Raul winked, sidling up to Tina’s side. “From what I’ve heard, I think you’re right. If not, come see me, his VP, and I’ll take care of him.”
“I’m Boxer, the enforcer around here. Tell me…” He leaned into Madeline, elbows on the island, his face mere inches from hers. “You do some voodoo shit to catch him? This guy has never brought a woman around, let alone let her wear his prized Ozzy shirt and sleep in his bed. I want to know your secret,honey.”
“Hey. Don’t go honeying her, Box,” I barked.
He raised his hands. “Didn’t mean any harm. I can just tell this pretty lady has a special touch.”
Madeline rubbed my thigh in a calming way. “Well, Boxer, I might have a special touch. No voodoo shit, just good old-fashioned charm.”
Justin’s daughter laughed. I could tell she was intrigued by Madeline. She’d grown up within the club and not around many old ladies, just kittens, which Justin didn’t want her getting close to. Sugar and Tina had been the only mother-figures to Emilee after Justin’s wife, Laura, died years ago after a valiant battle with breast cancer.
Then there was Jill, Boxer’s sister. She’d been Wolf’s old lady for about a year or so. I was sure Jill would like Madeline. Hell, everyone seemed to like Angel. Except Carla. She continued to glare at her, and I’d about had enough of it.
“Good old-fashioned charm. I like it.” Boxer threw a wink Madeline’s way.
“She has a special touch, all right.” I pulled Madeline close. “Eat up, baby. Your food is getting cold.”
Carla huffed, rolling her eyes.
“Where the hell did Lynx go?” I glanced at Raul, then cut my eyes to Carla.
“The Bullet,” Raul replied.
If he’d talked to Carla, she wasn’t listening. I was tired of her bullshit and had been for months now. She needed to go.
“Madeline, will you be sticking around or at the party tonight?” Emilee asked. “I’d love to talk to you about teaching. I’ll be declaring my major in the spring. I’m considering Early Childhood Ed. I don’t think I’d be good with older kids.”
“I’m better with the little ones myself.” Madeline smiled, then lifted her mug to her lips.
“Then you’ll be here tonight?” Emilee asked again, a hopeful smile on her face. “Maybe we could talk before the party.”
“She’ll be here,” I answered for Madeline. I had a feeling she didn’t know how to respond.
I scarfed my food like I’d been trained to do in the Marines. After ten minutes of listening to idle chit-chat, I’d had enough. “You ready to go?” I whispered at the shell of Madeline’s ear.
“Yes.” She slipped off the stool, holding the hem of the T-shirt down, then reached for her plate.
I stopped her. “Carla’s got it.” I cut my eyes to the bitchy kitten and took Madeline’s hand, leading her out.
“It was great meeting all of you! See you this evening.” She waved and smiled.
Shouts ofsee yaandbyefollowed us out.
Back in my room, Madeline turned toward me, went up on her tiptoes, hooking her arms around my neck. “They’re all great. I look forward to talking to Emilee tonight.”
“I could tell they all liked you, too.”
“Yeah, except for Carla… your kitten.”
“Don’t do that, Angel. She means nothing to me.” I didn’t want to have this conversation, but I knew we’d eventually need to.
“But she was your go-to. What made you keep going back to her? How long were you with her?”
I pulled out of her arms, and she pouted. Suddenly I felt ill. My stomach was tight and churning. I sat on the corner of the bed, bracing my elbows on my knees. I clasped my hands together and stared at them.
Madeline stayed back and didn’t say anything, but I felt her eyes on me.
I ignored her questions and asked one which mattered most to me. “Did you love Dane?” I lifted my head to see her expression.