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“Giddey, you still there?” she asked.
“How could you do this to me? To us?” Giddey wailed through the phone.
“Now, honey, don’t be like that. You will do well without me. I know of at least three other women who have begged me to have you in their lives,” Madison said soothingly.
“I don’t want them! I want you. Please come home! I’m lonely,” Giddey sniffled.
“Oh, baby, don’t cry. You are perfection at what you do, I’ve never had better. Someone else will appreciate that,” she assured the man on the phone.
Connor felt his nostrils flare.
“You taught me everything I know, and if I can’t be with you I will just die, alone, in my apartment,alone, surrounded by pizza boxes and takeout containers.Alone,” Giddey yelled dramatically.
“No you… Wait. Giddey, why are you surrounded by takeout containers? Have you left your apartment since I left?” she demanded.
There was a tiny sniffle on the phone.
“You haven’t, have you? Giddey, I left New York nearly a week ago.” She said sounding concerned.
“Miss you,” he mumbled.
Madison’s eyes narrowed. “You’re on your house phone aren’t you?” she asked.
There was a gasp. “How did you know?
“You were mugged again weren’t you! You set it up to have your cell calls forwarded to your house line.” She palmed her face with her free hand.
“Listen, Giddey baby, you can’t live like this. Did you file a police report?” she asked.
“Yes, Officer Craig even kept the laughter to a minimum. He said I was a walking New York record for the number of experienced muggings,” Giddey said.
“For fuck’s sake! He better have processed that report or I’m going to have his captain’s ass,” she grumbled.
“Can’t I come live with you? I know you, Madison. You will find something to sink your teeth into and you’ll need me,” Giddey asked in a small voice.
“Baby, you know I love you…” Madison started.
Connor growled and snapped the handle off his frying pan.
Madison looked up and her eyes widened. “One second, Giddey.” She hit a button on the phone. “Oh, Connor, he’s so lost without me. Can he move in with us?” she asked, her eyes filled with tears.
Connor felt his mouth drop. “You want to move your lover into our house?” he demanded.
She blinked. “What?” she asked, looking shocked.
“Giddey. Your lover. You want to move him into our house, after last night?” he roared.
“Oh Connor. No! Giddey is my personal assistant, he’s gay down to his DNA and not my lover. He is the most amazing assistant, organized, efficient. But, he’s totally inept when it comes to taking care of himself. Can he please stay with us? I’m scared of what might happen if I’m not there to watch out for him. He’s already been mugged again,” she said, biting her lower lip.
“Not your lover?” he asked again, feeling his anger washing away.
“Not even close. More like an adorable little brother. Like Maddox.” She pointed to Claybourne, who rolled his eyes.
“Give up, Connor. Once she puts you in the family category it’s a wrap. She’d move heaven and earth for her family,” Claybourne said.
“I know, it’s just one of the things I love about my mate,” he said innocently. He watched a blush creep up her neck, and she went back to her phone.
“Okay, Giddey, pack up your stuff and head to Arkadia. Book a flight to Raleigh and someone will pick you up.” Madison smiled happily up at Connor.