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that someday her real mother would find her, that the woman who had given birth to her had actually
wanted her, but had had to give her up. Admitting to herself that she had probably hoped for that rose-
tinted scenario, Maddie knew it was the reason why she had never really dug much into her records
or tried to look for her birth mother. If she didn t know the truth& there was always hope, right? In
her youth, the illusion that her mother would look for her eventually had carried Maddie through
foster home after foster home, desperately clinging to the hope that her parents had actually wanted
her but couldn t keep her, that they had actually loved her. Later, she had simply no longer wanted to
know the truth, her heart battered and bruised from too much rejection and hurt.
Fingering the picture, Maddie answered softly, I don t know much more than the fact that her
name was Alice Messling and my father s name was Victor Dunn. Obviously they weren t married
and both of them were barely eighteen, she mused, staring at her mother s photo. Do you know
anything else? Maddie questioned, ready to hear the answers. She had Sam now& and Max.
Whatever was in the past wouldn t hurt anymore.
Max took her hand again as he answered, They weren t married when you were born, but they
married before I was born. You were two years old and I was an infant when our father died. He was
hit by a car when he was on his way to work one morning, leaving our mother with nothing except
two kids and no money, no way to survive. He sighed heavily before continuing, From the
information I could piece together, she had to give us up. I like to think she was thinking about our
wellbeing. She went on to marry two more times, probably because it was the only way she could
survive. Turning toward Maddie, a remorseful look on his face, he added, I didn t know, Maddie.
If I had known, I would have moved heaven and earth to find you. I was lucky. I was adopted almost
immediately. My parents were already wealthy and I was completely spoiled while you were passed
around the system. I m so fucking sorry. His voice cracked with emotion and regret. I thought I was
alone after my parents died.
Maddie looked into his contrite eyes, her chest aching from unspent tears. I didn t know either.
It s not your fault, Max. I m just glad you re here now. And she was happy; her heart was
overflowing with joy.
She had Sam, she had a brother, and she had friends who cared about her. For a woman who had
once felt unwanted, it was everything she had ever needed.
Me too, Maddie. I want to get to know you, to be a brother to you. Will you let me? Max asked
hesitantly.
Tears flowed down her cheeks as she looked at her compassionate, caring brother, still looking
incredibly handsome even though his tux was somewhat wilted. Of course. I ve always wished I had
a sibling, she told him wistfully, releasing his hand and wrapping her arms around his neck, clinging
to him as though the bond had already been sealed. From day one, Max had brought out her protective
instincts, a need to soothe his pain. It might not happen today or tomorrow, but she was determined to
see him happy again in the future.
Maddie sighed as Max s arms came around her, pulling her into a fierce hug. Finding you was
something I never expected, but I m grateful. I just wish I could have found you earlier. I hate what
you went through in your childhood. It couldn t have been easy for you.
She clung to him, tears streaming down her cheeks, already sensing that Max was a man who felt
deeply.
Oh, Max. You need to heal. I can feel so much pain inside you.
Maddie could feel Max s loneliness in the desperation of his embrace. Her brother was in pain,
but she could do nothing except hold him tight, hoping her joy in finding him could somehow touch his
empty soul.
Hey& take your grimy paws off my fiancée. Sam s teasing growl sounded from the door. Max
and Sam exchanged grins, both of the men looking relieved that they didn t have to brawl anymore.
Maddie released her brother, turning to Sam with a worried frown. Did the doctor say you could
be walking? she asked, her voice admonishing.
Her heart did a happy dance as she looked at Sam, still in tuxedo pants covered with a hospital
gown. He was battered and bruised everywhere, but he had never looked so good. His smile was
slightly pained and his normal fierce stride was slower from the pain of his injuries, but damn, he
looked good, especially since she had feared he had been badly hurt, or worse.
He gave her a wicked, lopsided grin. Yes, Dr. Demanding, he did. I made him come to Radiology
to look at the x-rays immediately. I wasn t staying strapped on the damn uncomfortable board any
longer than I had to be. He walked toward her slowly, and gave her a lingering kiss on her cheek.
Maddie s breath hitched, wondering how an innocent kiss could feel so sensual.
Because Sam s every touch is filled with intimacy and it gets to me. Bad.
So you re throwing your financial power around again, making the medical staff do your
bidding? Maddie asked, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice. She was fairly certain Sam
hadn t asked the physician politely. Sam had demanded& and because he was a generous donor to the
medical facility, he got whatever he wanted.
You re a doctor, and it s never worked on you, he muttered, disgruntled.
Maddie folded her arms in front of her, lifting a brow as she met his gaze. That s because I ve
been on to you for years. That charming smile doesn t work with me, she informed him, trying to
keep a straight face.
Honestly, she could barely refrain from throwing herself into his arms and clinging to him until she
convinced herself he was going to be okay. Memories of him vaulting onto that railing and leaping
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