Page 57 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Maddie, I didn’t make you department lead because I’m fucking you. We chose you because you had the skills and the ability to do it, you and Max both did. But we were very clear about what cases you were allowed to work…”

“Oh here we go.” She muttered rolling onto her back and crossing her arms. Somehow she knew this was coming.

“I’m not your boss Maddie. Brandon is.”

“And we’ve already spoken about it.” She stated.

“Shouted about it by the sounds of it.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Can we not. It’s been a really long, really shit day.”

He watched her for a moment. “Why, what else happened? This can’t be the only thing that’s got you so riled up.”

“It’s nothing.” She muttered.

“Don’t lie to me Maddie.” He said yanking her over to face him.

“I’m not Cole. I just don’t want to talk about it. You have secrets to remember.”

“So there is something then.” He said.

“Can we just not? Can we both just pretend we’ve had a perfectly normal day and nothing untoward happened?” She half pleaded.

“Fine. We can pretend if you want.” He said and she felt her jaw drop.

He pulled her in tighter, wrapping his arms around her in the domineering, controlling way he liked to sleep and she shut her eyes, feeling suddenly exhausted.

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