Page 86 of Peyton's Price

Peyton had hashed and rehashed her plan a million time, but her biggest concern was that the girl would back out. Anisa was young and scared, but staying with Omer, as repugnant as he was, might be less frightening to her than striking out on her own.

Or Omer had discovered his almost-legal girlfriend was leaving him, and he’d done something terrible to her.Don’t borrow trouble.

Peyton took a deep breath, trying to calm down. She craned her neck, scanning the crowd, but there was no sign of Anisa. She took another ill-advised sip of the smoothie, cursing her upset stomach.

It’s not just that. Your breasts are sore.

She pressed her hands hard against her thighs. That didn’t mean anything. Both Matthias and Liam paid a great deal of attention to that area. No doubt that was why her breasts ached. She wasn’t pregnant.

Pushing her misgiving to the back of her mind, she debated whether she should leave. Deciding to risk another text to Anisa, she reached for her phone.

A big hand settled heavily on her shoulder. She opened her mouth to scream, but she choked it – down when she recognized the man looming over her.

“Peyton.” Matthias flushed, his eyes narrowed on her face.

“Hi!” she squeaked. Jumping out of her chair, she gave him a tentative hug while giving her purse a good kick. Unfortunately, it didn’t make it under the table, catching on the heel of her boots instead.

Matthias bent, frowning as he snatched the bag up. “Why did you sneak out of the hotel?”

“Uh…”

He straightened, his back ramrod straight. “I know you’re hiding something. You’ve been behaving strangely for days. Did you think I hadn’t noticed?”

Peyton briefly considered bluffing, but one look into his troubled and bloodshot eyes and she didn’t even try. Hanging her head, she sat in the uncomfortable cafe chair. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been acting strangely.”

She had been so worried he would notice her anxiety and preoccupation she’d been actively avoiding him, even going so far as to spend the night in one of the suite’s other bedrooms. Her excuse had been weak—she’d told him she had a headache.

The hurt on Matthias’ face was like a dagger to her heart.

“What is going on?” he asked. “I don’t understand what all this cloak-and-dagger secrecy is for. Have you been recruited to the CIA?”

He glanced down at her purse. “And what is in here that you don’t want me to see?”

Peyton gripped her hands together. “It’s a package. Some documents.”

Matthias let loose a short bark of laughter. “So, I was right? You are a spy now?”

His accent had thickened so much she could barely understand him.

“No. The papers are from Priya,” she said. The need to confess all was overwhelming, but Anisa had appeared at the end of the food court.

The girl was walking fast, turning her head every which way as if she were both looking for Peyton and checking to see if she’d been followed.

“Oh,crap.” She grabbed Matthias arm. “You have every right to be suspicious because I did keep a secret, but you must trust me now. I need you to leave.”

Matthias’ lips parted in protest, but she tightened her hold. “Please. I think she’ll leave if she sees you, and she needs help.”

Desperate, she gave him a little push. He went, but not far.

Shooting her a supercilious glare, Matthias straightened his jacket with a snap. He walked to the left a few feet, then settled at the table next to her with a defiant air.

Trying not to cringe, Peyton forced her features to smooth. The last thing she wanted was for Anisa to see her mid-panic.

The girl finally spotted her. She hurried over, then sat in the chair Matthias just vacated. “Thank God you are still here,” she said, out of breath, her English more stilted than usual. “I’m so sorry I’m late. Omer’s afternoon meeting was canceled, and he wanted to, um, you know…”

“Yeah, I know,” Peyton said, gritting her teeth.

“I had to wait until he fell asleep.” Anisa’s face was tight, but there was a resolution there Peyton hadn’t seen the first time they met. “Was your friend able to get me a new passport?”

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