Chapter 7

Maddy

Iwatched in frozen shock, unable to move, as the toy race car made a neat arc in the air before me. The next thing I knew, it had hit me on the forehead. I rocked backward, falling on my elbows. Kornie keeled over as well, and my drink, which I'd barely sipped, slopped over onto the carpet at my side.

The shouting stopped. Everyone was staring at me. I put my hand to my forehead, and it came away clean. At least I wasn't bleeding.

For the next few seconds, I felt nothing. My skin was numb where the toy had hit me.

Mister Menacing came toward me. "Boy, are you okay?"

I sat up, grabbing Kornie to my chest. Only then did my forehead began to sting. A lot. I'd have a lump for sure. My jaw trembled. My eyes started to fill, blurring my vision. I didn't know what to say. And there was no daddy here who was mine to protect and comfort me, because that's what they did, didn't they?

Mister Menacing put his hand on my shoulder, then announced loudly, and with a shivery pleasant authority to the entire room, "No fighting!" He glared at the two boys. "Where are your daddies?"

Boy one said, "I don't know."

Boy two said, "I don't know, either."

Valente said, "They left them alone in here."

"You know fighting means suspension," Mister Menacing said. His voice was deep and powerful, full of gloom.

The boys bowed their heads, looking chagrined.

"Go find your daddies now," Mister Menacing ordered. "I don't want to see either of you around here for the next two weeks. If I do, you'll be tossed to the curb."

The boys meekly left.

Mister Menacing turned to me. His hand on my shoulder was solid and warm. "What's your name, boy?"

"M…Maddy."

"Where's your daddy?"

"I don't have a daddy." My voice came out low and shaky.

"That guy you came with isn't your daddy?"

I shook my head. "He—he's Dan. My roommate."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I nodded, trying not to let the tears spill.

"Let's go find your friend."

"No. I'm okay. I don't want to bother him."

Mister Menacing glanced around the room. Everyone was staring at us.

"You sure you're okay?" He got down on his knees beside me. Up close, he smelled different from the rest of the club, not leathery but more like pinewood and Christmas, and in this moment he wasn't snarling. His voice didn't boom.

I blinked. A hot tear slid down my cheek. I heaved in a stuttering breath. My head did hurt awfully bad now, but I didn't want to complain.

"I guess that's my answer," Mister Menacing said.

I tried not to sniffle.

"My name is Colin." Mister Menacing stood up, then held out his hand. "Come on, Maddy. You're coming with me."

He no longer looked hard and tight around the mouth and eyes. Up this close, his lips were full and soft. His tanned skin smooth and perfect. I wanted to touch his face, feel the heat there, the line of his jaw and the curve of his cheek. With my full cheeks and straight light brown hair, I was such a baby compared to him. I didn't even begin to think he was a daddy, but his offered hand was irresistible.

When I was standing, I still had to look up at him to meet his gaze. Never taking his eyes from me, Colin spoke into his radio.

"Maintenance. Clean up in the littles room. Spilled drink. All other matters are in hand."

There was a quick response I couldn't quite make out.

Colin squeezed my palm and fingers. I hugged the unicorn against my chest. With his free hand, he brushed Kornie's horn as if he truly didn't hate him. Kornie liked his horn to be touched very much.

"What's his name?" Colin asked.

"It's dumb."

"Really? Why don't you rename him, then?"

I gulped, still shaking. "Because his name is his name."

"Well, you can keep it private for now if you want. Come along."

I gasped as he gently yanked me forward. "Where are we going?"

"To my post. You can help me out while I make sure you don't have a concussion."

Did I have a concussion? I hoped not. The pain in my forehead was slowly receding.

"How do I help out?" I admit I was intrigued.

He stopped walking and turned, still holding my hand. "Hmm. Good question. Do you know Karate?"

I shook my head no.

"Judo?"

"No."

"Boxing?"

"No."

"Can you at least hold your own in a fight?"

"I don't fight."

A smile parted his lips. "No? Well, that means you're a good boy, then. So you'll just have to sit by and watch me do my job. Watch and learn."