Free A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

into the pockets of her tailored jacket. “Besides,” she said, throwing a hand into the air to hail them a cab. “I’ll be damned if I’m traipsing into every cracked-out hovel in the city.”
    Eden ducked into an upscale restaurant, edging past the hostess with a gesture at an imaginary table at the back of the room. She scanned the patrons and shot back every glare from the high-society bitches around her.
    After two hours of what felt a hell of a lot like aimless wandering through Soho, it was becoming clear that Madeline’s Gabe-dar wasn’t as accurate as she’d made it out to be in the cab.
    Eden ignored snickers at her clothes as she completed her loop.
    “Is there something I can help you with?” the hostess snipped. Eden didn’t have the energy to work up a snarky reply. Madeline stood beside her unbothered, fitting in flawlessly.
    “Where to next?” Madeline asked before she opened the door and headed back into the cold.
    Eden followed without answering. When she and Az went searching, she could almost feel Gabe around each corner, just out of sight, the premonition strong enough to quicken her steps. But with Madeline, there was nothing.
    “He’s not here,” Eden said, defeated. “He’s not anywhere.” She eyed a small Thai place as they walked past it, but the fight had left her. She didn’t go in. She’d hoped. Really hoped this would be the time they’d find him.
    “Giving up so soon?”
    Eden’s head snapped up at the amusement in Madeline’s tone. A trickle of unease crept up her spine.
    “It’s starting to feel like a bit of a wild goose chase,” Eden said. She’d called Madeline, hoping she’d help her find Gabe, that the incentive of having Vaughn killed would push Madeline. But with the boredom, the halfhearted attempts at describing Gabe to doormen and waiters while Eden grilled for answers—it almost seemed as if Madeline weren’t really searching at all. “It’s starting to feel like you only wanted me away from the apartment.”
    Madeline raised an eyebrow at the accusation. But then the twinkle in her eye caught fire. A devilish grin spread across her face.
    “What did you do?” Eden demanded.
    Madeline shrugged innocently. “Nothing,” she said slowly, drawing the word out.
    Eden backed away from her down the sidewalk, stumbling as she bumped into people. Someone shoved her aside. She pulled the phone from her pocket with a shaking hand, only let her eyes flick away from Madeline’s long enough to cue up Az’s cell. “You hurt them and I’ll end you, I swear to God.”
    The smile dropped from Madeline’s face. “Has anyone ever told you that you have serious trust issues?” she shouted as she covered the space Eden had put between them. “I promise, Az and Jarrod are home, safe and sleeping.”
    Eden glanced up. “I have no reason to believe you.”
    Her thumb moved to hit Send.
    “Wait.” Madeline lifted a finger. “How furious would Az be that you aren’t home?” She dug into her coat pocket, pulled out her own phone and handed it to Eden. “He’s fine . So’s Jarrod.”
    On Madeline’s display was a list of text messages, the same one sent every fifteen minutes since they’d been out. “Apt entrance clear. No lights.”
    “They’re safe and sleeping, Eden.” Madeline took the phone back gently.
    “You have someone watching?” Eden asked. Her voice wavered, angry and uncertain, knowing how easily Madeline could have had someone send her the texts. They meant nothing. Madeline nodded. “Is there some plan you know about? Is that why you’re having them … protected? And why wouldn’t you tell me?”
    “Because you wouldn’t see it as me being thoughtful.” She lifted a shoulder with a half smile and then sighed when Eden didn’t react. “I was flattered when you asked me to help you look for Gabe, and I didn’t want something to happen to your boys while you were gone. I know they mean a lot to you.”
    Eden ignored the attempt