Page 1 of Love Me Now: Baltimore & Madelyn
CHAPTER 1
MADELYN BELL
“WhatcanIgetfor you, Madelyn?”
I was somewhere in my head, staring off into space when I heard Cooley’s deep voice. He’d never addressed me asMadelyn.Only Mrs. Bell. I was no longer Mrs. Bell, though. Two hours ago, I’d watched my nephew, Adir, kill my husband and son. Sadly, the betrayal cut deeper than the loss. Mourning my son was natural. Mourning a man who’d put me through hell was another story.
Cooley’s large frame came to stand in front of me, promptly switching my thoughts to him instead of what transpired hours ago. His fingers touched my chin, then lifted my face until he beheld my sorrowful eyes. My bedroom was never a place he’d entered. As I sat on the edge of the bed that I used to share with my deceased husband, I stared into Cooley’s cool, assessing brown eyes. His eyes were more welcoming than I’d ever recalled them being.
“What can I get for you, Madelyn?” he repeated himself.
Exhausted, I shrugged.
“You need some rest. Would you like me to make you a drink?”
I shook my head. A drink would’ve been good now. However, the day’s events had me exhausted enough. Having a drink would’ve had me sleeping for a week.
“Aight. How ‘bout a bath? Would you like me to draw you a hot bath?”
This time, I nodded. I’d forgotten to wash the dungeon off me. Retreating, Cooley went into my bathroom. Seconds later, I heard the start of the tub’s faucet. Again, Cooley was in front of me, reaching out his hand for me to take. Something I’d never noticed were the tattoos dressing his strong fingers. I took his hand and let him bring me to stand. He led me to the bathroom, then stood by the door while I walked deeper into the ensuite.
“I have to say, that I’m a lil’ disappointed wit’ you, Maddie.”
Cooley’s statement slowed my steps. I turned to face him. “Why?” I quizzed.
“You didn’t trust me,” he replied, prompting a long ago memory to surface.
“What you cryin’ for, Mrs. Bell?”
Cooley scared me. I jumped like the devil was behind me. Quickly wiping my tears, I stood from the patio lounge sofa to go back into the house.
“Nothing,” I said. “Just had a long day.”
Cooley stood in front of me and stopped me when I attempted to flee. He didn’t put his hands on me. He just shifted his footing so that he blocked my path. I’d been around him for over thirteen years and was sure he’d watched most of my moves.
“He put his hands on you?” he asked. His tone was dark, and his face frowned up.
“No,” I denied. Therein was the scary part. Duval was becoming increasingly verbally abusive. It was only a matter of time before he put his hands on me. Even if I could tell Cooley the truth, his loyalty was to Duval. Not me.
“Then what’s wrong?” Cooley asked again.
“We got into an argument, okay. That’s all.”
He regarded me for a second too long. For a split second, I wanted to spill my guts to him. However, I didn’t.
“You told me he wasn’t puttin’ his hands on you,” Cooley stated, snapping me back to the present.
“It wasn’t your business—”
“Don’t!” he hissed. “Don’t play like that. There was a lot of shit I had to cover for that nigga but puttin’ his hands on you wasn’t one of ‘em.”
Sighing, I stated, “Nothing was ever truly covered. His behavior spoke in volumes. I just didn’t think I had a way out.”
Jaw tensed, he glanced away.
“Is Heir sleeping?” I asked. I was so wrapped up in myself that I hadn’t checked on her in over an hour. I’d held her while we both cried and tried processing what had taken place.
“She’s soundly asleep,” Cooley informed me. “Now, I want you to get in that tub, aight? I’m gon’ come back and check on you in a few minutes.”