Maddox P.O.V

I charge through the restaurant entrance, blowing straight past the hostess dealing with an older couple.

"Sir!" She whispers/shouts at my back, but I don't stop, only keep heading to the back far left table where they sit.

Scarlett and that fucking prick, Luciano.

What was she even thinking going out with him?

I'd hoped, prayed, and pleaded the entire drive over that I was wrong. That her date was anyone but him, but it'd all been in vain. She'd only realize he wasn't worth her time or her once she knew the truth.

"Sir!" The hostess tries again as I stand before the pair.

Scarlett's eyes widen in surprise as she looks up at me. "Maddox?"

"Sir, if you don't have a reservation, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." The hostess says with a lot more conviction and authority in her voice this time.

"I do. I'm with them." I drop into the seat beside Scarlett, settling back against the chair.

The hostess leaves in a slight huff, but I don't pay her any mind, keeping a close eye on Luciano's reaction. He looks to Scarlett for answers about my sudden appearance but otherwise says nothing.

"Madd-"

"God, I'm starving," I mutter, grabbing the menu off the opposite table and flipping through it. I can feel the heat of their burning stares on my head and the side of my face, but I don't look up at them.

Scarlett leans over, chuckling awkwardly before whispering, "What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? It's dinner time. And a man's gotta eat, right?"

"Uh-huh. And you just so happen to choose the restaurant where I'm at."

"Yes, it's purely coincidental." I flash a smile her way before looking back at the menu.

She leans even closer with one hand on my arm, smiling sweetly. "Coincidence, my ass. You probably used the Find My Friends app."

"Where's that waiter?" I grumble, looking around the room.

"You did. Didn't you?" She sharply whispers.

I turn towards her. "And so what if I did? It's the reason we installed it. And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you use it to find me as well."

She starts to reply, but Luciano asks, "Guys, is everything alright?"

"Yes, yes," Scarlett rushes to assure him, smiling brightly. "Just give us one sec."

He smiles back. "Okay."

Scarlett turns back toward me, her eyes shooting flaming daggers my way. "You're right. I did use it on you, but not when you were on a date."

I tilt my head slightly and put on the most innocuous expression I could muster. "You're on a date?"

"Yes. The same one I texted you about." She grits out through clenched teeth, gesturing with her head to Luciano.

"Oh, is that still going on? I thought that would have ended by now." I lie through my teeth.

She didn't need to know I'd rushed back, breaking every speed limit to get here. Some might consider me interrupting her date rude but screw it. And to hell with them. I wouldn't leave her alone with this guy.

"Well, it's n-"

"But..." I interject, speaking loudly enough for Luciano to hear. "Maybe we should take this opportunity to get to know one another since every time we've met, it's been in less than desirable situations."

"Uh... s-sure. I mean, I don't mind. Do you, Scarlett?" We both turn to her, putting her on the spot.

She looks between us once, twice, then once more. Her face hides nothing, and it's plain to see she wants to refuse, but instead, she bites out. "No, of course not."

"Alright!" I set aside the menu and lean forward with my arms crossed on the table. "Now that that's settled, tell me, did you make it up to Sienna's parents to pay your respects?"

"No, uh..." The waiter takes this inopportune moment to appear with a tray of steaming hot food. He places each of their respective orders before them before going on his way.

"No, I didn't." Luciano continues once we are alone again. "Something else came up."

My eyebrows shoot upward. "Something more important than that?"

"Yes." He says firmly but otherwise doesn't elaborate.

"Oh, I see. I mean... It's not like you guys dated that long anyway. Right?"

"What? What does how long we were together have to do with anything?"

"Because if you gave a damn about her, you would've made it a priority to go no matter what. And not to mention, you were all set to go when Chance and I spoke with you. Now, all of a sudden that's changed."

"So what? I'm not allowed to have other things pop up?"

"No-"

"Yes! You have every right. Now, Maddox, stop this.

