Precarious Possessions (Maxwell Investigations) (21 page)

Troy looked at the woman sitting on the bed. He turned to
her and took her hands into his own. “It really isn’t what you think.” As he
stared at Madison’s puffed out cheeks, he could only smile. “And I’m not
laughing at you,” he chuckled.

“Yes he is,” Aiden replied. When his parents looked at him
he smiled. “And Auntie Leigh told us that she was going to be running around
the woods. She might still be there.”

Trying not to choke on her food, Madison slowly took a sip
of the orange juice on her tray. “You have another woman on my property?” she
asked.

“Auntie Leigh isn’t another woman,” Kayin said around his
pancakes. “She’s one of the guys! She even beat Uncle Donald in Modern Warfare!
Mommy even you can’t do that.”

“I can’t wait to meet her,” Madison said sourly. Her eyes
cut over to Troy. “How do you know her?”

Troy recognized the look in her eyes. Normally, it would
turn him off from a woman, but there was something different with Madison. It
could have been it was because she was his Mate, or it could be something as
simple as the fact that she was hot as hell when she was jealous. He cleared
his throat and easily took her knife hand in his. “Leigh was the guard Dennis
sent with me to California.” He tightened his grip on her hand when it
flinched. “We’re as close as you and Casper.”

Madison’s eyes narrowed. “Casper wanted me for his wife. So
if you want this chick to keep breathing, I suggest you clarify.”

Kayin and Aiden cleaned up their trays and went to Madison’s
side. “We’re
gonna
go play,” Kayin announced. When
his mother looked at him, he kissed her cheek. “Play nice. Donald says that
blood is a bear to clean out of the carpet.”

Both Madison and Troy could only blink as their three year
old sons climbed off the bed and left the room calmly. It was as if they didn’t
realize how close their mother was to stabbing their father. Troy couldn’t help
it, he laughed. When Madison looked at him strangely, he laughed harder. “And I
thought watching you and Victor was weird. That was just priceless,” he gasped.
After a moment, Troy tried to sober. His laughter ending when he realized what
Kayin just told his mother. “Why would this Donald have to clean up blood? And why
would he tell them it stains the carpets?”

Madison shook her head as a smile crossed her face. “They’re
boys. There are times when they don’t agree with each other or with Alex. When
they start to fight Donald usually pulls them apart.” She pulled her hand away
from Troy’s and went back to her pancakes. “Then he reminds the boys about how
much work they’ll leave for him if they continue to be little heathens.” She
slowly chewed her pancakes and watched Troy as his gaze started to wander
around the room. “You still haven’t explained about Leigh.”

He was going to come clean. It wouldn’t be cool for his Mate
to kill his best friend. “What I meant was, she’s my best friend,” he said
seriously. When Madison’s eyes rolled he continued. “Leigh went with me to California
and stayed with me while I was out there. She also explained a lot of what
being a Werewolf was.” Troy couldn’t help but notice the way Madison’s lips
pressed together. He leaned forward and nipped at her lips. “Don’t be like
that. She knew we were Mated.”

“So why is it so pressing that you
call
her?” Madison challenged. She was trying to keep her emotions under control.
She didn’t like feeling jealous.

“Because if that body was Dennis’s
ward, then that means it was her sister.”

Madison looked at Troy with wide eyes. The serious
expression he wore tore at her. “I’m sorry. Go find her, please. I’m just being
a bitch.”

He leaned forward and kissed her again. “You’re being a
Mated woman,” he whispered. “Get dressed. I’ll take you to Haven after I find
Leigh.”

Troy hadn’t found Leigh. After following her scent to the
perimeter, he discovered that she had left with Dennis. While he was irked with
her leaving, he understood it. If someone told him either of his sisters needed
him, nothing would stop him from leaving.

Madison parked her car in front on a simple nondescript
alley and spotted Dennis. The Alpha was furious as he paced along the sidewalk.
When his angered gaze focused on her, he started to growl. A soft breath left
her as Troy also started to growl at the threat to his Mate. “He’s grieving,”
she said as she turned off the ignition. “He treated her like a daughter.”

