Taken by Storm (Give & Take) - By Kelli Maine Page 0,79

she was still his. It hadn’t been a dream or his imagination. She came back to him. “Hey, Mads,” he said, answering.

“It was Enzo,” she said. “My dad’s awake. He remembers.”

“What?” MJ shot forward in his chair.

“The police have gone to arrest him,” she said.

Whoa. MJ knew his grandfather was capable of being cruel, but this was beyond his imagining. “I’m sorry, Mads. Tell your dad I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Don’t be sorry. He’s manipulated you your entire life, too.”

Merrick leaned forward in his chair and nudged MJ’s arm. “Everything okay?” he mouthed.

MJ shook his head. “I’m coming,” he told Maddie. “I’ll be there soon.”

He ended the call and grit his teeth with his effort to hold back the slur of expletives that wanted to erupt from his mouth. “Mr. Simcoe’s awake. He remembers what happened to him. It was Enzo.”

Merrick pounded a fist on the table. “They’re pressing charges?”

“The police went to arrest him.” MJ let his head fall back and groaned. “I can’t believe my grandfather did this to her dad.”

“She won’t hold this against you,” Rachael said, coming to stand beside his chair. “I don’t know her well, but it’s pretty clear how she feels about you.”

MJ scooted down in the chair so his head rested against the back. “I just can’t believe after everything… this is like the cherry on top, you know?”

“Think they’ll find him?” Beck asked. “Enzo? From everything I’ve heard about him, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would sit around waiting for the cops to show up.”

“Nope,” MJ answered. It hadn’t even occurred to him, but now that Beck had said it, he knew Enzo wasn’t going to be arrested. “He’s the most manipulative bastard there is. He’ll surface someday, but not until this blows over.”

“Spoken like someone who’s suffered under his roof,” Merrick said. “I can empathize.”

“Let’s get to the hospital,” Rachael said, taking Merrick’s hand and tugging. “I’m sure Maddie could use the support.”

“You’re lucky you have this as an excuse to get me to the hospital,” Merrick said. “I hate being poked and prodded.” He pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her cheek and neck playfully.

“That’s what she said,” Beck muttered and laughed to himself.

Riley gave Beck a few exaggerated blinks. “Really?”

MJ got up and collected the Weston Plantation file from the table. “We’ll talk about this soon,” he told Joan.

“Can’t wait,” she said, giving him a thousand-watt smile that was anything but sincere.

“The Dragon Lady has sharp claws, Junior,” Beck said, wrapping an arm across his chest and grimacing in pain as he stood up. “Consider yourself warned.”

“I sink them in deep too,” Joan said, cocking an eyebrow at Beck.

“That’s no lie,” he said and winked at her.

MJ might never understand what those two had going on between them. Then again, he probably didn’t want to.

“Before we leave,” Merrick said, raising his cup of the forgotten champagne. “I’d like to make a toast to my son.”

MJ couldn’t help feeling like he’d reverted to being a six-year-old again when he longed to meet his dad, to hear Merrick call him son.

“I’m already proud of you,” Merrick said. “I can see so many qualities of a good man inside you. Determination, loyalty, a fierce protective streak and a heart that will get you into more trouble that you expect.” Merrick gave Rachael a knowing look. “But it will also lead you right to where you should always be. So, don’t ignore it.”

“To Junior,” Beck said, tossing back his two-fingers of champagne.

The rest of them swallowed theirs down and MJ let the unfamiliar but warm feeling of belonging sink into his bones.

“Okay,” Rachael said, collecting their cups. “To the hospital. Now. No more delays.”

MJ followed her and Merrick inside. The studio apartment was modern with high ceilings and exposed metal I-beams. The stark white walls were dotted with bright, abstract paintings. Charcoal gray marble floors spanned the entire space. Ornate, blown glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling and every piece of furniture was made with straight lines and metal legs. It was a culture shock coming here from Turtle Tear.

“Don’t screw up my instrument,” Beck called to Riley from behind MJ. “Keep your eye on him, Joan.”

“She always has her eyes on me,” Riley called back, mockingly.

Rachael grabbed her purse and had one hand on the doorknob when Merrick put a hand over his pocket. “Hold on. That’s my phone.”

Merrick took his phone out and glanced at the screen, frowning. “Hello?” he said. As he