AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No comment,” Winston snarled to the camera.
“Sir,” one of the reporters shouted. “What do you say to the critics who charge that you’re not backing this bill until you get concessions for your state?”
“More like kickbacks for his wallet,” Madison murmured.
Another reporter jumped in. “And what about the allegations surfacing that your nephew didn’t die in a car accident but was murdered?”
Madison pressed a hand to her chest and froze. That was leaking out? Oh, god. How? Fear gripped her. Did Winston think she was trying to expose the truth? If he did, he would come after her—with every tool at his disposal.
“What is it?” Nash asked.
“Shh.” She stayed glued to the TV.
“That is a despicable lie, designed to shake my family during our time of grief.” Winston glared at the reporter, his narrow-eyed accusation promising payback. “There’s no validity whatsoever to that trash.”
“Meanwhile on Capital Hill…” The news program cut to a junior representative currently making waves and unleashing Twitter storms every other day.
Madison let out a trembling sigh, then turned to Nash, trying not to panic. “You’re sure no one saw us when we walked in?”
“You were wearing a ball cap and sunglasses. We didn’t pass anyone.”
“Cameras?”
He winced. “Everywhere. But I think they’re meant as more of a deterrent than serious security.”
But he didn’t know for sure. Somehow, Winston seemed to learn people’s filthiest little secrets. She’d spent more time keeping her nose clean than trying to figure out how he managed to dig up so much dirt. Now it made her paranoid. What if Winston really could pick up the phone in any town or city and find someone willing to divulge anything about anyone for a favor and some cash?
“I hope you’re right.” She set aside her half-full plate and started pacing. What was she going to do if he wasn’t?
Nash tossed his dish on the coffee table and rose, taking her by the shoulders. “Listen, I know Matt didn’t tell me everything that’s going on, and probably for good reason. I don’t expect you to tell me, either. But maybe you should give me a heads-up so I’m braced for whatever I’m guarding you against. Since that news segment was live, Winston Pershing himself obviously isn’t going to show up here in the next thirty minutes and point a gun in my face.”
“No. He has people to do his dirty work.”
“Good ones, I assume.”
“If they weren’t, he wouldn’t still employ them. He doesn’t suffer incompetence.” Except among his family. He’d long ago accepted that his son was worthless, politically speaking. He didn’t have a shred of ambition. Winston probably liked everyone under his roof being utterly dependent on him.
“What about your husband? Think he’d come here and—”
“He’s capable of almost anything.” His murdering Brent had proven that. “Maybe you should talk to Matt.” Madison didn’t think in terms of violence the way he’d been trained to.
“I have been most of the day.” He held up his phone, which conveniently buzzed again.
That sent Madison reeling. Every time she convinced herself that Matt didn’t care, he did something to make her question that. She had to stop going round and round. She had to stop hoping things between them would change. “And?”
“You’re going deeper into hiding in the morning. I’m supposed to take you to the rendezvous point at oh-seven-hundred.”
“And Matt?” She both hoped and feared he would say yes.
“He just told me you’ll be with Ethan, one of the new guys.”
Because he didn’t want to deal with her baggage or he didn’t want to be near her. Either way, the news crushed her. “I’m going to take a shower and get ready for bed.”
“At eight o’clock?”
She sighed. “It’s been a really horrible couple of days.”
And despite everything, the fact she wouldn’t have the comfort of Matt’s body against hers only upset her more.
