All those within earshot of the couch turned to see what made me snarl in rage.
Of course. Madison must’ve bought a ticket through our website. The thought never occurred to me I’d have to blacklist someone from the party. Was she good Madison or bad Madison tonight? Guess we’d find out.
Head held high and shoulders back, she wore a confident smile and strode through the crowd escorted by Vivienne, a longtime family friend and co-organizer of my Mom’s charity.
Mark, our VIP security for the night, grabbed the rope at the base of the steps but glanced my way for guidance. King indeed.
I nodded at Mark, even though I wanted Madison as far away as possible from my family and friends. This was our night. Our celebration. But Madison being led our way by Vivienne perplexed me.
Kristen leaned toward me. “This could be interesting.”
Madison gave us all a warm smile as Vivienne brought her toward my parents. Curious, and needing to make sure everything was cool, I gently moved Hannah off my lap. “Be right back.”
Vivienne gestured between my parents and Madison in what looked to be an introduction.
As I approached within earshot, Madison laughed. “We’ve already met. I wanted to congratulate you. I believe strongly in your charity and donated an additional five thousand dollars.”
Mom’s eyes widened. “That’s very generous of you, Madison.”
My loyal mother shook Madison’s hand, but made no move to go closer. They all knew bad shit had gone down between me and Madison, even though most of them had only sketchy details. But they had witnessed the self-centered angry mess I’d become in the wake of the breakup.
Only Hannah knew the entire painful story, including the memory trash pile loaded onto my driveway, the reason for the meaningless string of women, and the final bonfire ritual in Hannah’s backyard.
An awkward silence followed, no one making any further welcoming move. I sensed they all waited on me.
Vivienne turned, smiling. “I’ll see if I can find any more generous guests.”
“Thank you, Vivienne,” Mom replied.
Madison gave a single nod. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Enjoy your evening. I’ll go mingle in the crowd and get a refill.” She shook her empty glass, clinking the ice cubes.
Mom sent me a pointed stare, and I inwardly groaned. Yeah, even kings granted mercy. And I would have to deal with Mom’s wrath if I didn’t show gratitude for Madison’s donation. It’s what those in high society did every day. Smile at your enemies and invite them in.
I sighed. “No, stay. Jillian can get you whatever you need. Thank you for the donation.” I lifted a finger to get our waitress’s attention.
Within seconds, Mom engaged Madison into an animated conversation.
But it hadn’t escaped my notice that Hannah had flinched when I’d spoken.
I crossed back to the couch, sat down, and pulled Hannah back onto my lap before whispering, “I’m doing this for Mom.”
She gave me an understanding nod and spoke low, “Plus Kristen made a good point while you were talking with them. Maybe they can find out if she’s involved in all the problems we’ve been having.”
“They?”
“Yeah.” She gave me a half smile. “I’ll let your sisters take care of that investigation. It would look bad at your anniversary party if Madison got a black eye from your girlfriend.”
I grinned. “Damn.”
Satisfied my sisters had this covered, I gave a quick glance around, aware of time ticking by. Ben, Dad, and I had holed ourselves up here, away from our guests. We had obligatory mingling to carry out.
I side-eyed Madison as she left my Mom and approached us. She settled herself onto the other end of the couch. Kiki sat on the edge of the cushion, leaning forward as she drew in the girls with one of her stories. Madison listened right alongside them.
I tightened my hand on Hannah’s hip. “You gonna be okay on your own for a while? I’ve got to play host with my partners for a bit, thank everyone in person.”
Trooper that she was, she nodded. “Of course, go.” She climbed carefully off my lap to find solid footing in her high heels. “I’m going to go down and see if Chloe and Daniel need help carving into the cake.”
I stood, lacing my fingers into hers, intent on walking her over there. And beyond relieved that she’d be nowhere near Madison. Madison’s claim that she wanted me still unsettled me. Especially with the too-coincidental timing and all the other shit going on. But with the way she continued inserting herself into my life at any opportunity, I worried about her true motive.
“Ready to make the rounds, partners?” I glanced at Dad, then Ben.
Ben nodded and joined us as we left the VIP section. Mom stood at Dad’s side (after all, the night benefited her charity foundation), then we filed down the steps together onto the main floor. Ben and my parents split apart, heading in opposite directions and immediately engaging guests in conversation.
Hannah leaned against my side as we veered off toward the cake. “Why do you think Madison’s here?”
Glancing down at Hannah, I arched my brows. “Honestly? To fuck with me. To fuck with you and me, more specifically.”
Brows drawn together, she shook her head. “But why? She wants you now? She thinks this is the way to get you? I don’t get it.”
I hugged her closer. “Stop trying. I don’t get it either, and it seems like a waste of mental horsepower. Sometimes there are no rational answers for things.” I took another swallow from my beer as we approached the end of the bar.
