Page 9 of Maddox

“Aww. You just couldn’t handle a real woman. While you’re here, I’m happy to sign the papers. Plus, you can take the rest of your crap with you before you go. Stay right there. You are not welcome inmyhouse.”

Yes, I’d at least insisted on keeping the house, although at this point, I hated the memories. We’d been happy for a few years, planning a wonderful future. Both our careers had gotten in the middle, but I’d never cheated on him. Not once. I doubted Barbie Betty was his first, but the last thing I needed were additional grisly details about his mortal sins.

At least I’d been a little conniving myself in keeping some of his favorite items since he’d insisted on dismantling my life. I sashayed toward my desk, wishing I’d picked up my SpaghettiOs bowl from the night before.

There was nothing more depressing than cooking for one.

“How’s the job going?” Brian asked and his sudden change in demeanor seemed suspicious. Was he just getting ready to barrage me with additional barbs?

“Incredible. There’s nothing like exposing criminals and assholes. Maybe I’ll start a little investigation into your firm. I heard some members of your staff are on the take. Looking for the governorship?” It wasn’t entirely a lie. Even Brian had toldme he suspected his mentor in the firm of crossing into the gray area.

“You know my work is important to me.”

He’d complained I’d taken time away from our marriage when he’d been knee deep in exposing organized crime for years, even spending nights in the office because of a big case he was working on. Now I knew the real reason why.

“I guess so did Barbie.”

“Char. Can we stop arguing? Please? I know you’re struggling to find the next great story.”

“You care why?”

“Because you were always good at exposing the truth. You should keep doing that. There are so many bad people out there.”

There were bad people everywhere, including one who’d shared a bed with me. Oh, the man made me furious.

I snagged the paperwork and my favorite pen, smiling as I signed and initialed where applicable on both copies. Before handing him one, I folded and kissed the top just for kicks and giggles.

In my mind, a nice send off.

“Don’t worry. That’s what I intend on doing.”

“Just be careful. It’s a dangerous world out there.”

Now he was issuing a warning. I wouldn’t call it a threat, but he was doing what he always did, talk down to me. About my family. About my upbringing. About my job. About everything.I didn’t bother responding. There was nothing more dangerous than believing you could trust someone with your heart.

I’d learned that the hard way.

I grabbed his box of crap I’d put together, slapped the paperwork on the top, and took determined strides back in his direction. When I shoved the box against his chest, he was forced back a couple of feet.

“I would say it’s been fun, but I’d be lying. Have a lovely wedding.” I slammed the door in his face, immediately clicking the lock in place. Then I spun around and resisted beating my head on the wooden surface. What had I seen in the man all those years ago?

This time, I heard an incoming text on my phone. Snarling, I stormed toward it, snagging the iPhone and glaring at the screen.

Brian the Toad:You’ll always be a bitch.

“Ooohh!”

I was ready to toss it against the wall. Before I was really tempted, another text came in.

My finger was ready to blast a reply to the asshole when I realized Brian hadn’t sent a second text.

This time, it was from an unknown sender. How the hell had the person gotten my number? I’d ordinarily delete any scam or unwanted message immediately, but instead, I sat down—the words were intriguing.

Unknown:Do you want to help catch the most notorious cartel leader on Earth?

Every inch of my skin prickled, and suddenly, the ebb and flow of thoughts and ideas came like a tidal wave. Maybe I was out of my mind, but what the hell.

Me:Yes, I’d love to do that. Tell me how.

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