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)
Madison rolled her eyes. “Only because you thought Merle Oberon’s Cathy was hotter than Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Jane. Gotta be honest…if we’re going on pure eye candy, Laurence Olivier is head and shoulders more attractive than William Hurt. But we’re not basing this on looks.”
“We’re not?” Ethan blinked as if she’d stunned him.
She cuffed him on the shoulder. “No. Jane Eyre is a better story.”
“You’re full of shit, so I should get to pick today’s movies. Ever seen the Fast and Furious series?”
Madison couldn’t think of anything she wanted to watch less and was glad she had another agenda. “Actually, no movies on the sofa today. Where’s Todd?”
“Haven’t seen him this morning.”
So probably still in bed. “Do you know if he went out last night?”
“No clue.”
She had to take a chance that he’d sleep half the day, as usual. “I need to run to the drugstore for a few minutes. You can stay here. I’ll be fine. It’s just around the corner.”
Madison grabbed her hobo bag and keys and tried to dash out the front door before Ethan could catch her.
No such luck.
“You’re fucking crazy if you think I’m letting you take one step outside this unit without me. You know you’re not supposed to leave anyway, because your husband will get his panties in a twist, but I’m guessing you don’t care, so I’ll go with you.”
Where he’d see her buy prenatal vitamins and immediately guess her secret. “It’s not necessary. I just need tampons.”
“Have some delivered.”
“I need some right now.”
Ethan hesitated, then grabbed her wrist, dragging her down the hall to his bedroom. At the entrance, she dug in her heels, but he was way too strong. He all but tossed her on his big, unmade bed, keeping her in place with a warning glare as he searched through his scattered clothes and found his sneakers. After he donned them, he checked the firearm she hadn’t noticed at his side. “Let’s go.”
Outside the unit, Madison could finally take a deep breath. Once they’d cleared the lobby and the sunshine warmed her face, she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Her zen was temporary, but she needed it so badly.
“Where is the drugstore from here? After yesterday, I don’t think you should walk in the heat.”
True, and until she could get rid of Ethan, the prenatal vitamins would have to wait. “You’re right. Just get me away from here.”
“This isn’t about tampons, is it?”
“No.”
“How far away do you want to be? Listen, if you’re thinking Louisiana, I’ll have you there before nightfall. I’m fucking shocked Matt didn’t insist.”
“He did.” And she didn’t dare say more since they were too close to the building’s surveillance.
“So you refused to go?” Ethan raked a hand through his hair. “I fucking swear, if you were my woman, I would put you over my knee.”
Madison believed him. “Focus. I think…I have an idea.” She needed dirt on Todd today, and the place where she’d inadvertently mined a treasure trove of it during her one surprise visit was probably her best hope. “We need a car. I’ll explain on the way.” She sent a meaningful glance to the camera above the building’s grand entrance.
“You got it.” But instead of calling for an Uber or flagging down a passing taxi, Ethan whipped out his phone and hit someone from his contact list. “Hey, Uncle Rush.” He paused. “Yeah, I’m good. You and Aunt Vanessa?” Another pause. “Pregnant again? Wow. Congrats!” He smiled like he was genuinely happy for the pair. “You know, maybe you should figure out what’s causing that, because it seems to keep happening.” Whatever his uncle said made him laugh. “Will do. Hey, could you help me out, Mr. Former-Spy? And yeah, I know…don’t say that shit over the phone. Look, I’m in the DC area, and I need an untraceable ride.”
Two minutes later, Ethan was texting their location. In less than ten, an ugly orange compact pulled up at the curb. A guy with a beard and a ball cap pulled low waved them in. She frowned at Ethan as they climbed into the minuscule back seat. She practically had to sit on his lap to shut the door.
After twenty minutes and multiple changes of rides, they pulled into an empty bay at an auto body shop. A new driver, a woman who looked six feet tall and had the face of a supermodel, waved them into a sleek black Lexus. “Where to?”
Madison fumbled in her phone for the address. Then she powered the device down entirely.
Minutes later, they pulled in front of the building she’d only seen once, under the cover of darkness when she’d come to demand a divorce from Todd. The place gave her chills on sight.
“Pull over here.” Madison pointed to a curb near the underground parking entrance.