Chapter 112
112 – The SideChick Wants His Time
Madeline:
“ I need to speak with you about some things because I’ll be leaving early in the morning,” Sawyer uttered.
“When I came here, I didn’t think I’d stay this long, but it’s been days, and I have to go back to check on a few things,” he continued as he started to take off his wrist watch.
“But I want you to be wary of some stuff before I go.” he finished.
I stood up, setting the glass down and nodding.
“Can you please get me my file from the bedroom?” he requested.
I walked away to grab it. There was an orange folder filled with papers and notes he had written.
I picked it up, and as I was walking back, I noticed Nina already standing in the living room with him.
“What is it, Nina?” he asked, not realizing I was watching them.
“It’s just the whole day has passed, and I didn’t get to spend any time with you,” I heard her say softly, asking him for a moment of his attention.
It always bothered me how she could be so friendly with me during the day or whenever Sawyer wasn’t around, but would act so differently when he was in sight. However, this was the first time I had seen them interact so closely. Sawyer turned to her with a cold look on his face.
“And I was missing you. Can’t we just go back to bed now? It’s late, and I’ve been staying awake for you,” she urged, making a chill run down my spine.
“Nina, have you lost your mind? What are you suggesting? When have I ever promised you time? Do you think I made you my responsibility?” Sawyer snapped.
The file nearly slipped from my fingers. I knew they weren’t romantic in front of me, but I had never seen how they behaved when alone.
I used to think they were affectionate, lovey–dovey, even, but seeing him speak to her like that, and her pleading for his attention, made me wonder if there was trouble in paradise.
“No, you didn’t,” she responded immediately, not in the way a lover would.
She could have been upset by his tone, by how he reminded her she wasn’t his responsibility, but instead she tried to calm him.
“It’s just that I was missing you,” she repeated, her voice softer now, sounding tender.
“Nina, please step out of my way. I’m waiting for my wife so we can discuss some business.
Nobody asked you to stay awake. Go to sleep,” he said casually, pulling a cigar from his pocket and lighting it.
The way he blew smoke toward her, and the way she stifled a cough to avoid offending him, made me feel both angry and sorry for her.
“But you’re leaving tomorrow. Are you not even going to give me an hour?” she asked, still clinging to whatever dignity she had left.
“Nina, I have to work on something important with my wife. I won’t repeat myself,” he warned, his tone carrying
1/3
112 The Siret fict Wonts His Time
+25 Bonus
a hint of threat.
She finally stepped back, bowing slightly.
“I’ll leave the door open, just in case,” she murmured in a shaky voice before retreating to the side room.
As promised, she left the door open.
Taking a deep breath and putting on a neutral expression, I walked back into the living room with the file in hand.
The moment Sawyer saw me, he quickly stubbed out the cigar and waved his arm to clear the smoke.
I did the same the minute I stepped in.
“ Why the hell do you smoke in closed places?” I complained.
I wasn’t the kind of woman who begged for attention or stayed silent out of fear he might take offense.
“We can sit on the terrace upstairs,” I suggested, circling the table toward him.
As I passed, he placed a hand on my back. The slow, gentle motion of his fingers made goosebumps rise along my skin.
“Yeah, upstairs would be a good idea, ” he agreed.
I quickly gathered the files and hurried toward the stairs.
I knew the door to Nina’s room was still open, and I didn’t want her eavesdropping on us.
From the way Sawyer was acting, I could tell he was craving something more than just conversation.
Once we reached the second floor, we sat together on the terrace couch.
A small table stood before us, and I placed the files on it.
He started talking about a gun he was planning to leave behind.
He mentioned showing it to the werewolves when he first arrived and explaining that he would be carrying it.
They had let him keep it after he obtained permission from the council. But he added that he was going to leave it here with me.
He explained where he had stored it and said there were other documents in the file, notes on how to conduct interviews with the victims.
Surprisingly, it was very detailed and thoughtful. I hadn’t expected him to take such deep interest in the sickness.
He’d hardly ever talked about it.
But as I flipped through the file and saw page after page describing how I should question the victims, what signs to look for, and what to record, I was stunned, and, more than anything, grateful.
While I was busy arranging the papers, I suddenly felt his hand again on my back.
His fingertips moved slowly up and down my spine, making my body tense.
“Come here,” he whispered, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me back against his chest.
I didn’t protest. He had done too much for me, too much for my children, for me to completely reject his touch.
2/3
I remembered how much he had given them, how much he had given us.
Even when he was emotionally distant, he still ensured they had a good life.
He protected them from the darkness of both the human world and the others.
He gave them safety, something I could never have guaranteed, even if I had worked ten more years.
Because of Sawyer, my children had everything from the day they were born.
As I leaned back against him, I felt his hand rest gently on my stomach.
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.