Page 23 of Thorns of Malice

A tense moment passes.

Jaxon asks, "You guys know each other?"

I slowly turn my gaze from Matt and nod. "Yes. Matt went to Clifton University with me." My cheeks burn hotter, and I stare back at Matt.

He quietly mumbles, "I wondered what happened to you."

Panic hits me. Matt was always nice to me but was under Avery's spell. Who knows how loyal he'll be to the Carringtons. He might still be in contact with them, for all I know.

I snap my face toward Jaxon, gripping his arm and shaking my head, declaring, "I don't think I want to talk anymore."

He arches his eyebrows, then glances at Matt and then back at me. "Why not?"

"Can we talk in private?" Matt interjects.

The room turns silent again, and tension floods the space.

My heart beats faster.

"I can stay," Jaxon states.

"No, we need to talk alone," Matt insists.

I glance up at him.

"Please," he says, with desperation in his voice and eyes.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

He leans down into my ear. "I believe our enemy is common. Please, let's talk, just you and me."

"Matt, what's going on?" an older gentleman in an expensive suit questions.

Matt doesn't take his eyes off me.

"Ivy?" Jaxon says.

"Can I use your office?" I ask, turning toward him.

His eyes turn to slits. He claims, "I think it's better if we stay in here. Whatever Matt has to say to you, he can do in front of all of us."

I shake my head. "No, I want to talk to him in private. He's right."

Jaxon doesn't reply. He gazes suspiciously at Matt and then back at me with concern.

I put my hand on his thigh. "It's fine. I'll be right back."

He doesn't say anything, and I get up.

Matt follows.

We say nothing until we get into Jaxon's office.

I shut the door, and we sit at the desk on the same side. I blurt out, "Why are you in Georgia?"

He nervously laughs, repeating, "How are you in Georgia?"

I admit, "My father got a job here. He felt it was best to get as far away from Connecticut as possible. He didn't feel like we could return to West Virginia either."

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