Page 27 of Peyton's Price

She scanned the room for the servants, seeing their presence in a new light.

“Some of them are, I think. I prefer not to know. A few were able to go home, but that wasn’t always possible. But anyone who works for me does it by choice. And they would have to be skilled. I’m very selective. I can afford to pay anything I want, and I only hire the best.”

“Through Priya?” she asked, her chin lowering as she searched his face.

He inclined his head. “She is terrifying in her efficiency. I like to let her handle all staff issues for that reason. Anyway, if she’d chosen you, she would have explained why it’s not always possible to go home. It would be better to start a new life somewhere else, but, in your case, you have powerful friends. It gives you options the others never had.”

Once Peyton was sure she wasn’t going to hit him, she raised her hands and rubbed her face. “You rescue women and secure their freedom. Why did you let me think you were some sort of monster whobought and raped them?”

By the time she finished her question, she was screaming at him with tears in her eyes.

Matthias winced. “I’m sorry, Peyton. It wasn’t a joke at your expense. More like Liam’s in a perverse way. I didn’t mean to mess with you. I shouldn’t have done that.”

He scratched his head, inadvertently calling attention to the mark she’d left by hitting him with the drawer.

“You should have explained who you are and what you do from the start,” she said, trying to get a hold of her emotions. Her voice still shook.

“I know.” His face was drawn and tight. She waited for him to say she hadn’t given him a chance before she’d hit him with a drawer. But he didn’t make any excuses or try to justify drawing out his explanation. Instead, he poured her more wine.

Drained, she settled deeper into the low booth and clutched the wine in her hand.

She was so exhausted she could barely hold the glass up, but nothing could have made her give up alcohol at this moment. “What did you mean it was a joke at Liam’s expense?”

“I…I suppose I enjoyed the thought of him being knocked down in your eyes. For what it’s worth, I don’t think Liam was ever okay with my former hobby. He said rescuing a few people here and there did no good when all the money I spent propped up the system. I told him I had a plan to make a bigger impact, but he didn’t care. He was convinced it would blow up in my face. Turns out he was right…”

His icy eyes went flat. Darkness crept into his expression, but it wasn’t frightening or threatening. More like desolate…

“What happened?” she whispered.

He didn’t answer.

“Well, for what it’s worth, thank you,” she murmured. The words were inadequate, but they were all she could offer.

Matthias inclined his head, but then laughed. “It’s ironic. Liam was dead set against me trying to take down the traffickers, but it didn’t stop him from using my contacts when it benefited him. Although looking at you now, I can’t blame him,” he said with another appraising glance.

An unwelcome flush crept up her chest, but she ignored the sensation.

“You could tell the authorities about the traffickers,” she suggested. “I’m sure they could take out the organization with everything you know.”

“No.” His tone was cold, implacable.

“Why not? They have the resources and expertise. It might take a while, but it would be worth it.”

He looked as if he were sorry he’d started the conversation. She waited, and he finally sighed. “You would think so. But you would be wrong.”

Oh. “You already tried that, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” Matthias averted his gaze, his face set.

“And?”

He downed the rest of his wine, then put down the glass with a thump. “And everyone died.”

Chapter 15

Peyton grasped the rail tightly, trying to recall the details of her dream last night. She had woken up in the morning afraid and ready to run, but she couldn’t remember what it was she was supposed to be running from.

Well, I can guess, and maybe some things are better left forgotten.

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