AN: I want to thank the many followers and favorites! There was so many within seventy two hours adding the story to the site. I would like to thank you all personally but there were too many to say thank you to. I also want to thank the four or so reviews. I understand that Happy being at Villalobos is certainly a weird thing to grasp and to the person who asked why he was there, that will be revealed in this chapter. So without further blabbling here is the second chapter.
Madison had gotten little to no sleep. Every dream was plagued with a nightmare from her past but this time she saw who shot her and every time the saw the person it was Happy. Eventually when she awoke for the fifth time the brunette gave up on sleep and got ready for the day.
Arriving at the rescue center two hours before people were required for shifts, had the place rather quiet and dark. Letting herself in Madison fired up the computers for Tia and entered the kennels ready to get them fed and start cleaning kennel. Happy had cleaned two himself after Madison had given him the run down and he had done just fine. It was after the first kennel they cleaned together that he had asked if he could work alone. He hadn't spoke when they talked and it bothered her a little. Madison wasn't eager to tell her life's story but working in such quiet was a little unnerving.
"Hey Butterscotch how are you doing love?" Madison squatted down in front of a kennel where a caramel colored girl pit bull laid. It was one of the first dogs that Madison had helped rescue and today she was meeting a potential new owner. She had grown pretty attached but she knew this was the right move. Butterscotch deserved a home with a loving family. Maddie let herself into the kennel to hook her up to the leash to take her out on one last walk together. The air was still pretty cool, cool for Louisiana anyway. The sky had just begun to lighten leaving everything in a dull golden glow. Finding a quiet spot off in the back outside Maddie sat down and Butterscotch climbed into her lap. Tears filled the girls eyes knowing this could be the very last time they had a moment together. "What am I gonna do without you girl?" She whispered leaning her head down as the dog titled hers up to lick her. "Oh baby girl." Madison cried.
"You okay?" Madison's head snapped up to find Happy standing a few feet away eying her and the dog. Madison scrambled to stand up, leash tight in hand. Wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand she felt beyond embarrassed.
"I'm fine. What are you doing here? You don't need to be here for like another hour." Butterscotch tugged on her leash to get to Happy who kneeled down on one knee to pat her affectionately. "That's a little surprising. She normally doesn't trust men. Her last owner beat her pretty bad." When Happy looked up at her Madison's breath caught in her throat.
"I guess I'm a trust worthy man." His deep voice sent chills down her spine. "But to answer your question, I couldn't sleep. I figured I'd get in early and help out with something. And now answer my question; why are you crying?" He took the leash from Madison unexpectedly and began leading the dog back inside.
"Um, Butterscotch is my first rescue. She is going to visit a potential adopter today. I'm just taking it a little hard." Madison scrambled to catch up. Happy didn't say anything, merely took the dog back to her kennel and locked the door. Leaning against the now closed door with his arms crossed her eyes Madison. "Why didn't you adopt her?"
"Um..I can't have dogs in my apartment and it wouldn't be right to own her and have her stay here." She muttered feeling a little nervous around him. He didn't say anything, just stood there staring at her for a few minutes before finally nodding and stepping forward. His hand moved up to cup her face and his thumb brushed her cheek where her face was still a little red from crying.
"Understood. Now quit your crying and help me get started." His brashness and rudeness took her back from the tender moment and she stood there a moment a bit confused. Without any words thats just what Madison did.
"You know you really should see someone if you keep having nightmares. It's been what, two years?" Tania and Mariah were sitting in the employee lounge with Madison eating a late lunch. Tia and her sons, Kanani and Keli'i came in and saw Maddie and Happy already working Madison was brought into the office and questioned. Just like a mother would, Tia was concerned for the girl. After explaining that she couldn't sleep and just wanted some time with Butterscotch Tia went right into talking about Happy. After a reassurance that he had come early for the same reason she had Madison was allowed to return to work.
"I know, I know. I'm just not really interested in telling someone about it again. I don't want to relive it." Madison had torn her sandwich into pieces and only eaten a tiny bit. It hadn't gone unnoticed by the girls but they knew it was a useless battle to argue.
"But isn't that what you've been doing every night? I mean Mads, you were here how early because of it?" Mariah asked laying on the couch balancing a sandwich of her own on her stomach.
"Yea I guess thats true." Her hand went to her side where the scar was, a constant reminder of her almost death. The subject was dropped as it always way and the girls sat in silence eating until Tia came in.
"Madison, we have a problem." Tia stood next to the table with her hands on her hips. Tossing the sandwich into the trash Madison moved to stand next to her.
"Whats wrong? What happened?" Madison was scared. Terrified even. The last time Tia came to her with a problem it was the police showing up to question her again about that night and she ended up having a break down.
"Seems that someone or someones have been trying to break in. We have gotten a few calls about people seen lurking out side of the gates and maybe going over them trying to break in here. The twins are putting up some razor wire right now on the tops of the fences but I was hoping you would stay overnight just to see if the wire helps. I can totally understand if you don't want to..." Madison held up her hand to stop Tia..
"I haven't been sleeping anyway and you know I would do anything for you and Villalobos." She accepted.
"I don't want you staying alone."
"I'll stay with her." Happy was found standing in the doorway watching them. All eyes were on him as he stood there.
