Page 147 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“It’s not safe Maddie.” Brandon said. “They already made a play for you once and besides Cole could well have been the target of that bombing. It’s pure luck that he left the office when he did.”

Maddie looked at Cole. She knew what Brandon was saying was right but it still annoyed her. “So we’re staying here?” She said.

“For the moment.” Cole replied. “I’ll grab some more things from the house later.”

“This place is far easy to protect than yours.” Brandon said.

Maddie glanced around at all the glass with a suspicious look on her face. Surely it wouldn’t take much to smash through it.

“It’s bulletproof.” Brandon stated seeing where her eyes fell. “Bomb proof too to a point. It’s reinforced and there’s a panic room in the basement if all else fails.”

“Wow.” Maddie murmured.

“Your car is bulletproof. That’s how I ordered it.” Cole stated. “For the moment we’re driving that until the DBX comes back from the garage.”

She rolled her eyes. It was so like Cole to have her car fully protected and not think to do his own.

“I’m staying in a BlackWater safehouse along with my team. Everyone else on the case has been given a security detail. We’re taking no chances.” Carlton added.

“Sounds like I’m the only one without a bodyguard.” Andy joked and they all laughed.

Maddie sat staringat her scene, going through the evidence Brandon had pinged her way. Brandon was across from her and Cole was sat between them.

Was this how it was going to be? She wondered. The three of them like this for the foreseeable future? At what point would they decide the danger was over? At what point would Maddie and Cole be able to go back home?

She sighed running her hands over her face. She needed to get her head together. She needed to stop all the god damn dreams.

“Anyone want something to eat?” Brandon asked and Maddie’s stomach growled in response. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He laughed.

“Can you cook anything other than beans on toast though?” Maddie asked.

“Yeah I can do omelette, and I make a mean cheese on toast.” He replied.

“Save it, I’ll cook something.” Cole said getting up and opening the fridge. “Where’s your food?”

Brandon smirked and Maddie saw there was nothing inside except a carton of milk, a block of cheese and some eggs. “I don’t really cook much. I just get takeout.”

“I guess we’re sorting a food delivery then.” Maddie muttered.

“Does that mean you’ll be cooking for me?” Brandon teased and she rolled her eyes.

“Not a chance. We’ll take it in turns.” She said and he laughed. “Maybe I can teach you a few tricks…”

Cole narrowed his eyes and Maddie laughed. “I meant culinary wise Cole. Besides you can’t get jealous of Brandon. You literally had a threesome with Jennifer.”

“Yeah and that’s why I don’t share.” Cole said and Brandon and Maddie laughed.

“No offence Cole but I’m not looking for a repeat either. Just do me a favour the pair of you, while you’re here I don’t want to catch you fucking anywhere okay?”

“So what you’re making us take a vow of abstinence?” Maddie asked.

“Not a fucking chance.” Cole said.

“I don’t care if you fuck in my house, I just don’t want to see you actually doing it. Call it my house rules. Fuck where you want, fuck on this island for all I care, just make sure you clean up after.” Brandon stated.

“Like you do the jet?” Cole said and Maddie sniggered.

Brandon rolled his eyes. “And talking of house rules, one final one, I’ll turn a blind eye to whatever you two get up to if you agree to the same…”

---