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)
“We’re probably going to need it.”
Matt began making the brew. “So the baby is all right? Did Madison go to the first appointment with the obstetrician?”
“Yesterday. The doctor said she looks good. She’s scheduled for a follow-up in a month. By then, we should be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat.”
That fucking hurt. Matt wished like hell he could be by Madison’s side, holding her hand, when they first heard the beating heart of the child they had conceived together. But unless something blew this case open soon, the timing wasn’t on his side. And after the horrible things Todd had cornered him into saying and doing that fucking awful night… “Does she ask about me?”
“No.”
Right. Why would she ask about the son of a bitch who ripped her heart out, especially since the wound was so fresh. That rationalization didn’t make him feel any better. “Do you think she’ll ever forgive me?”
As soon as the question left his mouth, Matt wished he could take it back. He knew the answer. He was an idiot for torturing himself. When Ethan hesitated, Matt shook his head. “Never mind.”
“Yeah. Probably better if I don’t answer that.”
Though Matt had expected it, the kid’s reply was a knife to the fucking heart.
“Listen…” Ethan sighed. “You crushed her. I know why you did it. You couldn’t run any risk of Pershing deciding you didn’t do the job well enough, getting pissed off, and ending her, but—”
“It was brutal and unforgivable. I know.” It had torn Matt apart to prey on her insecurities, and he had to live with that look of fucking betrayal on her beloved face. It replayed over and over in his head every day. And again every night when he shut his eyes and tried to sleep. She would probably hate him for the rest of her life. But she and their baby would be alive. He had to be grateful for that.
“I only watched through the crack in my bedroom door, and it was…” Ethan trailed off. “I don’t even have words. But she’s resilient, man. She’ll pull through.”
She would. And he had to brace for the day she found love again. If someone else made her happy, Matt would learn to stifle his heartbreak and wish her well.
Right now, the idea of her with another man left him fucking homicidal.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“How’s Graciela? That girl is fucking hottttt. I know she isn’t looking for any action—”
“She’s not.”
“I can see where being kidnapped by some random dudes who found her on the internet would scare a woman away from strangers.”
“Gee, you think?”
The kid scowled. “Just making an observation. I don’t need sarcasm.”
“Too bad. I’m all out of Sammy Sunshine. I’m just feeling mean motherfucker these days.”
“Yeah. Me, too. That’s what happens when you’re not getting laid.” Ethan rolled his shoulders. “I’m starting to get wound up.”
“Not my problem.”
“So…where’s Graciela?”
“Your horny ass isn’t her problem, either.”
“I know. I just wanted to ask if she’s okay. Geez…”
“She’s in the bedroom.” Matt nodded toward the dungeon door, thankful she’d gotten past her fear of the place once she’d realized he had zero intention of utilizing the room’s equipment or trying to share a bed with her. “Asleep. She’s adjusting, but she’s on edge all the time.”
“After being plucked from her home by merciless bastards just because they thought she would fetch a pretty penny from assholes who decided that her freedom and her virginity have a price they’re willing to pay? No doubt.”
“Yeah. I’ve told her that, once this is all over, she’ll be able to either go home or start somewhere else and live a peaceful life.” Matt shrugged. “She says she wants to live on a cattle ranch, miles from anyone.”
“Right now, that’s sounding good to me, too—minus the actual cows because their shit stinks. Come to think of it, cows are better than politicians.”
“Amen.”
“So…you said last time we touched base that Graciela had information?”
“A trove of it. Coupled with the intelligence I collected from the source I’m in contact with, I’ve hit up Kane to investigate at the border to see what he could verify or even expand on. I’m waiting on a callback. If this pans out, we might have something solid. It could lead to evidence that will blow the whole thing wide-open.” At least Matt hoped so. If he was right…he could keep his promise to Madison to take Todd down. Then he’d come for her again, and he’d do everything in his power—fair or not—to win her back forever.
Unfortunately, he doubted she would ever take him back.
“Trees still working on hacking into Todd’s surveillance records?”
“Yeah. The bosses had him on another case, but he cracked that one, so he’ll be full-steam ahead on solving this mystery starting Monday. He says he’ll try to capture any security footage from the senator’s place, too.” But Matt suspected Winston Pershing didn’t surveil the inside of his estate the way he did his grandson’s place.