Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Her entire existence had suddenly become harrowing and emotional. And he hadn’t done anything to make it easier.
Sighing, he reached for her hand again. His heart twisted when she stared at it, then at him, debating whether to let him in. Finally, she slid her fingers onto his palm. He closed his hand around them and squeezed. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Madison studied their joined hands. “Why did you threaten to quit your job?”
“After what happened with Nash, and the way Ethan was coming onto you—”
“Nothing would have happened between us.”
“You don’t know that.” Ethan sweet-talked loads of women into bed. One as vulnerable as Madison would be easy prey for a player like him.
“Yes, I do. I’m not interested. I don’t want anyone but you.”
Same for him, but before he could tell her, he spotted an army green Jeep in the parking lot of an abandoned convenience store, now on the verge of being overtaken by Louisiana’s ever-encroaching swamp. A badass dude leaned up against the vehicle, thick arms crossed over his chest, wearing head-to-toe black, a ball cap pulled low, and an unreadable expression.
Jack Cole.
“We’ll finish this conversation later,” Matt vowed as he climbed from his truck, squaring the cowboy hat on his head. “Hey.”
“Glad you finally made it.” Jack glanced at his watch. “You’re three minutes late.”
He was, and Matt wasn’t going to bother with excuses. “Sorry.”
The slamming of car doors had him turning to find Madison hopping out of his vehicle, her backpack slung over her shoulder. The Edgington brothers exited theirs and followed until they all stood around Jack.
Hunter took one look at Madison, then scowled Matt’s way. “Everything okay?”
“Fine,” he snapped.
Logan didn’t look convinced, but let it go. “Give me your keys. Phone, too. You won’t need either in the swamp, and it will look more convincing if spying eyes locate the device at your house.”
With a sigh, Matt complied.
Logan pocketed both, then looked at Jack. “Anything else?”
The crafty Cajun shook his head. “No. We’ll stay in touch.”
“Roger that.”
Jack grinned. “Despite being navy boys, you two are almost smart.”
“Fuck you,” Logan quipped.
Hunter cracked a smile. “Asshole. You three should head out. I don’t have to tell you to stay vigilant and watch for trouble.”
Matt shook his head. “It’s coming.”
It was just a matter of when and where.
“Take care of her.” Hunter’s parting shot was as much a warning as a demand.
Then the brothers were off, taking his truck and his phone.
Matt turned to Jack. “We’re ready.”
“No go-bag?”
Matt shrugged. “No time.”
“You’re lucky my wife thinks ahead. She packed you two some clothes, necessities, and creature comforts.”
“Thanks. By the way, Jack, this is Madison.” He turned to her. “Madison, Jack Cole, co-owner of Oracle Security.”
“Nice to meet you,” she murmured automatically, as if etiquette had been drummed into her.
The Cajun studied her for a long minute across the darkened parking lot. “If you’ve lasted this long with the Pershings, you’ve got spine. That’s good. You’re going to need it. This will get worse before it gets better.”
“They’ll never let me go quietly.” Admitting that seemed to take every ounce of her strength. “I know too much.”
“At least you’re under no illusions. Do you know how to use a gun?”
She nodded. “My father taught me. He took me hunting, took me to the practice range…”
“Good. Neither of you have anything trackable? Not that there’s any cell signal that deep in the swamp…” When they both shook their heads, Jack climbed in the Jeep, and they headed out together, Matt and Madison huddled in the backseat under a big hunting blanket to avoid facial recognition cameras around town.
Curled around Madison, Matt lost himself in thought. If she had tied the knot with Todd because he’d seemingly wanted her, and she was distressed that Matt had apologized for fucking her brains out, what did that say? Maybe the twisted, perverse things he did to Madison—the acts he’d been beating himself up for—made her feel more desired.
“It’s safe now,” Jack said finally. “Come on out.”
Together, they shoved off the blanket just as Jack’s phone buzzed. The seasoned operative lifted it along the deserted two-lane road thick with pea-soup mist and read. “That’s Deke. He’s in touch with an old CIA buddy who now works as a consultant in the swamp. He’s opened a line of communication to the senator’s chief of staff.”
“Osment is a snake.” Madison shuddered. “He’s a champion liar, he loves blackmail, and he lives to hurt people.”
“No wonder he’s been with your grandfather-in-law all these years. What parting gifts do you want?”
Madison bit her lip, not like she had to think before she answered that question, but as if she feared she was asking for the moon. “Obviously, a divorce. He won’t agree to one until after the midterms. That’s fine. I realize I might have to make an appearance or two in DC before the election, but I will never spend another night with Todd. In fact, I refuse to ever be alone with him again.”