“He’s not altruistic,” Genie promised. “He was determined to bulldoze a path to you, and that meant bringing Todd, Winston, and the whole operation down. He didn’t sleep. He didn’t eat. For days. All he cared about was unraveling the pieces of the puzzle for you.”

  Madison’s heart wrenched. Was it possible Genie was telling the truth? Wanting to believe clashed with her insecurities and tore at her composure. “I don’t know. I…”

  “I do.” Genie took her hands. “But I really came here to tell you a few things. My door is always open. I hope to end this chapter of my life with your friendship, so please don’t be a stranger. And if you ever need an ear or a hug, I’m here.”

  Tears pricked Madison’s eyes. “My door is always open, too. You always have my friendship. And thank you for everything.”

  “Good. By the way, don’t worry about your father’s medical bills. I’ve got you covered.”

  She couldn’t be serious. “Oh, I couldn’t take⁠—”

  “You’re not. I’m taking some of the money Winston gave Montrose to buy off Brent’s death—cash my soon-to-be ex-douchebag put in my name—and I’m doing what I want with it. Helping you. Don’t say anything except thank you.”

  Madison bit her lip. Her gesture was so generous, but she understood the woman’s need to use that blood money to prolong life. “Thank you. So, so much.”

  Genie hugged her, and Madison watched the well-dressed blonde leave the room with her head held high and a swagger to her step. No one deserved happiness more.

  Haisley’s return saved her from dwelling on the older woman’s assurances about Matt and his feelings. She was well-meaning, but Madison feared the man she loved wasn’t coming back. At some point, Madison would reach out and see if he was interested in visitation with his son or daughter. She hoped he didn’t reject their child simply because she was its mother.

  “Everything come out okay in the bathroom?” Madison tried to joke.

  Her bestie wasn’t falling for it. “Oh, honey. You look like you’re about to fall apart. What did she say?”

  Sniffling, Madison shook her head. “Nothing. I’ll be fine.”

  “Will some flowers cheer you up?” Ethan asked from the doorway.

  She perked up. “Hey! Thanks for coming.”

  “Hell, yeah. I wouldn’t have missed the chance to tell you that you kicked ass yesterday.”

  Madison frowned. “Hardly. Todd almost used me as a human skewer.”

  “And that was the only reason we couldn’t get to you faster. We didn’t want to make the situation any more dangerous, but you had so much fight, sweet pea. You got yourself out of that. Matt was so fucking proud of you but worried as hell when you passed out. It took a few of us to physically restrain him from leaving the feds’ interrogation. He kept pacing like a maniac and demanding updates on your condition.”

  Guilt? Concern about the baby? Or…was it possible he actually still loved her? If so, where was he?

  “Do you know how to shut your damn mouth?” Nash demanded as he strode into the room.

  Instantly, his eyes cut to Haisley. She turned red and pretended sudden interest in her phone.

  Seriously, what was up with those two?

  “What? I’m not saying anything that’s not true,” Ethan insisted.

  Nash just rolled his eyes and wedged his way closer. “How are you feeling, little one?”

  Confused. Afraid. Wondering what’s going on. “Okay.”

  “You’re a horrible liar. Need anything? I’ll make sure you get it.”

  He would, she knew. “No. I appreciate it. And I appreciate everything you two did to keep me safe from Todd.”

  “What a tool,” Ethan muttered. “We would have done anything to make sure he didn’t hurt you. ’Cause, you know, we’re hot and protective and heroic and amazing.” He winked.

  Madison had to smile. “You are.”

  He set the flowers on her hospital table. “Oh, you agreed with me. Does that mean you’ll give me a pity date, sweet pea?”

  She slanted him a challenging glance. “Anytime you’re up for a romcom marathon, let me know.”

  “Would you look at the time… I’ve got a plane to catch. Now that my Q and A with the feds is over, I’m on to another mission. See you back in Lafayette.” He kissed her cheek.

  “Be safe.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” he quipped, then sent her a jaunty salute before heading out.

  “He’s crazy.” Haisley shook her head, then sent Nash a sidelong glance. “You’re all crazy.”

  “Is that why you never texted me back?”

  Her bestie turned red again.

  So something was going on between the two of them.

  Haisley sent him a withering stare and pointed at her lying in the bed. “Can you not see my best friend just survived the most harrowing event of her life? This conversation isn’t important right now.”

  Madison knew her bestie’s tactics to put off uncomfortable topics. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re not.”

  Nash laughed and sauntered toward Haisley, towering over her and looking as if he’d love to eat her up. “What are you afraid of, little girl?”

  Oh, those were fighting words for Haisley. “Nothing. Not a damn thing.”

  “Liar.”

  Madison grinned. Nash had her bestie’s number. She had a feeling their push-pull was about to get interesting.

  “Think what you want. I’m going to the bathroom.”

  Haisley was halfway out the door when Madison called after her. “Didn’t you just go?”

  Her bestie whirled and gaped. “You just threw me under the bus. Really? Judas.”

  “He’s a good guy,” she told Haisley softly.

  But she was already gone.

