The Amendment (The Contract 2)

I had failed her today as well. I knew if she were here, she would shake her head in sorrow and turn away. She would be horrified at my temper and actions. Disgusted by the way I ranted at Katy and my girls.

She’d leave me on the floor where I belonged.

I shut my eyes so I didn’t have to see her looking down at me.

I must have fallen into an exhausted sleep.

I startled awake, snapping up my head. The room was dark, the only light coming from those twinkling around the pool in the backyard, their glow flickering on the wide windows in my den. Another noise alerted me to the fact that I wasn’t alone in the house anymore.

I remembered Katy had added a clapper to the lamp behind my desk. Luckily it had been too heavy to throw, and although I had yelled at her at the time for adding the stupid device, I was grateful for its addition. I clapped my hands, blinking at the sudden brightness, then faced the doorway and called out, hearing the hope in my voice.

“Katy?”

Footsteps headed in the direction of the den. They were far too heavy to be her footfalls, and I withheld my groan. Obviously, Graham was back. I steeled myself for his expression when he walked in and saw the destruction around me. It wasn’t his face that appeared in the doorway, though.

“Maddox?” I asked, shocked to see him.

He strolled in, glancing around. “In the flesh.” He stopped, looking concerned. “What the hell are you doing on the floor? Are you hurt?”

I ignored his question. “Help me up.”

He pulled the wheelchair beside me and, with a grunt, hoisted me in. He wasn’t gentle, but I held my tongue. I was grateful to be off the floor.

He stared at me until I couldn’t take it anymore, and I broke the silence.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I narrowed my eyes. “Did Katy call you?”

He pushed a pile of debris off the chair and sat down. “Nope. Graham did.”

“Well, you can turn around and go home. I’m fine.”

He looked around, lifting an eyebrow at me. “I think we both know that is a bunch of BS.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “What are you doing, Richard?” He indicated the room with a wave of his hand. “This doesn’t look fine to me.”

“I took a little anger out on the room.”

“From what I hear, you’re taking your anger out other places.”

“I had a bad day.”

He snorted. “Try again.”

“I’ve had enough lectures for the day, Maddox. I don’t need to hear yours. I’ll call Katy tomorrow and apologize.”

“You need to do more than that. But I’m not here to lecture you or make you apologize to your wife.”

“Then why are you here?” I demanded.

“Graham said you needed help. He’s worried, Richard. Katy is worried. Hell, your physio guy is worried. So, I came.”

“Well, you can go back home. Your wife needs you.”

He laughed. “She is settled comfortably at a very luxurious hotel downtown. With her sister Cami keeping her company. She’s fine.”

I frowned. “If Cami is with her, then—”

A voice boomed out, confirming my suspicions.

“Holy fuck, Dickhead—what’s going on with you? Katy redecorating or something?”

I turned my head and met the intense gaze of Aiden Callaghan. Another one of the co-owners of BAM, Maddox’s friend, and the biggest man I had ever met. He stepped into the den, his broad shoulders filling the doorway.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked.

He smirked. “I’m here to whip your ass into shape. And I’m not leaving until it happens, so buckle up, buttercup. It’s going to be a wild ride.”Despite my protests, Aiden wheeled me to the kitchen. Maddox made coffee and pulled some cold chicken from the fridge, setting it on the table.

“Eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Aiden picked up a drumstick, tearing into it. “You’re gonna need your strength.”

I rubbed a weary hand over my face. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but there is nothing you can do. I had a whole team, and I still can’t walk, Aiden. I doubt you can make much of a difference.”

He wiped his mouth and reached for another piece. “Damn, your wife can cook. Fried chicken is my favorite.” He bit, chewed, and swallowed. “You’re right. I can’t make any difference—no one can—except you.” He wiped his hands and pulled a pile of papers from the knapsack he had set on the floor. “Your physio plan at the hospital and the follow-up regimens are great. But if you’re not trying, nothing is gonna work.”

“First off, how the hell did you get my file, and second, how would you know? You haven’t been here,” I snarled.

He leaned back, not at all concerned with my anger. “Check the attitude, Richard. I’m here because Graham called and talked to Mad Dog this morning and told him what was going on. I was there, and once I heard what was happening, offered to come with Maddox. Your boss—your fucking friend—was concerned enough he arranged a private plane to fly us here. I spent the entire ride talking to him, Katy, and your physio guy. You’re pissed off that I have your file? Take it up with our genius IT boy, Reid. He’s as worried about you as we are. If you wanna sue me or him over it, I’ll give you Hal’s number. My attorney will deal with that shit, while I deal with this. I warn you, though, Hal is a shark, and once he finds out why we did this, he’ll be all over you like white on rice, and Becca will never speak to you again. And regardless, this is still gonna happen.” He drew in some much-needed air. “And if you want to know why, I’ll tell you. You’re fucking family, Richard. And that’s what we do at BAM. We look after family—even when they don’t want us to.”