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)
Nash unlocked the doors to his truck, then shoved on a ball cap and aviators. If he was attempting to blend into the background, that would be tough for him to do at six-foot-seven.
Haisley didn’t wait for Nash’s help, just dropped to the asphalt, shook out her flowing skirt, tossed on her shades, and waited expectantly while she sneaked a clandestine glance at him. It was hardly the first. Though Madison could recite the hundred reasons she would have sworn Haisley would never give the guy a chance, she suspected her best friend was rethinking things—a lot.
Interesting development…
“You ladies ready?” Nash helped Madison from the truck, sending Haisley a pointed stare, which she ignored.
“Absolutely.” Madison felt beyond ready to see her dad. Their phone calls the past couple of days hadn’t been enough. He sounded cranky and demoralized. She hoped her recent silence hadn’t hurt his feelings, especially since she’d had to lie to him about where she’d been. But the less Daddy knew about her situation with Todd, the better. Since his health was fragile, he didn’t need the extra stress of worrying about her. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Right after she made it through the gauntlet of the press.
“Let’s do this,” Haisley quipped.
Nash nodded. “I’ll walk first, make sure nothing or no one is threatening. Stay close behind me. If I sense anything wrong, I’ll get you back to the truck. Here’s the spare key, just in case.” He handed it over. “If shit goes down, get yourselves out and call for help.”
She’d run once while he’d protected her during an attack. She felt too guilty to do it a second time. “Nash—”
“This isn’t a negotiation. I’m trained to deal with this. You’re not.”
“But you’re still recovering.”
He scoffed. “I’m fine. And Matt will have my balls if I fail to protect you.”
Madison sighed. Since Matt had called to give her the same speech this morning, she knew Nash wasn’t kidding. “Ugh, you macho men drive me insane.”
“Complain all you want. I won’t let anything happen.” He sent Haisley another stare. “To either of you.”
Her bestie looked away, but not before she bit her lip. Was Haisley actually blushing?
Madison’s stare ping-ponged between them. Had the two of them been hanging out—or hooking up—while she’d been hiding in the swamp with Matt?
Before she could ask, Nash rounded the corner of the building, his body tensing, his gaze turning even more watchful. He motioned for them to follow, and Madison swallowed her question. She was out of practice with the press, and she needed her wits until she made it into the hospital.
Moments after the reporters and internet gossips darted for them, all rolling video, Madison dashed for the door, doing her best not to flinch. As far as these people knew, she and Todd were happily married. She hadn’t spent most of the last two weeks being commanded and pleasured by Matt, the ex who had declared himself her Dom and now called her his. She was merely here to see her dad.
“Madison, are you excited to see your father today?” asked an insistent woman with long blue nails. Her impatient tone was grating. “What’s his prognosis?”
Why did society enjoy butting into other people’s lives uninvited? Madison would never understand.
She swallowed her annoyance and pasted on a smile, slowing her trek to the hospital’s door just long enough to answer. “My father’s prognosis is good. We’re feeling positive about his recovery. He still has health challenges, but he’s in a world-class facility getting the best care possible. And Dad is strong. I know he’ll come through. I’m just here to spend some quality time with him.”
“How long do you anticipate he’ll be here?” asked another thirty-something man also rolling video.
“I’m not sure. I’m hoping to have a more in-depth conversation with his doctors today.”
“Is your husband gearing up for Senator Pershing’s reelection bid this fall? Is that why he isn’t with you?” shouted yet another reporter.
“One of the reasons. My husband also has other responsibilities and business ventures that unfortunately precluded him from making this visit with me. I miss him, but I’ll be back in DC soon, and we’ll make another trip here as soon as possible.”
Haisley shot her a little smile of approval for her on-script answer. Madison hadn’t said anything the press could tear apart for some hidden meaning. Of course, that hardly stopped them from outright lying if it meant more clicks that cha-chinged into sweet, sweet green.
The small horde of reporters around her pelted her with a handful of other questions, each easily fended off and smoothed over—until she was ten feet from the door.
“Do you have any comments about the continued allegations that your husband’s cousin wasn’t killed in a car accident but was murdered in a downtown DC high rise?”
This wasn’t the first time Madison had heard the press fishing about Brent’s death, but now they had more specific details. She maintained her smile as she scrambled for an answer that would deflect more questions. She’d love for Todd to pay for his cousin’s murder, but she couldn’t tip off these vultures. The Pershings would retaliate. Then what would happen to Daddy? To Matt?