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)
“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.
“Sure.” He released her. “Sorry. I know it’s been rough. You don’t want to finish your dinner?”
The idea of food actually made her queasy. “I’m good. I’ll just take my backpack and…”
“Okay. Do whatever you need. You can have the bed tonight. I’ll crash on the sofa.”
“I don’t want to kick you out of your room. Is the sofa even big enough for you?”
“I’ll manage. Besides, if anyone wants to get into the bedroom to get to you, they’ll have to get through me first.”
Madison tried to tell herself that wasn’t as terrifying as it sounded. “Just in case…what should I do if something happens?”
“Like we have unexpected company? Don’t worry about me—under any circumstances. You go. Head to the little dog balcony.”
“The what?”
He shoveled in the last bite and swallowed. “You know, one of those balconies so tiny it’s only there for someone’s pet chihuahua to take a shit on.”
That was such a man response, Madison had to laugh. “They’re called Juliet balconies.”
Nash scowled. “As in Romeo and?”
“Exactly. They’re decorative. Pretty. I don’t think they were designed with dogs’ functions in mind.”
“Well, someone needs to tell the sorority sister with the next balcony on the left to stop using hers in lieu of the dog park. That’s some bad news on a hot summer day.”
“Anyway…” Madison prompted, shaking her head. “The balcony? If someone comes?”
“Yeah, my piece of shit unit used to be attached to the one on the right. When they split it in half, they reimagined the floor plan like they were stoned, because you can only access my balcony from the bathroom. You’ll have to unlock the door and climb out. Once you do, stand on the railing—carefully—and jump up. Down is a free fall to a broken leg—or worse. But the guy above me is terrified of fires, so he’s got an emergency ladder in place. Get a hold of the bottom rung that’s dangling and pull. Once it slides down, climb it, then reel it back up.”
“But then I’m trapped on your neighbor’s balcony.”
“He sleeps like the dead. A couple months back, I met this woman in a bar, and we came back here. Things got really loud and…” Nash suddenly smiled, like he recalled who he was talking to. “Let’s just say every other neighbor complained…except that one.”
“I don’t need the details, just tell me how I’m supposed to get into your neighbor’s unit if he sleeps that hard. And if I knock, won’t the bad guys hear me?”
“Yeah. But you don’t have to knock. These balcony doors are old as fuck. They don’t lock well. Lift up the handle and jiggle a little. It will come open. A few steps, and you’ll be in his unit. It’s set up exactly like mine, so head out his front door and down the hall. When you reach the courtyard area, you’ll see a catwalk that connects you to the other tower. Get across and get out through their parking garage. It will dump you right around the corner from the university bar scene. Dive into one those places and wait. What number are you using now?”
She rattled off the number of her burner phone and watched as he inputted it into his device. “What if I can’t get that guy’s door open?”
“It shouldn’t be a problem, but if getting in goes sideways, stay really still. No one below should be able to see up there.”
She nodded. “Anything else?”
He approached, concern on his face. “Yeah. Try not to worry. I got you.”
“Thanks. This is temporary. Tomorrow night, you’ll have your bed back.” And she’d be with Ethan, whoever that was. “Maybe you’ll find another loud girl from a nearby bar.”