Games 006

Maddox POV

"Maddie." The name was etched into my soul like a scar that never healed. From the moment I laid my eyes on her all those years ago, when picking up Eva from that godforsaken high school, she had haunted me.

She was just a kid then, barely out of her teens, when I first saw her, she was laughing with Eva in the parking lot, her blue eyes sparkling under the sun, her fair skin glowing.

I remember freezing in my car, the engine idling, as I watched her. She didn't notice me, not really. She just gave me a quick casual glance, a light greeting like a kid greeting her uncle and a polite wave as Eva hopped on my car.

But I noticed her. Fuck, I did notice her. It was like a switch flipped in my brain. And from that day, Madison Rashid became mine, even if she didn't know it yet. At least I knowing it was enough.

Now, here she was, under my roof thinking I was Eva's father. "Tsk, childish."

The irony was delicious, Eva had played her part perfectly, feeding Maddie the lie about me being the grieving widower who needed "cheering up."

Eva had no choice, I had made it clear to her that day, "Bring her here, or I'll sell you to those wolves at the cartel,".

Eva's eyes had widened in shock, her face going pale, because she knew I wasn't bluffing. She knew, I do whatever I said I will but funny how I was just joking with her.

I leaned back on the couch, watching Maddie through the security feed. She was in the room Eva had given her when she arrived, pacing like a nervous rabbit.

Her hands kept brushing through her hair, every single minute mumbling something I couldn't pick up. She really was cute. She still talked to herself when she was nervous, I had watched her for long to pick up this her habit.

I poured myself a drink, my eyes still glued on the screen. She froze when her room door creaked a little. I laughed at her suddenly reaction, the way she looked around, her big eyes wide, I knew she thought I was the one.

"Boss, we have a problem at the bar that needs sorting out." Ryan said through the com.

I turned my head slightly, still looking at the screen as I watched Maddie's cute movements, “Handle it,” I said flatly.

There was a pause. “It’s Liam again, he's making a scene with one of the dealers. You said—”

“I said you can handle it. It's not a big deal right?” I cut him off leaving no space for arguments.

The line went quiet for a moment before I heard a soft sigh, “Got it, boss.”

I leaned forward, my elbows placed on my knees, watching Maddie finally settle on the bed. She was scrolling through her phone now, I wondered what she was doing.

I had to stop watching. I turned away from the screen and placed my tablet on the table. I walked down the hall to my office. I had files and some other things waiting for me to review and it really mattered.

I shut the door behind me and sat at the desk, but the com buzzed again and I could already tell it was Ryan. “Boss,” Ryan’s voice came through.

“What now?”

“We’re done with Liam, but… there’s a mix-up at the bodyguard firm. The management there complained about the politician who hired a guard but refused to pay. Also, the shareholders at the jewelry company at the Series branch are misbehaving.”

I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back in the chair. “I figured out, the shareholders were going to be a problem, they had been in seat for too long. Just call a board meeting tomorrow, tell them I'll be present. I got nothing doing anyway.”

“Alright, boss.”

“And for the bodyguard firm,” I added, flipping open a file, “just keep a watch on it, don't make any move on the politician yet. I'll get the money myself.”

“Understood.”

I paused for a moment before speaking again, “And Ryan, tell the investigation team I said I want no drugs that causes havoc in my turf. I don’t care who’s bringing them in, don't let Duncan take over them, he has no sense of belonging.”

There was a short silence, then Ryan’s steady voice came through, “Got it, boss. I’ll handle that.”

“Good,” I said flatly, closing the file. “Make sure they understand I mean it.”

Ryan ended the call, and the line went dead. I dropped the com on the desk and leaned back. The files were still stacked high but it made me lazy to work on it.

I was about to grab the next file when my phone buzzed, it was an unknown number so I did the most logical thing, leave it to ring for a second.

“Hey, It’s Mia.” she sent a voice note with a small fluffy cute voice.

I sighed, she was the girl that was always warming my bed. I had gone with her because her physics were almost similar to Maddie, the only difference was that Maddie was now more bigger.

“Can I come over tonight?” she asked in a seductive whisper that I do pretended work on me but in reality does nothing.

I glanced at the clock, it was late already “You can’t,” I said plainly.

There was a short silence, then a small laugh. “You don't usually say that. What's it this time? Hope you are ok?”

“I'm good, I just haven't been in the mood for fun this days."

She hummed. “So you’re really staying alone tonight? You don't need a company? That’s not like you, Maddox, since I've gotten rejected once then, I'm not coming to you agai

n.”

"That's a good choice." I whispered, ending the call the next second.