Page 87 of Peyton's Price

Peyton nodded, hyperaware Matthias sat just behind her. Her hands shook as she took the thick envelope out of her purse.

“Thank you for sending that picture so quickly. It was perfectly lit for the ID. There’s also a birth certificate with the same name and a social security card. The typewritten sheets include a plausible backstory you can tell people if you can’t make up one on your own. We also wrote up a list of schools with flexible admissions policies if you decide to finish high school. You’ll have to work on softening your accent, but you can always say you spent your childhood abroad.”

Leaning over, she pressed the envelope into Anisa’s hand. “I’ve also included a cashier’s check. It will be honored at any major bank. There’s more than enough to pay your tuition for a few years plus living expenses. Are you ready?”

Anisa’s head bobbed up and down. She gave the contents of the envelope only a cursory glance before clutching it to her chest. “Yes.”

“Good. There’s an Uber waiting at the south entrance by the cart with the sunglasses. It will take you to the Chunnel. You’ll fly to the States out of Paris, not the UK.”

A tear ran down Anisa’s cheek. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

Peyton had all but forgotten Matthias’ presence. “You do that by getting away from that creep and having a nice life, one where you get to choose who you are with,” she said fiercely.

The girl’s chin quivered, but she didn’t cry. Anisa launched herself out of her chair, throwing her arms around Peyton. Then she straightened abruptly, wiping her eyes with the heels of her hands.

The gesture, so distinctive of youth, brought tears to her own eyes, but Peyton fought them. They wouldn’t help Anisa. Murmuring words of encouragement, she hugged her goodbye.

Anisa hesitated. “I think I was careful, but if Omer finds out you helped me, he will do something bad. He has a temper—a bad one.”

“I’ll be careful,” she promised, aware Matthias had twisted in his seat. She couldn’t see him, but she could feel his eyes boring a hole in the back of her head.

She waited until Anisa had disappeared before slowly turning to face him. Or rather face his shoes. Peyton was having trouble looking Matthias in the eye.

When she did, she wished she hadn’t. He stood with his hands on his hips, his expression so dark it made her want to run and hide.

“Please don’t look at me like that.”

A muscle in his cheek twitched.

“Matthias, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you—”

“Was that one of Priya’s new-life packets?” he interrupted.

“It was, but I made her help me.” Peyton shifted her weight from foot to foot, almost dancing in her anxiety. “Please don’t fire her.”

Silence.

Oh, this was bad. She’d screwed up so badly. “Matthias, please talk to me.”

He held up a hand. The commanding gesture was so imperious and cold she quailed despite herself. It certainly drove home the fact Matthias headed a centuries-old empire.

This must be what his Viking ancestors looked like before they sacked a city.

When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “Stop. Just stop.”

This was excruciating. “I have to explain.”

“Not now, Peyton,” Matthias said, averting his give and shaking his head a little. “I have to go.”

“But—”

He looked at her, his brown eyes glacial. “I can’t talk to you right now.”

Stupefied, she stood there rooted to the spot as he turned on his heel and stalked away.

Chapter 36

Liam could hear the argument all the way down the hall. He frowned, closing the jeweler’s box he’d taken out to admire.

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