Braden stayed close behind her and didn’t make a fuss or a peep. She should probably comfort him or something. He’d just lost his home and possibly his career and people who loved him might be informed he was dead, but she’d also rescued him, so she assumed he was grateful for that.
Unless that man had been lying, their target was Braden. She didn’t know if they were after him because of his association with Seamons or for some other reason.
An unsettling idea made her back stiffen. What if Braden was in league with the admiral and Olivet Seamons and all of this was a setup to get him ingratiated with the Deltas and secure the secret for that vile Frederick? But that didn’t make sense. She’d gone after Braden, not the other way around.
She shook her head and kept walking. Nothing that had happened tonight made sense, least of all the fact that she’d let Braden shelter and protect her.
Even more confusing … she’d liked it.
ChapterThree
Braden could hardly believe he’d been trailed by a gorgeous and surprisingly brutal Delta woman, attacked by two masked men, and then had his house blown up. What had happened to his safe, boring date night? His first deployment to Afghanistan, two later deployments on Naval battleships, and his everyday life in the military were sometimes exciting but oftentimes routine practice for the future. He was having a hard time wrapping his mind around what his life had become. He’d worked so hard and now everything was up in smoke. Literally.
Overriding those worries was the pressing concern of the woman he was now relying on. He had no idea what to think about Maddie Delta as they found their way to a busy city street and took an Uber north, neither of them saying much with the driver right there.
The beautiful woman seated next to him was equal parts fascinating, impressive, tantalizing, and disturbing. She’d not only taken down those men like a seasoned professional, but she’d bested Braden and made him long for her like he’d never longed for a woman. She’d also hurt that man for information with surprising chilliness. What had she seen or done to harden her?
They stopped at a large mansion with aBaguettes, Beds, & Breakfastssign hanging from the white picket fence. Nice.
Braden handed the driver a tip, slid out, and held the door for Maddie. He slung his backpack on and reached for her bag, but she flung it over her shoulder before he could take it. She gave him a smile so sweet he would’ve been fooled into thinking her interior matched that beautiful smile, if he hadn’t seen the darkness in her eyes and her cold treatment of their assailant half an hour before.
They walked up the stone path and onto the wide porch side by side. He held the beveled front door and they walked into a fancy entryway with a three-story grand staircase, a massive chandelier dripping between the stairs, and the welcoming smell of fresh-baked bread. Maddie set her bag on the floor.
A desk was unmanned, but a group of people were seated in plush couches in the open room to the right, eating baguettes, sipping tea or coffee, and chatting by a gas fireplace. It hadn’t been cold outside, but the atmosphere was warm and cozy.
One of the group stood and hurried toward them. She was a thin, sixty-something woman with fluffy white hair and a pretty face with laugh lines decorating her mouth and eyes.
“Welcome, welcome.” She spread her arms wide with a warm smile. “Aren’t you two a beautiful …” Her gaze sharpened on Maddie and she gave a cry of delight. “If it isn’t our sweet artist Emmeline.” She engulfed Maddie in a hug.
Maddie returned the hug and Braden found himself wondering how many fake names and IDs she had. Usually he could read people quickly, but this woman was a puzzle for sure. He wanted to stay close to her and figure out what she was hiding.
“Thank you, Auntie Shelly. It’s great to be here.”
“It’s been too long, beautiful. Let me get a good look at you.” Shelly leaned back, gripping Maddie’s arms and looking over her face. “Still as gorgeous as ever, but … what’s going on, love? You’ve been through some really tough times since I saw you last. Was it three years ago? No, four.”
“It’s been four. Can you believe it? But you’re looking younger and more beautiful than ever.” Maddie redirected as she complimented the woman, the home, and asked about grandbabies. Apparently, the woman had been a widow for over five years. Braden noticed the people in the room continuing their conversation, but several of them gave him and Maddie curious glances.
This woman was sharp in her observations. Even though Maddie smiled brilliantly as if nothing was amiss, Braden felt validated that he wasn’t the only one worried about whatever Maddie had been through. Had this lady known Maddie before her innocence had been damaged? He hated the way he’d just thought that.
Please don’t let her innocence be damaged, he begged heaven above. Being hardened by seeing disturbing things in life or going through trials happened, but the thought of someone taking advantage of Maddie … His hands automatically curled into fists. Though he feared Maddie could beat him in any kind of fight, he would stand up for her. The fact that she was ultra-accomplished in hand-to-hand combat and marksmanship made him think she could fight off anyone who’d tried to hurt her, but then maybe she’d become an expert fighter because she had been hurt.
“And where are my manners … who is this handsome guy?” Shelly extended her hand to him.
Maddie tilted her head and grinned at him as if he was the “best thing since sliced bread,” as his grandpa would say. “Oh? You want the story on this incredible hunk?” Maddie sidled in close and reached for his hand. Their palms aligned, their fingers laced together, and all the world was right. Braden’s heart seemed to lift, and a destroyed home and career weren’t worries he should waste any time on.
Staring up at him with liquid blue eyes, Maddie seemed to have lost her train of thought. Braden couldn’t blame her. He was entranced by her blue gaze. At the moment, there was nothing dark and worrisome about it.
“Well, whatever he is to you, he’s obviously special,” Shelly said, laughing happily.
Maddie snapped out of her stupor. “Sorry, Shelly. This is Buff, Beautiful, Bad Brad.”
Braden had to fight not to laugh. Bad Brad?
He extended his hand to Shelly. She reached for it, then gasped. “Your hand. What happened?”
Braden looked down. He’d all but forgotten about his hand. It was swollen and already discolored. “Oh, I …”
“He isn’t one for violence,” Maddie interrupted, “but a crazy guy was hitting on me and would not leave me alone, so Brad hit him. Broke the other guy’s jaw, but he must’ve burst a blood vessel.”