That was a fact Troy didn’t want to look at too closely. His
golden eyes were fierce as he looked into her eyes. “He doesn’t need to take it
out on you,” he argued.

And there it was. His protective instincts, his humor, his
way with the boys, the way he just wouldn’t see her in a bad light. It all
pointed to one thing….He was in love with Madison.

And Madison loved him for it.

Without a word, she leaned forward and kissed him. She was
thankful Werewolves couldn’t read minds. There were still some things she
wanted to keep to herself. When she pulled away from him, she caressed his
cheek. “I got this,” she said softly. “You go find your friend and comfort her.
If she needs a place to crash, she can stay at the house.”

Troy ran his fingers through her hair. “Thank you,” he
whispered as Madison turned to get out of the car. As he followed suit, Troy
spotted Leigh at the entrance to the alley. “Leigh.” When she turned to him, he
simply opened his arms.

Madison went over to Dennis, completely ignoring the raven
haired beauty running to Troy’s arms. “Eric told me it’s Megan,” she said
conversationally.

“I want whoever did this,” Dennis growled.

Madison stepped past Dennis and saw where the body laid. Her
heart tightened when she saw a young man that had become familiar in her home
the past few months. “Brian,” she said tenderly.

Wet brown eyes looked at her. Brian was the young wolf
Claude left to train the boys. He was also becoming one of Alex’s best friends.
“She heard I had slept with Silvia McCoy. I tried telling her that it happened
a long time ago.” Brian sobbed harder as he touched Megan’s hair.

“Come here, Pup,” Madison sighed. When Brian made no move
towards her, Madison went to his side. “I’ll find out who did this,” she said
before hugging him, “but I need you to leave. You don’t need to see her like
this.”

“Come on, Pup,” Dennis said harshly. “Let the Necromancer do
her job. And you need to explain exactly what you and Megan fought about.”

Brian stood and shuffled down the alley to Dennis, leaving
Madison with the dry husk of Megan’s body. Madison knelt beside the corpse and called
her Magic to her. After a moment Madison placed a hand on Megan’s forehead.
“Wake up Megan. Tell me who did this.”

Vacant blue eyes opened. “He said his name was Cord,” Megan
answered. “He was in the club.”

“Was Cord another Wolf? Or maybe he was a Mage?”

“I don’t think so. I mean, he wasn’t a Wolf and I’m not sure
about the Mage thing.” Her eyes tried to look around but couldn’t. “Can Mages
make you want them?”

Madison frowned. “You mean sexually?” she asked. When Megan
nodded, she shook her head. “There are some that can plant the suggestion, but
to make it so strong that you actually act on it? No, that’s not possible.”
Madison looked at Megan and saw the confusion and regret on the young woman’s
face. “What happened with you and Cord?” she asked again.

“I had fought with Brian. I went to the club to think.
Usually I talk with Daddy, but he had to run last night. Cord bought me a
drink. Then he asked me to dance. At first I kept saying no, but he kept
touching me.” Megan’s eyes grew panicked. “You have to understand, I’m not a
slut. I don’t care what anyone says. I wanted a Mate. He just kept touching me.
After a while, I didn’t want him to stop.”

“I understand,” Madison said calmly. “You were a victim, and
I won’t let anyone blame you.” She moved her hand to cover Megan’s eyes. “Is
there anything you want me to tell your family?”

“Tell them I’m sorry. And I love them.” Megan’s gnarled hand
grabbed Madison’s wrist. “And please,
please
tell Brian I don’t blame him. I love him and I wanted to be his Mate. I was
just stupid. It’s not his fault. Make him understand that.”

Madison looked at the entrance to the alley and saw Dennis
holding Brian. The younger wolf had fallen to his knees as he listened to
Megan. Madison looked at the heartbroken corpse again and took a slow breath.
“I promise, he won’t blame himself,” she said softly. Her eyes were full of
tears as she pulled her magic away from Megan. It wasn’t often that a death
affected her. This young woman hadn’t had a chance to live.

