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Trying to silence me.
“I’ll be right here the whole time. You aren’t going to be alone for a single second.” Maddox’s gaze is steady on mine. “Intel wouldn’t suggest this if they thought it could get you hurt.”
That seems like a stretch. “They don’t even know me. I don’t think they’re that worried about my well-being.” Sure, they’re being paid to care, but there are limits to what money can buy.Sometimes those limits stretch further than they should, but they still exist.
Maddox frowns at me like I’ve offended him. “People don’t have to know you to want you to be safe, Audrey.”
That hasn’t been my experience at all. “People whodoknow me don’t want me to be safe, so you’ll have to forgive me for not believing you.”
I’ve been working hard at learning to stand up for myself. Doing my best to make sure I don’t end up in another bad situation. Disagreeing with this deadly man—even in such a small way—makes me feel like maybe I’m actually getting somewhere. No, this isn’t a huge argument, but speaking up about my experiences and countering his claims is something I never would have done before.
But when Maddox’s lips flatten and his nostrils flare, the familiar pang of panic twists my gut. Tells me I’ve said too much and gone too far. Self-preservation has me opening my mouth, ready to backtrack, but a knock on my door stops my words before they can even start.
Maddox and I both turn to the front of my apartment at the same time.
I swallow the saliva collecting in my mouth as my skin goes cold. “I think I might throw up.”
“Just breathe.” Maddox rests his hands on my shoulders, leaning down to align our eyes. “I can answer the door,” he says slowly and calmly, “but then you have to do the recording.”
I immediately bob my head in a nod, because recording sounds so much less scary than trying to interact with whoever’s on my doorstep. “I can record.”
Maddox holds my eyes a second longer before reaching into his pocket to retrieve his phone. After unlocking it, he opens the camera app and hands it to me. “I’ll keep his attention on me, but if something goes sideways and things start to seem like they’re headed the wrong direction, go lock yourself in the bedroom, understand?”
Again, I nod, the movement continuing as Maddox peels away his shirt, revealing the broad expanse of his bare chest.
“What are you doing?” If I sound breathless, it’s probably from panic. Definitely not a reaction to the sight of him naked from the waist up.
“If I answer the door in my gear, there’s the chance he’ll suspect who I am, and I’d like to keep that a secret for as long as we can.” Maddox’s answer is just above a whisper. His hands go to the waistband of his tactical pants, long fingers nimbly flipping the button free before dragging down the zipper. “Unless you’re opposed to someone thinking we’re...” His voice trails off instead of finishing the thought.
And I’d really like to hear him finish that thought.
“We’re, what?”
Whoever’s outside knocks again, and Maddox finishes shucking his pants, leaving him standing before me in nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs.
I swallow hard again, but this time it’s not from nausea. I knew he was well-built, but what’s in front of me now? This is justridiculous. Every muscle on his body is developed and toned, bulging with strength and raw power.
“Audrey.” The way he says my name is sharp. Like maybe he’s said it already and I missed it.
Forcing my eyes to his face, I smile out of reflex. “What?”
“It’s time.” He motions to the phone in my hand. “Be ready.”
“I’m ready.”
I follow him to the door, taking my spot behind it so I stay out of sight as Maddox uses one hand to mess up his hair. Then he’s unlocking the deadbolt and removing the only barrier between us and whoever is outside. I can’t see them, but I can still see Maddox, and he gives the other person a sleepy looking grin.
“Sorry. We were still asleep.” He lifts one arm, leaning against the door frame, effectively blocking the opening with his body. “Can I help you?”
“Umm…” The other man sounds surprised. “I might have the wrong address.”
Maddox’s free hand lifts to the edge of the door. It looks like he’s simply hanging on, but his pointer finger aims my way. It’s the signal that my part in this whole plan—formerly his part—is up.
Edging closer to the gap at the hinges, I align the back camera of his phone with the opening, watching the screen until our visitor comes into view. I can’t get a great look since I’m still standing off to the side, but he doesn’t seem familiar to me. A lot of people came and went from the house when I was married to Trevor though, so it’s possible I’ve seen him before and just don’t remember.
“Are you looking for someone in particular?” Maddox keeps the guy talking as I continue recording. From what he explained, the more video we have of this guy, the more likely it is he can be identified.
“Tom?” Our visitor practically blurts out the name.