like us, lived in a gentlemen’s world. We made deals, shook hands, and our word was true. Yes, we could also kill or plunder—no longer like the pirates of old. An entire portfolio could be lost with the right clicks of a computer keyboard.
The four of us were not only ready for what lay ahead, we also looked the part. Sparrow, Mason, and I were wearing suits while my wife wore a lovely white dress. It was one she chose after careful deliberation. Personally, I believed she was stunning in any color or no clothes at all.
Before our departure, after Madeline was dressed, she turned my way.
“What do you think?”
My hands went to her waist. “That you’re absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, and I’m glad you are wearing my ring to tell every other man that you’re mine.”
Her cheeks filled with pink. “I haven’t worn white…” Her smile dimmed. “…since the dress Kristine bought. I wore that one for four months.”
My brow furrowed with concern. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know when we ordered your clothes.” I stepped back and took her in, down to the light beige heels upon her feet. “Maddie girl, you don’t need to wear it.”
Her neck straightened as she inhaled. “I want to. It’s a step, and overcoming something even as minimal as the color white is empowering.”
“Are you sure?” I didn’t know how this worked, but I wasn’t sure if now was the time, moments before boarding a plane to a tournament where she’d be faced with both Elliott and Ivanov.
Madeline nodded. “No one else knows, no one.” She reached up, circling my neck with her arms and locking her fingers as our hips came together. “I wanted you to know. I want you to see me and know that I’m stronger than I was a day ago, a week ago, and a minute ago because with you I can be.” Moving to her tiptoes, her lips came to mine.
And now, stepping from the plane, the warm sea air blew Madeline’s hair and fluttered the skirt of her dress as she lifted her face to the sun. Seeing her in the sunshine, I reminded myself that she was the fucking strongest woman I’d ever met. Beautiful, sexy, intelligent, and mine. I placed my hand in the small of her back. “You’re beautiful.”
Her bright smile and gorgeous green eyes came my way. “I don’t know what you have planned for Andros, but right now, my beef is with Marion.” Her head shook. “I don’t want to see him, but I want to beat him. After this weekend, I never want to lay eyes on that man again.”
“That’s my plan,” I said, knowing that Madeline was still uninformed when it came to the restraining order Elliott’s wife had filed prior to her death or the knowledge that he’d attended more auctions than hers at the McFadden mansion. The fact that Elliott was most likely more interested in my sixteen-year-old daughter, who was safely hidden in Chicago, made allowing this amazing woman at my side to carry out her personal plan for restitution all that easier.
I led Madeline to our waiting car.
With the New Orleans outfit’s blessing, we’d sent a flock of Sparrows down to their city yesterday. It was our men’s job to canvass the city and ensure the safety of not only our accommodations but also our transportation. With the knowledge that my wife would be at my side, I personally made sure every t was crossed and i was dotted. I wasn’t taking any unnecessary chances.
Per usual, Reid was our man back at the command center. He was our go-to for information. Yes, we would have a computer setup in our hotel suite, but nothing compared to the technical capability back in Chicago on 2.
Besides, there was comfort in knowing that Reid was no more than a floor away from the rest of the women. The lockdown status had been going on since Ivanov’s first declaration. Even to the women with lockdown experience, it was getting old. There were more than a few murmurs of discontent. That said, minus Ruby, the other women understood the status wouldn’t be in effect if it wasn’t necessary.
Arriving yesterday, Garrett had taken charge of the preliminary setup of all things Sparrow in New Orleans. Currently, he was driving Sparrow and Mason. Christian was driving me and Madeline. These men had proven their loyalty and devotion, steadily moving up our ranks.
While there were actual casinos in New Orleans, this poker tournament was