Dangerous Dalliances (Maxwell Investigations) (6 page)

Sloane
stood and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. “Everything’s going to be fine
Mom,” he said quietly. “We just have to take everything in stride.”

“I
hope you’re right,” she whispered as the doors to the waiting room opened
again.

A
tall man walked in and looked at the family. He smiled when he saw Tina and Sloane.
“I have good news,” he said as he glanced at his paper work. “All of our tests
are showing no residual damage. He’s going to be just fine.”

Sloane
unconsciously tightened his grip on Tina’s arm. “Can we see him? Does he know
who we are?”

The
doctor’s smile didn’t falter. “That’s the funny thing. He knows exactly who
everyone is. He knows his name, birthday, everything that most patients have
problems remembering at first.” The doctor made a few notes on his pad before
turning his attention back to the family. For the first time, his smile was
shaky. “I would say no more than two at a time, but after this morning,” his
voice faded before he shook his head. “Just don’t tire him out.”

* *
* * *

Ashton
walked into Pan’s penthouse and frowned at the sight in front of him. Madison
sat calmly on the sofa flipping through a large book. “Shouldn’t you be
resting?” he asked.

“Shouldn’t
you be doing something more useful?” she countered. Eyes the color of rubies
turned to him. “You’re a member of the Council. You could be making maneuvers
that will benefit us when the last two seals break.”

He
rolled his eyes and made his way into the kitchen area. “You talk as if you
already know where the seals are.” He poured a glass of water and glanced at
her. She was a mess still wearing the hospital gown she gave birth in. “Why
don’t you do things one step at a time. Take a shower, get dressed, and eat.
Then you can worry about the last seals.”

Madison
frowned as she looked at the gown she wore. “I need clothes,” she said lowly.
“Siobhan went to get some. And the old man went to search out Mathias’s crap.”
A muse left her as Ashton frowned at her. “It’s almost like you didn’t plan for
this at all.”

“What
is that supposed to mean? We’ve been planning this for decades.”

“You’ve
been
waiting
for this for decades. There’s a difference.” Madison stood
as her eyes glowed brightly. “Planning for this would mean that there is an
army in the shadows waiting for the moment to strike. Instead, I see an old
man, an arrogant bastard, and my sister Conquest doing everything.” Madison
shook her head. “I will find the seals and revive War and Famine. You can go
and find your next piece of jailbait.”

A
cruel smile crossed his face. “Are you jealous?” he asked lowly. Ashton slowly
walked over to her, savoring how much shorter she was. “Does it still bother
you that I didn’t stay faithful? That the only thing I needed or wanted was to
get in your pants?”

Madison’s
face went blank for a moment. She then smiled just as cruelly as Ashton did.
“Don’t flatter
yourself
, Ash,” she said mockingly.
“You were nothing but a bad memory by the time I had lover number two. And
after my husband, you’re barely a thought.”

Ashton
was silent as she turned and started for her room. He waited until he was at
the door before delivering his next shot. “But will your Wolf want you as you
are now?” He went back to his drink and gave her a mocking smile. “I mean, who
would say they could love Death?”

A
careless smile crossed her face. “It doesn’t matter. Troy will be mine again.”
She shrugged as she went into her room. “We’re just on separate paths at the
moment.”

* *
* * *

Belle
Davenport opened the door to the borrowed nursery and felt her heart twist.
Madison’s kidnapping hit Troy harder than she thought it would. In a few hours,
he had them all moved into Dennis’s house.

Troy
was in a rocking chair with little Rory tucked against his chest. The twins
were cuddled together on an air mattress sleeping. She turned her attention to
her son. “Are you hungry, Sweetheart?” Belle asked softly.

Troy
looked up as if woken from a daze. He gave his mother a blank look as he
processed her words. “No. No, thank you,” he said quietly. He turned his
attention back to the baby in his arms and smiled when a pair of soft honey
colored eyes looked back at him. “I think she looks like Madi.”

“She
does,” Belle agreed. His hollow tones made her nervous. It was one of the first
signs of someone about to lose grip with reality. “When was the last time you
ate something Troy?”

He
shook his head. “I don’t remember. A little while after she was born,” he
answered as he caressed Rory’s cheek. When she stuck her tongue out at him,
Troy turned to his mother with distressed eyes. “What am I supposed to do,
Mom?”