Dennis walked over to Madison and helped her to her feet.
“You will want to see the club tapes from last night, correct?” He frowned when
she stumbled for a moment. “I’ll have Troy drive you over and we can all view
them together.”

Part of Madison wanted to object to having Dennis try to
take over the investigation. His overbearing nature was part of who he was. Add
that to his relationship with Megan, Madison would have to count herself lucky
that he didn’t just take the information on the tapes and run. “I want to
discuss what you’re going to do with her body, and with Brian.”

Dennis paused for only a fraction of a moment. “I’ll talk
with her sister. By rights she should be placed with her parents. But I want
her close. I could put her with my family.” He kept his arm around Madison as
he walked her to her car. He easily opened the passenger side and helped her
into it. “As for Brian, I may send him with Claudia to Germany.
If he wants.
Or he could stay on with the twins. I will
leave the choice to him.”

Troy came over to where Madison and Dennis were and frowned
at how weak his Mate was. “Are you alright?” he asked.

As Madison nodded, Dennis shook his head. “Can you please
take her to my club?” he asked. It didn’t surprise him when Troy reached into
Madison’s coat pocket and took out her keys. Dennis then looked over Troy’s
shoulder and saw Leigh trying to hold herself together. “Is Leigh staying with
you as well?” he asked. “I want to ask if she wanted Megan here with us or in
Richmond with her parents.”

Leigh wiped at her eyes and looked at Dennis. “I want her
here,” she answered before running her fingers through her hair. “Mom and Dad
are family but she was raised here with the pack.” Tears filled her eyes again.
“I don’t know if I can afford a plot.”

Dennis and Madison both looked at her. “Don’t worry about
that,” they said in unison. Dennis looked at Madison for a moment before
nodding at her. “Thank you Madison, but as Alpha, I will handle everything with
Megan’s service.”

Madison nodded as she turned to Leigh. “I don’t know if Troy
told you, but you’re more than welcome to stay at my place. It could be for as
long as you need.” She reached out and touched Leigh’s hand. When the female
Werewolf gripped her hand as well, Madison nodded. “The boys would love to have
you, and I’m sure Troy wouldn’t want you to be alone. I’ve only met your sister
in passing but you’re Pack. We won’t leave you.”

Dennis looked at Madison with widened eyes. He was used to
the bratty woman that respected no one, save Victor. He had forgotten she could
also charm the pants off of many of the other Nobles of the Supernatural world.
He gently touched her shoulder and squeezed it. “Again, thank you,” he said
roughly. He turned to the car approaching and felt another growl rising in this
throat. When he saw the driver, he closed the door and looked at Troy. “Take
them to the club. Have Remy pull up all of the footage from last night. Make
sure he knows how important it is.”

Troy looked at the other car as well and frowned. “I smell
Madison’s Magic.”

“It’s another Necromancer,” Dennis answered. “I’ll handle
him. You get her to the club.”

Madison opened the door and stood. She made a show of
sticking a piece of candy in her mouth and looked at the pair in front of her.
“I hope you two realize that I know who that is.” She then turned her attention
to Dennis. “And you are going to do exactly what I say, or this whole
investigation is going to be screwed for Megan.”

Dennis looked at the tall man that stepped out of the car.
He had seen Ashton plenty of times, however, when everything was said and done,
he would rather deal with Madison. As crazy as she was, she always played fair.
“What do you want me to do?”

Madison looked at Ashton and inhaled when he smiled at her.
“Too late,” she mumbled. She then stepped away from Troy and Dennis and painted
a smile on her face. “I didn’t know you were back in town.”

Ashton looked her over. “
Madi
,
it’s so nice to see you again,” he said smoothly. “You haven’t changed since
the last time I saw you.”

She wouldn’t let him get to her. Ashton had a way of making
you want to throw yourself at his feet or off a bridge. Madison embarrassed
herself once before, and she would be damned if she would ever put herself in
that position again. “Oh, you don’t have to lie to me, Ashton. I know you can’t
stand the sight of me.
Afraid of a little old me?”