Crazy Beautiful Love (The Martelli Brothers #1)(57)
Author: J.S. Cooper

We walked into the house and into the kitchen. Vincent was sitting at the table, and he stood up to give us both a big hug. We were all relieved that part one had gone so well, but I think we all realized that we were far from in the clear. Jared and I exchanged a look, and I knew that there was something else going on, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to frighten Vincent, but I was scared. But I wasn’t scared about what might or might not happen with the Bugatti. I was scared that I had lost Maddie forever, and I knew that if I had, my life would never be the same again.

Chapter 12

Logan

I tried calling Maddie about ten more times that night, but I didn’t leave any more messages. I was too scared I would say something that would make her not talk to me ever again, though that was already a real possibility. She hadn’t answered any of my calls or returned any of my text messages. I was full of worry and stress, and I knew that Jared and Vincent were avoiding me because they were scared I would go off on one of them. They were right to avoid me because I was just looking for an argument. They were still riding high from the thrill of stealing the Bugatti, and while I was happy that we had been successful, I was gutted that Maddie wouldn’t speak to me. I tried calling one more time before I jumped out of bed and pulled on my shoes.

I ran down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Jared and Vincent were playing cards. “Hey, where are the keys to the Mustang?” I held my hand out. “And don’t even say no or I will take the Bugatti, and I don’t think either of you want that to happen.”

“Let it go for the night.” Jared grimaced at me. “Just let it go.”

“Let what f**king go?” I turned towards him with a hiss.

“Let Maddie have some time to think about things,” he continued in a steely tone.

“You’re happy about this, aren’t you? You don’t want me to be happy with Maddie. Did you tell Joey? Was he waiting to poach her away from me?”

“You sound crazy, Logan.” Jared shook his head. “Trust me, I’m not happy about this.”

I turned away from him and back to Vincent. “Are you giving me your keys?”

“Logan,” he began and I glared at him. He closed his mouth, sighed, and handed me the keys from his pocket. “Be careful with her.”

“I always am.” I grabbed the keys away from him. “I’ve never gotten a single scratch on her.”

“I mean with Maddie.”

“I’ll see you guys later.” I turned away from them and ran to the front door, ignoring the shouts of my dad from the living room. I jumped into the Mustang and drove as quickly as possible. I needed to apologize to Maddie in person, I needed to look into her eyes and tell her that I f**ked up and wanted to make it up to her. I needed her to see the sincerity in my eyes, and I needed her to know why I hated her dad. It was time for Maddie to find out the full story behind my hatred of her father. I needed her to understand that I while I hated him, I could never hate her. I only hoped that it would be enough to warrant her to give me another chance. Because if it wasn’t, I didn’t think I would ever feel whole again.

I parked in my usual spot and pulled out my phone and sent her a text message. “Maddie, I’m outside your house. I will be slamming the door down in ten minutes if you do not call me back or come out. I’m not leaving until you come out or the police escort me away.” I hit send and waited. I stared at the house I had sworn I would never visit again and prayed that I would see her walking out the door to come and see me. Just as I was about to text her again, a car pulled up in front of the house. I peered over my steering wheel and watched in shock as Joey jumped out and walked around to open the passenger door for Maddie. She got out slowly, and I saw her laughing about something. My heart constricted as I watched her smiling at Joey. She looked beautiful and happy. She was wearing a white summery dress, and her long dark locks were flowing in the breeze of the night. My fingers gripped my cellphone so tightly, I thought I was close to breaking it as I watched them standing there, talking. I thought I was going to murder someone when I saw Joey lean down and give her a kiss on the lips. It wasn’t long, but those few seconds were like the cruelest torture. I felt as if the world was ending, and I was getting to see my worst nightmare play out in slow motion. I let out a huge breath as I saw Maddie pushing him to go in the car, and I grinned to myself. That’s my girl, I thought. I wasn’t sure what I would have done if she had let him go into the house that night. I might have committed murder, and then he’d never have been able to orchestrate the sale of the Bugatti. Jared and Vincent would be stuck with a stolen Bugatti in the front yard and a brother in jail. And I still wouldn’t have Maddie.

I jumped out of the car as soon as Joey passed me in his vehicle, and I ran up to Maddie as quickly as possible so I could intercept her before she went inside. “Maddie,” I called out as she was opening the door. She looked at me with a frown and paused.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed, and all I wanted to do was swoop her into my arms.

“I need to talk to you.” I smiled hopefully. “I’ve missed you.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.” She shook her head and made to open the door again. “Just leave me alone.”

“Listen to me, please, Maddie. Give me five minutes, please?” I pleaded with her.

“No.” She shook her head and she avoided eye contact with me. I walked closer to her, and stopped right in front of her.

“Look at me, please, Maddie.”

“No.” She shook her head and looked over my shoulder.

“Look at me, please.” I sighed and I reached my hand over to her face and lifted her chin up, so her eyes would look directly into mine. “Maddie.” I said her name slowly, as she finally made eye contact with me. I froze as I stared into her hurt, wide eyes. My heart felt as if I had just run a marathon and emotions ran through me as I took in her appearance hungrily. She was the most beautiful woman in the world. “Maddie.” I said her name again. “I’ve missed you.”

“You don’t get to say that.” She bit her lip and turned away from me. “You don’t get to come here and pretend everything’s okay.”

“I came to apologize.” I took a deep breath. “And I came to explain.”

“I don’t care. I don’t want to know.” She shook her head, and looked away from me again. “I don’t trust you anymore.”