FlakJacket (23 page)

Madison looked at him, hearing the knock again; the boy’s blue eyes looked at her to see what she would do. “Thank you, Kai. I will be very careful, I promise. Your daddy’s men are outside to watch us.”

“Let Daddy know. Can I press the button?”

Madison pulled out her cell phone and handed it to him. He stood and eagerly hit the key that would ring straight through to his dad; Jordan’s voice was on the line. “Hey sweetheart. What’s up?” His rich voice reassured her.

“Come home, daddy.”

“Kai. Well, hello to you, too.”

Madison took the phone from his little hand. “My turn.” The little boy nodded. “Jordan, there’s someone here to visit. Kai has warned me not to go to the door. Tim is talking with him. I don’t think I know him.”

“I’m on my way. Five minutes, tops, and don’t see him until I get there.” Jordan called Tim next. “Under no circumstances does he enter the house until I’m there.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jordan pulled into the house and jumped from the car, seeing Malik with Tim. He was immediately suspicious. “Malik. Why didn’t you tell me you would be stopping by? I didn’t even know you were in the United States.”

“Just a quick visit.” His cousin was never unplanned. “Come in.” He nodded to Tim to stand down but stay close. “You’ll want to meet Madison and my son.”

Malik smiled. “I would.”

“Have you married yet?”

“Not yet.”

The two men entered, and Jordan called for Madison. She came down the hallway in jeans and a T-shirt that outlined every curve of her body, her red hair pulled back at her nape into a ponytail. Kai held her hand protectively. Then he saw his father. “Daddy,” he screamed, and he ran the rest of the way and jumped. Jordan was ready for him, catching him and kissing his cheek.

“Kai, Madison. This is a second cousin of mine from Jordan. His name is Malik. Kai turned his face into his father’s chest and clutched his neck. Madison’s eyes met Jordan’s, her eyes questioning.

“Kai is a little bashful sometimes,” she said. Jordan continued to hold him, rubbing his back.

“I understand completely. He doesn’t know me.” Malik said. Inside he thought, but hopefully, that will change.

“Let me get you something to drink.” Jordan crossed to the liquor cabinet, his eyes following his cousin’s as he got the glasses out. They were resting on Madison, and his desire was evident. Jordan knew why he was here.

Malik was struck with the witch’s beauty and her grace. There was fire in her, and he wanted her like he had never wanted anything else in his life. She met his gaze boldly. The child was a replica of his father; no one could doubt his paternity. He would have to be eliminated, but the woman would be his. He could handle the child with her help.

“Sit down, won’t you?”

Madison walked to Jordan. “I’ll take him. I’m sure the two of you would like to catch up.” Jordan released the little boy into her arms. His eyes warned her; there was more here than met the eye. Madison turned with Kai and walked from the room. “I’ll bring you some refreshments in a few minutes.”

Jordan turned to his cousin with a glass of whiskey. “What brings you to the United States?’

“Business, mainly. I have some meetings with your Senators about some land in Jordan that they are interested in leasing.”

“You aware of the refugee problem, then. It comes from displacing these people and giving the land that provides their livelihoods to business conglomerates that care little for it. I thought, somehow, you would be a better steward. Your grandmother gave you the power to rule. I suggest you think carefully about what you are doing.”

“You never were happy that Grandmother selected our side of the family to pass the property to, were you Jordan?” But inside he thought that Grandmother had divided the goods—giving him the wealth and the land and Jordan the woman. Why had he never seen that before?

Jordan replied, “It was not my land to give—it was hers, and she gave it to you.”

“Grandmother also said that I could have the witch. You didn’t know that, did you Jordan?”

“The witch was not hers to give.”

“But you have her. Madison is a beautiful woman.”

“I think so.” He paused, but it was time. “She is my wife, Malik, and Kai is our son.”

He was stunned. “You married her? I didn’t read...”

“It was a very private thing, but she is my wife. Remember that.” That complicated things for Malik. A marriage was sacrosanct in his tribe; in order to have her, Jordan would have to give her up or be dead.

Madison had caught the last of their conversation as she entered, her senses screaming at her that there was danger here. She sat down the tray and walked to Jordan, looking straight at him. “I’m sorry, but I have something to tell my husband that can’t wait.” She whispered in his ear. “I’m pregnant,” and she gave him her megawatt smile. Jordan’s reaction was stunned and noted by Malik. What had she whispered to him? She turned to her guest. “Please forgive me for my rudeness, but it is between Jordan and me. Can I get you two anything else? If not, Kai and I are going with Tim for a walk. You two visit.”

