Page 116 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

Maddie woke to the sound of her phone buzzing and practically had to fight Cole to get out of his arms.

“Becky?” She said picking it up and looking around not that the light in the room would give her any hint of what time it was. Cole was the total opposite of her and he liked everything dark when he slept with thick blackout blinds that dropped with the flick of a button so it could have been midday and the room would have looked the same.

“Maddie you have to help me.”

“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” She said and Cole sat up as if he was ready to take whatever action might be needed.

“It’s three days to the ball and I have nothing to wear. NOTHING.” She yelled and Maddie laughed.

“Jesus Becs, I thought it was something serious for a minute.” Maddie stated.

“Er, this is serious. I’ve never been invited to the Black Ball before and Aidan’s going so I have to look incredible.” Becky retorted.

“So what do you want me to do about it?” Maddie replied.

“Come with me, come shopping, I literally don’t care how much it costs but I have to get a dress today.” Becky said.

Maddie groaned. She didn’t want to spend her Saturday traipsing round the shops but she didn’t have a dress either and had been putting off the inevitable as well.

“Fine. But you’re buying coffee.” She said.

She hung up and Cole was narrowing his eyes at her.

“What?” She asked.

“That’s not how I like to be woken up especially at the weekend.”

“Me neither.” She muttered walking over to the dressing room and trying to pick out something that would be easy enough to take off if she was trying dresses on.

“How are you getting there?” He asked her.

“Getting where?”

“To Becky’s?” He replied.

“We’re meeting in central, I’ll get the tube.” She said.

“Not from here you won’t.” He replied.

“Why not, it’s perfectly safe.”

“The tube doesn’t come this far Maddie. And besides you got snatched from central London if you remember, right before they rammed those pills down your throat.” He stated.

“I can hardly forget it.” She said subconsciously grabbing her chest as the memory came back.

“I’ll sort a car.” He said.

She screwed her face up at his words. “What? That’s ridiculous.”

“No it’s not. An agent can drive you and they’ll pick Becky up on the way.” He said.

“What and just park up outside each shop?” She half laughed.

“Yes. They have clearance to park wherever and an Agent can escort you too.”

“Seriously? I don’t need a bodyguard Cole.” She stated.

“Becky is on crutches so it’ll be easier for her and unless you’re planning on going naked to this ball you won’t have much choice.” He snapped and she shook her head. Fucking Cole, she thought, even though she knew he was right about the crutches.

---