“АНН!”
Madison was slammed against the wall, Ethan’s hands closing around her throat.
Jason froze in shock, then rushed forward to pull his brother back: “Are you out of your fucking mind? She’s Madison!” But Ethan acted like he couldn’t hear him: “You knew, didn’t you? Those were your people, weren’t they?”
“You said they treated you well when you were kidnapped–then explain these goddamn fingers!”
Madison’s eyes widened in terror, only managing to squeeze out a weak sound from her throat: “I… I don’t… know…”
“Ethan!” Jason punched his brother in the face, finally creating some distance between him and Madison.
He seized the opportunity to frantically position himself in front of Madison, desperately trying to protect her from his own brother. “Madison had nothing to do with this! Maybe you should consider that Ava staged the whole thing!”
But Ethan just laughed bitterly: “She called me… I had a chance to save her… If Madison hadn’t fed me all those lies, why would I have canceled my plans?”
“Madison Blackwood.” This was the first time he’d ever used her full name so coldly, “Tell me the truth. What’s your real relationship with those kidnappers?”
“Ethan…” Madison covered her mouth, her lips trembling as her face crumpled.
“Ethan!” Jason grabbed his brother’s arm. “Apologize to Madison right now!”
Ethan just stared Madison down. “Spill it! You know damn well nobody in this room can stop me.”
“Ethan!” Jason hissed under his breath.
Tears hit the floor as Madison suddenly grabbed an ornamental sword from the wall display, pressing the blade to her own
throat.
Ethan stood frozen.
Jason lunged forward. “Madison, no!”
The sword clattered to the ground, but not before leaving a thin line of blood across Madison’s neck.
She still reached desperately for the blade. “Let go of me! Maybe if I’m dead, you’ll finally believe I’m innocent! Don’t stop me–let me join Ava!”
Jason held her tight, frantically yelling at his brother: “What the hell are you waiting for? Apologize!”
Madison looked at Ethan through her fears. “Ethan, if you don’t trust me, I could cut my heart out and show it to you–would you believe me then?”
Seeing the blood trickling from her neck, Ethan stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m sorry…”
ma Freed in My Own
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Madison trembled in his embrace, her fists heating weakly against his chest
He didn’t resist instead, he held her even tighter.
Until Madison collapsed sobbing against him. Jason finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But watching his brother hold her so close, a shadow of something else crossed his features.
Chapter 9
