whined. "I didn't even get a chance to properly meet Maddie or get any dirty details. We all know how much I love those."

Oh yeah. Trista and Kat would get along just fine. Actually, under different circumstances, Maddie would've loved hanging out with Trista. She seemed to be the life of the party, and that was something Maddie could get behind.

"Out!" Ray barked and pointed to the front of the house. "There won't be any dirty details for you tonight. Or ever, for that matter, if you don't stop calling me 'lover boy.' And your chance to properly meet Maddie ended when you stormed into my house."

"Someone has their grumpy pants on tonight."

Maddie chuckled. Trista was a riot. Falcon was attempting to forcefully push her towards the front door and Trista wasn't the least bit phased.

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