  “Thanks. See you back in Lafayette?” Nash squeezed her shoulder again.

  “Yeah.” It would hurt hanging out with Matt’s friends, but she refused to cut them from her life just because he didn’t want her.

  “Great. I’m just going to go…” He nodded toward the door where Haisley had gone.

  “Hurry. Or she’ll get away.” And Madison didn’t just mean her bestie would lose Nash in the hospital halls.

  “Oh, I’m so on it.” He grinned and disappeared around the corner, only to pop his head in the doorframe again. “Don’t go anywhere.”

  Why would he say that? “I can’t. I haven’t even been discharged yet.”

  “Good. Yeah. Just…stay put. See you!”

  When he dashed down the hall, Madison smiled, hoping that he caught Haisley. She needed someone who would be steady, wouldn’t be intimidated by her sass—or her baggage—and would be capable of loving her forever.

  In the sudden silence, Madison closed her eyes and slid her hands over her stomach protectively, refusing to feel sorry for herself. Daddy was getting better. She had good friends. She was strong enough to find a way forward in life. And according to all the doctors, her baby was healthy. Nothing else really mattered.

  And if she missed Matt so much she felt as if her chest was ripping in two, she would get over him…eventually. No, she already knew that wasn’t true. She hadn’t in the three years they were apart. She wouldn’t now, either.

  But she would find a way forward without him.

  Madison sighed and let sleep take her. She didn’t know how much time passed when she woke to a calloused hand wrapping around her cheek. She jolted and blinked.

  Matt. There he was, leaning over her, staring at her like he never wanted to stop.

  Her heart lurched. “You’re here?”

  Apology lit his eyes before he even spoke. “I’m so damn sorry it took so long to reach you. The feds… Their questions were endless, and since I was buried ass deep in the evidence Genie recovered from her son’s computer, they kept me longer…” He shook his head. “That’s over now. How are you, honey? How’s the baby?”

  Madison gaped. Hope hit her system like a drug. She tried not to tear up, but it was hopeless. “How long have you known?”

  “I found out the day before I left.”

  Just when she thought her heartache couldn’t get any worse… Madison closed her eyes. He’d known, and he’d left anyway. “I understand. I’m fine. I’ll handle everything. You don’t have to worry about me or the baby.”

  He shook his head, brushing his thumb across her cheek. “Are you crazy? You and the baby are all I worried about for the last month. Honey, I know I can’t make up for all the things I said when I left. I tried to help you understand that night. When we were alone in the dungeon? I couldn’t just tell you I was leaving, rescuing Graciela, and planning to do whatever it took to free you. Your reactions—your hurt—had to be genuine. If they weren’t, if I didn’t break your heart—Toddhole’s words—he was going to kill you. Believe me, saying that shit to you nearly crushed me.” His thumb drifted over her lips as her eyes filled with tears. “I never, ever want to do anything but love you.” Then he settled his hand over her stomach. “And our baby. You didn’t tell me you were pregnant.”

  The hot drops spilled down her face, and she swiped them away. “I knew if I did, you would carry me out of Todd’s place that instant and I would never be free of him. I thought that if I could hide the pregnancy from everyone, play along until after the midterms, and then leave with nothing but the clothes on my back, he would finally let me go.”

  Matt shook his head. “When he kept threatening you and acting like a jealous prick, I knew that was never going to happen. I’m so sorry I had to put the mission over feelings and that I couldn’t explain. But I finally realized that was our only way out. I just hope you can forgive me.”

  She never had to worry about Todd Pershing ruling her life again. For that, she would always be grateful. But the pain Matt had caused… She didn’t know how to make that stop. Or if it ever would. “When you left, you attacked me exactly where you knew it would hurt most.”

  “I know. Oh, honey. Your devastated expression has been a repeating nightmare in my head. Every fucking time I closed my eyes, that face was the only thing I saw. I’ve worked so hard to get back to you, all so I could tell you I didn’t mean a word of it. All so I could assure you that I love you, now and always.”

  Madison’s emotions pinged between the despair she’d been living with for nearly a month and the hope worming its way back into her heart. “Genie came. She told me you worked tirelessly to help victims like Graciela and bring Todd down.”

  “And I would do it again a hundred times over if it meant saving you. I never touched Graciela. She was terrified and was about to be sold at auction. If Todd was going to force me to decimate you on my way out, I figured I could at least save her before it was too late.”

  Matt had done the right thing, and she couldn’t begrudge him in the face of Todd’s threats. But that didn’t make her hurt go away. “I understand.”

  “No. You don’t, honey. The way you’re looking at me is killing me. What can I do to prove I didn’t mean a word I said that night? Want me to take out a billboard? Tattoo it all over my body? I promise you I’ll never hurt you with those words again as long as you promise to be honest with me, too. We have to do that if we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”

  “The rest of our lives?” She blinked at him. Had she heard that right?

  “Yeah. Absolutely. You agreed to marry me. I’m holding you to that. I’m determined to make you Mrs. Montgomery so we can be happy for all our days together. You can’t back out on me. You weren’t planning to, right?”

