Page 73 of Maddox

There was something about seeing a brawny hero filling the entire doorway that could make a girl swoon. His expression was hard, his eyes full of rage and if his posture was any indication, he would break the attorney’s neck if offered a challenge.

Mr. Smith lifted his head, obviously annoyed at the interruption. When he started to say something, another man suddenly appeared behind Maddox.

“Charmaine,” Maddox commanded, motioning for me.

I headed toward him, more shaken than I wanted to admit.

“Fine, Lieutenant Grant. She is free to go. For now. As a courtesy, we’ve taken the liberty of reserving a suite for you at the Marriott, Ms. Douglas.” Whoever he was, Maddox was not amused at the statement.

Maddox turned his attention toward me. There was nothing that needed to be said.

We were in this together.

Whateverthiswas.

“However, we aren’t finished with our questions.” Mr. Smith was the bearer of bad news. “There is much more to this than you’ve told me.”

I kept a smile on my face even while seeing his determined scowl. “Maybe so, but that has nothing to do with me. I’m a reporter. That’s it.”

Their attitudes weren’t a huge surprise.

“That remains to be seen,” Mr. Smith pushed.

“We’ll be eager and ready,” I told him and moved away from the table.

Maddox’s expression was cold as ice, every muscle tensed. He appeared much larger in his suit than before, a powerful mandetermined to get to the bottom of whatever the government was hiding.

His eyes said it all.

Trust no one.

“Both of you need to remember that Fernando Alfaro is a dangerous man and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I would think you’d do anything in your powers to keep that from happening.”

Why did that feel like a direct threat?

CHAPTER 20

Charmaine

“I can’t believe you bought me clothes.” He’d insisted we stop at a couple of stores, pulling out cash to pay for a few things, even allowing me to drop by a drug store for toiletries and makeup. At least I’d have a change of clothes for a couple of days.

“The least I could do,” Maddox said as he peered down at me.

“I’ll pay you back after I gain access to my accounts again.” I had nothing. No passport. No driver’s license or bank card. While I’d left my credit cards at my apartment in Chicago, the loss of my credentials and everything else had already become a nuisance.

“No, you won’t. Now, come on,” he offered. “Let’s get you up to your room.”

“Are you leaving town?” I’d never felt such tremendous anxiety. There’d been a single room reserved in my name. Not one in Maddox’s.

“The smart man in me says I should.”

I turned toward him, placing my hand on his arm. “Please don’t. I just… I need someone I can talk to.”

His smirk was full of mischief. “Are you asking me to protect you?”

“Maybe.”

At least his laugh brought a hint of relief. “I’m not going anywhere tonight. I’ll grab a room later. Let’s get you into your room safely.”

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