Bonus - The Billionaire's friends – Paul and Madison – Fourteen

Bonus - The Billionaire's friends – Paul and Madison – Fourteen
Paul’s POV

I raced to Nathan’s apartment. I tried calling Madison several more times, and it went to voicemail automatically. Something is wrong, I know it. When I got to Nathan’s building, the police had the front of the building taped off. My eyes are drawn to a large pool of dried blood and a crumpled-up, fluffy pink jacket lying on the concrete. Fuck. That’s Amelie’s jacket. Nathan must be going insane with worry.

I pull my car around to the back to go to the underground parking, and a police officer stops me.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the officer stated. “Only residents and guests are permitted in the building at this time.”

“I’m here to see Dr. Nathan Michaels, the owner of this building,” I responded. “My name is Paul McConard. I was invited over.” I reached for my wallet and handed the officer my ID.

The officer walked over to his supervisor, who checked a list. Then the officer walked back.

“I’m sorry for delaying you, Mr. McConard,” he said, with a smile. “Dr. Michaels is expecting you. Please proceed.”

“Thank you, officer,” I replied and drove down the ramp.

Once upstairs, I walked into a somber room.

“Oh my gosh,” Morgan sobbed and ran in my direction. “I’m so sorry, Paul.” Morgan hugged me hard around my waist.

“Morgan, shouldn’t you be comforting, Nathan?” I asked.

“Morgan, he doesn’t know,” Nathan said, stepping forward. “I wanted to tell him in person.”

“Tell me what, Nathan?” I asked.

“Madison, she came to warn Amelie about the kidnapping,” Nathan stated.

I gulped hard, “And?”

“She jumped out of her car and ran towards Amelie to help her stay safe,” Nathan said, running his hand through his hair. That’s never a good sign. “Before she could reach Amelie, someone shot her in the back.”

The world started spinning, and I felt my legs go weak. Morgan and Nathan walked me to the couch. As soon as I was seated, Kimmy came over and hugged my arm.

“Pauly,” Kimmy cooed. “Everything will be ok. I just know it in my heart. Maddy is in surgery right now. She’s a tough girl, I know she’ll pull through.”

“She’s alive?” I asked Nathan.

“Yes, but barely. She lost a lot of blood,” Nathan advised. “She was shot in the lower back, so her heart and lungs weren’t damaged, but it’s still not a good situation.”

I put my head in my hands and cried in relief. Both Kimmy and Morgan stroked my arm and back.

“I have to take this call,” Nathan said, as his phone rang. “I’ll be right back.”

Madison is alive! The way Morgan reacted, and Nathan spoke, I thought she was dead. It had felt like a part of my soul was being ripped out. At that moment, I realized. I love Madison. I love her with my heart and soul. Fuck. Am I ever going to get to tell her?

I stood up. “I need to get to the hospital,” I declared.

“Paul,” Dutton said, standing up. “I don’t think you should drive.”

“I’ll take him,” Morgan advised.

“Are you sure?” I asked Morgan.

“Paul, I want to be there for both you and Madison,” Morgan said, smiling.

“Ok,” I said, placing my hand on Morgan’s arm.

Nathan was at the table eating under Trudy’s insistence.

“I’m heading to the hospital. I don’t want Madison to wake up with no one there,” I informed Nathan.

“I’m going to drive, Paul,” Morgan said. “If you hear anything, let me know.”

“I’ll text both of you,” Nathan announced. Morgan hugged him. “Here’s my parking pass for the VIP parking lot, and I’ll let the guards at the hospital know you’re coming. They have Madison under protection, so no one tries to get her.”

We rode to the hospital without saying a word, just the sound of the radio cut through the silence.

Once we arrived at the hospital, we were ushered to the waiting room on the VIP floor. A doctor came in a short time later to tell us that Madison was still in surgery and probably would be for a few more hours.

“Paul, let’s go eat at the restaurant across the street,” Morgan suggested.

“I’m not hungry, Morgan,” I stated.

“Pauly,” Morgan said, grabbing my hands. “You need to eat. Madison would want you to take care of yourself.”

I sighed. “You’re right,” I chuckled. “I can hear her voice right now. Paul, you can’t just live on cereal or toast. Eat some protein for breakfast.”

Morgan smiled at me. “You really like her, huh?”

“No, Morgan. I think I love her,” I expressed.

“That is so awesome, Paul!” Morgan squealed and hugged me. “Now, let’s go get some food, Loverboy.”

We walked across the street to the café and sat down at a table. We quickly ordered after the waiter stopped by the table.

“How are things going with you and Dutton?”

“Paul, can you keep a secret?” Morgan asked.

“You know, out of everyone in the group, I’m the one who can keep a secret,” I disclosed.

“I know, but this is a HUGE secret. Like massive,” Morgan revealed.

“Trust me,” I replied. “I won’t tell a soul.”

“Remember when we all went to Las Vegas to meet Amelie?” Morgan questioned.

“Yeah, that was a fun couple of days,” I said with a smile.

“Well, Dutton and I kind of got… married,” Morgan smirked.

“YOU WHAT?” I exclaimed.

“We’ve been married for two months,” Morgan blushed.

“Why haven’t you told anyone?” I asked, perplexed.

“We just wanted to keep it private for a little while,” Morgan revealed. “Then things happened with Alfred, then Amelie’s problems with Jonathan, then fashion week, and now this. It didn’t seem like the right time.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I agreed. “But you need to tell everyone at some point.”

“I know, but honestly, I kind of like having Dutton all to myself,” Morgan giggled. “We were thinking of making the Las Vegas trip an annual thing. We’re going to announce we’re married when we go back to Las Vegas. On our first anniversary.”

“Maybe Madison and I can get married in Las Vegas on that trip?” I voiced.

“OH MY GOD! YES!” Morgan shrieked.

“I just hope…” I started to say, then my throat caught.

“You will,” Morgan whispered. “You and Madison will be together.”

I truly hope so, I thought to myself, because if we can’t, I think my heart and soul will fracture.