Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
The hot drops spilled down her face, and she swiped them away. “I knew if I did, you would carry me out of Todd’s place that instant and I would never be free of him. I thought that if I could hide the pregnancy from everyone, play along until after the midterms, and then leave with nothing but the clothes on my back, he would finally let me go.”
Matt shook his head. “When he kept threatening you and acting like a jealous prick, I knew that was never going to happen. I’m so sorry I had to put the mission over feelings and that I couldn’t explain. But I finally realized that was our only way out. I just hope you can forgive me.”
She never had to worry about Todd Pershing ruling her life again. For that, she would always be grateful. But the pain Matt had caused… She didn’t know how to make that stop. Or if it ever would. “When you left, you attacked me exactly where you knew it would hurt most.”
“I know. Oh, honey. Your devastated expression has been a repeating nightmare in my head. Every fucking time I closed my eyes, that face was the only thing I saw. I’ve worked so hard to get back to you, all so I could tell you I didn’t mean a word of it. All so I could assure you that I love you, now and always.”
Madison’s emotions pinged between the despair she’d been living with for nearly a month and the hope worming its way back into her heart. “Genie came. She told me you worked tirelessly to help victims like Graciela and bring Todd down.”
“And I would do it again a hundred times over if it meant saving you. I never touched Graciela. She was terrified and was about to be sold at auction. If Todd was going to force me to decimate you on my way out, I figured I could at least save her before it was too late.”
Matt had done the right thing, and she couldn’t begrudge him in the face of Todd’s threats. But that didn’t make her hurt go away. “I understand.”
“No. You don’t, honey. The way you’re looking at me is killing me. What can I do to prove I didn’t mean a word I said that night? Want me to take out a billboard? Tattoo it all over my body? I promise you I’ll never hurt you with those words again as long as you promise to be honest with me, too. We have to do that if we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”
“The rest of our lives?” She blinked at him. Had she heard that right?
“Yeah. Absolutely. You agreed to marry me. I’m holding you to that. I’m determined to make you Mrs. Montgomery so we can be happy for all our days together. You can’t back out on me. You weren’t planning to, right?”
Madison bit her lip. But what was she waiting for? The man she loved had explained the reason he’d hurt her and was offering her the future she wanted more than anything. Still, a niggling part of her worried. “You’re sure?”
“With all my heart. I love you, honey. I love your kindness, your gentleness, and your goodness. I love your compassion and your gumption. I love your hidden brat and your inner vixen. I especially love when you’re my good girl.” He sent her a filthy smile that smoothed into something wide and real. “But what I would love most is to call you my wife. Say yes.”
“Is that a command?”
Matt took her hand and slid Todd’s heirloom rock off her finger. She hadn’t even realized she was still wearing it, but once he’d removed it, she felt a hundred pounds lighter, like he’d taken all her past suffering with it. She was free. She could walk out of here and be alone forever, answering to nothing and no one.
Or she could choose Matt and a life with him.
In that moment, Madison knew she wanted Matt. She wanted his protectiveness, his sense of right and wrong, and his possessive nature. She wanted him by her side, raising their children, sharing their love. She wanted what she’d always wanted with him.
Forever.
Tears fell in earnest again. This time, she nodded and threw herself into his arms. “Yes!”
He gripped her face and wiped away her tears as he searched her eyes like he was trying to read her soul. “Yes? You mean it? You promise?”
“I promise. I want to be your wife. I want that more than anything.”
“Oh, thank fuck, honey. I wasn’t taking no for an answer, but…”
He swooped in and kissed her in a hard press of lips that conveyed his thrill and relief before softening into a seductive slide that had her parting in welcome and allowing him deep. Madison clung to him, curling one hand around his neck and lifting the other as far as her IV would go.