Page 20 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

After spending the morning in bed with Maddox, my body feels energized. Just thinking about him without clothes makes me feel giddy and tingly. He's fit in all the right places, and he makes me happy just by being around him. I'm relaxed with him, and I never want this feeling to end.

I haven't ventured out to the main lodge yet, so I don't know what to expect.

Richard will undoubtedly still be around because he expects everyone to say yes to him.

I hadn't realized what a burden being engaged to him was until I'd given him his ring back.

I feel so much lighter now, as though a mountain has been lifted from my shoulders.

There is a twinge of guilt, though. I should never have let things get to this point.

But I wouldn't have met Maddox if I’d gotten my act together sooner and ended things at home. I can't be sad about that.

Sighing, I finish wrapping the sandwiches to take to the sheriff's station. Considering there are two agents in town, I've made a good few. Branson looked tired last night, and I felt sorry for him because he has no one to take care of him. I figured I could do that until he has someone of his own.

I smile when I hear the door open and see Maddox stride inside.

His eyes land on me, and then he's in my personal space with his hand on my face, leaning in for a kiss.

It's sweet, tender, and slow, and it makes my heart ache with happiness.

I lick my lips when he pulls away. "The sandwiches are ready. "

"Hmm." He holds my gaze a moment longer. "We'll take the truck this time." He smirks.

My cheeks heat, and I try to duck my head, but Maddox won't let me.

He catches my chin with a finger and brings my face upward to his.

"Don't be embarrassed. We're together now.

Nothing is embarrassing." He kisses my hot cheekbones and whispers, "I was thinking about what I can do to you later with my mouth, hands, and cock. Lots of filthy things come to mind."

I shudder and let out a small whimper. "You’re naughty.”

He laughs. "You called me a sex god earlier."

I roll my eyes. “I knew that would go to your head."

"I wonder which head you're referring to?" He raises his eyebrows, and I burst out laughing.

"I think we should head out for lunch before I drag you back to bed."

He laughs, hauls the box I've packed the lunch in, and settles it on his arm. Then he takes my hand. "Let's go."

"Okay. Did you speak to Gabe?"

"No, I can't find him, and he's not answering his phone."

I frown. "That's strange, isn't it?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, yes, it is.

He usually has the phone glued to his hands, or at least within reach.

Something doesn't add up, but I don't believe he has anything to do with the deaths," he says.

He secures the box of food in his truck and lifts me into my seat.

He places his hands on my knees. "He's my brother, Sofie.

I know him. He didn't do this." With those final words, he gets into the truck and drives us into town.

"Fuck," he curses as we pull up to the sheriff's station. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

I follow his gaze and wonder what's going on. There are four men talking with a deputy. "Do you know them?"

“Deputy Landon. The other four were in the office the other day. Their sister saw someone behind where they're staying. That's how we found Andrea."

I follow him out of the truck, but I stay back when he approaches the men. Their discussion seems angry.

"You need to find her!" A large man snaps the second he notices Maddox.

"I just arrived, so start from the beginning," Maddox says.

Another man steps in. "My sister has disappeared.

Her phone is in her room. She never goes anywhere without her phone.

Not even to the bathroom. Her suitcase has been knocked over, and her clothes are scattered across the floor.

She's OCD about being tidy. She can't have anything lying around. She saw the creep behind the B&B, and now something has happened to her.”

"You have to find her," another man begs.

Maddox rubs his chest and looks my way. “Can you go tell Branson what’s going on?”

I nod and quickly head inside the station. Judean stands behind the reception desk amidst files. Her face lights up when she spots me. "We'll catch up soon, but I need to talk to Branson right now. Where is he?"

"In his office."

I stare, not having a clue where that is.

"Back there. You can't miss it. The feds are with him."

“I think they're needed, too." I rush past a frowning Judean and follow the soft sound of voices. I knock, then enter and find Branson behind his desk with a deep frown on his face. "Maddox and Landon are outside. The girl who reported the man behind the B&B has disappeared."

His eyes widen as he jumps to his feet. He grabs his hat. “Sofie, stay with Judean."

