“Self-appointed, remember? It’s what we all are. You’ll figure out your spot in that.”
I wasn’t certain there was a spot for me. What had I ever done to contribute to…well, anything other than what I was told to do and Ruby? “Would you like a cup? Maybe you could tell me about your research.”
Laurel nodded
A few minutes later we were seated out on the sofa. Beyond the windows, fluffy large snowflakes were falling, glistening in the darkness.
“The goal of my research is to repress traumatic memories while allowing people to function in their everyday lives.”
Wow. That wasn’t what I was expecting. “And you’re doing that, working on it…where?”
“Araneae began the Sparrow Institute a few years ago. It’s just getting up and running, but she has done a great job of delegating to very qualified people. The main vision of the institute is to help victims of trafficking and exploitation.”
I nearly spit my coffee out as I gasped. “What?”
“It’s not something the men talk about, but in a nutshell, years ago, this city was run by two factions, the Sparrows and the McFaddens…”
With trembling hands, I placed my cup of coffee on the table.
Laurel was still speaking though her voice sounded farther and farther away.
“…before Sterling, the Sparrow side was overseen by his father. Both sides were prominent in the trafficking element in Chicago…” Laurel reached out to my knee. “Madeline, are you all right?”
The meal I’d just consumed churned in my gut as my circulation rushed to my feet. Within the fog that was settling, the door to the apartment opened.
I peered up to the handsome man in the doorway. His presence gave me focus. His suit accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist. His tie was loosened enough to show off the cords in his thick neck, and his blue eyes were zeroed in on me.
“Madeline. Laurel.” He came my way and lowered himself to eye level. “You’re pale. Are you all right?”
Patrick
Madeline trembled beneath my touch.
“What happened?” I asked either of the ladies.
When Madeline didn’t answer, I turned to Laurel.
“I don’t know,” she said. “We were just talking about my research and the institute.”
Fuck.
“The institute?”
I hadn’t had the chance to mention to Madeline about the Sparrow connection or Araneae’s plight to right the wrongs of the past generation.
Taking Madeline’s hands in mine, I squeezed. “How about we continue this conversation later?”
Madeline nodded as moisture glistened in her green eyes.
I stood back up as did Laurel. It was then that I noticed the tray with two covered plates on the breakfast bar in the kitchen. Meeting her gaze, I smiled. “Thank you for bringing dinner.”
“Sorry,” she said with a grin, stepping past me and picking up the tray. “This was for Madeline and me. I can say something to Lorna if you’re hungry.”
“I’m good. Sparrow and I ate on the plane.”
“Okay, I’ll let Lorna know that unless…maybe you called ahead and told her?” Her eyebrows arched.
“You know us, Laurel.”
“So you didn’t think to mention it.”
“Right. Please tell Lorna we’re sorry.”
Laurel placed the coffee mug on the counter and lifted the tray. “Don’t worry, Patrick. Lorna knows you are.”
I opened the apartment door and walked Laurel to the elevator. Once we were out of earshot of Madeline, I asked, “What happened?”
Her expression grew sullen. “I don’t know. We were talking and eating and then she offered me coffee and asked about my research. I wanted to give her some perspective and started talking about the institute and why Araneae started it. All of a sudden…” The elevator opened and Laurel stepped in. “…she became very pale. I think mostly she’s overwhelmed. I get it.” She kept the door open with her foot. “This place is a lot. I had hoped my visit would help.”
“I’m sure it did.”
Laurel smiled as the doors closed. When I turned around, Madeline was standing in the doorway to our apartment. Her dark hair was tethered at the nape of her neck in a messy bun and her sexy body was covered with jeans and a soft sweater. In three long strides I was in front of her, close enough to feel her warmth and inhale her sweet scent.
“I’m not usually this fragile,” she said, looking up at me.
Instinctively, I reached out, my hands moving under her sweater and my fingers splaying upon her supple skin of her lower back. Pulled against me, her neck craned upward and her breasts came to my chest. “I know you’re not fragile. You’re the exact opposite, Maddie girl. You have survived what others haven’t. You’re not fragile. What you are to me is precious. I want to wrap you in Bubble Wrap, protect and shield you from every horror, not because I’m afraid you’ll break, but because I fucking love you. I know you’re irreplaceable because for seventeen years I never once tried. There was no use.” I leaned down until our lips touched.
The kiss soft and sweet, my eyes closed as her arms came around my torso beneath my jacket.
Abruptly, Madeline stepped back. “You’re wearing a gun.” Her hand came to my chest. “Is that a vest?”
“Yes, it’s a Kevlar vest, but the holster is empty. All my guns are on 2.”
“Two?”
“The floor below. I’ve never had a child, even a teenager around. I thought it made sense to not have the guns in the apartment.”
Madeline let out a long breath. Reaching for my hand, she tugged me through the door. Once it was closed, she picked up the mug on the table and began to carry it into the kitchen. I was a step behind her. After placing both mugs in the sink, she turned. The moisture that had been teetering on her lids was now streaming down her face.
“Maddie, talk to me.”
“And say what?”
“I don’t know. That’s up to you.”
“Mrs. Sparrow has an institute to help victims of trafficking.”
I scoffed. “I know you mean Araneae because, believe me, Mrs. Sparrow—Sparrow’s mother—would never do anything as altruistic.”
“His mother is still alive?” she asked.
“Unfortunately.”
Madeline wiped her cheeks as her eyes grew wide. “Patrick Kelly, I’ve never heard you say anything bad about another person. She’s your friend’s mother.”
“Don’t worry, Sparrow would say the same thing.”
“His mother must be a real winner.” Madeline shook her head. “My mom was a lot of things, things I’m just learning—such as a mistress—but I never remember thinking that she wasn’t kind.”
I took a deep breath. “I won’t sing the praises of Allister and Genevieve Sparrow—with two exceptions. Their son is a good man and Allister’s daughter is the love of my life.”
Maddie sighed and gave me a sad smile. “Laurel said Allister was involved in trafficking, similar to the senator?”