“Take extra protection.”

“Yes, sir, I will. It was very nice to meet you. If you expect a warmer welcome, I’m afraid you’ll have to let us know you are coming. We’re a very busy family.” Her laughter rang out freely in the room, a gorgeous sound, as Kai ran into her legs, wrapping his little arms around her tightly from behind.

“I’m ready, Mommy.” Madison pulled Jordan’s chin to her, kissing him sweetly. Tim came down the hall, nodding at the visitor and opening the front door.  Malik’s mouth tightened. This should all have been his.

“Say goodbye, Kai.” Madison prompted.

The little boy turned, pinned Malik with his eyes and said, “Remember, when you take from another what is not yours, there is always a price to pay.” Jordan was stunned at his child’s words. “My daddy told me that. Goodbye.”

The child was gifted; Malik had to say it. Now, could he make it work for him? The woman would be his; he wanted her body, and he wanted her power. His grandmother couldn’t have been wrong, could she? There was something about Madison that caused him some trepidation, though. She would not be easily subdued, and he felt the first elements of fear arise in him.

“Oh, Malik.” Jordan pulled Malik’s attention back to him. “You can congratulate me. My wife is expecting again.” There was a huge smile on Jordan’s face. “I hope it’s a girl this time.”

Another man’s child in his woman’s body—he was cursed, and he hated his cousin at that moment. He could wait a little longer for her, and the child would be easily gotten rid of.

M
adison walked into Kai’s room three weeks later to find the floor wet. “Hey little man. What happened in here?”

“It rained. I helped.”

Madison looked at the mess and sighed. Where did she begin to help him harness his power? “Kai, you can’t make it rain anytime you want to. There has to be a serious reason why you do it. People will...” Kai interrupted her, pulling at her skirt.

“Will Daddy be mad at me?” he asked, his lower lip trembling. Now Madison could see why Jordan was in her life. He was the balance necessary to both of them.

“I think you’ll have to tell him you did it.”

“Tell me what?” Jordan walked into the room in his sweats, his eyes sweeping the very wet floor and wondering what in the hell had happened. It looked like a fountain had exploded.

“I made it rain inside, Daddy. I spilt paint on the floor, and I needed to wash it.”

“So you made the entire floor wet to do that?” Jordan was reasoning through what Kai said in his mind as the little boy nodded. “Well, you’re responsible for the mess, so you’ll have to clean it up. You are responsible for your actions, Kai. Get some towels.” The little boy walked out of the room, his head down. Within minutes, he was back, and the three of them had the floor and the rest of the room set to rights. “No more raining inside, Kai.” Jordan opened the windows to let the room air.

“It was just on the floor.” Jordan narrowed his eyes, his look intimidating. “Yes Sir.”

“Five minutes in your room to think about why this wasn’t a very good idea.” Kai’s stricken eyes looked at his dad’s face as he whispered, “Do you still love me, Daddy?”

Jordan’s face was very sincere as he answered. “I will always love you, Kai—no matter what you do.” Then he smiled. “I’m just not fond of wet floors—it’s a safety hazard for your mother. Remember, we have a baby in Mommy’s belly now. You need to look after her.” Madison’s mouth opened wide; he had used her to reinforce his message. He held out his arms, and Kai was in them, his face snuggled into his father’s shoulder. “Maybe a story and a nap are in order while you spend your five minutes here,” he said, and the two of them ushered Madison out of the room.

Jordan looked back over his shoulder at Madison as he pulled the door almost closed. She mouthed to him:
Pushover.

As he read, Jordan’s mind was turning over how to create a new living area for his son. The new baby would need a nursery, but Kai’s room needed to be close to theirs. His hands would draft the bedroom area that he wanted for the architect.

Jordan and Madison sat at the kitchen bar eating a late lunch. “He can do so much more than I could when I was his age.” What are we to do?”

“Love him. It will all work out.” She didn’t like the smile that was on his face as he added, “I never did tell you what I think about the new child, did I?”

“Hey, I did tell you I wasn’t on my pills anymore.”

