Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

What the fuck happened?

I glance at Noah and Coop, but they just watch her.

“Hey,” I say gently, rubbing her back. “Hey, tiger, what’s wrong?”

She shakes her head against my shoulder as her tears dampen my t-shirt. That instinct to protect her against everything makes me want to punch these two for upsetting her. Or was it Seth?

Kissing the top of her head, I look to Coop. “What happened?”

“Elizabeth and Seth were at the restaurant acting like a couple out on a date.” Coop swallows. His gaze never leaves Madison’s shaking shoulders. “He kissed Elizabeth in the restaurant.”

“Fuck.” I run my hand down Madison’s back and squeeze her against me. Seth wouldn’t do something like that unless he felt there was no other choice. “He had to have been backed into a corner.”

Noah nods and walks into the kitchen to grab a couple of tissues. “Elizabeth picked the restaurant on purpose. She knew we’d be there. That Madison would be there. She used Madison against him.”

When he returns, he hands me the tissues. I give one to Madison. She dabs at her eyes and meets mine. “He said he couldn’t protect me and not hurt me.”

I want to burn Elizabeth down to the ground. She already tried to mess up our lives once before. We survived that, but this time her target seems to be Madison, and that won’t stand.

“We started a thorough background check on her. We’ll find something to hold over her head so she won’t go forward with telling the press about you and Seth.” I tip her chin up and use a tissue to wipe the tears from her face. “This is what Elizabeth does. She’s only out for her own gains.”

“Seth can’t play into them though.” Coop clears his throat. “Tonight, Elizabeth played her hand perfectly and got exactly what she wanted.”

Madison rests her head against my shoulder. One arm drapes around my neck while I hold her other hand in her lap.

“We won’t be able to fix anything until Seth gets home. We’ll need to discuss our options.” I clear my throat. “There’s more information on Madison’s case. My buddy at the station called.”

Both Noah and Coop lean forward. Madison’s fingers tighten around mine.

“They found Valerie’s body.”

Madison sucks in a breath. “Her body?”

“She overdosed in a trap house they raided yesterday. They’re still trying to identify her remains. But they’re confident it’s her.” I run my hand down Madison’s back.

“What about Jeff?” She lifts her head. Her eyes are no longer glassy.

“They’ve got a lead on the drug dealers who ran the house. They think he may be with them.” I take a deep breath. “I have guys lined up to go through her room at your apartment tomorrow.”

She nods while looking at our hands. Her wide eyes lift to mine. “I didn’t want her dead.”

“I know, love.” Drawing her head back to my shoulder, I say, “I don’t know if we would have learned anything even if they caught her. We’ll see if there’s anything useful in her apartment and then give it to the police for when they track down her next of kin.”

“Should we stay up for Seth?” Noah stretches his arms over his head. “Or deal with it in the morning? He seemed a little tipsy after he kissed Elizabeth.”

“He’ll want to know about Valerie.” I know that, but I’m also not sure what time he’ll get home, and that could make things awkward for him and Madison. What if he’s out for another couple hours? “We can text and see when he thinks he’ll be back.”

I’m not about to let Madison go to grab my phone. Understanding my dilemma, Coop pulls out his and types a text.

The door opens. We all look up as Seth enters the apartment.

Chapter 124

Crime and Punishment

Seth

Madison’s eyes are the only thing I see when I walk into the apartment. It nearly destroyed me to see her crying over something I did. She still seems upset over it. Fuck. I don’t know how to make this right.