Page 134 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

Maddie got out of the car still surprised that Cole had brought her back, back to his home. She’d half expected him to drop her back at her own place and leave despite having stayed with her the last three days.

Despite having ridden out the whole withdrawal with her.

She swallowed, looking around and feeling suddenly nervous, suddenly unsure. Cole looked back at her, waiting.

She gave him a small smile and picked up her speed. He led her not into his bedroom but one just down and she tried not to react then.

“I’ll give you a moment.” He said sensing her unease and she nodded watching him go and feeling confused.

She paced the room then, looking around, thinking. Had he simply brought her here because they still thought there was a risk to her, that it was just that it was safer here than at her own place?

She wanted a shower she thought, she wanted to wash all of the last of god know how long off of her even though she’d already technically done that back at the hospital.

She stripped in the bathroom and turned the water up till it was practically scalding and then just stood under it, ignoring the searing pain, ignoring the bright red colour of her skin, just letting the water wash over her as if it could wash away all the humiliation of the last few days.

She got out, dried herself off, pulled on some clean clothes and sat down on the floor by the bed, feeling suddenly tired, suddenly exhausted.

Cole came back with some food but after sticking his head round the door saw she had fallen asleep. He put the tray down and watched her for a moment. She looked peaceful, as if she was dreaming and he picked her up and moved her onto the bed, pulling the blankets around her.

Cole heard the scream and got up quickly running into the other room. It was dark, almost two in the morning and he knew she must have had a nightmare.

He looked around but the bed was empty. The covers had been thrown back but Maddie wasn’t there. He frowned searching the room and then he saw her, curled up, small, in the corner of the room and he sighed sitting down close to her.

She whimpered slightly and he moved his hand to touch her, to reassure her and she jumped, waking almost instantly and he saw that old wild look in her eyes.

“It’s okay.” He said quietly.

“What is?” She replied. Her heart was pounding and she could feel the adrenaline pumping through her even now.

He sighed again. “I know what they did Maddie.” He said gently.

“Which bit?” She asked, her voice hard now.

“I know they assaulted you.”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Not really.” She stated.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You think it’s the first time that’s happened?” She asked him and he frowned staring at her like he’d never seen her properly until now.

“Are you serious?” He said.

She shrugged looking away.

“When? When did it happen before?” He asked his voice as harsh as hers.

She shrugged. “Enough times. I told you my mother was a junkie. She had a lot of boyfriends, a lot of men who hung around for one thing or another. She didn’t care as long as she got her fix.”

“Fucking hell Maddie.” Cole growled. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Like I said it doesn’t matter.” She replied.

“Stop saying that.” He snapped.

“Why? Will you stop treating me like I’m a wounded animal if I do?” She asked him.

“What?” He said confused.

“I’m not any different from it and I don’t want you acting like I am.” She stated and he frowned pulling her to him and wrapping his arms around her.

“I’m not any different.” She repeated and he shook his head because maybe she didn’t feel that way but he sure as hell did.

He watched her in the semi-darkness, he could make out her face, make out her expression now and as she leant her head back against his chest, looking up at the ceiling.

“They wanted the codes.” She said quietly after a few minutes of just listening to his heart beating and he frowned shifting to look at her.

“What codes?” He asked.

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