Belle
wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed a kiss to his hair. “First,
put the baby down. You don’t want her to get used to being carried everywhere.
Then, we’ll get you something to eat, and I’ll watch the kids while you get
some rest.” When he opened his mouth protest, she pressed a finger to his lips.
“I know you want to run off and find Madison. But you need to show the kids
that even with Mommy gone you’re still strong and will find her.”

Troy
lowered his eyes to his daughter as a sigh left him. As much as he wanted to
keep his children safe, he wanted to go after his wife more. “You’ll keep an
eye on them?” he asked.

Belle
smiled. “I’m pretty sure with all of the Pack coming by, we’ll all be fine.”
She ran her hand through Troy’s hair and mused. “Now, give me the baby, and go
eat.”

Lily
walked up to the front desk of the Majestic hotel. She risked a glance over her
shoulder at Barry and smiled when she saw the curious look in his eyes. “You’ve
been here before, right?” she asked lowly. The way he looked at her said it
all. She turned to the concierge and waited for him to acknowledge her.

The
lean Frenchman smiled when he saw Lily. “Good evening, Miss. Dallas, we didn’t
receive word of your arrival. I’ll have to make....”

She
shook her head and cut him off. “No, Pierre, I didn’t call.” Lily glanced at
Barry and wrapped one of her arms around his. “There was an accident in my
apartment building and I need someplace to stay for a few days. I just wanted
you to meet Barry Maxwell. He’s going to be staying with me.”

Barry
smiled as he reached his hand out. “You have a lovely hotel,” he said as Pierre
shook his hand.

“Thank
you, Mr. Maxwell. Just give me one moment while I put your name in our system.
If either of you need anything, please feel free to call me.” Pierre nodded and
quickly typed information into his computer. “If you want, I can have
housekeeping prepare the penthouse while you dine in the courtyard.”

Lily
smiled and leaned her head on Barry’s shoulder. “That would be lovely,” she
said before stepping away with him. “Thank you, Pierre.” As they walked towards
the dining room, Lily risked a glance at Barry. The good mood that was starting
to surround her fell. “Pierre has been the concierge here for about ten years.
He’s very good at his job, so the room should be ready by the time we’re done
eating.”

“That’s
fine,” Barry said easily. He stepped in front of her and opened the door to the
restaurant. “But do you stay here often?” he asked.

The
hostess looked at the couple and smiled. “A table for two?” she questioned.

Barry
looked at the woman and returned her smile. “Yes.” It was easy to take the cues
from the woman all in black. She picked up two menus and motioned for them to
follow her to their table. Once they reached the table, Barry stepped in front
of Lily and pulled her hair out for her. He caught the way Lily blushed and
smiled at her. “What? You didn’t think that I’d listen to you?” he asked
playfully.

Lily
sat and allowed Barry to push her chair in. She accepted the menu the hostess
gave her and started to scan the various dishes. “Honestly, no. I was just
ranting, and whenever that happened before, Daddy or Cord would just wait a
while and then act like I never said anything.” She glanced up and saw the
frown that crossed his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to compare you to Cord.”

He
shook his head. The idea of Lily spending so much time with her brother and
foster father, and being ignored, rubbed him wrong. Barry took her hand into
his and brushed his thumb lightly across her knuckles. “I don’t ever want you
to think that you have to hide what you’re feeling from me,” he said honestly.
“I’m not a mind reader, so I won’t really know if I do something that hurts
your feelings unless you give me a clue.” His grin returned as he looked into
her eyes. “And by giving me a clue, I don’t mean sending Sloane or Eric after
me.”

She
ducked her head to hide her blush. “I would never do that,” she said quickly.
When his laughter reached her ears, she grinned. “Okay, I’d be tempted. But I
doubt I’d do anything.” Lily smiled as the waitress stopped at their table and
placed glasses of water in front of her and Barry.

The
waitress looked at the couple and smiled. “Hello, my name is Diana and I will
be your server this evening. May I get you any refreshments?”

Barry
turned his attention away from Lily and took a slow breath. When he heard her
voice, he knew it was familiar. But her red hair and soft blue eyes gave her
away. Diana had been one of his... he didn’t even know what to call her. They
never dated. He gave her a weak smile and cleared his throat. “Hi Diana, I’ll
have Jack and Coke.”

