Simon Says Die

decorating, they looked like any other guest rooms—except that one of the rooms had a closet full of men’s clothes.
    She ran her fingers over the smooth, cool fabric of a light blue shirt. The faint smell of soap and cologne teased her senses. She couldn’t resist pulling the shirt close, and breathing deeply. There was no mistaking whose clothes these were. They belonged to Pierce.
    Was Tessa such a clotheshorse that she couldn’t give him enough space in the master closet? Madison moved to the chest of drawers on the other side of the room and reached for the handle on the top drawer.
    â€œLooking for something?”
    She straightened at the sound of a woman’s voice, Tessa’s voice. She was standing in the doorway, one of her pale, slender arms angled behind her, while her other hand tapped impatiently on her tight emerald-green skirt.
    Madison glanced past her.
    â€œHe’s not here,” Tessa said. “He had an important meeting.”
    â€œHe left me here? With you?” She didn’t bother to hide her surprise, or her relief. Leaving her with “pretty face” meant she was no longer Pierce’s prisoner. Madison didn’t care that the woman was several inches taller than her. Most people were taller than her, and she’d rarely met anyone she couldn’t outfight—if it came to that. “Well, in that case, I’ll go home now.”
    â€œI don’t think so.” Tessa pulled her other hand from behind her back, revealing the pistol she was holding. She aimed it toward the floor, gripping it with the confidence and poise of someone who knew how to handle a gun.
    Madison’s respect for her went up a notch.
    â€œPierce wants you to stay here until he gets back,” Tessa said. “He explained that you were . . . unhappy about being here. He also told me how sneaky you can be. If you give me any problems . . .” she shrugged, letting her unspoken threat hang in the air between them as she tapped her thigh with her gun.
    Well, well, well. Pretty face had some backbone to go along with that gun. Madison nodded to let her know she wasn’t going to try anything—yet.
    Tessa stepped back to let her out of the bedroom.
    When they reached the family room, Madison turned around, warily watching the other woman. “Now what?”
    Tessa patted the couch. “Sit, watch TV, make yourself something to eat. I don’t care what you do, as long as you don’t try to leave. When you’re ready to sleep, there are extra sheets and pillows in the hall closet.”
    â€œSleep? How long will Pierce be gone?”
    Tessa sat on the far end of the couch, her actions so smooth and graceful it made Madison feel far older than her twenty-eight years.
    â€œHe should be back by morning,” Tessa said. “Until then, you and I get to enjoy each other’s company.”
    Madison nearly choked on the bile rising in her throat. Enjoyable was not a word she’d use to describe being forced to spend time with Pierce’s fiancée. If she and “red” made it through the night without killing each other, it would be a miracle.
    M ADISON DECIDED TO show Tessa some mercy. After all, where was the fun in yanking out all that salon-perfect hair when the woman was sprawled across the couch, in a dead sleep?
    She didn’t even move when Madison took her gun away and set it on the kitchen counter. And the gun wasn’t even loaded.
    Madison rolled her eyes in disgust and settled into the recliner across from sleeping beauty. She would certainly never threaten someone with an empty gun.
    Neither would Pierce. Madison had always admired how competent he was, his quick reflexes, his skills as an investigator. He could handle himself in any situation. And he sure wouldn’t fall asleep while guarding someone.
    Tessa let out a loud snort.
    Madison shook her head and closed her eyes. When would Pierce be back? Was he working a case? He was good at what he did for a living, one of the best, but she couldn’t help but worry. After all, he was injured. His reflexes had to be off.
    When the sun’s first rays peeked through the window blinds, Madison was still wide awake. A few minutes later, a metallic screech sounded from the garage as the door began to raise, followed by the reassuring rumble of Pierce’s GTO as he pulled inside.
    Tessa jerked awake, blinking to focus. She lifted her empty