“Got it.Stay on the line.”Her voice is calm, but crisp with urgency at the same time.
Sounds of movement come through the line.Laura speaks to her partner.“You go left, I’ll go right.”
“Madison!”a male voice calls as the doorknob rattles.“Are you in there?We need to talk.”
I know that voice.Ford?I peer over the back of the couch, not that I can see anything through the door.
“Madison, you need to listen—” Ford’s words are cut off with a grunt.He yells, “No, wait!This is important, I swear?—”
I hear sounds of a struggle, followed by Ford groaning.
“We’ve apprehended the intruder,” Laura says over the phone.“He says he’s your cousin.Is he one of the men who attacked you in October?”
“No.But…I don’t want to talk to him.”I don’t know what he’s doing here.A part of me is curious, and Ford has been nice to me since the will reading in September.But he hasn’t respected my boundaries.I asked him to stop coming around uninvited, but here he is, yet again.
“Understood.We’ll make sure he doesn’t come back.”Laura’s no-nonsense tone is reassuring.Even so, I can’t stop shaking.
“Madison!”Ford yells.
I feel bad, but no.Him creeping around my house like this, after everything else that’s happened, is not okay.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”Laura asks over the phone.
“No.Thank you, though.”
“Please, Madison, you need to listen to me!”Ford’s entreaties are swallowed in a muffling sound, which grows distant.They’re covering his mouth and dragging him away.Even though I’m relieved, I feel terrible.
Laura says, “If it’s all right with you, I’ll make a report to Mr.Romano and Mr.Colton.I’m certain at least one of them will be in touch with you immediately after.”
“Okay.”I take a deep breath, trying to settle my racing heart.“Thank you.”
Our call ends, and I’m left in a quiet house.A loud creak echoes from the other side of the living room, causing chills to run through my arms and legs.Otherwise, all is quiet.The door doesn’t rattle, nobody shouts at me from outside.Did any of that happen?Am I still imagining things?I would love to pretend it was all in my head—I hate the idea of Ford sneaking around my house to scare me.
An older notification is up on my home screen.The number is unknown.I click on it, expecting spam, but there’s a message to me instead.Madison, this is Matthew Kavlan.Someone is outside your house.Do you know them, or should I call the police?
If I’d had my phone next to me, I would have known Ford was here earlier.Damn.I guess I’ll be keeping better track of my device.
To be polite, I text Matthew back.Thanks for letting me know.It’s taken care of.
Do you need anything?he writes back immediately.I can come over if you want company.Charmaine isn’t home to complain.
No, thank you.
Fucking hell.The cherry on top of this shitty day would be Charmaine Kavlan jumping down my throat for “trying to steal her husband.”Like he’s any kind of prize.
My phone rings—it’s Seth, so I answer.
“We’re driving up now,” he says.“It’s us, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Thank you.I’ll come to the door.”The warning was thoughtful of him.I’m pretty sure if anyone rang my doorbell right now, I would jump out of my skin.
Hurrying to the front door, I open it, excited to see my guys.
I stop dead at the sight of Matthew Kavlan standing on the doormat.
“Hey.”He gives me what he probably thinks is a charming grin.
I’m tempted to slam the door closed, but I know Seth and Damiano are on their way.However, Matthew asked if I wanted company.I clearly said no.