If he says he had something else to do, then that's that. And I'm sure once he has more time, he'll make time to visit. Okay?"

"You're right. I apologize. And Luciano, I hope I didn't upset you too much." I grab the water goblet and pour myself a glass.

"No, no. It's fine."

"Okay. But if you don't mind my asking, what was it?"

"What?" He asks through a mouthful of risotto.

"The thing you had to do?"

He glances up at me as he shovels another forkful into his mouth but says nothing.

"I mean, you said it was important, but what could it possibly be?" I press on. "Work?... You two weren't on another date, were you?"

"Maddox." Scarlett softly warns with a roll of her eyes.

"What? I just want to know." I turn back to Luciano. "Family, maybe?"

Suddenly, he stops chewing, fork hanging in midair over his food.

"Is that it?"

He puts down his fork, drags his napkin across his mouth, and sits back against the chair but doesn't so much as utter a word. The cold look he sends my way might intimidate or even frighten lesser men, but I was immune.

"Oh, god. You don't have to answer that." Scarlett tosses her napkin on the table and pinches the bridge of her nose before turning to me. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yeah, as soon a-"

"Now, Maddox." She insists, grabbing my arm and practically dragging me from the table. When we reach the back, she whips around to face me with her hands on her hips. "What the hell was that?!"

I hunch my shoulders. "What? I was just talking to him."

"No, I don't mean just that, Maddox. I mean this whole thing. Why are you even here?"

"I told you."

"And we both know that was a lie. So tell me the truth."

"The truth?" I scoff. "I've told you what I think about this guy, and you continue to see him. So what's the point if you won't listen?"

"I heard you, Maddox. But are you hearing me? Your feelings don't dictate who I choose to be with or not. And I know someone murdered his ex, but that's still not a reason to ghost him." She grimaces at her poor choice of words but quickly moves past it.

"No? Then how about the fact that he's attacked someone."

She gives me a look of disbelief. "Really, Maddox? Attacked someone? Please, I ain't buying it."

"It's true. If you don't believe me, ask Chance. We just came from visiting him in the hospital."

"Are you serious?"

"Am I serious? Have I ever lied to you about something like this?"

She closes her eyes and slowly breathes out before looking back at me. "No. No, you haven't." Her voice comes out so softly that I'd probably miss it if not for our closeness. "Oh, Jesus. Are they alright?"

"Yeah, about as well as expected for a man who just woken up from a coma. But his doctor says he should make a full recovery."

She breathes out a sigh of relief, clutching her chest. "Thank goodness. But I don't understand. Why?"

"I don't know. Chance is looking for a connection between Dr. Earhart and Luciano, and until we find one, we don't have much to go off of. But he's pretty certain Luciano is his attacker."

"Wait. Did you say, Dr. Earhart?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Is his first name Robert?"

"How'd you know that?"

She swallows. "I-I-I think I know him."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't know...maybe." She shrugs halfheartedly. "I was supposed to go on a date with someone with the same name."

"When?"

"The night I was... stood up," she mumbles.

"And you think this is the same guy?"

"I don't know. It could be. I would need to see a picture of him to be certain. But yeah, that was his name."

"Alright, I'll ask Chance to send one." I pull my phone from my pocket and go to shoot off a text, but she grabs my hand.

"Wait." She says.

"Wait for what, Scarlett? This could be the proof you needed to prove this guy isn't what he seems. And now you don't want to go through with it?"

"No, that's no..." She glances back at the doorway leading into the main room before lowering her voice. "That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what? Help me understand."

"It's just... I've had some terrible and downright awful dating experiences. You've seen me through a few of them." A smile fleetingly crosses her face. "But when Dr. Earhart stood me up, it made me reflect on everything. And I couldn't help wondering if I was the problem or something was wrong with me. And to now find out Luciano could be responsible for that date. Not all but that one." She releases a shaky breath. "I-I just...need a moment."

I wrap my arms around her and gently rub her back. "Alright."