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)
Ramona cackled. “You are a little on the skinny side. We’ll see if I can’t fatten you up some.”
Madison smiled fondly. “She will, too. The first six months after I was married, I gained fifteen pounds. I had to tell her to stop making butterscotch chess pie for me every Sunday.”
“I would have kept making them if Agatha hadn’t scolded you for your weight in front of the whole family.” Then Ramona’s grin turned sly. “But her sharp tongue won’t stop me from making one tonight.”
Madison shook her head. “I know you. You already have tonight’s dessert made. Don’t go to the extra trouble—”
“It’s no trouble. I was in a mood this morning, and I made a chocolate raspberry torte. You know it will be better if I don’t serve the damn thing.”
Matt sent Madison a questioning stare. “Because?”
She whispered in his ear, “Agatha hates raspberries.”
“Ah.” He grinned at Ramona.
She shrugged. “Shit happens.”
“Every day and twice on Sunday.”
“Exactly.” Madison grinned. “I’d like to say hello to Willa. Any idea where I can find her?”
“Probably setting up the dining room.”
Madison glanced at her watch. “Since it’s nearly five, you’re probably right. I’ll be back.”
“I’ll go with you,” Matt insisted.
Ethan leaned across the island, planting his elbows on the pristine white quartz counters. “And I’ll stay here and see if I can sweet-talk Ramona into taking in a grown son.”
As Matt left the kitchen with Madison, he clenched his fists, resisting the urge to fit his hand to the small of her back. Fuck, he was dying to touch her. As if sensing his turmoil, she glanced over her shoulder and shook her head.
Biting back a curse, he dropped his hand and trailed her to another section of the enormous house, eventually emerging through another arch into a dining room fit for royalty. Elaborate dark wood paneling gleamed like new, despite the fact he’d bet they’d been hand-carved at least a century ago. Paintings of a nineteenth-century hunt flanked a giant credenza topped by a pair of over-the-top candelabras. A quartet of glass shelves floated above. The rest of the furniture was ornately black with gold inlays and gleaming feet. The red upholstery on the chairs echoed the bold patterns visible in everything around them. A giant flower arrangement dominated the middle of the table, centered between two massive crystal-drop chandeliers.
Matt studied the room, marking entry and exit points, possible weapons, hiding places, and areas where he could watch over Madison while she ate with the sharks she called family.
“It’s a lot, isn’t it?” she asked into the silence.
He wasn’t interested in small talk. Normally, he’d study a house for days—or at least hours—before he had to protect someone inside. He didn’t like operating on the fly, especially when he didn’t one-hundred-percent understand the dynamics of everyone who lived here and hadn’t had the chance to vet the staff. “Too much. No Willa?”
He spoke too soon.
Through another archway, a petite black woman emerged, carrying a stack of plate chargers, her expression harried. She stopped when she saw Madison, then sighed unhappily. “I’d hoped it wasn’t true.”
Madison shrugged. “I’m back. Willa, this is Matt Montgomery. He’ll be one of my bodyguards through the midterms.”
At his name, recognition lit her dark eyes. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He nodded deferentially.
“I suppose you’re staying for dinner?” she asked Madison.
“Do I really have a choice?”
“I suppose not. Sorry, honey.”
“I’m fine.” Madison waved away the woman’s concern. “I haven’t spoken to Sadie in forever. How is she?”
Matt knew subtext when he heard it. Madison was really inquiring about Sadie’s safety after the girl had helped her escape.
A ghost of a smile played at Willa’s face as she set the plate chargers around the table. “Good. Staying on campus this summer. She’s got a job and is taking a class. She’s determined to be the first in our family to graduate from college.”
Without spelling it out, Willa had let Madison know that her daughter was not only okay but thriving. Matt was glad to hear it. Like Madison, he didn’t want any harm to befall the brave girl who had chosen to aid Madison in fleeing these cutthroats.
Madison smiled. “Georgetown is a great school. I’m sure she’ll be a huge success, whatever she chooses to do.”
“Thank you.” Willa sent her grin rife with more fondness than her words suggested. “I’ll tell her you send your best.”
“Please do.”
The two women exchanged a glance. They wanted to embrace. The older woman hurt for Madison since she’d been dragged away from friends, family, and home in Louisiana and back to the snake pit of DC. Madison did her best to assure Willa that she would be all right. But both exercised caution to allay suspicion and keep Sadie safe.
When Madison headed for the exit, Matt followed, giving Willa a nod. He hoped the maid got the message that he was an ally if something went astray. The housekeeper gave him a parting smile.