Page 142 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“Like what?” He said.

“Difficult.” She said.

He smirked. Damn he was infuriating, Maddie thought.

“How this for a conversation, I saw our father.” She said and he stopped narrowing his eyes.

“When?” He asked her.

“At the Black Ball.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. Turns out his company is a shareholder in Black Industries.” She replied.

“Bet you like that knowledge.”

She gave him a look that said she most certainly did not.

“Did he recognise you?” He asked.

“How could he? He’s never even laid eyes on me.” She pointed out.

“So what happened because I can tell something did.” Richard said.

“He hit on me.”

“You’re not serious.” Richard half growled.

Maddie laughed. “I bloody well am.”

“And?”

“Let’s just say he knows exactly who I am now.” Maddie said.

“Jesus Maddie.” Richard muttered.

She grinned, remembering back to it, back to the moment when he’d physically squirmed at her words.

“Kelsey’s back fully in touch with him.” She said quietly.

“Of course she is. She’s fucked up her life again so she needs his money to fix it.” Richard stated.

“I don’t know about that. I don’t think she has the emotional intelligence to understand what he’s like and why she should stay away.” Maddie replied.

Richard nodded in agreement.

“Are you hungry? I might go make some cheese on toast if you fancy it?” Maddie asked.

“You’re making me lunch now?” He quipped and she laughed.

“Don’t get too carried away, it’s just a snack, besides I haven’t eaten anything all day.” She said.

“That’s because you’ve spent most of it in bed. In Cole Black’s bed by the sounds of it.”

She threw him a look and he laughed again.

“Reckon you’d make a good little house wife for him Maddie. Making his meals, keeping the place clean…” He teased and she shook her head.

“If you want some food then you should watch your words.” She replied.

“Like you said it’s only a snack.” He said.

She rolled her eyes as they turned and headed back to the house.

Cole was still there in the kitchen. He was on his phone, messaging someone but he looked up as they walked in, searching Maddie’s face for any hint of her emotions.

“I’m going to make some cheese on toast if you fancy it?” She asked him.

“Sounds good.” He said and he glanced at Richard who was smirking again like there was some hidden joke.

Richard sat back on one of the bar stools while Maddie started pulling things out of the fridge.

“So Cole you used to play for Guards right?” Richard said and Maddie turned with one eyebrow raised at him.

“How do you know that?” She asked him.

“Tom Heaton used to play for them.” Richard replied.

“Oh really?” Maddie said. She vaguely remembered the man from Rich’s ten year wedding anniversary where they’d held a huge garden party and Maddie had done her best to pretend to be normal because it was right after China and the thought of being around people had made her skin itch. But she’d done it, she’d been the perfect model of propriety that day.

“I know Tom. He was a good player. Good all-rounder.” Cole stated. “How do you know him?”

“We served together. Did two tours with the man.” Richard replied.

“So you were Medical Corp then?”

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