Page 92 of Peyton's Price

She bit her lip, obviously to keep from laughing. “So youwereeavesdropping?”

“Not guilty,” he said lightly.

Peyton narrowed her eyes skeptically. “You’re denying it now? After admitting you know Mason is on his way?”

“Oh, no. I was listening in. I just meant I don’t feel guilty.”

Peyton reached over to tweak his tie. “You are shameless.”

The phone on the side table began to ring. Peyton excused herself to answer while he went to get his laptop. When he returned, she was frowning. “No, that’s fine. I’ll come down. It should only take a few minutes.”

“What’s up?” he asked, his eyes on his computer.

“A small development that will please you. I just have to run down to the front desk for a minute. Be right back,” she called behind her, already halfway to the door.

Matthias settled on the couch with his computer, quickly losing himself in stock reports. He worked steadily for a while until a knock at the door roused him. A quick glance at his new watch confirmed he’d lost an hour.

Peyton must have been waylaid again. Liam had warned him about this, too. She made friends everywhere.

“Lunch should be here in ten minutes. I hope you’re hungry,” he said as he opened the door.

The auburn-haired man on the other side didn’t bat a lash. “I’m starving, actually. What’s on the menu?”

Taken aback, Matthias blinked. “Agent Ward, I presume?”

Ward held out his hand. “You’re not Liam Tyler. I guess you’re the other one.”

“Matthias Raske,” he introduced himself in a flat tone, hesitating before standing aside and gesturing the man to enter. “Peyton went downstairs, but she should be back any minute. She must have been held up.”

Agent Ward circled the room with an appraising scan. “I guess as a former Caislean employee, she probably has friends among the staff.”

“Peyton has friends everywhere,” he said dryly. “You’re very well-informed, Agent Ward.”

“Well, I was curious about her before she got in touch. Ethan has mentioned her a few times over the years.”

“I see,” Matthias said, deciding not to waste any more time. “Have you had any luck hunting down your mole?”

“Ah…so Peyton told you about that?”

“She doesn’t keep secrets from me.” His tone strongly suggested Ward not ask her to keep any in the future.

The agent’s brows rose meaningfully. “Oh. Well…I think I see, too. Sorry. I guess I was read in wrong. I thought she and Tyler were—”

“You thought she and I were what?” Liam asked as he barreled through the door, tugging off his tie. He was carrying his suit jacket over his arm.

Liam ignored the man next to him, pausing to toss his jacket and briefcase on the nearest chair. “I need to call maintenance. The fucking elevator to the penthouse is out. I had to take the stairs.”

“Ten flights?” Agent Ward looked him up and down. Liam hadn’t even broken a sweat. The only giveaway was the color in his cheeks.

“Yeah.” Liam stopped and pressed a quick but hard kiss to Matthias’ lips, making the agent’s eyes widen a fraction.

Noticing it, Liam scowled at him. “What?”

Agent Ward shook his head. “Nothing.”

Liam crossed his arms, staring him down.

Ward shrugged. “I just figured out why Ethan was never able to land his white whale. Poor bastard would have had to clone himself…or find a friend,” he said.

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