Page 28 of The Question of Us (Fisher & Church #2)

“I get that you’re angry, but what choice did I have?

” Gazza argued loudly from the back seat, his flinty gaze burning two holes in the back of Mads’ head.

“If I wasn’t sociable with the guy, I would have burned that potential bridge for good.

He’s no different from almost all the other rich fuckers I’ve met over the years—an arrogant, smooth-talker, who thinks he’s god’s gift to men.

He asked me what I was doing at the sales since I obviously wasn’t a buyer, and I told him I was moving to Melbourne to try and make my mark in the fashion or social media world.

I told him I’d done a little modelling and taken a course in fashion design and was open to where that might lead me.

Since I was driving down from Sydney, I thought I’d make a holiday of it and spend a few nights in the high country.

I said that a Kettleworth barman had recommended the horse sales and carnival as a cool local event to check out, so I came. ”

Mads huffed dismissively. “And he actually bought that crap?”

Gazza rolled his eyes at the back of Mads’ head and I almost laughed. “He didn’t question me about it, if that’s what you mean, but if you want to drive back, I can always go ask him.” Gazza stared pointedly into the rear-vision mirror with his are you freaking kidding me now look firmly in place.

Mads pulled a grumpy face. “I wasn’t questioning?—”

“Yes, you were,” Gazza retorted. “It’s not like I had a ton of time to come up with something amazing, is it?

And since Marty said that he’d picked me for a model at first glance and that he had every confidence I’d kill it in the fashion industry in some form, I think I did pretty good.

He also said that he could introduce me to a few people if I was interested, and that’s when the Friday party came up. ”

Mads muttered something to the effect of, “Of course he bloody did. He wants to?—”

“Nope, don’t say it,” I warned, squeezing Mads’ thigh.

He shot me a blistering look and I raised a brow.

He muttered something about not interrupting and that he wasn’t a child.

Figuring my balls were in deadly peril, I let the comment go.

In return, Mads didn’t finish his sentence. Overall, a win-win.

Gazza released a long put-upon sigh. “I’m confused.

We needed information and I got us information.

Isn’t that what we came here for? This party Lee told you about is a big event.

Marty’s friend Jacob is turning fifty and Marty’s expecting around a hundred partygoers.

There’s catering, waitstaff, decorators—the full enchilada.

It’s being held in his backyard under a huge marquee by his swimming pool.

He made a point of emphasising how much it was gonna cost him. ”

“Of course he did,” I muttered.

Gazza ignored me. “Marty assured me that the birthday is just an excuse to get a whole bunch of people together for a good time and that I’d be welcomed as his friend, so I needn’t feel awkward.

” Gazza eyeballed the rear-vision mirror.

“And all of that information didn’t cost me a thing, Madigan, other than needing a shower when we get back to the motel because the guy is a freaking oily sonofabitch.

I honestly don’t get what your problem is. ”

Mads white-knuckled the steering wheel. “My problem?” He was visibly trying to control his temper, and I got it, but I tightened my grip on his thigh anyway. Sounding off on Gazza wasn’t going to help anything. Mads shot me yet another pissy sideways glance that didn’t look promising.

“First off,” he began in a tone that put even my back up, “you might’ve blown everything if Marty had recognised you.

And second, the man has now made his sexual interest in you clear.

And by inviting you to this damn party on Friday, he’s also shown that he’s hoping for a lot more from you in that vein.

The goal was to get information so that we could help Lee , not focus Marty’s attention on you.

He’s a dangerous guy, Gazza, and I’m not letting you jeopardise your own safety just to free Lee. This isn’t a swap, you know?”

Gazza tried for calm. “I get that you’re worried, but if you thought you were bringing me over just to take notes, you’re sadly mistaken.

And just so we’re clear, you’re not letting me do anything.

I’m a big boy, Madigan. I make my own decisions.

And I remember a certain two people having this exact same conversation back in Auckland, not looking at anyone in particular.

” His gaze swivelled between Mads and me.

“We all knew coming into this that a slimy arsehole like Marty was always going to try it on with me. Don’t try and deny it.

I’m exactly his type.” He glared between us.

“Which makes me your ace in the hole here.” He sat back and folded his arms. “And you’re welcome. ”

The car fell silent and I studied the side of Mads’ face.

