Free Precarious Possessions (Maxwell Investigations) by Dawn Ibanez Page B

not only thought nothing of him, but also thought they could walk all
over him. He looked into Crispin’s eyes. “I didn’t leave by choice,” he said
darkly. “Dennis said that it would be best if I left and trained out in
California so I wouldn’t alarm my mother.” Which seemed like
a piss-poor excuse now that he thought about it.
    Crispin snorted. “At least you see it now.” When Troy’s eyes
narrowed at him, he simply leaned back and shrugged. “For some God-only-knows
reason, Dennis seems to hate Madison.” A pale eyebrow arched over green eyes as
Troy started cracking eggs into a bowl. He could see that what he just said
upset the Wolf, and he could understand why. If his own father acted the same
way towards Dylan, he didn’t know if he would be able to stay civil. “Don’t
feel too bad. While the feeling is entirely mutual, they both adore the twins.”
    Troy almost dropped the egg he was about to crack. He looked
at Crispin with wide eyes. “Dennis knows about them?” When Crispin slowly
nodded, Troy took a slow breath. His bastard of a father would have a lot to answer
for when they met again.
    “I guess this was a bad way for Dennis to pick at Madison,”
Crispin observed. He looked out of the window knowing that his wife was just on
the other side of the wall. “They’ve been at each other’s throats ever since
she was a child.”
    Troy was silent as he mixed his ingredients together.
Madison seemed like she enjoyed the French toast he made her. At least before it ended up on the floor. As he added
cinnamon to his mix, he looked at Crispin. “What could possibly happen when she
was a child that could carry on this long?”
    Crispin chuckled. “Dennis came to New York to meet with my
father. During the full moon Madison saw his Wolf. The next morning she dared
to ask how such an unkempt man could change into such a pretty puppy.”
    Troy laughed before he could stop himself. Even he knew that
Dennis was vain about his appearance. Never mind the fact that being called a
puppy was a huge insult. “How old was she?” Troy asked.
    “I think she was seven.” Crispin smiled in memory. “He cursed
her as the most disrespectful hellion. Too bad he didn’t know that she would
turn into a disrespectful hellion that managed to get the respect of just about
everyone in the Council on her own merit.” Green eyes then turned to Troy. “If
you ever decide to lead a Pack, she would be an Alpha like no other.”
    A fond smile crossed Troy’s face as he moved to the stove.
He figured Madison for a damned fine Alpha Female the first night he met her,
but he wasn’t going to tell Crispin that. Instead, he focused on the pan in his
hand. “Do you want any?” he asked.
    Crispin nodded as Dylan came out of her hiding place. “Sure.
And meanwhile you can tell us about your family.”
    * * *
* *
    Madison quickly grabbed a shower and dressed. Troy was
supposed to be getting something to eat, but she had a feeling he and Crispin
were doing the whole “Male-Bonding” thing.
    A slow breath escaped her as she went over to her window
seat. It didn’t surprise her that Casper was leaning against a tree near the
house. A muse escaped her as she opened the window. “I’m not reenacting the
balcony scene,” she said sitting down on the ledge.
    Casper smiled sadly. They had come a long way from his
tutoring her in Shakespeare. “I’m sorry Pixie, what I said was uncalled for.”
    “It was,” she agreed. “And I don’t know if I can just say it’s okay. You know I take pride in my boys. For you to try
and say that I don’t care was worse than a slap to the face.”
    He nodded and tried to breathe. “I know and I hate to say it
but I wanted you to hurt as much as I was. As I am.”
    Madison lowered her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t love you,” she
told him. “I’ll beat the shit out of anyone that hurts you.” When he looked at
her, she shook her head slowly. “But it can’t be me.”
    “I