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“No one followed me here,” Matt snapped. “The door was locked. The only other ingress point is obscured.” He pointed to the drapes. “Ethan kept watch outside and—”
“Instead of watching her six, you did the mattress tango,” Hunter pointed out.
“Listen, this isn’t official EM Security business. She came tomebecause she didn’t know where else to go. I appreciate the help but—”
“You work for EM Security. If something happens to her, it could blow up our reputation.” Hunter turned to Ethan. “Is your go-bag ready?”
Madison tensed. This was it. Already. She ached to touch Matt one last time, feel his arms around her, hold him close. But he looked furious, and everything was happening so fast.
“Yep,” Ethan assured beside her. “I’ve got spare clothes, enough weapons to supply a small army, and a list of filthy ideas to help sweet pea and me pass the time. I’m good to go.” He winked.
Matt lunged at Ethan. “Don’t you fucking touch her!”
Logan jumped between them. “Stop antagonizing him, junior. We have to get Madison out of here and to the rendezvous point before sunrise.” He turned to her, his expression softening. “You ready? From here on out, Mr. Garrison will behave, or he’ll answer to us. If you need more than what’s in your backpack, we’ll have someone bring it to you.”
“Can’t Matt go with me instead?” It was a long shot. As Matt pointed out, it wasn’t smart for her to stay with him when he was already on the Pershings’ radar. But if they were headed to the middle of nowhere, who would know? She desperately wanted more time with him. Yes, she was putting off the inevitable because they probably didn’t have a future…but wasn’t it at least a little bit possible? Couldn’t they explore the possibility? After all, he’d come back for her. He clearly wanted her. Maybe it meant something…
Hunter sent her an apologetic shake of his head. “He asked us to send Ethan with you.”
“As he should have,” Logan added.
But she barely heard. Hunter’s admission was a gut punch. A slap. Cold pain scraped her every nerve. Matt was sending her away again? Of course he was. He’d already done it twice; she shouldn’t be surprised. When the hell would she learn?
“I see. All right.” She hoped no one noticed her trembling voice. She pressed her lips together and tried like hell to reel in her emotions.
I will not cry. I will not cry.
Apparently, she still didn’t matter to Matt. She refused to wear her heart on her sleeve. Her feelings only gave him the chance to twist her heart in knots and use her body for his pleasure.
“I have everything I need.” She shouldered her backpack and avoided looking at Matt.
“No,” he barked, pointing at Ethan. “He’s not taking two steps with her, much less disappearing alone with her for who knows how long.”
“You made your choice,” Logan pointed out.
“He’s not equipped to bodyguard her,” Matt argued.
“And because you have a hard-on for her, you think you are?”
His jaw clenched. “This isn’t really your call.”
“You’re right. She’s not our client. But you’re our operative, and since Nash is down, we’re sending you on a mission. Be ready to leave at midnight.” Hunter looked across the circle to Ethan. “You and Logan take her to your car.”
Suddenly, Matt reached between his bosses and tugged her against him. “I quit.”
Madison gasped. What was he doing? Was he actually threatening to give up a job he loved because he was jealous? Or was there a chance he truly cared?
Hunter raised an intimidating brow. “Are you serious right now?”
“One hundred percent.”
“Do you know what you’re doing?” the former SEAL sighed.
“Yep. Are we done here? Daylight is coming. I have a rendezvous to make.”
Logan shook his head. “I think you’re making a stupid fucking mistake, but it’s yours to make.”
“Once again, little brother, you prove why you have a reputation as a hothead,” Hunter drawled at Logan, then turned to her. “It’s your life, so I’m making this your call. Would you rather have Matt or Ethan protecting you, knowing it isn’t your safety Matt is focused on?”
