Page 87 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“There’s nothing to figure out, but okay,” I say casually, hoping she doesn’t hear the annoyance in my voice. I want to demand that she back off, to let me protect them and Maddie,and to drop her accusations. This is my problem to deal with, and I don’t want any of them dragged into it. Everyone needs to accept the lie and move on.

Mason leads Sophie back to the kitchen, where they cook and hang out for an hour. I stay planted on the couch and decide to order some food. After it arrives, I eat, then sit and wait. Once Maddie’s home, and she’s safe and sound, then I’ll go to bed. I’m tempted to text her, but I know she’ll either reply with a smart-ass comment or ignore it completely. I have no claims when it comes to her, and she’ll never understand why I’m being protective. Hours pass and I grow antsy, but the moment a car door closes outside, I jump to my feet to see if it’s them.

I don’t care what she says, keeping her safe will always be my priority. Whether it be from the O’Learys or this douchebag Blake, I care too much about her to just walk away so easily, even if that’s what she wants.

Twisting the knob, I swing open the heavy wood just as they make it to the porch. I see red when he asks to kiss her good night.

Not on my goddamn watch.

“Not a fucking chance,” I growl. If he touches her, I won’t hesitate to put my fist in his face. “Night’s over.”

“Can I help you?” Maddie seethes. As she inhales a sharp breath, her nostrils flare with outrage. Blake should be well aware I could kick his ass, and I will. Instead of intervening in our fight, the brave fucker leans in, then presses his lips against her cheek before saying good night and walks back to his car. We both watch as he gets in and drives away, but the second he’s out of view, Maddie stomps her heels toward me with a crazed expression.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” She pushes her palms against my chest, but I stay firm on my feet. “Do you get off on ruining my life or something?”

Before I respond, I grab her wrist and pull her inside the house. I can’t risk any of O’Leary’s guys seeing us or my reaction.

“Where’d he take you?” I ask as soon as I shut the door.

“What?” She puts space between us. “We aren’t talking about my date.” Maddie bends and takes off her shoes before dropping them to the floor. Her height drops a good four inches.

“Why not?” I cross my arms, challenging her. “Too embarrassed?”

She narrows her eyes, shaking her head. “Piss off.” Maddie goes to her room, and I follow her inside.

“Did he make a move? Your hair is messier than before, and your dress looks a little wrinkled,” I say without thinking, and as soon as the words come out, Maddie spins around and slaps me across the face.

“How fucking dare you!”

My jaw twitches at the burn on my cheek. It was warranted, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t fucking hurt. Maddie put all her strength and aggravation into it, too.

“Let me say it again—for the people in the back—You. Are.Married.” She repeats her words from earlier. “I’m not your toy, so you don’t get to treat me like one. You need to let me move on, Liam.”

“Maddie, I swear…” I suck in a long breath, willing myself to maintain the little control I have left. “It’s not what it looks like.”

“What isn’t?”

“Victoria,” I state slowly. “Our marriage.”

“Really? How convenient.” Rolling her eyes, she turns away and digs through her dresser drawer.

“It’s actually really fucking inconvenient, but I can’t tell you the whole story. You just have to trust me. Our marriage was…anarrangement.” The moment the words escape my lips, Icurse myself for revealing part of my secret. I want to explain everything, but I can’t put her in more danger.

“An arrangement?” she questions, then laughs as she pulls out some yoga shorts and a tank top. “Okay, Hulk. Go away now so I can change.”

I step farther into her room. “I’m being serious. I wish I could say more, but…”

“But what?” she pushes, her hard stare threatening to snap my patience.

“But I can’t,” I admit, defeated. “If I could, I would, but not telling you is the safest option right now.”

“Mmhmm, okay.” She nods, not believing a word, though I can’t blame her after all the shit I’ve put her through. I think her instinct is telling her not to trust me anymore, but I’m determined to change that. “Well, I think you’re just jealous and worried my world no longer revolves around you.”

“Maddie, please,” I scoff. “Like you said earlier, I could’ve had you at any time, so?—”

“Exactly!” She throws her clothes on the bed. “I’m sick and tired of this cat and mouse game. It’s hilarious that thesecondanother man shows up interested, you say your marriage is a hack and that you’re not jealous, but you’re just protecting me. Okay, Liam…sure.” Her exaggerated tone makes it obvious she’s not buying any of this, which just frustrates me further.

“I’m being honest, Maddie. My marriage is legal, but there are no real feelings between Victoria and me. And Iamfucking jealous.”