Page 91 of Peyton's Price

“No,” he finally said.

Peyton burst into tears as Liam collapsed on the cushions in relief.

Liam grunted aloud. “Can we maybe wash away this fight under a hot shower? I’ve been on a plane for hours.”

“That sounds good to me.” Peyton gave them a watery smile.

Matthias stood. He seemed a little wobbly, but so much calmer. Bending, he offered his hand to Peyton, helping her to her feet.

Liam’s relief wasn’t complete until Matthias bent to nuzzle Peyton’s hairline.

“Why don’t you two go ahead?” he suggested. “I need to reply to a text from Trick.”

With matching nods, Peyton and Matthias headed off to the suite’s bathroom arm in arm.

Sighing, Liam took off his coat, feeling as if he’d dodged a bullet.More like a ballistic missile.

With a grimace, he took out the small black box from his left pocket. Unable to resist, he flipped open the lid, admiring the gleaming set of rings.

There were three, of course, but he’d have to wait until another week or two to see if the exclusive jeweler had the sizing right.

They’ll say yes, he told himself.

Granted, those two had blindsided him tonight, but in a couple of days, things would go back to normal. Once it did, he’d be able to lock this down.

Probably… As long as there were no other bombshells waiting to blow him out of the water.

Chapter 37

Matthias spared a passing thought for eavesdropping on Peyton’s conversation, but his guilt was short-lived. If she hadn’t wanted him to listen, she would have closed the bedroom door.

Besides, this Mason Ward was the reason she had been keeping secrets for the last few months. Well, Ward was part of the reason, he amended.

Peyton had started investigating the disaster in Belarus to find a way to assuagehisguilt over what happened. And then she kept lying to help that young girl get out of a horrible situation. Anisa was now attending a boarding school in southern Colorado. Much to everyone’s relief, she was thriving there.

He leaned forward, straining to hear what Peyton was telling Ward. He caught the words ‘cafe’ and a time. Checking his watch, he guessed Mason was coming here in a few hours.

By sheer coincidence, he decided he needed a more up-to-date prospectus on the acquisition he was supposed to make this afternoon. Texting Priya, he had her move his meeting to the following afternoon. And perhaps Mason would appreciate lunch catered by a Michelin-starred chef.

Peyton would see through his schedule rearrangement in a heartbeat, but she was being very indulgent at the moment. She still felt bad about hiding her investigation from him.

Besides, he’d done a background check on Agent Ward. Though there was nothing objectionable in his background, the photo Priya included pictured a young and handsome man. On impulse, he called the Caislean’s kitchen to arrange the special lunch, hanging up with a mild flash of contrition.

Normally, he’d feel like shit for throwing his weight around. Emotional blackmail had been his ex-wife’s specialty. After they had broken up, Matthias had taken a good long look at himself and the way he behaved in relationships. But in this particular instance, he wasn’t above playing on Peyton’s guilt. It was for her own protection.

Liam wouldn’t have had any qualms about it, he reminded himself. Which was why it was good their other partner would be tied up until this evening. Peyton would be much more tolerant of any interference if she weren’t getting it from both sides.

Now there’s a much better idea.A flood of sensual memories flooded his mind. He smiled, planning to make many more.

Peyton came into the room just then. She responded to his grin with one of her own. “What has you in such a good mood?”

“My meeting got pushed back, so I thought we’d have lunch,” he replied easily, taking advantage of the moment.

“It was?” There was a thread of suspicion in her tone, but Peyton’s benign expression suggested she wasn’t going to make an issue of it. Clearly, growing up around the Tylers had taught her when to pick her battles.

“Lunch sounds great, but I may not be able to make it. It depends on the timing.”

“Agent Ward can join us.”

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