He was chewing the inside of his cheek, his brow furrowed.

“He has a point or two,” I admitted, aiming for levity and falling flat.

Mads bristled and shot me a shut-the-fuck-up look, a couple of steps up from the pissy one he’d already mastered.

Never one to take the sensible route, I dived right in.

“You have to admit, this thing between them has given us an opening we can hardly walk away from.”

Mads glared at the road ahead. “Exactly whose side are you on?”

I smiled sweetly. “Yours, obviously. But also Lee’s and Gazza’s, too.”

Mads’ gaze narrowed and he harrumphed. “Smarmy bastard.” But there was a quirk to his lips when he added, “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

We were wearing Mads down although he would’ve got there on his own because he knew Gazza was right.

We both knew it. Mads just didn’t want to admit it.

He hated the idea of putting Gazza in Marty’s crosshairs.

Well, that made two of us. But it was also our best chance of finding out what was really happening in that house.

Lee had never seen Gazza, or Carey—the name Gazza was using while we were in Kettleworth—and Marty and Freddie seemed not to recognise Gazza either.

All of which meant Marty’s infatuation could work in our favour.

Lee might even be curious enough about the man who’d caught Marty’s eye to approach Gazza himself.

Gazza gave me a discreet poke in the ribs from the back seat and I figured it was a thank-you. I flicked a glance over my shoulder and nodded. Those beautiful tawny eyes landed softly on mine, telling me he knew exactly why Madigan was so pissed off.

With that in mind, Gazza aimed his next comments directly to Mads.

“It was always going to be risky, Boss, you know that. Don’t tell me you weren’t relying on my looks to give us some kind of advantage when we set this up.

I know you were, because I was too. There’s no need to feel guilty about it.

That’s why we didn’t try and make me invisible, right?

We just didn’t know how we would use that advantage.

Well, now we do.” He rattled it off without a shadow of conceit.

On the other hand, Mads looked miserable. “It just feels so fucking dirty. I hate the idea of him looking at you like that.”

Gazza’s tone softened. “And I appreciate your protective urge, but it’s not something I haven’t dealt with before.

And a guy like Marty is never gonna keep it in his pants regardless of having a so-called boyfriend .

He likes wielding power, and sexual power is up there with the most addictive.

He was always gonna make a play for someone like me, but he has no idea who he’s hooked and that’s the key. ”

I had to smile. “He’s right.”

Mads slumped further in his seat. “Yeah, yeah, I’m feeling the tag team.

And yes, okay, maybe I knew Gazza would catch Marty’s eye even if Gazza is a bit older than who Marty usually goes for, but I’d envisaged it as a small distraction we could use in order to get Lee on his own.

Not... this . Not sending him into that fucking house. .. alone. Never that.”

And he wasn’t wrong. “That’s true.” I was talking to Gazza, but Mads shot me a grateful and somewhat haunted look.

And with it, I instantly understood his fear.

He saw a repeat of the guilt he felt about Lee.

Only this time it would be about putting someone he genuinely loved as family in harm’s way.

Gazza rested a hand on Mads’ shoulder and gentled his tone.

“I know you’re frightened for me, but you also need to trust me.

This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve dealt with fuckers like this arsehole before.

I’ll go to his party and be charming and funny.

I’ll keep my wits about me and wait for a chance to speak to Lee.

It’s a birthday get-together for one of Marty’s friends, not a damn sex party.

Marty says there’ll be a whole range of people attending, including family and some of his racing colleagues.

It can’t be that debauched. The official arrival time is seven thirty, but Marty said to rock up later, after the birthday stuff is done.

These things go until the early hours, apparently. ”

“Oh, Marty says that, does he?” Mads grumped. “Then that makes it all okay, I suppose.”

I lifted my hand from his knee and squeezed his neck. “You’re putting wrinkles on your wrinkles, sweetheart.”

Mads shot me a frustrated look, but the frown disappeared and he sighed. “Fine,” he relented as he glanced at Gazza in his rearview mirror. “But you’re going in there on your own. We need a better plan than simply I’ll try and talk to him and cross my fingers that he comes up to me .”

Gazza nodded. “Agreed.”

“I could sneak around the back and keep an eye on things from a distance,” I suggested.

Mads sent me a sharp look. “You are not?—”