Diana
blinked when she looked at Barry. After a moment, an uneasy smile crossed her
face as she looked from him to Lily. “Same as always?” she questioned. When he
nodded, she turned to Lily. She smiled pleasantly at the way the other woman
was looking at her. “Can I get you anything?”

Lily
glanced between the pair. While she wanted to be the vindictive, jealous woman,
she knew she couldn’t. She was a Succubus, and with Barry’s reputation, there
were going to be times when they would run into former flings. “I’ll have
whatever mixed drink is the special tonight,” she said with a sigh.

Diana
smiled before glancing at Barry again. She then nodded and left the pair alone.

Barry
took a deep slow breath. “That was awkward,” he mumbled.

“Yes,
it was,” Lily agreed, “but it was bound to happen.” She turned her attention to
the décor of the restaurant. The familiar sight of large potted plants
surrounded by flowers that bloomed year round greeted her. Barry was the first
person she ever brought with her to this hotel. She brushed her hair away from
her face as she remembered his unanswered question. “I used to come here a lot.
Especially when I was in college,” she confessed. “All of my classmates wanted
to go to clubs and I didn’t want to fall into that scene. Besides, they only
knew me as Lilavanti. It would have destroyed me to have them know what I had
to do. So, I would come here and hide away.
Sometimes for a
night, sometimes for a weekend.”
She smiled as she looked at Barry. “I
was here one night and next thing I knew, Daddy and Luna come crashing through
the door going at it like two teenagers on prom night.” She laughed at his
expression. “He had her against the wall, ready to go for it, and there I was,
on the sofa wearing my pajamas eating ice cream. Needless to say, the cat was
kind of out of the bag then.”

Barry
watched her as she laughed. It lightened something in his chest to see her
smile. It also didn’t hurt that while Mathias was a sore subject for a lot of
people, she seemed at ease with talking about him. Before he could reply, a
waiter came over to their table and placed his drink in front of him. Barry
frowned as a pink drink was placed in front of Lily. “Where did Diana go?” he
questioned.

The
waiter cleared his throat and offered them a weak smile. “Diana had a minor
emergency to handle. I’m Cory, and I’ll be taking over as your server.” He
looked between Lily and Barry. “If you would like, I can give you both some
more time before you decide on your order.”

Barry
looked at Lily who shrugged. He then glanced at the menu in front of him. “I’ll
have the grilled prime beef tenderloin, medium-well.” His eyes scanned what
came with his meal before falling on the price of the meal. He had to bite his
tongue too hide his shock.

 
“I’ll have the lobster bouillabaisse.” Lily
kept her smile on her face as Cory gathered their menus and made his way
towards the kitchen. A muse escaped her as she looked at Barry. “I’m sorry. I
completely forgot how expensive this place could be.”

It
was his turn to laugh. “It’s no problem. I always go where a simple steak is
$60,” he joked. When she smiled, he reached across the table and took her hand
into his. “Really, it’s fine Lily.” From the corner of his eye, he saw Diana
putting her coat on and making her way to the entrance. He looked at Lily and
kissed her knuckles. “I’ll be right back, I swear,” he said as he stood.

He
followed Diana out of the restaurant and into the lobby of the hotel. “Di,” he
called. When she turned to him, he gave her an awkward smile. “You don’t have
to leave,” he said with a shrug.

An
indulgent smile crossed her face as she adjusted her scarf. “God, I forgot how
self-centered you could be,” she mused. “I do have to leave. My son’s sitter
called. He’s throwing up and starting to run a temp.”

Barry’s
face started to pale. “You have a son?” he questioned.

Diana
laughed at his expression. If she had been the woman she was when they were
together, she would have made him suffer. Instead, she pulled out her keys and
showed him the picture attached. “Russell just turned two.” She was silent as
he looked at the small boy with bright red hair and grey eyes. Her eyebrow
arched when Barry turned the keychain over to see a picture of her and her
husband on their wedding day.

“You’re
married,” Barry breathed.

A
small smile crossed her face as she stepped closer to Barry. “I moved on,” she
said simply. “Randy and I got together a little while after you stopped
calling. And don’t stand here and say you’re sorry. You’re not.” She then
laughed. “I’m not sorry either. I met a wonderful man and have a beautiful son.
We’re happy.”

