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 woman gave him a wobbling smile. “Good. Todd doesn’t deserve her.”
He slid a hand under the unsteady woman’s elbow. “On that, we totally agree.”
Madison and Genie shared another teary embrace before they headed back toward the house. Matt followed, scanning the yard—only to find Winston staring at them through the window, his mouth a gash of displeasure.
The man couldn’t possibly have read their lips or heard their conversation, but shit was going to hit the fan.
Inside, dessert and coffee were a long, tension-filled hour. When Ramona served the pastries, Agatha’s fury was palpable. But the senator’s wife swallowed her ire at the dishes served, forced another stiff smile, then launched into more meaningless conversation.
Finally, the Westbrooks left, Genie and Madison sharing one more heartfelt glance. Montrose all but dragged his wife out, not even waiting until they got to the car to start berating her. Cynthia downed another glass of wine, then grabbed her purse, thanked Agatha, and latched onto Roger, who looked all too happy to disappear with his wife. He settled behind the wheel, and they drove off with a squeal of tires.
Madison turned to Todd. “We should head out, too. I’d like to unpack before it gets much later. Thank you for a lovely dinner, Winston.” She bowed. “Agatha.”
“You’ll stay right here until I say you can go,” the senator demanded, then sent his wife a pointed stare.
On cue, the old woman grabbed her grandson by the wrist and pulled him out of the room. “I told Ramona to stop feeding your heifer of a wife those butterscotch chess pies. Maybe she’ll listen to you…”
Todd looked back through the archway as his grandfather and his wife squared off, his expression full of malicious glee. Matt wanted to rip off the motherfucker’s face. Because he couldn’t control Madison, he was hoping his grandfather could—in the most humiliating way possible.
Winston Pershing didn’t disappoint.
“Now that you’re back, let’s get a few things straight, little girl.”
“I’m a grown woman.”
“And a goddamn pain in my ass! Shut your hillbilly mouth and listen.”
Matt seethed. He wanted to beat the fuck out of the senator, but he couldn’t lift a fucking finger unless Winston Pershing physically hurt Madison. And the way he clutched his cane, Matt doubted the old man was capable of that. He hated feeling so goddamn impotent, but she was no victim.
“I am not a hillbilly. I’m college educated from a prestigious university renowned for turning out the country’s best educators, and I graduated summa cum laude. Just because I come from what you consider ‘flyover country’ doesn’t make my life or my accomplishments any less important. Let’s get to the actual heart of the matter. I had the audacity to leave your grandson because I don’t love him. I refuse to be married to a man who could kill his own cousin, and you’re pissed off that I’m not someone you can buy with money or prestige.”
He sidled closer, fury mottling his face. Matt loomed nearby, the warning in his expression a stark reminder to Winston Pershing that, no matter how important and powerful he thought he was, he couldn’t touch Madison without retaliation.
The senator shot him a scornful glare, then settled a virulent, hate-filled stare on her. “You have a lot of nerve, bringing the man you fuck to bodyguard you. He doesn’t attend campaign events.”
“He does. If that’s how I feel safe, he absolutely does.”
“I say no!”
“I don’t care. I’m here, and I’m playing your awful game. I will do my part until your corrupt ass is sadly reelected. I won’t bring scandal to your campaign. In exchange for my cooperation and my silence about Todd’s misdeeds, I want a divorce when this is over. You will leave Matt and me alone for the rest of our lives. That was the deal, right?”
Winston puffed up as he snorted out a breath so full of anger, Matt was shocked it didn’t catch fire. “Yes, but let me be clear. If you ruin my reelection, I will not only destroy you, but your father, your lover, your friends, your reputation, and your future. Don’t fuck with me, little girl, or you’ll be very sorry.”
The limo ride back to the apartment Madison shared with Todd was deadly silent. Matt remained close, not touching her, but she felt his wordless support. She loved his stoic reassurance, especially in the face of Winston Pershing’s ugly threats, but she couldn’t say that. She settled for a longing glance.
At the curb of the lavishly appointed apartment, the driver brought the car to a stop and retrieved their bags from the trunk. Ethan opened the door and reached for her, palm outstretched.
When she looked Matt’s way, he nodded in silent approval, his eyes full of warmth as he brushed his fingers across his temple. He was speaking their silent language. He was thinking of her. Her toes curled. Her heart threatened to overflow. Madison didn’t care that she was skirting a line. She gave him a soft smile full of I-love-you.