Page 51 of Peyton's Price

Eventually, the continued ringing got the best of him. “This better be good,” he barked.

“It’s about fucking time you picked up,” Calen snapped. “You have to get over here.”

“Your penthouse? Does Maia need something?

“No, atHelios, you jackass. I’m at work. It’s ten at night.”

Helios was the newest club Calen had opened in their hometown. It wasn’t a club in the traditional sense. It was more of a cross between an exclusive speakeasy and a cigar bar, but it served exquisite rare wines and small plates. These were prepared by a rotation of excellent no-name chef’s Calen managed to keep digging up, all thirsty for their shot at culinary stardom.

Liam raised his head, noting the dark sky and illuminated windows of the buildings around them with surprise. “Oh. I didn’t realize it was that late.”

“Whatever,” Calen snapped. “Get in your fucking car now. He’s here.”

“Who?”

“Raske.”

Liam bolted to his feet. “Is Peyton with him?”

“Nah, he’s alone. He’s holed up in the VIP room talking to some guy. Looks like a business meeting of sorts. I don’t know. Just get over here.”

Liam stopped asking questions. He grabbed his coat, texting Trick to go over the contract on his desk one more time before pushing it through legal for him.

He needed to find out why Peyton wasn’t with Matthias. What the hell had that man done to her?

* * *

It was almostcomical how quickly Liam showed up after Matthias arrived at Helios. Matthias had barely finished his convo with Bryce Brogan, the first candidate he wanted Peyton to meet, when Liam burst through the doors of the private VIP salon.

“Where is she?” he yelled from across the room.

Matthias sighed, dismissing Bryce with ayou-better-leave-fastgesture. Liam charged forward, scowling ferociously as the younger man passed him on the way out.

“I assume you mean Peyton,” he offered as Liam threw himself into the winged-back chair facing his.

“Who the fuck else would I be talking about?”

Matthias raised a brow and his glass at the same time. “Language,” he chided before taking a sip.

He flicked an imaginary piece of lint off his trouser leg. “And she’s not here. She’s still on theOrmen Lange.”

“You left her alone?”

Matthias’ mouth quirked, but he was starting to feel sorry for his former lover.

Liam had deeply set dark circles under his eyes. The brackets around his mouth were a little more harshly carved than the last time Matthias had seen him just a few weeks ago. Not that it detracted from his appeal. Even tired and unkempt, Liam was still one of the most roughly elegant men Matthias had ever met. He often wondered what would have happened if they hadn’t argued so viciously about the railroad.

“Are you upset because I’m with her or because I’m not?” he asked, affecting a casualness he didn’t feel. Seeing Liam again, alone this time, was more impactful than Matthias cared to admit.

“Don’t be a fucking douchebag on top of being a twatwaffle.”

“Awhat?” He laughed. That was a new one for him.

“It’s one of Peyton’s favorite swearwords,” Liam informed him. “Clearly, you haven’t pissed her off enough yet for her to call you that. Perhaps when you get back. I can’t imagine she’s pleased to be ditched within days of leaving with you.”

“On the contrary. When I told her our mutual business was bringing me back to Boston, she told me to come alone. She’s still getting comfortable in her new surroundings and I didn’t want to derail her with a premature homecoming.”

Liam’s expression darkened. “What ‘business’ could you two possibly have together? And please tell me whenever it is, it doesn’t involveBryce Brogan.”

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