Maddie didn’t have much time before she was pulled into Beatrice’s arms. “I’m so glad to finally see you.”
Maddie smiled and patted the woman’s arm, almost as if she was trying to reassure her. “It’s good to see you too.”
The crutch fell to the floor, and he made no move to catch it so Beatrice would give his woman time to breathe.
“Crap, I am so sorry. I’ve been going out of my mind worrying about you.” She cupped Maddie’s cheeks. “I’m so pleased you stopped by.”
“We’re here for some lunch,” he said.
“Of course. Of course.” Beatrice pointed out a private booth that had enough space for Maddie with her crutches and her foot.
Bull made sure to follow close behind her, to keep an eye on anyone who might intend harm to come to Maddie.
Everyone averted their gaze and Beatrice helped Maddie slide into the booth.
“Do you have everything you need? Carl and I were talking and if you need a place to stay, we’re happy to have you.”
“She’s with me,” Bull said.
“Oh, but in case you were too busy.”
“I’m not too busy for Maddie. She’s with me.” He looked at Beatrice as he took Maddie’s hand within his own, letting the other woman know without a shadow of a doubt exactly what he meant.
“My goodness. I’m so happy for you both. I will go and get you some coffee. Do you want coffee? I can whip you up that special hot chocolate you love so much with extra whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate?”
“No, no, I’m fine. Thank you. I’ll just have the coffee,” Maddie said.
Beatrice nodded and was gone.
Once again, Maddie breathed a sigh of relief.
“What’s going on?” Bull asked.
“In all honesty, I’m not used to this kind of attention. I think I prefer to be ignored.”
He didn’t get time to comment as with speed, Beatrice was back with mugs. “Have you ordered?” she asked.
“We haven’t had time to look at the menus yet,” Bull said.
“Right, right. Of course, you need time. Silly me.” She laughed. “Well, let me know when you are.”
Beatrice left, and Maddie’s hands were on her shoulders. He noticed the tension in her body.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
“As if I can,” she said, nodding at her crutches.
He noticed Maddie attempted to use humor when things were bothering her.
Bull ignored the staff only sign and followed Beatrice to where she stood, a hand on her chest, looking a little worried.
“You need to calm the fuck down,” Bull said.
Beatrice opened her eyes and looked at Bull. “I’m fine.”
“You’re acting guilty.”
“I am guilty.” Beatrice covered her mouth, and he saw tears fill the older woman’s eyes.
He knew what part Beatrice played in what happened to Maddie. Beatrice didn’t have a clue that she was leading the attackers right to Maddie, nor that she had served them after they’d beaten Maddie up.
It was with Beatrice’s help that he’d been able to locate the men who hurt Maddie.
“I should have known. The look of his knuckles. I’d known he’d been in a fight.” She blew out a breath. “I feel sick just knowing what he did. That poor girl.”
“Maddie’s got me. I would appreciate it if you would stop offering her places to go.”
“Bull, I know who you are. I know what you’re capable of. Do you think you’re the right fit for Maddie?”
He chuckled. For weeks now, this woman had been pissing him off with her constant questioning. With the way she kept asking about Maddie, second-guessing his decisions. Offering to come and help out where he didn’t need it.
Maddie didn’t need a babysitter. She needed someone who helped to make her feel like a person, and above all else, a desirable woman.
Each minute he spent with Maddie, he saw the damage her parents and people had done to her. She hadn’t had a good time of it. She had this warped sense of what she looked like, and he was trying to change that.
“You don’t get to tell me who I have the right to be with, Beatrice. You and I both know that Maddie hasn’t had it easy. You’ve kept your distance now, and it’s time for you to keep your distance again, do you understand me? Maddie doesn’t need to know the truth.”
Beatrice went pale.
“Now, I’m going to head back out there, and you’re going to stop being a mother hen as we both know you gave that right up a long time ago.”
Beatrice bowed her head, and he knew he had her.
The good thing about living in a town like Carnage was that he had dirt on most of the residence. Those that he didn’t lived good lives. Maddie was one of those people, but Beatrice and Carl had a history that only he knew about.
“Don’t hurt her,” Beatrice said.
“I’m the only one who will never hurt her.”