I nod.

Branson and the two agents head outside.

"A girl's gone missing," I tell Judean, explaining what's going on. I slouch on the counter between us. "Great first day, huh?"

"I'm used to emergencies and officers running out of the building. I suspect it's unusual here, though."

"How's it going otherwise? Are you organizing the station?"

She smiles, her eyes dancing. "I am. Whoever had this job before me wasn't very organized.

" She moves closer and whispers, "I already love this job. Branson will be a great boss. Landon is lazy. I discovered that within thirty minutes of being here. But I really like it here, Sofie. The town. The brothers. Some of the townspeople have even come by to welcome me. I met Angie and Bud. They invited me to their bar for a drink on the house.” She smirks.

"Angie told me the single guys hang out there, too. "

"Hmph," I mutter. "What about Colton?"

"What about him?" Judean doesn't meet my gaze.

"Seriously, Juju ,” I grin. "That man has the hots for you."

Her eyes narrow at the nickname. "He wants anyone with a pussy."

A loud throat clears behind us. Judean snaps her gaze over my shoulder, and I slowly turn, knowing Branson is the one who overheard her.

"We brought sandwiches,” I say, redirecting his gaze. “Lots of them. Maddox called in an order for a couple of flasks of coffee from Patricia's."

"Nice change of subject," he comments.

I roll my eyes. "She," I say, pointing over my shoulder, "was referring to your youngest sibling."

"Thank God for that." He turns his gaze to Judean. "I'm heading out with Landon, and the feds. You can reach us on the radio or cell."

"Okay, boss," Judean says.

"Will you be okay here alone?" Branson pauses.

"I'll be here, so she won't be alone." I shrug. "I'm not doing anything Samantha planned, so I can stay and help Judean get organized."

"Okay." He backs out of the office, and I turn to face Judean. "I bet he tells Colton what you said."

She scoffs. "No way. Branson doesn't gossip like his brothers do."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"Why is this filed under 'M'?" I ask, not understanding the previous filing system at all.

Judean lifts her head from the file she’s reading. "What name is on it?"

"Joshua Pearler."

"Huh. Well, your guess is as good as mine."

Our eyes move to the door as Landon steps inside. I turn to him and ask, "Do you know why this is filed under M?" I hold it out to him, and he takes it from my hand.

He scans the cover quickly before replying, "He killed his wife, Melanie."

My eyes flicker to Judean, who shrugs and quickly buries her face in the file she's engrossed in.

"Oh, well, that makes sense."

He looks at me as though he can't decide if I'm serious or being sarcastic. I hold his gaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. Huffing out a breath, he moves toward the back of the station.

"Does that make sense to you?" I ask Judean.

"Well, if I'm the one filing and retrieving, then perhaps.

Pearler isn't the only file out of place.

It's such a mess. How anyone is expected to find anything in these cabinets is a mystery.

" Judean plops down beside me and sighs in frustration.

"I just started this job, and I like it.

Once everything has been filed correctly, it won't be so difficult. "

"From your mouth to God's ears," I mutter.

Judean snickers. "If only." Her stomach growls at that moment.

"Oh! I forgot. Lunch is in the truck. Let me go get it." I hand Judean the file and head outside.

Maddox stands beside his brother, who is writing in a notepad.

He sees me and breaks away from the group.

He leans in close and says, "This isn't good, Sofie.

" I search his eyes and see only worry. I step into his space and wrap my arms around him.

He buries his face in my shoulder, seeking comfort.

Brushing a kiss across my lips, he puts his arm around my shoulders and leads me to his truck. "I'm going with Branson to organize a search for Olly Denver. I'll leave the keys to my truck with you. When you're done with Judean, drive her back to the lodge, okay? I'd rather you not be on foot."

"You're really worried."

"This guy is escalating." He holds my face in his hands and gently rests his forehead against mine. "I need you and Judean to be safe."

"Okay. Please don't worry about me. Take care of yourself." I kiss him and say, "I need to get the sandwiches out of the truck."

"I forgot about those." He gets them himself, and I follow him back into the office. "I'm going to take two for me and Branson." He kisses me again, puts the keys to his truck in my hand, and leaves.