"Oh ok. Well um, I'll leave money in the office for dinner and you guys can ran home and get whatever you need." She shot a look to Madison knowing she was on anxiety meds.
"I'm all set." She nodded. She kept the medicine in her bag in the locker room whenever she was working.
"Okay then, its all set. Um, I'll get some blankets and pillows." Tia left the room with Happy close behind.
"Madison, are you sure you'll be okay? I mean, its kind of a big place and they don't know if those people are armed." Mariah asked.
"I'll be ok. Happy will be here and consider this therapy. One step closer to being normal." Madison said but was it for her or them?
The kennels were quiet, the dogs sleeping and not a peep from outside. Madison returned to the lounge and found Happy setting up the table with the pizza they ordered. It smelled great but it turned her stomach.
"None for me, I'll eat later."
"No. You'll sit your ass down and eat now. Don't think I haven't noticed you barely eat. You look sick and you'll do as I say or I will bring your ass to the hospital." It was the most he had ever said to her. More scared of going to the hospital than eating a slice of pizza Madison sat down and took the plate she was handed. "Two slices and your can of coke or you're gonna go. I'll drag you by your hair if I have to. Understood?" She nodded and took a bite. It wasn't that he was scaring her, it was the authority in his voice that made her do as he said.
They ate in silence until the first slice on her plate was finished. Without a word Happy plopped another on her plate and jerked his finger towards it. With a sigh Madison took another bite, her stomach tightening, and her throat constricting. She was going to puke. Hand over her mouth the brunette made a run for the bathroom, making it just in time.
"Well the food you just ate is no good now." Happy muttered when she returned.
"I told you I wasn't that hungry." Madison was a little pissed.
"Well maybe if you actually ate once in awhile your stomach could handle it." He snapped back. With a look of disgust Madison grabbed her soda and headed out the room. No one ever spoke to her like that. Expect for her father. He had been horrible to her growing up and she had wondered once or twice if he had been the root cause of her accident. A shiver went down her spine as she entered the kennels to check on the dogs. It was quiet save for a few whimpers or barks letting her know that they knew she was there. Smiling, Madison made her way down one aisle of kennels and turned the corner to go check on the other room. A warm hand clamped down on her mouth and one around her waist. The can dropped from her hand and the dogs began barking. Madison struggled and managed to get an elbow into the body behind her. Instead of letting go the arm wrapped tighter.
"Calm the fuck down will you?" Madison began to calm down hearing Happy's rough voice in her ear. His arm loosened and it was then that she caught a glimpse of the gun held tight in his hand.
"Where the hell did you get that?" She almost yelled.
"Shut the fuck up or I swear I will knock you out. Zip those lips of yours and stay close." Madison nodded and did as he said as he made his way down into the room she had been heading. She heard an odd scuffling noise right on the other side of the kennels. Quietly Madison grabbed on to Happy's t shirt and held tight as she followed him to the sound. Stopping in front of the room where the food was Happy pulled her hand off him and motioned for her to stay put. Seconds later he turned the corner and Madison heard a gun shot. Forgetting what she was told, the brunette fled into the room to find a possum bleeding out on the floor. It looked like the little critter had been trying to get into the bags of dog food.
"Oh god." Madison covered her mouth at the site of the things innards. Happy gave her a shove towards the doorway.
"Go back to the lounge and stay there. I'll clean this up. We need to talk." Confused she did as he said and returned to the room. Madison started the coffee pot, relaxing to the smell of the fresh brew. Quickly making herself a cup she sat down on the couch and tucked her feet beneath her to wait for Happy. Why the hell did he have a gun? Where did he even get that? What was he involved in? Was she in danger? A million and one questions ran through her mind as the minutes snuck by. Close to a half hour and three cups later Happy came in, gun still clenched in his hand.
"Where have you been?" She asked quietly.
"Had to take care of the animal. Tia's concern is now handled too. Some kids from the neighborhood. Threatened 'em, scared 'em off. Highly doubt they will be back." He grumbled as he fixed himself a cup before sitting beside her. "Where did you get your scar?" Madison 's face drained of all color and she gulped down more coffee.
"Why do you have a gun?" The girl finally retorted. She refused to be bullied right now. She was scared and tired and couldn't handle much more tonight.
"Protection." He simply answered. Madison made a face. "I belong to an MC back in Cali . We tread some pretty thin lines. A gun comes in handy once in awhile." He elaborated but she knew he was holding a lot of information back.
"My scar is from a gun shot, two to be exact almost two years ago." Madison stood to make another cup. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked across the room. Filling her cup she turned to return to the couch, almost slamming in to him as he stood right behind her. Taking the cup from her hands he set it down on the counter behind her. His hand slid down her arm and past her hip to the bottom of her shirt. Madison swallowed hard as his fingers took hold of the fabric and lifted it slowly. Inch by inch skin was exposed as Happy held her shirt right beneath the cup of her bra. The scar was made up of two but looked like an angry pink gash against her white skin. Pinning her shirt with his chest, Happy dropped his hand to the scar and lightly brushed his fingers across it. Madison 's breath hitched in her throat and she couldn't fight the shudder that forced its way through her body. "How dangerous are you?" She asked in a whisper. The rough man lowered his lips to her ear and let them brush against it as he spoke.
"Very."
