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)
Matt sat back, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Goddamn it.”
She dropped her voice. “He’s the reason people think politicians are corrupt. I always suspected it, but seeing it in action over the last few years… None of them want to solve our problems. If they do, they have nothing to run on.”
“Fuck. And I thought I was cynical.”
“I never was until I moved here and married into this family.”
Matt sat back, his thoughts obviously racing. Then he shook his head. “I don’t care. Let the senator do to me whatever he wants. If I get fired, I’ll figure out another way to make money. I’ll keep my nose as clean as possible and hire good lawyers. I’ll warn all my friends and coworkers. The only ‘loved one’ I have left is Dad, and he’s…Dad. I will do what I need and sacrifice whatever it takes to keep you safe. As soon as they release you from this fucking hospital, we’re leaving DC and not looking back. Todd, along with all the other Pershings, can go fuck themselves.”
Tears pricked her eyes, and she grabbed his hand again. “I love that you’re willing to risk everything for my safety, but I can’t let you do that.”
“You’re not letting me do anything. I’m insisting. What kind of fucking bodyguard would I be if I let you stay in danger?”
She sighed, wishing she could just climb out of bed, throw herself into his arms, and lose herself in his touch. But the IV attached to her other hand and the headache still plaguing her had other ideas. “The kind who listens to the woman he’s protecting. I can’t go. Even if I was okay with you taking all those risks for me—and I’m not—I have to stay for my father. He’s at one of the best cancer hospitals in the country, with one of the best doctors, getting the best treatments. The Pershings are paying for that. It’s millions. If I leave, they stop. And what happens to Daddy?”
Matt frowned, and she saw the moment he realized her arguments trumped his. He ripped his hand from hers and hopped to his feet, looking like he sought a wall—or a Pershing—to beat the shit out of. Instead, he sighed in defeat. “Goddamn it, honey.”
“I’m sorry. I know you hate it.” She bit her lip, frustrated that the day had left her emotions so close to the surface that she was about to cry. “I keep waiting for you to tell me that everything I’m dealing with is too much shit, and that you’re ready to dump me for someone more attractive with a lot less problems—”
The door to her room swung open. Madison gathered her hands in her lap, trying not to stare at Matt and beg him silently to understand. Instead, she watched the doctor enter the room, a no-nonsense guy around forty who shut the door behind him, then glanced between her and her chart.
“Madison Pershing?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Dr. Connard, head of ER here. I’ve got a few questions and some test results for you.” He swiveled his gaze to Matt. “I already know your husband is outside, addressing the press. The whole carnival is blocking the ambulance entrance and inhibiting our ability to save lives.”
Madison felt her face heat. “I’m so sorry. If I could get Todd to move…”
Matt pushed away from the corner of the room. “With all due respect, her heart stopped beating completely less than two hours ago. I don’t think that berating her about her husband is going to help that any.”
Dr. Connard cleared his throat. “It’s not, and we’ve asked the police to address the situation. Since you’re not the husband, you must be the…”
“Bodyguard.”
“Ah.” He clapped his mouth shut. “I understand her physical safety is your concern, but I need to speak to your client about some sensitive medical information. We take our patients’ privacy very seriously here. If you could just wait outside…”
Madison opened her mouth to tell him that Matt could stay. Something on his face stopped her. “Matt…”
He shook his head, looking even more pissed off. “I’m opening the drapes so I can see inside, and that door better not be locked or I’ll be throwing a chair through the first damn window if there’s any sign of trouble.”
The doctor nodded. “Duly noted. We’ll only be a few minutes.”
Matt caught her eye like he half expected her to insist to Connard that he stay. Madison refused to meet his gaze, instead nodding. “I’ll be fine. Promise.”
He merely raised a brow at her, but she’d already known he wouldn’t be happy about being separated from her after such a traumatic incident. His nerves were on edge, and she understood. But if something was medically wrong, she didn’t want to jolt him with that, either.
On slow footsteps that ate up all the quiet in her room, he made his way to the door, jerked back the curtains, then stared at her one last time before he shut the door with a sigh. Her heart sank. He wasn’t angry, but it hurt her to upset him.