“They’re going to search for Olivia Denver. I really hope they find her unharmed."

“This is awful. That poor girl. Do you think we should join the search?"

"Yes, if they ask for volunteers. For now, though, Maddox wants us to finish up here and head back to the lodge. He's worried about our safety."

"That's why I'm here," Colton says to our surprise, stepping into view.

"Where did you come from?" I ask, drawing his gaze from Judean.

"I'm parked around back. I came in that way."

"Why are you here?" Judean asks, her hands on her hips.

"Babe, you and Sofie are alone here. There's a killer on the loose. I'm sticking to you like glue until he's caught." Colton leans against the wall, crosses his arms over his chest, and rests a booted foot against it. If I weren't with Maddox, I'd be drooling.

Judean tries to appear indifferent, but I notice her sidelong glances at Colton. I'm sure he does too, judging by the spark of desire in his eyes when he looks at her.

Judean's stomach grumbles again, this time loudly enough for Colton to hear.

He straightens against the wall. Before he can open his mouth, I blurt out, "Sandwiches!

" Reaching inside the box, I pull out three wrapped sandwiches and hand them out.

"Colton, come and sit with us. Oh! Where did Landon go? "

"He's hiding in the back," Colton hisses, shaking his head in disgust. "Landon, lunch is here," Colton shouts.

His footsteps announce his arrival, and Colton nods toward the box of food. I add, "There's a sandwich in there for you. Nothing fancy, just chicken and mayonnaise."

"Thank you."

The door bursts open. "Landon." Branson narrows his eyes at his deputy. "I sent you the address. Head out now." He pauses when he spots Colton but does an about-face. Landon shoves his hat onto his head, sighs loudly, and takes the sandwiches with him as he follows Branson outside.

I turn to Colton. "Why is he a deputy when it's obvious he doesn't want to do anything?"

"Branson inherited him from his predecessor." Colton shrugs. "He needs to send the guy to a refresher course in Anchorage.” Pause. “Either that or a kick up the ass.”

I ignore the latter. “Surely, he can't have forgotten his training. He doesn't look like he's worn the uniform for that long."

"He's close to thirty, I think. He's been a deputy since he turned nineteen, from what I heard." He takes a huge bite of the sandwich and starts to chew. "I'm not sure why he's so lazy." Colton continues to eat while deep in thought.

Judean smirks at me and asks, "So, you've moved in with Maddox, huh?"

"As you know, Richard showed up last night. He insisted on staying in my room. There was no way I was going to stay there. Maddox insisted." I offer her a small smile as I feel my cheeks start to heat up. "He's a good man."

"I agree." Judean says. "There aren't many places to rent here."

Colton goes still, which draws our gaze. Judean asks, "What's wrong?"

"Are you staying in Hawke's Ridge?"

Judean grins. "We are!"

“Don't worry about finding a place. Maddox said you can move into his guest room,” I add.

"Uh, no way! You can move in with me."

Judean and I both give Colton our full attention, and, for once, I notice him squirm in his seat. "You're a horn-dog, and you expect me to move in with you?" Judean asks.

"You are not moving in with Maddox."

"Sofie," she says, pointing my way, "is Maddox's girl. I'll be in the guest room." She asks me, "Are you sure he won't mind?"

"He offered." I smile.

"Not happening," Colton states, then smiling. "You can move in with my dad!" he says, snapping his fingers. "Ugh! Moms supposed to be coming here." He winces. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Look, I can stay with Sofie and Maddox until I find a place," Judean says.

“Babe, if you think I’m going to let you sleep with my brother, then you don’t know me very well.”

Sensing an argument about to start, I jump into the fray. "You," I say, pointing to Colton, "need to listen. She will be sleeping alone. I'll be sleeping with your brother. Now, stop acting like a Neanderthal and help us finish this filing so we can be done with it. I hate filing."

He grumbles some more, then mutters, "I don't have the hots for anyone with a pussy."

I burst out laughing, and Judean turns bright red. I snicker and avoid her gaze.