Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Chapter 10
Ti
Admittedly, I was a bit wary of getting caught in someone else’s spider web of drama, but according to all the guys, this Madison girl was worth it. Very much worth it.
I hadn’t met her officially like the others, but I did see her and her friend come into the tattoo shop a few weeks ago.
Petite figure. Long brown hair. Bright smile. Who could’ve possibly ignored her?
Now, I got to meet her for the first time today so that I could also tap Marlo out and look after her. Evidently, someone was after her and maybe her daughter. If the guys wanted her protected, I would keep her safe. And I was curious about her anyway.
I bumped the side of my fist against Marlo’s as we met on Madison’s porch.
“Go home, boss. I’ll keep an eye on her,” I told him as my eyes swept the quiet neighborhood doused in early morning sunlight.
Marlo nodded.
“She just got back from dropping Chloe off at school,” he said.
“See anything suspicious?” I asked.
Marlo shook his head.
“Not yet. Probably for the best. Maybe we’ll scare this bastard away,” he replied.
I cocked my eyebrow slightly, able to hear the anger in his voice. I hadn’t heard him sound so aggressive in a while, but it seemed like this woman had dug her way under his skin. The others too.
“Let’s hope,” I said before heading inside, hearing the sound of a television playing past the kitchen. I reached up and adjusted the collar of my black button-down shirt, a few silver rings adorning my fingers. Even after seeing her once before, I wasn’t sure what to expect when my eyes finally fell upon her again.
It didn’t take me long to find a small living space with a beige, polyester couch, wooden coffee table, and a 32-inch flatscreen on a small entertainment center with a few picture frames on it as well. However, my eyes didn’t focus on the décor too long because the brunette beauty in question was curled up on the couch with a red and white Christmas blanket draped over her smooth legs where her white lounge shorts didn’t cover.
“Madison?” I spoke.
Madison’s head immediately snapped to the side as she sat up straight, her wide eyes finding me.
“Oh, hi! Sorry, I was expecting you, but I zoned out,” she said as she got off the couch to approach me with a sheepish smile on her face.
Since she was only wearing a ribbed, black tank top, it was easy for me to spot the tattoo that she got in all of its healed glory. It suited her.
“Deep in thought?” I asked as I tilted my head at her.
Madison’s face seemed to flush a little as she nodded.
“Yeah, you could say that,” she replied.
I held my hand out to her, prompting her to take it without much hesitation. I pressed my lips against her knuckles before smoothing over my touch with my thumb.
“What’s on your mind, doll?” I asked before leading her back over to the couch. I truly was curious.
Madison sat down next to me, our knees angled toward each other as we huddled close.
“My life is just crazy right now,” she said with a light, pitiful laugh. “My ex wants custody of my daughter. Someone followed me the other night and then might’ve been the same person who tried to break into my house. And…”
I cocked my eyebrow at her.
“And?” I asked.
Madison chewed on her bottom lip for a second in a manner that made fire churn in the pit of my stomach. Her lips were tantalizing. Soft and full. What I would give to see them in action. Feel them in action.
“I’ve now met seven guys at a tattoo shop who make me feel more confused and excited than I’ve ever felt before in my life,” she blurted out, glancing away from me as she spoke.
“What’s confusing you?” I replied as I rested my hand on her knee, the cool metal of my rings making her tense slightly.
Out of bashfulness, Madison laughed and shook her head.
“I just… you guys are amazing. I don’t want to scare my mom or my little sister all the way at Yale, so you guys are the only people I’ve been able to turn to. What you’ve all done for me means so much, and you’re also all very… handsome,” she said, looking even pinker than before.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Damn it, she was cute. I could see what the guys were talking about.
“Oh, you’re a sweet thing,” I told her as my thumb stroked little circles against the outside of her knee. “I’ve just met you and I’m already fond of you. I’m sure the others are hooked as well.”
Madison’s eyes widened slightly like she didn’t expect my forward response.
“Well, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in the feeling,” she replied.