Taken by Storm (Give & Take) - By Kelli Maine Page 0,80
listened to whoever was on the other end, he looked over at MJ. “No,” Merrick said, “I’m not in contact with my father.”
The call was about Enzo. The police? It had to be.
“I’d be happy to answer questions for you. Right now I’m on my way to the hospital to visit Mr. Simcoe.” Merrick nodded as he listened. “Yes, my sister and her husband should be on their way home. They’ve been vacationing this past week with me and my family.” Again, Merrick glanced over at MJ, then reached for Rachael’s hand. “Nadia Montgomery, his granddaughter, might be able to locate him. I know for a fact she’s been in contact with him as recently as last night, possibly today.” Merrick dropped his head. “She’s my daughter.”
Maddie’s dad was incredibly stubborn. He wouldn’t let her help him do anything, including walking him to the shower down the hall. “All I have to do is push this IV stand along, Peach. I think I can manage that.”
“Fine. I’ll wait here.” She plopped back down in the chair beside his bed. He’d be released tomorrow and she had no idea where they’d be going. But, Coach knew a lot of people. She’d call him in a little while and see if he had any leads on a cheap place they could rent.
The phone beside Maddie’s dad’s bed rang. She picked the receiver up and held it to her ear. “Hello?”
“Madeline, it’s good to hear your voice.” Chills ran over her skin. Enzo Rocha. “The police are looking for you.”
“They won’t find me. But, I’ll always know where you are. The one who pushed and pushed until my secret came out.”
“I didn’t tell anyone.”
“No, but you wouldn’t stay away from MJ. You didn’t take my warning seriously.”
“I’m not listening to another word.” She slammed the phone down, grabbed the business card the investigator had left and dialed his number.
After telling him about the call, he suggested hiring private security for her and her father until they could locate Enzo and get him into custody.
She couldn’t afford private security. She didn’t even have a place to live.
Hopelessness set in. She crawled into a ball in the chair and wept. She couldn’t even run away, because her father was in danger because of her.
Thirty
Don’t cry, Mads.”
She jerked her chin up to find MJ standing in the doorway. Her heart leapt from her chest to her throat.
He stepped inside the room. “How’s your dad? Where is he?”
“Shower,” she said. “He’s good.”
“I know I said I’d see you tonight,” he said, walking toward her, “but Merrick and Beck are here getting their wounds from the wreck checked out. Do you mind?”
With fear lacing her veins, she’d never been so happy to see him. “No. I’m glad you’re here.”
MJ knelt in front of her, scooped her into his arms and kissed her over and over until she couldn’t catch her breath.
“MJ,” she said, pushing him away. “Enzo just called me. It’s not over. He still wants to keep me away from you.”
“What? Why?”
“He says I didn’t listen. I went to Turtle Tear and it’s my fault his secret had to come out.”
MJ stood and pulled her to her feet. “Okay. We’ll call the police. He can’t do this to you.”
“I called them. They told me to hire private security. I don’t even know where we’re going to live. I can’t afford to hire security.” She wiped her puffy eyes.
Maddie saw the wheels in his head spinning a million miles a minute. “I’ll be right back.” He pointed to the chair. “Don’t leave this room.”
He dashed out the door and she sat back down, defeated.
A few minutes later, her dad came back in, dressed in a fresh gown, pushing his IV stand. “I’m back in one piece, Peach, as promised.”
“Good, you stubborn old goat.” She helped him back into bed and tucked the covers around him.
“Knock, knock,” Rachael said from the doorway. MJ stood behind her. “I heard you’re the nurses’ favorite. Are you flirting with them, Mr. Simcoe?”
He laughed. “All old men flirt with lovely ladies. Come in.”
Rachael rounded Maddie’s dad’s bed and bent to hug her where she sat in the chair. “I have something to ask the two of you.” She glanced between Maddie and her dad. “A favor.”
“I’m hardly in any position to grant favors,” Maddie’s dad said, “but you’re certainly welcome to ask.”
“Well,” Rachael said, leaning against the windowsill, “we’ve had some staffing changes at the hotel. Merrick and I both need some help.