When
Barry only continued to nod, she smiled. “Barry, I’d like to think we were
friends, so I mean this from the bottom of my heart.” She leaned closer to him
as she accepted her keys back. “Go back in there, and forget everything about
your past. I know Lilavanti, and she’s a good woman. Don’t mess up what could
be a really awesome thing because of what boils down to pure selfishness.”

He
frowned at her. “I’m not being selfish,” he argued.

A
red eyebrow arched. “Then why are you out here with me, instead of in there
with her?” she questioned. She smiled at the confused expression on his face.
“Good night, Barry. Maybe you’ll stop in the restaurant again,” she said before
turning and walking off.

Barry
frowned as he turned and made his way back to the table where Lily was sitting.
She had been sitting, awkwardly waiting for him. A frown crossed his face as he
took his seat. When he looked at her, he caught a glimpse of her tear filled
eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said simply. As she blinked away her tears, he took her
hand into his. “I don’t want to sit here and make excuses. I misread a
situation, and I don’t want you to misread it either.”

Her
hands were trembling as she shook her head. “You wanted to make sure she knew
you were comfortable with her being here,” she said lowly.

“Yeah,
but I was being selfish,” he said. Diana’s words had been straight to the heart
of his problem, and it took Lily’s tear filled eyes to see that. “I’m on a date
with my new girlfriend. I shouldn’t be going off to chase an ex, for whatever
reason short of she just stole my wallet.”

An
unexpected laugh escaped Lily. She watched Barry as he lifted her hand to his
lips again. “You’re trying to charm me,” she said softly.

He
smiled at her. Her eyes were clear of tears, and her good mood was returning.
“It’s working.”

“No
it isn’t,” she lied. When he chuckled, she took another sip of her drink. She
leaned back in her chair and showed him the glass. “Cory said that this is in
honor of the end of the Year of the Dragon. It’s called Dragon’s Elixir. But he
doesn’t think the bartender will give me the recipe.”

Something
echoed in Barry’s memory, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He shrugged as
he saw Cory walking towards their table with a tray of food. “We could always
Google it.”

“There’s
something fun about getting it out of people though,” she admitted. When he
looked at her, she smiled. “Plus, at one point in my life, I wanted a bar of my
own. That was the only place I could think of where I could be a decorator,
bartender, business woman and therapist all rolled into one.”

Cory
smiled as he expertly served Lily and Barry their dishes. “And if you would
like anything else, just let me know. I’ll be more than happy to get you
anything you desire.” He then winked at Lily. “Martin said he’d write it down
for you, Miss Dallas.”

“Thank
you Cory,” Lily said with a smile of her own. When he left, she noticed Barry
was frowning at his plate. “What? You don’t like it?”

Barry
poked at the piece of meat that barely took up a quarter of the plate. “If you
do open a bar, can you at least make the steak worth $60?” he asked plainly.
“This is just wrong.”

Lily
felt light hearted as she laughed at Barry.

* *
* * *

Madison
looked at the house in front of her. She needed an Oracle. Since the visions
stopped coming to her, she found planning her next move rather tiresome. Plus
Jimmy had nearly open access to the woman that lived in the small two-story
house. It wouldn’t do for him to come after her. She wanted the world in ashes,
and she wasn’t going to let any member of her family stop her.

When
Madison approached the house, the woman she had been looking for stepped out
onto the porch. “Are you going to make this hard, Himura?” she asked curiously.

Tsukiko
leveled a handgun at Madison. “Yes, I am,” she said before firing. Her eyes
were round as Madison fell to the ground. There was no way saving her daughter
would be that easy. The other Necromancer had to be around somewhere. She
started to make her way down to the front yard when she felt the pulse of magic
in the air around her. Tsukiko’s eyes were wide as Madison’s body glowed
brightly. She aimed her gun at Madison again, only to gasp when something
tightened around her heart.

Madison’s
eyes were bright red as she slowly stood. “That hurt,” she growled. She reached
into the wound in her stomach and roughly pulled out the bullet. A small grin
crossed her face as she approached Tsukiko. “You had pretty good aim too. Gut
shots always hurt the most.” She grabbed Tsukiko by her throat and released the
hold her magic had on the Oracle’s heart. “But you have to remember, go for the
head,” she said as her magic started to drain Tsukiko’s life. “If you don’t go
for that single hit kill, things can get back up and come after you.” Madison
dropped the other woman to the ground and inspected her wound. As she expected,
the shot was now closed and now healed. Her skin wasn’t perfect, but it was
good enough.