Hannah tilted her head. “Or she’s simply a Selfish Bitch.” She maintained a stoic expression.
Hannah knew how badly Madison had hurt me. Because even though Madison wanted to be friends, said she’d changed, and donated a large sum of money to charity, it still didn’t alter the fact that she’d hurt me. “Woman, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you for being you.”
She gave me a flirty smile. “Only way I know how to be. Now go, mingle.” She kissed my cheek, then shooed me away with waving hands. “I’ve got cake business to attend to.”
Unsatisfied with her cheek graze, I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a hard kiss. She gasped into my mouth before melting into my arms with a tiny groan.
On a low growl, I released her. “There. Now I can go mingle.”
I made my way through the crowd, periodically glancing back into the VIP section. Madison remained up there, this time seated on the end beside Kendall. They seemed to be discussing something funny, easy smiles lighting up their faces. I was fine with that. As long as Madison stayed far away from Hannah, I felt good leaving my well-behaving ex under the watchful eyes of my secret-agent sisters.
Someone bumped into me, and we both turned toward each other. “Dwight.” I clapped the wild partier on the shoulder. “How goes it post-bunny bash? You get to keep any of those sweet things as play toys afterward?”
He chuckled. “You bet your ass I did—took four of them home that night. But after they saw my palatial digs, I nearly had to evict three of them.”
My brows arched. “Only three?”
Grinning like the devil, he leaned in. “The fourth’s a keeper. Maybe even a potential Mrs. Dwight.” He turned and waved his fingers at a busty redhead dancing with three scantily clad girlfriends.
“You dog. Who knew I’d be the one to hook you up for the long haul.”
On a head tilt, his eyes widened. “You should run a matchmaking service.”
I barked out a laugh. “Ohhh, no. Kristen already thought your party bordered on escort service.” I shook my head, grinning as I glanced over at Hannah. She and her team had begun to cut up the cake and spread plates along the bar. “I’m content playing businessman and advisor to Ben here at the bar and to my sisters, with Invitation Only.”
“You given any thought to consulting others?” He took a sip of what looked to be scotch.
I shifted my full attention back to him. “Actually, I have. Why, got any connections?”
He nodded. “I’ll email you next week. Two of my clients are considering startup ventures. But I know nothing about the risks involved and how they can minimize them. I’ll pass along your contact information, if you’re game.”
Dwight had minted tens of millions of dollars in the short time he’d been doing portfolio management for the upper echelon of wealth worldwide. I blinked, surprised any of his clients would be interested in getting so hands-on in business. “The two clients are unrelated?”
He nodded. “Yep. Bored with watching dollars tick up as they play golf three times a week. They’re wanting a challenge.”
“Ah, gotcha. Yeah.” I shrugged. “Why the fuck not? Give them my number. I’d love to hear what they’re entertaining and how I might help.” I glanced over his shoulder. “I think your bunny’s getting lonely.”
Dwight turned to catch the impending show. He waved his hands and charged over to her, shouting. “No, Vanessa. Keep your top on, baby. This isn’t one of those parties.”
I snorted, then made my way over to a few crew teammates from college. When I shot a quick glance back toward the bar, I froze.
Hannah was alone, Madison’s face inches from hers with a sneer curling her lips.
I rushed forward through the crowd, and thank fuck, everyone scrambled out of my way. When I approached within hearing distance over the thumping dance music, I slowed.
Madison had no idea I stood in her blind spot. “…doesn’t matter that you think he’s yours. Nothing’s permanent, honey. Certainly not with what you have to offer him. Look at you.” Madison swept her gaze down and up. “How could any man be satisfied with that for long?”
“Enough,” my primal growl vibrated in my ears.
Madison whirled around, eyes widening. With practiced control, she calmed. “Will it ever be enough, Cade? Will someone who doesn’t understand who you truly are, what your social standing entails, satisfy you? You need someone better than that. Better than her.”
Someone like you? The harsh retort stuck hard in my throat. Instead, I spoke a greater truth. “You never understood who I truly am. You never will. You’ve overstayed your welcome tonight. Time to go—before security throws your ass into a skidding slide on the asphalt.”
An indignant expression flickered over her face. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would.” Hannah glared at Madison. “Try me. You have two seconds to vanish before you find out.”
Madison huffed but wisely turned and strode toward the doors after glaring at me, then by the way the sea of people parted before her, it seemed at everyone and everything in her way.
She was gone, but that didn’t mean damage hadn’t already been done.
“Hey.” I gathered Hannah into my arms, kissing her temple. “Don’t let her get to you. She has no idea what she’s talking about.” Concerned, I pulled back, gazing down at her.
Her scowl intensified. “Selfish Bitch.”
“Exactly.” I exhaled, relieved at Hannah’s anger. Anger we could work with. But my gut told me the emotional obstacle course we’d face in the next couple of weeks had only just begun.