Page 124 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

When they walked out she glanced at the lady behind the desk who looked like she was suddenly very busy with the photocopier. There was no way in hell she hadn’t heard them, Maddie thought but she was doing a great job of not making awkward.

“So how would you feel about a party?” Cole asked as they sat down in the same café Brandon had taken her too last time she was at Black Industries.

“What kind of party?” She asked. It wasn’t either of their birthdays. What need did they have for a party?

“Like the kind you’ve never experienced.” He said giving her a look that made her pretty much wet her knickers all over again.

“What are you talking about?” She asked.

He smirked. He could see from her body how she was reacting though she had no idea what exactly he was going on about.

“I thought it could be fun. A taste of something different.”

“Do we have to organise it?” Maddie asked and Cole laughed.

“No. It’s not that kind of thing. It’s anonymous, or as close to it as it gets.” He stated.

“So what we just show up and….?” Maddie trailed off because she wasn’t sure she even got it.

“Why don’t we give it a try. If you don’t like it we can leave.”

“If you want too Cole.” She said taking a bite of her sandwich.

He nodded. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“Talking of enjoyment, I saw Jennifer out the front when I arrived.” Maddie murmured.

“Yeah she’s been forced to give a handover to the new guy.” Cole stated.

“So the project’s still on then?” Maddie asked.

“Yeah. Turns out Jennifer doesn’t have as much power as she thought.” He said.

“Well that’s something.” Maddie muttered. “I know what you did was because of me, because of what I’d said but I wouldn’t want you to risk everything for me.”

Cole rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t risking anything Maddie. They needed us a lot more than we need them and besides I’m not going to just sit there and let someone insult you.”

“Is that why you reacted as you did with your cousin?” She asked.

“Yes. The things they were saying. Like I said at the weekend, I have a nasty temper sometimes.”

“You don’t think I’m a gold digger?” She asked as he narrowed his eyes. “That I’m only with you because of what you can give me?”

“Not for a minute. I picked you out remember.” He said smirking. “I wanted to tame you.”

“Yeah I remember. You called me feral.”

They both laughed.

“You still are Maddie. That’s why I like you. Why I love you. You don’t give a shit, you do what you want, say what you want. You have a fierce independent streak to you that is so damn attractive.”

“Urgh alright.” Maddie muttered. “No need to flatter me too much.”

Cole laughed before glancing at his watch. “I should head back.”

“Let me get this.” Maddie said standing before he could stop her and heading over to the till to pay.

Her phone buzzed on the table and Cole glanced at it frowning when he saw the name ‘Daddy Dearest’ pop up with the beginnings of a message. He looked at her then. Was that what she was hiding, that she was talking to him, to Alfred?

Maddie walked back, picked up her phone and for a second her whole expression changed.

“Everything okay?” Cole asked his eyes focused on her face.

“Yeah just some work stuff.” Maddie muttered pocketing the damn thing and putting on her best fake smile determined not to let her arsehole of a dad ruin any more of her time than he already was.

---