what's better than a devil you don't know- a devil you do.

"Yes, this really is a tight community, isn't it?" Honestly, he missed the fog of the city, the constant noise and the excitement of the night. Kismet Harbor felt like a place people moved to when they retired. Once Maddox got what he came for, he would go back to New York, and he'd leave the business to his daughter to manage. "Of course. " It just had to be weeds. Maddox thought, though the charismatic smile remained plastered on his lips, pulling up the sleeves almost theatricly to show that he was ready and able for the task. "I don't need gloves for the weeds here, right? No thorns or anything." He asked, walking alongside her towards the weeds. "So, what do you do? For a living, that is." @giovannaxwallace

"It's sex, of course I enjoy it." And as he had told her before, it wasn't the lovey dovey vanilla thing. A mixture of pain and pleasure to lift things to a higher level, tipping on the balance where it just wasn't unbearable and she'd been true to her word that she'd wanted to explore it, experience it. But he held himself back, any more and people in her vicinity would start asking questions. "Anyone who says otherwise would be lying." Pulling his shirt over his head, he made his way to the bedside table, taking his watch which he put on his wrist. "As always, do whichever you want. Sleep, take a bath, but I need to get some work done." @marincole

Knox had no belief that there was an easy way out of the predicament he found himself in with Maddox, but he had a hard time buckling down enough to act seriously. When he was scared it just became easier to be sarcastic and flippant, as if everything in the world was a joke. Sometimes in his life, it felt that way, though a cruel joke it was. "Believe it? Not really, but where's the harm in hoping for the best?" he shrugged, letting out another long sigh at the unflattering description of him that Maddox gave. "Seems a little unfair, that. I may not settle, but I'm no leech. I handle my shit." Or, more realistically, he ran from his shit, but at least he was proud to say he tried not to be a burden on others if he could help it. The mention of his sisters again, though, brought a wave of darkness to his eyes before he shook his head again. "Jokes on you, jackass. Not much you could do that would make her hate me any more than she already does."

"If you handled your shit, Mr Wallace, I wouldn't have to endure these conversations with you. But alas, here I am." Maddox spoke, a fingertip running along the brim of his glass while dark eyes were burning holes in the other's profile. When the man spoke, he didn't even attempt to consider his words, for the fact that their true meaning went over the other's head were typical, but also hilarious. His mask broke for a moment, a devious smile cracking through the surface before he looked into the crowd. Had it been a slip? Or had it been intent? "I guess we'll see." Was all he said on the matter, as always not giving much away, not unlike his conversation partner. "Humour me for a moment, what brings a low life such as yourself to a quaint little town such as this one? Don't tell me it was because of family." @knoxwallace

"That a promise?" Maddox forced his lips into a grin, hands sliding into his pockets. He was aware she was a taken woman, but she didn't know that he knew that, so some innocent flirting was just something he had to force himself to do. "I can't promise I can be here everyday, my job warrants a lot of my attention, but I'd assume that having a week in between will show quicker progress, in a way." If Cilla found out that he was standing here talking about gardening she would never let him forget it. "Did you have any plans here today that I can help you with?" @giovannaxwallace

"It's sex, of course I enjoy it." And as he had told her before, it wasn't the lovey dovey vanilla thing. A mixture of pain and pleasure to lift things to a higher level, tipping on the balance where it just wasn't unbearable and she'd been true to her word that she'd wanted to explore it, experience it. But he held himself back, any more and people in her vicinity would start asking questions. "Anyone who says otherwise would be lying." Pulling his shirt over his head, he made his way to the bedside table, taking his watch which he put on his wrist. "As always, do whichever you want. Sleep, take a bath, but I need to get some work done." @marincole

"Don't be sorry, for all you know I could be a criminal." Maddox cracked the joke, though the other wouldn't know just how truthful he actually was. To convince her otherwise however, he flashed her a smile, showing off his charming side while his hands were up in mock surrender before his hands clasped together. "Oh, good. Glad my senses aren't off." Acting this mundane and cheerful was stomach twisting and nauseating, but all for a good cause. "Well we don't want the latter. Less stress is the way. I suppose the cause is in between doing the little things or the big things? Trees or plants?" @giovannaxwallace

Dark eyes stared at the man, letting him talk himself into oblivion and revealing himself for the idiot that he was. Had he cared even the slightest bit, he would've responded to his jabs, but instead the gears in his head were turning. With every little annoyance, he just tried to think of ways to make him regret them more. "You really believe that, don't you?" Maddox spoke, finger tapping on the rim of the glass. "The man who doesn't settle, doesn't take anything seriously and lives day by day leeching off of others until you eventually destroy whatever you have with them." Maddox tsked, lifting the glass towards his lips. "Would be bad if your other sister ends up hurt too because of your influence." @knoxwallace

