Games 006

Maddox POV

"Maddie." The name was etched into my soul like a scar that never healed. From the moment I laid my eyes on her all those years ago, when picking up Eva from that godforsaken high school, she had haunted me.

She was just a kid then, barely out of her teens, when I first saw her, she was laughing with Eva in the parking lot, her blue eyes sparkling under the sun, her white skin glowing.

I remember freezing in my car, the engine idling, as I watched her. She didn't notice me, not really. She just gave me a quick casual glance, a polite wave as Eva hopped in my car.

But I noticed her. Fuck, did I notice her. It was like a switch flipped in my brain. And from that day, Madison Rashid became mine, even if she didn't know it yet. At least I knowing it was enough.

Now, here she was, under my roof thinking I was Eva's father. "Tsk, childish."

The irony was delicious, Eva had played her part perfectly, feeding Maddie the lie about me being the grieving widower who needed "cheering up."

Eva had no choice, I had made it clear to her that day, "Bring her here, or I'll sell you to those wolves in the cartel," I had told her, my voice calm as I sipped my whiskey.

Eva's eyes had widened in shock, her face going pale, because she knew I wasn't bluffing. She knew, I Maddox Ren had buried allies, killed brothers who betrayed me.

Eva was my blood, sure, but she had crossed me one too many times—skimming off my operations, whispering to the wrong people. This was her punishment, to deliver the woman I had craved for years right to my doorstep.

I watched Maddie descend the stairs now, her posture stiff, like a dove trying to look fierce in a cage full of hawks. She avoided my gaze, her eyes darting to the floor, the walls, anywhere but me.

It pissed me off and thrilled me at the same time. After last night, after I had claimed her, heard her moans echo through the room as she called me "Daddy," she should be melting at my feet. But no, my princess had fire and that spirit intrigued me, made me want to break her just enough to mold her into mine.

"Morning, princess," I said, my voice low, laced with that edge that made men piss themselves. I leaned against the kitchen counter, my arms crossed over my chest, my dragon tattoo flexing as I shifted. I towered over her, I knew I was tall but Maddie was so short beside me.

She looked...... maybe 5'2 feet and I was 6'5

She nodded curtly, heading straight for the fridge to grab a glass of water. I had prepared breakfast, I made eggs, bacon, fresh coffee and laid it out on the dining table like some domestic bullshit.

It was a farce, of course, I didn't cook for anyone but for her? I had learnt how to cook at a shitty cooking school just to play the part if it kept her close, kept her thinking I was just a man.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked, pushing off the counter, walking slowly as I approached her. "I prepared it a while ago."

"Thanks," she muttered, her gaze avoiding my eyes like some plague. She set the glass down and turned toward the stairs. "I'm not hungry right now. I'll eat when I am." She paused, and her back still to me, and added, "Oh, I have to tell you this. I got an invitation from a club to work as a dancer, and I'm thinking of accepting the job. So maybe I'll be moving out in less than a week."

The words hit me like a slap. Moving out? Dancing for other men? My blood boiled, a red haze clouding my vision. No one touches what's mine, no one looks at her but me. I would burn that club to the ground before I let her shake her ass for strangers.

But I kept my face neutral, my voice steady with years of dealing with traitors and rivals, those had taught me control. "You aren't leaving," I said the words coming out harsher than intended, like a command. "Reject that offer now. I can provide for you. It's not like you eat like a horse."

Her expression shifted, I could see fear flickering in those blue eyes before she straightened, her shoulders squaring like she was ready for battle. "I am leaving here," she said, her voice trembling but defiant. "And I don't think it affects you in any way. So quit saying anything about this."

Affects me? Oh, princess, you have no idea how everything about you affects me. The way you breathe, the way you fight, the way you submit, it all feeds the feelings that's consumed me since that high school parking lot.

I stepped closer to her, my presence looming over her, the air thickening with tension. She didn't back down, but I saw the pulse jump in her neck, the slight quiver in her lips.

Good. She should be scared of me, but not of me hurting her, no, I would never lay a hand on her in anger but, she should be scared of how far I would go to keep her.

"You think it's that simple?" I murmured, my hand reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers lingered, tracing her jawline, feeling the softness of her skin. She shivered, and it took everything in me not to pin her against the wall right now. "You walk out that door, and what? You think I'll just let you go after last night?"

Her eyes widened, a mix of anger and confusion flashing across her face. "Let me go? Tsk, Do I look like your property that I need to take permission? Maddox, last night was… it was a mistake. I was drunk, and you.....you tricked me. Eva tricked me too. I thought you were her dad!"

I chuckled, the sound low and dark, the sound echoing in the quiet house. "Tricked? Eva did what she had to do, she has always been good at following orders especially when the alternative is… unpleasant." I didn't elaborate.

Maddie's face paled, her defiance cracking just a fraction. "What does that mean? Why would Eva lie like that? She's my best friend!"

I stepped even closer, my body inches from hers, my breath mingling with her quick gasps. "Because she knows what happens when you cross me, princess. And you? You're not leaving because I don't want you to. I've waited too long for this, for you. Since the day I saw you with Eva at that school, you have been mine. You just didn't know it yet."

Her eyes searched mine, shock rippling through them. "That was… years ago. I don't even remember you till now. Are you somewhat crazy?" She lamented.

"Tsk, you don't remember me but I do. Every detail," I growled, my hand sliding to the back of her neck, holding her in place—not hard enough to hurt, but firm to remind her I was in control.

She tried to pull back, but I held her, my brown eyes locking onto her blue ones. "This is crazy," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You are crazy."

"Tsk." I smiled a bit, "you never know."