Page 24 of Darkness Tempt Me
“Adam Costa?” I growl, knowing exactly who that piece of shit is. Hunter and I have been following his case, almost eagerly waiting for the charges to be dropped just so we can handle matters on our own.
“No,” Peyton replies. “It’s nothing. I just panicked because he reminded me of someone at first.”
My eyes widen. I never paid attention to how much he looks like Peyton’s ex. I rub a soothing path up and down his arms. I know it isn’t appropriate, but I don’t care. The shell-shocked look on Pey’s face says he’s more affected than his words let on.
“Have you met him before?” Mom asks, a worried look on her face.
“No, he just reminded me of—”
“Your ex,” I finish for him.
Peyton’s mouth drops open. “What did you just say? How did you know?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Hunter rolls his eyes. “The ex-mayor, right? He used to be our mayor. He was supposed to say he’d been planning to run for re-election next year before the allegations started.”
I give Hunter a grateful nod.Good save.
Mom places her hand on my arm, and Peyton follows the movement. He steps back out of reach and narrows his eyes. “Right,” I say. “Pey, I wanted you to meet someone.”
He gives Mom a small smile. “We met just a few minutes ago.” Jealousy still drips from his tone, and I really don’t want him to keep thinking whatever it is that’s making him stare at me with that cold gaze.
“This is my mother, Sophia. Mom, this is my assistant, Peyton.”
Peyton’s whole face lights up, causing me to bite back a smile. “Oh my gosh, Sophia, I should have caught on when you told me your name. You two have the same eyes.” Peyton reaches out and hugs my mother.
She giggles and wraps him in a warm hug. “Oh, honey. I always enjoy chatting with you on the phone. It’s nice to put a face to the name.” She taps two fingers under his chin. “And what a lovely face it is.”
“And just how often do you two chat on the phone?” I ask.
Peyton gives me that bratty little smile that I fucking adore. He cocks his hip. “That’s none of your business, sir.”
Hunter bursts into laughter. Peyton glares at my friend, making Hunter laugh even harder. He walks forward, still chuckling, and hugs my mother. “Come on, Sophia. I have some news I think you should hear.”
Mom waves at Peyton before she walks over to me. She leans in close. “Don’t think I didn’t see the possessive way you looked at your assistant, Mavik,” she says with a wink.
I groan. “Shit. Not you too.”
Chapter sixteen
Peyton
In the days that follow our visit to Hunter’s law firm, the good mood that Mavik was in after seeing his mother quickly vanishes. He never talked about what happened with his uncle’s will or why Hunter considered it an emergency in the first place.
Gone are the flirty touches and tender looks Mavik usually gives me. They’ve been replaced with his usual cocky, cold demeanor. However, once in a while, I catch him staring at me. He gives me this strange look and opens his mouth as if he wants to ask something before seemingly changing his mind and snapping it shut.
It’s Monday morning, just a few minutes before I need to start prepping our material for our meeting with Daniel Sinclair tomorrow. Since I arrived, Mavik has been busy on the phone and in his office, barely acknowledging me when I placed his coffee on his desk.
“Fuck!” Mavik shouts, followed by a loud crash.
Rushing into his office, I’m just in time to hear Hunter on speaker. “Don’t blame me, Mavik. I didn’t tell your idiot cousin about Uncle Mick’s will.”
“I know you didn’t! But fuck,” Mavik growls. “Now that he does know, it puts a time limit on things.”
“Fix things, Mavik. You won’t know the answer until you ask.”
Mavik picks up the receiver and slams it down, effectively hanging up on his friend. He runs a hand through his messy hair. It’s clear he’s been tugging at it. There are barely there bags under his eyes, but it’s noticeable to someone like me. Mavik is stressed, and he hasn’t been sleeping. Did he sleep at all this weekend?
