Page 66 of Provoke You

“Does someone live up here?” I asked because every room was decorated like a home, with upholstered chairs and fancy coffee tables.

“No, but it used to be. The owner is a bit of a sentimentalist, so he keeps it the way it used to be.” Ela stopped in front of a tall double door and opened it. Inside was a long table with white linens and two settings. A wine chiller at the end of the table had three bottles of bubbly water. I smiled at her. She was going out of her way to show me she was done with that.

I placed my hand on the green bottle. “You don’t have to change for me.”

“In my defense, I gave up alcohol before I met you. The day I met you was a lapse.”

“You don’t have to explain.” I kissed her cheek.

“I know.”

My phone buzzed in the inside pocket of my suit jacket. The number was unknown. Only three people knew this number: Chase, Kitt, and Ben. “This is Matt.”

“Matt. It’s Ben. Would you be able to bring Ela by my place to sign a few things for me? Or I can stop by if that’s safer.”

“How about I send Kitt over to pick them up? Text me the address.”

“I will do that. Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “And, Matt?”

“What is it?” Ela stared up at me with big eyes.

“Nothing bad. Ben has the paperwork ready for you.”

She rolled her eyes and took the phone from me to speak to Ben. “I was hoping you’d take a bit longer. I know we don’t have time, but I’m really dreading having this conversation with Dad.”

I was dreading it too. Every time Ela had any type of interaction with her dad, she spiraled into a bad place. She gripped the device tighter against her ear, ashen faced. “What? How?”

“What is it?” It was my turn to ask. She shook her head and put Ben on speakerphone.

“Ela, it isn’t over, you hear?” Ben’s voice boomed in her hand.

“Dad pulled some strings. He closed on the Baroness this morning.”

“I’m sorry.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Ben, can she still take over her inheritance.”

“Absolutely. I’m sending you my address right now. I’ll be here.” He hung up.

My phone buzzed again with a text from Ben. Then I spotted a different text from Kitt. Someone had ransacked the safe house.

“You scare me when you make that face.” Ela pulled on the lapel of my suit to get my attention.

“You have friends here in the restaurant?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Can you stay here until I get back? Our safe house has been compromised. I have to meet Kitt.”

“Yeah. Go. I’ll be fine here.”

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