Priscilla rarely reflected back on her childhood. Rarely found herself wondering just what would have happened, had she not come to follow in her father's footsteps, had denied the role of his successor. All she knew herself to be now, all of what she was, was nothing but a logical consequence. Inevitable. There were few things that kept her steady, that kept her running. Her father's pride was one such thing. As frightened as many were of Maddox, Priscilla never wavered beneath his cold glance, those piercing eyes that she'd inherited. She locked her jaw as her father's voice ricocheted from the walls surrounding them. The impulse was not enough to tear her expression into a smile. It was a twitch on the corner of her lips and she bowed her head in the most minuscule way. It was almost unnoticeable as a shadow, almost sinister overcast her features. "It will be my pleasure." @maddoxcage

"I'm counting on it." The words came easy, but they weren’t casual. With her, they never were. Maddox didn’t offer trust lightly buthe placed it, deliberately, like a piece on a chessboard already three moves ahead. "In the meantime," he continued, voice even, measured, "what’s the temperature at the station? Anything interesting making the rounds?" A slight pause, his gaze settling on her, not lingering on the injury, but not ignoring it either. He didn’t need to ask if she’d been absent for with her injury it was obvious that she had been. "And tell me," he added, almost as an afterthought, though nothing he said ever truly was, "are you still dulling the edges with medication… or can I get you something worth tasting?" @sashaxjones

"Someone never accused me of being stubborn before." Or perhaps they didn't dare to. It was of little concern to him. However, being defined as charming was only a front of a mask he wore. Just because he slept with her, didn't mean she got to see who he truly was. That right was only put away for his daughter, even if the true nature between him and his Priscilla was being kept a secret. "Wouldn't want to do anything to feed or damage your ego." He said, shooting her a look, shifting so he slid out from underneath her and got out of the bed, slipping into his jeans. He never stayed in bed with her so this shouldn't have been much of a surprise. Spending the rest of the night in his office while she lay sprawled out in his bed, it's how he preferred things.

"I know you will." His voice sounded, always knowing that if there was one person, that it would be his daughter who would never let him down. She'd always been eager to please, eager to show that while the masses would underestimate her, she alone had the prowess to overthrow anything or anyone if she set her mind to it. And while his father had been set to train him to use his physical attributes, he taught himself the way of words, or manipulations and doubts, to use his wits and smarts. That was how he had raised his daughter. To rely on that first and only on violence as a last resort. There had been a moment of disapproval when she had ended up getting shot by a mere simple criminal, but that had quickly been replaced with fatherly concern. "But first, I need to know about you. Are you back at full strength? Is your head still in the game? You're my only competent insider at the police, I need to know if it'll stay that way." @sashaxjones

There was an arrogance she knew better than to show, a distinctive haughtiness she hid from the world's prying eyes. Perhaps it was a hereditary condition. Something that had merged with golden blood. A curse passed down to her, like so many other things. She was her father's daughter and there was little Priscilla took more pride in. She wanted to make him proud, prove herself a worthy successor and cared little for the cost. A smile her lips carried lingered for no longer than a handful of seconds more, before it began to wane and fade until there was nothing but the shadow of the previous softness playing around her lips. It was a look that carried significant determination and volition. "My head is still in the game." The way she voiced these words left little room for doubt. "I will be back on duty in no time." She paused, her hazel eyes holding her father's gaze. "I will not let you down again." @maddoxcage

✦ closed starter for @maddoxcage ✦ based on: 😰 | where they continue to be bed partners.

"That does fall in line with his rather simple demeanor." The thread that bound her to her father was stained in a crimson red hue. A tale as old as time spoke of the cruelty of man and of an ancient dynasty, whose presence and future took shape in their bloodline. There was a boundlessness to the lengths Priscilla was willing to go to, if only her father asked her to. Hazel eyes, one of the few physical characteristics she'd inherited from Maddox, followed her father's every step as he neared. A strand of golden hair was pushed from her forehead and his words brought forth comfort and pride. She breathed and felt like herself. It was one of the many things she enjoyed about her father's company, as well as Cael's. No need for pretense, no need to keep up a perfect charade. Priscilla could for once lower the mask and finally nestle in the comfort of her own self for a moment in time. The smile that began to form around the edges of her mouth was a wicked, almost a devilish one. "I will gladly take care of that." @maddoxcage

"I know you will." His voice sounded, always knowing that if there was one person, that it would be his daughter who would never let him down. She'd always been eager to please, eager to show that while the masses would underestimate her, she alone had the prowess to overthrow anything or anyone if she set her mind to it. And while his father had been set to train him to use his physical attributes, he taught himself the way of words, or manipulations and doubts, to use his wits and smarts. That was how he had raised his daughter. To rely on that first and only on violence as a last resort. There had been a moment of disapproval when she had ended up getting shot by a mere simple criminal, but that had quickly been replaced with fatherly concern. "But first, I need to know about you. Are you back at full strength? Is your head still in the game? You're my only competent insider at the police, I need to know if it'll stay that way." @sashaxjones