Page 78 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“How so?” Maddie asked.

“I knew you were here so I got Brandon to come with me.” He stated.

“How did you know I was here? I didn’t say where I was going.” She replied.

“You have a BlackWater phone in your pocket Maddie, you think I can’t look up the location at any time I want?” He said.

“So you are stalking me then.” She said irritated now.

“Not exactly. Listen there’s something going on.” He looked around and she frowned.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“At BlackWater, we think we might have a mole.” Cole said.

“Are you serious?” She half hissed.

“Yes.”

“Do you know who?” She asked.

“That’s a stupid question isn’t it. If we knew that we’d have apprehended them already.” He snapped and Maddie shook her head.

“No need to be rude Cole.” She said.

“No need to be an idiot Maddie.” He snapped back.

She screwed her face at him. “So why are you here then?”

“I think there might be something going down with the case and you.” He said searching her face as if she might give him some sort of clue.

“Well duh, I’ve been caught up in this from the start in case you hadn’t noticed.” She said.

“I meant more than that Maddie. Those pictures, some new intel we got...” He replied.

“What new intel?” She asked narrowing her eyes.

“It doesn’t matter.” He shrugged.

“It fucking does.” She snapped and then she looked at him. “Are you keeping things from me?”

“Like what Maddie?” He said smirking and if anything that annoyed her even more.

“Like something about the case, something to do with me?” She replied.

“You know what you need to know.” He said back almost dismissively.

“Right, just like at Homewell right?” She snapped and he rolled his eyes.

“Let it go.” He said but it sounded like an order and it made her even more annoyed then.

“What if I don’t want too?” She said.

“Then I’ll have to make you.” He said taking a step closer to her and she shook her head slightly.

“You can’t do that, you can’t make everything about that.” She stated.

“About what?” He asked narrowing his eyes.

“About how you control me.” She said.

“Enough.” He said and she bit her lip but didn’t say anything. She was more than annoyed now, more than just irritated. She looked at him trying to figure it out and she heard Brandon and Becky’s laughter and glanced at them.

“Right who wants a drink?” Brandon said looking across from Becky to her.

“I think I’m going to head off.” Cole said looking at Maddie and she frowned slightly knowing exactly what he was saying without actually saying it.

“What about you Maddie? You want another one of those awful whiskey things Becky is forcing you both to drink?” Brandon asked.

“I’m not forcing her.” Becky laughed and Maddie grinned. Half of her was tempted to stay, to ignore the blatant look Cole was giving her and to make a point but she knew it would only end one way if she did and besides she was tired and after what Cole had said she wanted to think, not drink the night away anymore.

“I’m good thanks. I might call it a night too. It’s been a long day.” Maddie stated.

“Sure.” Brandon said looking from her to Cole smirking and she rolled her eyes. “Come on Becky. The night’s still young.” He said facing the bar and clicking his fingers to get the man’s attention.

Maddie followed Cole out, feeling annoyed and frustrated but also a little hurt. He openly just admitted he was hiding something from her but this was her case too, she was supposed to be working it just like everyone else so why wasn’t he telling her what was going on?

She sighed shaking her head and knowing that for the moment she had to let it go because pushing Cole wasn’t an option.

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