Page 148 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Meaning?” Maddie asked.

Brandon smirked. “We all have our kinks Maddie. I don’t ask about what Cole does to you, so whatever you might see or might hear, you don’t repeat it. It goes no further. We don’t discuss it.”

Maddie felt herself blushing. Burke had said Brandon was a dark horse and she’d dismissed it but here was the evidence.

“Agreed.” Cole said smirking at Maddie’s face. “Now how about some cheese on toast?”

Brandon nodded getting up and grabbing the cheese from the fridge.

Maddie’s phone buzzed and she picked it up frowning. “What?” She muttered but it almost immediately went off.

“Richard?” She said as both Brandon and Cole glanced at her.

“Shit’s hit the fan Maddie.” Richard said.

“What’s happened?”

“Check the gossip rags. You’re not gonna like this…” Richard said.

“What is it?” Maddie asked as Cole narrowed his eyes.

“Someone’s clearly got the wrong end of the stick and Alfred is all over the news.”

“Doing what?” Maddie said.

“They think he’s having an affair. Kelsey’s already called. His wife is threatening to divorce him.” Richard stated.

“An affair with who?”

“Who do you think Maddie? Someone’s had you followed. You’re literally front page news.”

“What?” Maddie snapped.

“Can Cole or your BlackWater colleagues do anything?” Richard asked.

“Not exactly, I’m not sure if you’re aware Richard but someone blew the whole damn office up.” She retorted hoping he heard the damn sarcasm in her voice.

“Yeah hard to miss.” He snapped back. “Look I’ve got your back you know that. Just expect something from Alfred at the very least.”

“He’s the one who started this.” Maddie said. “He blackmailed me. He deserves all of this and more.”

“Yeah unless he sees this as a move by you and decides to do whatever the hell he’s threatening to Cole.”

“He better fucking not.” Maddie growled.

“Speak to him. Get ahead of it.” Richard said.

“Alright. Thanks for the heads up.” Maddie replied before hanging up.

“What’s happened?” Cole asked.

Maddie shook her head looking at her phone, bringing up the first of no doubt hundreds of gossip pages that now held her image alongside Alfred’s.

“Fucking hell.” She snapped spinning the phone around and letting both Cole and Brandon see the image. It was one of the same Cole had laid out on the table for her the evening before. It was the worst of the lot; the one where he looked like he was hugging her.

“How the fuck did they get these?” Brandon asked.

“Jennifer.” Cole said.

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