Desiree Holt - Caught in the Middle

Madison came back to herself slowly. Tom’s weight still covered her, but a hand running through her hair told her Dante was still there. She looked up at him, and she smiled.

“Shall we take this inside where it’s warmer?” he asked.

She laughed. Then laughed harder when Tom groaned.

They made it inside where both men checked the house out before letting her any farther than the entry. When they decided it was okay, Madison took off her boots and jacket before collapsing on the couch.

Dante and Tom sat on either side of her. Throwing her legs over Tom’s lap, she leaned against Dante.

“I think the two of you are trying to kill me,” she teased.

Tom ran his hand up her thigh. “Could be.”

Madison chuckled softly as electricity shot up her body where he touched. Dante’s soft lips trailed down her neck. “Definitely trying to kill me.”

Before they could go any farther, both men pulled away suddenly.

“What’s wrong?” She looked from one to the other.

“Go into the bedroom take the dogs,” Dante ordered.

“What? No!” Madison tried to argue, but Tom stood, taking her with him.

“Now,” he demanded in a tone that screamed not to disobey.

Madison started towards the bedroom. The dogs that had been lying on the rug in the kitchen followed. Madison tried to listen for something but to her everything was quiet.

Madison sat on her bed and waited. Both dogs took position in front of her, between her and the door like they knew they were in charge of her protection.

It didn’t take Dante long before he came back.

“Someone’s outside, sweetheart, so just sit tight,” he told her gently.

“Who is it?”

He shook his head and moved to her. “I don’t know. I can only sense a presence close. Tom went out the back to get a scent.”

Madison nodded then pressed against Dante’s hand as he cupped her cheek. She was suddenly grateful she wasn’t alone.

“We won’t let anything happen to you,” Dante promised.

She believed him. But what if something happened to one of them? What if she lost them as soon she had found them? She didn’t want to think about it. The loss of one of her men would be too much to bear.

The front door opened, and Madison jumped up. Dante caught her arm, stopping her from moving.

“ Madison,” Tom called from the living room.

Dante nodded but kept a hold of her arm. Madison let him lead the way. The first look of the visitor had her crying out and running to him.

“ Matt ! Oh my God! Matt! You’re okay! Where have you been?” Madison ran her hands all over her brother, unable to believe she was seeing him, touching him.

Her brother hugged her closely, and Madison closed her eyes. When she was able to keep the tears from falling, she pulled away and took in her brother’s appearance. He looked different, yet the same. He was thinner than she remembered, his black hair falling over his shoulders, and circles under his eyes.

“Where have you been?” she asked softly.

Matt shrugged and didn’t meet her eyes. “I met a few people, and we have been travelling around.”

“Travelling around?” Madison just stared at him. “You disappeared. I thought something happened to you. That you were dead!”

He met her eyes then. “I was fine.”

Madison could feel her temper rising. “You could have called and let me know that!”

She watched as Matt’s gaze drifted from her to the two men that stood with her. “Looks like you’re doing just fine. I mean, two men, Madison? If Mother could see you now.”

Madison jerked back as if he slapped her. Dante moved so quickly all she saw was a blur then her brother slammed up against the door.

“You will not disrespect her!” Dante said, his voice dangerously low.

Matt’s lips twisted in a sneer. “What are you going to do, Dante? You promised to protect us both.”

Madison could see Dante’s arm muscles bulge. “Dante. Don’t. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not,” Tom answered for him before stepping up next to Dante and looking down at Matt. “Watch yourself, boy. Dante may have promised to protect you, but I didn’t.”

Madison knew she needed to diffuse the situation fast. “Okay. Stop, both of you.” She laid her hand on Dante’s shoulder. “Let him go.”

She didn’t think he was going to as both men continued to stare down at her brother. But finally Dante released Matt and stepped away. Tom turned and stalked into the living room without a word.

Madison met Dante’s gaze and noticed his eyes were glowing. He was angry. And on her behalf. Madison smiled at him and rose to her toes to kiss his cheek. “Just give me a minute.”

He nodded before joining Tom in the living room.

Madison waited until they were both seated before turning to her brother. “Let’s go outside.”

The cold wind hit Madison in the face as she stepped outside her cabin. Matt had walked out while she put her boots and jacket back on. She found him leaning against the railing with his arms crossed over his chest.

“So what are you doing here?” she asked, still hurt by his words earlier.

“I grew up here. I’m just as welcome here as you are. I may not be fucking everyone in town, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t my home.”

Madison refused to let him bait her into a fight. There was something wrong with him. Matt had never treated her this way. “I never said this wasn’t your home, but since you disappeared, I’m asking what brought you back.”

He stared at her for several seconds. “I want the book Grandma left you.”

Madison knew exactly what he was talking about. The book of magic was left to the women of the family. Her grandmother had given it to her on her eighteenth birthday. “Why do you want it?”

He shrugged, but Madison didn’t believe the casual gesture. She could feel the tension radiating off of him. “You don’t practice, so what good is it doing you? That is unless you had to use a spell from it to get those two in your bed.”

Madison took a step forward but kept her voice low. “Now, listen to me. What I do is my personal business. You left without word and didn’t even bother to call to make sure I was okay.”

“Looks to me like you’re doing okay. I didn’t see you worrying about anything as you got fucked in the car.”

Madison gasped, but everything started falling into place. “You’re the one that has been watching the house.”

Matt didn’t deny it.

“Did you break into my store too?”

He snorted. “What would I want out of that small town, rink-a-dink store?”

But Madison knew. “You wanted the book.”

He shook his head and stepped closer. “Just give it to me.”

“I wouldn’t give you anything. I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but you’ve changed. You can leave now.” Madison turned to walk back in the house.

Matt’s hand snaked out and grabbed her arm before she could get inside. He pulled her back, and she slammed against his chest. “I don’t want to hurt you, Madison. Just give me the book.”

Madison turned her head. “Don’t threaten me. I have two men inside who would rip you apart.”

Matt opened his mouth to comment, but her front door opened. Just like she said, both Dante and Tom stood in the doorway, eyes narrowed. Matt released her and pushed her towards them.

“I will get the book,” he promised before stomping off the porch.

Madison looked up at her men and broke down in tears. Four arms surrounded her, and they took her back inside.

Madison straddled Tom’s waist, riding him slowly, when Dante pushed her flat against the other man. Dante’s lubricated fingers breached her back entrance, stretching her.