Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
They were solid, and this argument was wasting time. He didn’t get to dictate to his bosses or Oracle’s owners how they helped, especially since this wasn’t a paying case.
“Two days ago, Madison Archer-Pershing went to tell her husband that she wanted a divorce and saw him commit murder.” He handed Jack a fresh copy of Madison’s video. “He tried to kill her. She’s been running since. She appeared on my doorstep last night. I don’t have to tell you that her in-laws can be powerful enemies with long arms. She needs a place to hide while we think of a long-term solution to ensure her safety.”
His words went off like a bomb in the gazebo, detonating an explosion of shocked silence. Matt knew they were all rocked.
“Shit,” Deke muttered first. “I still have friends in DC from my CIA days. Winston Pershing is dirty as fuck.”
“How else do you enter office with less than a hundred thousand dollars and be worth a hundred million forty years later?” Logan asked rhetorically.
Jack and Hunter both launched into problem-solving mode.
“Who is she with?” Jack wanted to know.
“Where is she now?” Joaquin demanded.
“Nash. They’re at his place.” When his trio of bosses all looked ready to object, Matt held up his hands. “I know it leaves the office unattended, but I called the person I trusted most who would come without question and swings by often enough not to raise brows if I’m being watched.”
“Do you think you are? Were you followed here?” Logan insisted.
“Hard to say. There’s a fucking horde of traffic out there today, and this is a residential neighborhood. Lots of coming and going.”
“Fuck,” Joaquin hissed. “I’ll fix the office problem. One minute.”
As the quietest of his bosses whistled at Ethan to get out of the pool, cut his holiday short, and head to the office, Hunter and Jack exchanged a glance full of silent communication.
Then the Cajun took over. “If you asked Hunter to loop me in on this conversation, you obviously had a reason. What do you need from me?”
“I’ve heard rumors that you’ve got a fishing cabin so remote it’s basically off the grid. If a bunch of boys from DC want to come to Louisiana and fuck with a lady, they’ll have a much harder time if they have to contend with the local wildlife.”
Jack burst out laughing. “Absolutely. The swamp is tricky even for a seasoned man to navigate. But if you don’t know where you’re going…well, the gators are usually on the prowl.”
“Is it a safe place to keep Madison while we figure out how to carve her a future?”
“One of the safest,” Jack assured, filling Matt with relief. “I’m assuming you want to take her into hiding ASAP?”
“Me? No. Either team have a spare guy? Madison would probably feel better if someone else watched over her. I’ll negotiate something with the senator. Her freedom for her silence.”
“That’s stupid as fuck,” Deke blurted. “What do you know about someone like Pershing?”
“Not much.”
“Exactly. My contacts would be better equipped since they run in those circles. You should watch the woman. You obviously care whether she lives.”
“I’m compromised.” When they all shot him narrow-eyed stares, he cursed. There was no diplomatic way to say this. “If you send me into hiding with Madison, I’ll spend way more time banging her than protecting her.” And losing his heart even more.
Logan raised a brow. “Didn’t get that out of your system after Trees and Laila’s wedding?”
“Not even close.” And he refused to explain beyond that.
The men looked at one another. Jack shrugged regretfully. “Ghost and Trevor are heading out tomorrow night, along with the new guy, Corden. Remi is still in the hospital after he got shot on his last op, and Sawyer is recovering after an emergency appendectomy on Monday. You can use the cabin for as long as you need, but from a personnel standpoint, we’re tapped.”
Deke nodded his agreement. “I’ll start talking to my contacts in DC about opening communication with Pershing’s people and get back to you.”
“After the party, I’ll put my hands on the keys to the cabin and anything else you might need to survive the swamp,” Jack said. “I’ll have to lead you there myself or you’ll never find it. But it would be safer to wait until morning. We can head out just before sunrise.”
Not the answer he wanted, but Matt understood. He’d already asked for a lot.
As Deke and Jack disappeared inside the house, Hunter and Logan exchanged a glance, then stared at him.
“We’ve got no one to give you but Ethan,” Logan said.
Hunter jumped in. “One-Mile has a government contract I can’t discuss. Zy and Trees leave Friday morning to head back to the Texas border. Kane is already there. More problems with coyotes.” And they didn’t mean the howling kind. “Since you were supposed to go with them and your head is obviously fucked up, I’m sending Nash. So if you want someone to protect Madison, that leaves Ethan…or you.”