Page 225 of The Reluctant Hero

Gabriel

As soon as I pass through the doors with Ace at my back, the hostess rushes to greet me. I’ve been to Le Chique several times. Even threatened to buy it out from under Andi just to watch her rant. The people here recognize me, no matter who is on staff.

“Mr. Matthias, welcome back,” she gushes with a kind smile. Her eyes dart to Cade and back to me quickly. Everyone has a type.

“Thank you. I know where to go,” I brush past her without allowing her to speak again. Yet she still finds the time to keep pace with an uninterested Cade. His usual flirtatious attitude has been tucked away, leaving the woman disappointed.

We’re all feeling frustrated from watching Jake gloat. She’s given him a chance, and the rest of us are left in the cold.

Seeing the utter chaos she created in our absence yesterday was amusing. Until I got to my room and saw that nothing was touched. Not a single paper out of place. As if she opened the door, scoffed, and walked away.

Everyone else was punished in the most juvenile way, but I was left dangling. Her lack of attention hurts more than it should. Who in their right mind would want her ransacking their belongings, hell-bent on making it hurt?

Me, I suppose.

On top of that lingering ache, Jake is all smiles and relaxation.

I should have been able to do that. I could have if I hadn’t panicked in the most humiliating way and been knocked down by the thought that she might have betrayed me over something I would have handed her, with a little taunting included.

I take a soft breath as the private doors come into view. The seldom-used business area for privacy. It’s time to return to my normal instead of obsessing over every action Amanda takes.

Mikael opens the door and Ace moves inside, giving us an all-clear sign before moving out of the way.

Caleb Owen straightens in his seat with a lawyer’s shark smile. He already has a glass of alcohol in front of him. It’s almost empty.

“Mr. Matthias,” he says in a respectful tone and stands to offer me his hand.

I don’t want to touch him, but business is business. Based on the squint of his eyes, I grip a little too hard.

“Please, have a seat,” he gestures around as if he’s in control of everything here.

He can think that way all he likes. I’m fairly certain that if he has anything to do with this mess, he’s a big player.

One piece at a time. I’ll take them all apart. This is my town now, and it’s time for everyone to know it.

I sit with Jake at my side, looking around in subtle awe. He’s supposed to be an assistant that isn’t used to the lavish lifestyle. A lack of manners can make him relatable or annoying, depending on the individual. Either way, he seems naive enough to fall for anything someone might sell him.

I still want to knock out his teeth.

I settle into my role, ordering food as a distraction to set up the scene.

We waste several hours on useless banter about business. If I have any legal troubles I need squared away, he’llbe happy to help. When he’s run out of probing questions, we’re through eating.

“So, why is it that you called me Mr. Matthias?” His tone has turned suspicious now that he’s past all of the usual reasons anyone would want to meet him. It certainly isn’t for his personality.

“I spoke with Mr. Blake a few weeks ago about some property,” I answer without a shift of expression. His hand has paused, reaching for another roll from the basket in the center of the table.

“I take it you’ve heard of his passing?” He clears his throat, taking his hand back to pick up a utensil.

“I have. I’m still interested in his pitch, and your name was mentioned in passing.” If he thinks I’m going to express sympathy for his loss he has a long wait.

Jake nods as if he’s agreeing that he heard it as well.

“That’s… interesting,” he clears his throat again. A bead of sweat rolls down his temple. He hasn’t taken a bite since I brought it up.

I met with Blake just once as a taunt to Amanda. The man was slick and self-serving. Picturing him with Amanda made me want to strangle him to death. It made the entire thing feel as if it lasted for eternity. I felt like taking a shower afterward.

The point is I’m sure he made a blatant statement that he actually met with me. Not to mention, Amanda works for me. Several things line up to make me either a player in the game or a mark to be taken out.

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