  Madison bit her lip. But what was she waiting for? The man she loved had explained the reason he’d hurt her and was offering her the future she wanted more than anything. Still, a niggling part of her worried. “You’re sure?”

  “With all my heart. I love you, honey. I love your kindness, your gentleness, and your goodness. I love your compassion and your gumption. I love your hidden brat and your inner vixen. I especially love when you’re my good girl.” He sent her a filthy smile that smoothed into something wide and real. “But what I would love most is to call you my wife. Say yes.”

  “Is that a command?”

  Matt took her hand and slid Todd’s heirloom rock off her finger. She hadn’t even realized she was still wearing it, but once he’d removed it, she felt a hundred pounds lighter, like he’d taken all her past suffering with it. She was free. She could walk out of here and be alone forever, answering to nothing and no one.

  Or she could choose Matt and a life with him.

  In that moment, Madison knew she wanted Matt. She wanted his protectiveness, his sense of right and wrong, and his possessive nature. She wanted him by her side, raising their children, sharing their love. She wanted what she’d always wanted with him.

  Forever.

  Tears fell in earnest again. This time, she nodded and threw herself into his arms. “Yes!”

  He gripped her face and wiped away her tears as he searched her eyes like he was trying to read her soul. “Yes? You mean it? You promise?”

  “I promise. I want to be your wife. I want that more than anything.”

  “Oh, thank fuck, honey. I wasn’t taking no for an answer, but…”

  He swooped in and kissed her in a hard press of lips that conveyed his thrill and relief before softening into a seductive slide that had her parting in welcome and allowing him deep. Madison clung to him, curling one hand around his neck and lifting the other as far as her IV would go.

  Finally, he broke away. His hands shook as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “This is the other reason I was late. I wanted to come to you with a ring in hand to prove I was serious about being your husband.”

  “Where did you find a reputable jeweler in DC before noon?”

  He smiled as he pried open the lid. “Genie helped me. Turns out, she knows pretty much everyone in this town.”

  With as many parties as she’d thrown over the years? “She does. Oh, my god!” Madison gasped as she laid eyes on the simple princess-cut solitaire, so different than the giant oval boulder Todd had put on her finger three years ago. This ring was so her. It was so perfect.

  Matt slid it on her finger, and it fit as if it had been made for her. She looked at him with her heart in her eyes and couldn’t wipe the beaming smile from her face. “This is really happening.”

  “God, I hope so. I can’t live another day without you.”

  “I don’t want to live another day without you,” she whispered. “I love you.”

  He kissed her again, settling against her mouth as if he was starving for the taste of her. When they finally broke apart, they were both panting and staring into each other’s eyes with unspoken promises of pleasure soon to come. And their shared forever.

  “What time do you get out of here?” He sounded husky and impatient.

  “After lunch. Hunter arranged a private plane to Louisiana for me at six. Are you coming with me?”

  “Hell, yeah! If you’ll be there, I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  Her smile widened now that all her dreams were coming true. “I…um, arranged to spend a few days at Jack’s cabin, too.”

  “Even better. You smart, smart woman. This is going to be good.” He kissed her again. “I knew there was a reason I loved you.”

  “Don’t ever forget it,” she said softly.

  “Never. From now on, you’re mine. Nothing and no one will ever come between us again.”

  “Ever,” she vowed before they sealed their love with a kiss.

  Nash and Haisley have a story to tell. You’re going to want to hear this…

  WICKED AND RUTHLESS

  Nash and Haisley, Part One

  Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire

  By Shayla Black

  Click to preorder!

  (will be available in eBook and print)

  She knows love is a fairytale…until a ruthless operative steals her heart.

  Join my VIP Newsletter for three FREE sizzling series starters and be the first to discover new releases, exclusive content, cover reveals, sales, freebies, and more. Don’t miss the excitement!

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  Thank you for reading Wicked and Bare! If you enjoyed this book, please review and/or recommend it to your reader friends. That means the world to me!

  WICKED AND RUTHLESS

  Nash and Haisley, Part One

  Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire

  By Shayla Black

  Click to preorder!

  (will be available in eBook and print)

  She knows love is a fairytale…until a ruthless operative steals her heart.

  Haisley Rowe has always believed that happily-ever-afters are pretty lies. But after a scorching, year-long fling with a rugged operative, she committed the ultimate sin: falling for a man who will never love her back. Carrying her secret, she left town. Two years later she’s back, and a fateful run-in proves he alone still ignites her—body and soul.

  * * *

  Nash Scott disavowed marriage and babies...until Haisley blazed into his life, all fiery red hair and saucy sexiness, awakening his insatiable desire and becoming his deepest obsession. Now that she’s returned, he’ll do whatever it takes to make her his for good.

  * * *

  When he tackles a twisted abduction case, he discovers Haisley is embroiled, too. In a high-stakes world of vast power and unthinkable danger, they will have to repair each other’s hearts and their shattered trust before it’s too late. But as darker forces zero in, shocking secrets will be uncovered and threaten to tear them apart forever…