Take a Chance on Me(33)

“Me? I’m harmless.”

Gracie shook her head. “Actually, I don’t think you are.”

Maddie frowned, all her upheaval and unease from earlier rushing back. She put down the glass of water and hugged herself.

How many more signs did she need?

She’d taken a stab at freedom, but it wasn’t working out. She nodded. “I understand, and you’re right. Mitch has been great. I don’t want to cause any harm. It’s best anyway.”

She didn’t want to cause Mitch trouble. As much as she longed for another outcome, she forced out the words she’d known all along she’d have to say. “I understand. I’ll call my brother and he’ll come get me.”


Gracie’s hand flew up and her eyes went wide. “Wait, what?”

“I don’t want to hurt anyone.” After thirteen years, she was used to giving up her desires to do the right thing; she only wished it wasn’t so hard. “You’re right, it’s best if I go home.”

“No!” Gracie shouted. She straightened and stepped closer to Maddie. “No! That’s not what I meant. I was only trying to say, ‘be careful.’”

The men chose that moment to burst in the door like a bunch of rambunctious puppies, filling the room with chaos and testosterone.

Gracie placed her hand over her forehead. “Oh, shit, he’s going to kill me.”

Mitch stopped on a dime, his attention going first to Maddie and then to Gracie. A muscle in his jaw jumped. “What did you do?”

All three men turned to Gracie. They advanced on her, gleaming with sweat.

Alarm stirred. Maddie didn’t need to see their faces. The aggression was clear in their stance.

The sheriff crossed his arms over his broad chest, and the muscles in his back rippled with the movement. Like Mitch, he also had a tribal-looking tattoo, although it was on his left shoulder instead of wrapping around his bicep. “You couldn’t keep your mouth shut, huh?”

Gracie seemed to regain some of her composure, and her chin tilted. “I was only . . .” She cleared her throat. “Being friendly. And helpful.”

Sam pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Didn’t I tell you to leave it alone?”

“Yes, but . . .” Gracie glanced at Maddie. “I was worried, and—”

Mitch sliced a hand through the air. “What happened?”

The men reminded Maddie so much of her brothers and their tactics lit her temper. “That’s enough!”

They all swung around. The men’s eyes were sharp, hard with leftover adrenaline. It gave her a moment of pause, before she brushed their daunting presence aside and vaulted off her position by the sink. They tracked her as she stomped around them to stand in front of Gracie. “Stop intimidating her.”

Charlie laughed, a wry, amused sound. “Honey, we couldn’t intimidate her if we tried.” His gaze slid over Gracie in a familiar, intimate way. “Although I do think she’s angling for a spanking.”

“Ha! You wish.” Gracie placed a hand on Maddie’s shoulder. “Thanks for trying to rescue me. You’re a doll.” She sniffed.

“It’s nice to have another female here. I never have anyone on my side.”

Sam shook his head. “What did I tell you?”

Maddie planted her hands on her hips. “She didn’t do anything, so stop it.”

Mitch’s eyes narrowed. “What did she say, Maddie?”

“I was just—” Gracie said.

“Nothing.” Maddie cut her off as a sudden loyalty toward the woman behind her swelled in her chest. “It has nothing to do with any of you. Now back off.”

Charlie’s lips curled into a smile. “Aren’t you a feisty little thing?”

“I might be little,” Maddie said, in a righteous tone. “But I’m used to dealing with my brothers, who are all bigger and scarier than you.”

Charlie laughed and elbowed Mitch in the ribs. “That sounds like a challenge.”

Maddie risked a glance at Mitch to find his expression still hard, not amused at all. He crossed his arms. “I want to talk to Maddie. Alone.”

Sam jutted his chin toward the door. “Let’s go.”

Gracie squeezed Maddie’s shoulders. “Thanks for sticking up for me. And remember, I’m right next door if you need anything.”

“She won’t,” Mitch said, his tone matching the dark expression he wore.

Strangely, it didn’t scare her. It should—as should being alone with a strong, disgruntled man—but with Mitch, she stirred with excitement. Anticipation.

Gracie’s hand fell away and they all filed out the back door. The resounding click of the door made Maddie’s heart rate kick into high gear.

Mitch stalked toward her, everything about him predatory, dominant, and aggressive.

Her pulse pounded. What was wrong with her? She backed up, hitting the cabinets with a thud. She gripped the sides of the counter to steady herself. Her belly dipped as he closed in on her.

He invaded her space, filling her senses. He was all taut muscles and golden skin that she itched to touch but didn’t dare.

He gripped her chin, and the air stalled in her lungs as he peered down, searching her face. “Are you going to tell me what she said?”