After debating and consulting with his siblings, Maddox decided to bring Mila with him to the gala. It was a fifty-fifty risk. But Jalen and Juliet would be there, and they promised to present a united front. If Danny’s children wanted a fight, it wouldn’t just be Mila to face them. And Maddox knew he could count on Nikki as well though she wouldn’t be there.
He told Mila the plan as soon as he could see her in person. He met her at Jalen’s house this time while they were away for a night. Maddox figured bouncing around locations would confuse anyone watching. Or at least make it tougher to decide if they were seeing each other.
Mila seemed reticent but said she trusted him. Maddox caressed her cheek as they sat out on the deck. “I will do everything in my power to protect you.”
She half smiled. “I feel like I’m about to be attacked.”
That’s what Maddox was afraid of. “I know this seems extreme. But I don’t want to take chances. We’ll need to keep alert.” He pressed his lips to her forehead as her eyebrows knitted together. “Don’t worry. This is familiar territory to me.”
As Mila leaned in and rested against his chest though, Maddox realized that this aspect of the situation was new territory for him.
He’d never had someone he wanted to protect.
While Jalen had been the subject of an unfair investigation, and Maddox put all their legal power at work to help him, he knew Jalen had backup. He wouldn’t be permanently hurt by it.
But Mila was different. She wasn’t wealthy or powerful. And he couldn’t sit back and ignore that.
On the other hand, he wasn’t ready to face that drama either. It would come but he wanted some time to be with Mila first before they were under assault.
So, Maddox made preparations and told Mila to pack for the Caribbean. They wouldn’t be totally out of sight, but they could sort of avoid the public eye there.
Maddox told Mila to bring her aunt and he invited Jalen and Juliet and friends to serve as distractions. It would be less conspicuous than showing up with only Mila.
They arrived in Canouan the next week with his brother following the next day.
Almost as soon as they arrived at the exclusive resort, Cathy geared up for the beach and told them to have fun. “She doesn’t waste time,” Maddox muttered to himself as he watched Cathy scuttle down the hallway.
“Thank you for bringing my aunt,” Mila told him as they lingered. “I know you didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.” It flowed out of his mouth easily and he knew he meant it. Her aunt mattered to her, and she was closer to Cathy than to her mother. And Mila had spent a lot of time with his family, so he figured it was only fair.
Mila studied him until he felt like turning away. “What?” he finally asked.
Mila shook her head. “I was thinking that if you’d behaved like this when we first met, I might have wanted to go out with you.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
She nodded. “This is much more appealing than your suave, charming nonsense.”
“Nonsense?” Maddox snapped. “I’ll have you know that nonsense helped get me where I am.”
Mila laughed. “That may be so. But it got you nowhere fast with me.”
Maddox frowned though it was all too true. “I realize that. You don’t have to throw it in my face.”
Still grinning, Mila reached up and draped her arms around his neck. “I just want to make sure you understand that.”
He let out a sigh though there was nothing about this he minded. “No suave or charming behavior. Got it.”
With that, Maddox bent down and hefted Mila up over his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” Mila yelled.
“Well, you said no charming behavior.” He couldn’t resist tweaking her screws just a little.
“What does this have to do with it?” Mila kicked her legs as he started to walk.
“I don’t know. I thought you might prefer caveman behavior better.” Maddox suppressed a laugh as she harrumphed–loudly.
“You know what I mean,” she barked.
“Do I?” Maddox kept walking.