Page 125 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Are you a fucking idiot?” Becky asked.

Maddie shook her head. They were sat in an office, with a strong cup of coffee each.

“Why have you said nothing?” Becky said.

“Because I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to get out of this.” Maddie muttered.

“You have to tell Cole or at least Brandon.” Becky stated.

“I can’t.” Maddie snapped. “If I say anything then Alfred will pull his trump card.”

“You don’t know that.” Becky said.

“Yeah I do. That’s exactly what he’s threatened.”

“No, he’s blackmailing you to spend time with him. As long as you don’t stop doing that he’ll never know if you’ve talked or not.”

“Becky look, I know you’re trying to help but it’s not an option.”

“So why did you tell me? What do you want from me?” Becky asked.

Maddie couldn’t help it, she smirked. Becky was so direct, so blunt. Maybe that was why she’d told her about her dad, about his blackmail, about what he was threatening to do and that he was having her followed too.

“I don’t know. Maybe I just needed to tell someone.”

“If you’re being tailed then that’s a BlackWater issue. The cases we’re on, you can’t just have some randomer finding out anything. They don’t have the clearance.”

“I know Becs. I’m just trying to figure out what to do, what to say because if I tell Brandon I’m being tailed he’ll want to know why.”

“Look Maddie, I’ve got your back. You know that but if you don’t say something I will.”

“What does that mean?” Maddie asked.

“It means I’m giving you till the end of the week. If you don’t talk then I’m going to Brandon.”

“Becs please.”

“No Maddie. You’re one of my best mates but you’re being an idiot.”

“Urgh.” Maddie muttered. “I just need to figure out what to do.”

Becky threw her a look and got up. “You don’t need to figure it out. You need to grow a pair and just do it.” She stated.

Maddie walked into the restaurant.Cursing every god damn step. She had two days. Two days before Becky’s timescale was up and then she was fucked. Could she do it? Could she tell Brandon and hope that he wouldn’t talk? She didn’t even know why she was so concerned with not letting Cole know anyway but something in her wanted to keep it from him.

Just like before Alfred had picked one of the most desirable places to eat in London. She wondered if he was doing it on purpose. If it was his attempt at trying to woo her. That he thought she’d be impressed by his money, his influence.

“Maddison.” Alfred said as the waiter held her chair out.

“Thank you.” She said back to him and he smiled before handing them both a menu.

“I know you spent some time in China so I thought you’d appreciate something a bit more oriental.”

“Very considerate.” She said fighting the conflicting feelings she had because she loved sushi, but to be eating it with Alfred? That was a different matter.

“I’ll let you order.” He said smiling and she rolled her eyes. He was clearly on the charm offensive.

The man came back and she ordered a whole platter and some extra sides of warships and the whole time Alfred was smiling at her like some proud parent.

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