“My parents will be back in the morning. I’drather relax for a few days. Let’s get it done tonight and be donewith it.” She knew there would be court dates and all that crap,but she’d have a reprieve after tonight at least if Andrea took herstatement now.
“No problem. Hop in and I’ll drive you homeand get your statements at your place. Mike can take Aiden’sstatement and drive him back to the grange to pick up his car.”
As they followed her to the parking lot,Andrea filled them in on what had happened while they were at sea.“We have Dylan’s buddies from the meeting in for questioningregarding their part in tonight’s events. They’re doing some fancyfootwork. But, give us time. We should have enough to lock them upfor a while, share information with Georgetown to build a nice caseagainst the whole business.
“The guys that left the ransom note atChase’s have been apprehended; they were waiting a few houses downto nab Chase when he got home.”
“How’s Ian?” Maddy had to know, more than shecared to hear the rest.
“Ian’s doing fine. We had the paramedicscheck him out; they took him to the ER for x-rays and a head CT.Nothing’s broken, but I made him take off the next week as he’spretty sore. Hit his head on the pavement after his vest took thehit; has a hell of a headache. I’ve been keeping him updated; he’sglad you’re ok and says to tell you thanks for making him wear thevest.”
“I’m so glad. I was so scared for him.” Aload lifted off her chest as she heard about Ian, knowing he wasok.
As promised, Andrea took each of theirstatements as the other showered, then together, curled up on thecouch, in the comfort of Maddy’s living room. Maddy feared she mayhave been mid-sentence when she couldn’t hold open her heavyeyelids anymore and fell asleep. The rest of the night came in hazyglimpses.
Whatever drug Dylan had used was taking itssweet time to wear off. Or she was just plain exhausted. Shevaguely remembered Andrea telling her to take a very overduevacation for the next two weeks.
Chase carried her to bed, wincing but notcomplaining at the strain against his shoulder. Chase held herclose as she sank into a deep sleep.
36
Early rays of dawn gently peeked through the gap inthe bedroom curtain, teasing Maddy’s eyes open. Feeling warm andcozy under the comforter, with Chase’s muscled body spooned tightlyagainst her, she couldn’t resist the need to stay and snuggle. Anice way to start her vacation. Her first real vacation inyears.
“Stop wiggling, I’m trying to sleep,” Chase’scranky morning voice, more a groan, really, vibrated through theback of her head, his breath tickling at her hair. Feeling ornery,she wiggled her bottom against his already growing erection.Rolling her over, on top of her in under a second, Chase trailedkisses along her neck, “Fine. Work, work, work.”
Her phone buzzed on the bedside table. Maddyglanced over at the clock, “Shit, it’s already 10 in the morning.How late were we up?” She checked her text. “Aiden says they’rehalf an hour out. He’s having Payson deliver breakfast; says shewanted to check on me too, so Aiden conned her into bringing food.They’re all coming over here.”
Still lying atop her, Chase continued histrail of kisses along her neck, with a quick nip at her earlobe.“Plenty of time.”
She slipped her knee out and rolled him over,swiftly switching their positions. “Nice try. I’d rather my parentsnot find out about us the way Aiden did.”
Chase rubbed his tired eyes. “Yikes. Agreed.We’ll move fast.” He sat up and climbed out of bed, hauling herwith him into the shower. Ignoring her fists hammering against hisback, laughing out loud as she demanded to be put down. Which heresponded to with a quick slap on her ass.
After a steamy romp against the shower wall,they were dressed and politely sipping coffee in the living roomwithin 23 minutes. Setting their coffees on the table, Chase pulledMaddy snugly into his strong arms. He looked deeply into her iceblue eyes, “I love you, Maddy. I want you in my life. I know you’rescared. Take as long as you need; I’ll be here.”
A slow smile crossed her face as she gazedback, enjoying the moment. Not wanting to wait a moment longer, shepressed her lips to his for a brief, soft kiss and pulled back,looking right back into his eyes. “Chase, I’m not scared anymore. Ilove you so much. Marry me?”
With a self-assured smirk, he smiled back ather. “Oh shit, I forgot something.” With her standing there,waiting his response, he sprinted outside. Well, that certainlywasn’t the answer she was expecting. He dashed back into the housein record timing, finding her still frozen where he’d left her onthe couch.
Getting down on one knee in front of her, hepulled out a box with a blue sapphire set into an intricate band.“Maddy, I’ve loved you since the day we first met. Will you marryme?”
Eyes misty but smile huge, she laughed, “Ithought I just asked you? Yes, of course I will.” He sat up on thecouch next to her and slipped the ring on her finger, pulling herin for a steamy kiss. Without breaking contact, she slid onto hislap and wrapped her legs around him.
With a shrill chime interrupting the moment,the doorbell rang. Chase groaned, shifting her off of his lap.“We’ve got to have a talk with your family about timing.”Cock-blocks.
He hopped up to disable the alarm and heldthe door open for the troops. Preparing for the onslaught, hestayed back and played doorman. Not ready to tell anyone yet, sheshoved the ring into her pocket.
Laura whizzed past him, barely more than aflash as she ran to her daughter. She threw her arms around her andstarted the barrage of questions. With a sigh, Maddy hugged herright back. “I’m ok mom, really.” Maddy laughed, realizing she feltbetter than she had in… forever.
“Are you sure? Oh sweetie, I hate that weleft you alone with that creep on the loose. That we weren’t herefor you.” Her mother cried; Maddy couldn’t tell who was reassuringwho. Although, it was nice to have their roles reversed for once.Her mother rarely needed reassurance, and never sobbed.
She watched Chase over her mother’s shoulder.He was so damn handsome, his beard passing scruffy again, hairstill wet from their shower, but looking tousled already. Leaningagainst the wall next to the open front door with his arms crossed,he winked at her.
Frank came lumbering in next, carrying heavybags of Italian booty. He shoved the heavy bags at Chase, whoquickly grabbed them before they went crashing to the floor.
“Alright, alright. My turn.” Frank walked upto his wife and daughter and wrapped his arms around them both in abig bear hug.
Once she’d calmed her tears, Laura slippedout of the group hug and walked over to Chase. Maddy leaned againsther dad as he held her in one arm against his side. Laura threw herarms around Chase like she had Maddy, crying again. Chase set thebags on the floor before they went crashing to the ground under theforce of Laura’s exuberant hug.
