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“Fine,” he assured. “News was quiet overnight. Still no word in the press about you being gone.”
“No one will say anything until Friday, when Brent’s funeral is held. Then they’ll explain away my absence with a sudden illness, probably with a hint of an impending pregnancy announcement. That tactic is a favorite of Agatha’s,” she said of the senator’s wife.
Matt swallowed his rage. “Her ruse will buy us time and let me do some work while you stay on the down-low. Your clothes are clean. Your backpack is in the corner. And Nash is here for you.”
“Already?” She reared back.
“It would be less risky if you two got out before sunrise.”
Swallowing, she nodded. “So that’s it, then?”
“What else is there, Madison? What did you expect?”
She opened her mouth and closed it again. Had she let him touch her last night because she still had feelings for him? Or had she merely needed human contact? Maybe she knew he was fucked up about them parting and had given him her pleasure as some sort of consolation prize? Matt didn’t have time to guess. And it didn’t matter. If letting her think he was an unfeeling prick helped her get to safety sooner, he’d play his part.
“Nothing, I guess. Thank you for everything. I’ve imposed too long. I’ll be out of your hair in ten minutes. Tell Nash not to worry about me.” Madison rose from the bed stark naked, like she didn’t care if he saw her in all her glory, then grabbed her clothes and her backpack before heading for his bathroom.
Matt hustled after her and grabbed her arm, trying not to stare at every tempting inch. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going without him?”
“It’s not your issue, so it’s none of your business. I’ll figure it out.”
“You’re out of your league.”
“I got all the way to Louisiana without your help.”
He tightened his grip. “We talked this through last night.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I’d rather not drag you or Nash through my problems. I don’t need anyone’s death on my conscience.”
“This is about us.”
“All right, it is. Every time I’m with you, you strip me absolutely bare.” She demonstrated by throwing her clothes on the bed and standing in front of him, completely exposed, hands on hips. “You push and demand and make me lose my head until I surrender everything—my body, my pride, and my will—to you.”
Matt winced. When he was with her, he couldn’t seem to help himself. But hurting her ripped him to shreds. “Madison, I—”
“No. I’m not done. Then after I’ve dropped all my barriers, you downshift, back off, and remind me I mean nothing to you. Maybe it’s time I did the same.”
As if she hadn’t made him feel like trash three years ago? “Don’t put yourself at risk to spite me.”
“Don’t tell me what to do ever again.” She swerved around him to reach for her clothes.
Matt sidestepped to block her. “Stop being stubborn and think with your head. How much do you know about personal security? Who will keep you safe if Todd or the senator’s goons come after you? You don’t even have a gun. I promise you, they will. And they’ll know damn well how to use it.”
She said nothing for a long moment before something bitter and angry crossed her face. “Shut up.”
“Life-or-death situations aren’t the time to worry about your heart.”
“Fine. You’re right. But at least I have one.” With that, she shoved him aside, retrieved her clothes, and slammed into his bathroom.
Goddamn it, what a mess. He stared at the closed door and bit back the urge to prove she wasn’t the only one with twisted feelings and scars. But they didn’t have time, especially when they didn’t have a future.
“The sun will be up in less than thirty minutes. You need to have your hair under your hat and be wearing something that hides your curves.”
He didn’t wait for her reply, just left to find Nash, who loitered in the hall, grimacing like he’d heard most of their exchange. The pity on his face crawled on Matt’s last nerve. “Drive your truck around back. Have Madison lie in the back seat. Don’t let her up until you get to your place. Make her keep her head down all the way to your door.”
“I know the drill.” He cocked his head. “Why don’t you resolve this shit before you let her go? Tell her how you feel.”
Matt didn’t have that luxury. “You worry about guarding her while I come up with a long-term arrangement to keep her safe. And when we touch base, don’t say anything critical. There’s a chance our communications will be surveilled.”