“Meaning it was all up to me, right?” You gave me a choice, and I made it, and I’d make the same one all over again,” he added. It’s going to be a girl, isn’t it?” Madison nodded as he pulled her to him and hugged her closely. And will she look like and be as talented as her mother?”

“I’m afraid so in regards to the talent.” What are we going to do about the Senator and your cousin?” He rubbed her back.

“We’re going to take them both down, Madison. You need to be very careful, and you are to go nowhere without taking either Tim or me with you. That’s an order. I’m having your detail expanded until this whole thing ends, and the ending is close.

Jordan spent the next two weeks finding the last pieces to the story he wanted to tell about the Senator. It would be ready for Madison’s appearance before the Senate foreign relations’ committee. He had made arrangements for Kai to be with them at the hearing. He was taking no chances with the little boy. They had huddled every evening after Kai had gone to bed, reviewing the facts that he had uncovered. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m sure. The Senator tried to have you banned from the hearing, you know. How did you fix that?”

“I have friends in high places. I’ll be sitting right behind you. You are welcome to confer with me anytime you would like. This is your chance to fix the refugee crisis. Kai will be there, too. Tim and six other guards will be right outside the chamber if I need to remove him.”

“I hate to have him in the spotlight. We’ve been able to keep him out of sight for so long.”

“He’ll be fine. I want him see his mother in action.”

“Keep him close, Jordan.” He nodded.

As she walked up the steps to the Senate offices, Madison smiled at the cameras. Her blue eyes actually twinkled. “Gentlemen.”  Jordan and Kai were just behind her, her little boy dressed in a suit like his father’s and held in his arms. The likeness between the two was astounding.

“Hey Kai,” one of the cameramen said.

The little boy looked over and grinned: “Hello. Who are you? Do you know my mommy and daddy?”

Everyone laughed. “We sure do. May I take your picture?”

Kai looked at his father. “No pictures, please. I’ll just make them not work,” he said seriously. Everyone really laughed then, only when two or three photographers tried to take a picture of the child, their cameras mysteriously didn’t work. Jordan shook his head and hoped he wasn’t asked for an explanation. Madison caught his eyes in a ‘
What do you expect me to do?’
look.

The three walked into the meeting together. Senator Hauser stood to the side, looking at them as they entered. He had been told that Jordan and the child would be with her. In the side aisle sat Malik. This hearing would determine whether he got the land grants necessary to make him a millionaire several times over again. Jordan sat directly behind Madison and whispered in her ear. She smiled over her shoulder at him. The little boy sat solemnly in his father’s lap, paying attention to everything. He met Malik’s eyes and stared. He pulled his father’s face around to him and whispered, “That mean man is here. Why is he here, Daddy?”

“It’s fine, Kai. He’s just a visitor. Remember, you have to stay quiet if you want to stay.”

“No talking. Watch Mommy. She needs me,” he reiterated.

“She does, Buddy. Don’t let her down.”

Kai whispered loudly, “I won’t.” The gavel came down on the meeting, and Madison squared her shoulders. As she faced the committee, folders full of documents were passed to all the committee members. Senator Hauser took his, opened it, and almost exploded. A report listing all of his meetings with the Jordanian government officials lay inside along with the documentation of the land acquisitions and the discrepancies in the accounting. Jordan had done his job well. Neville slammed to his feet and started towards Madison.

“NO.” The little boy’s voice sang out. “YOU. SIT. DOWN. It’s my mommy’s turn to speak.” The entire Senate chamber quieted at his outburst, and Neville stopped his approach as Jordan quieted the child.

“I’m sorry.” Jordan addressed this to the head of the committee.

Neville said angrily. “This is ridiculous. This report is all lies.” He threw the folder on the table in front of the committee. Several were leafing through the documentation, frowns on their faces. Mumbling began among the senators.

The Chair gaveled the chamber to order again. “Would you please sit down Senator Hauser?” He did so reluctantly. “Would you do the introduction of our witness?”

Jordan stood, handing Kai to Tim who was beside him. “It is my pleasure to introduce my wife, Madison Lassiter. The ripple through the press spread at the news; no one knew they were married. Madison continued her opening statement to the group, highlighting her long crusade for the rights of the refugees. She referenced documents in the folder as well, indicating the back door deals that were on the table and could be decided by the hearing today. Then she waited, adjusting the microphone to her mouth.