Page 86 of Seeking Vengeance

It doesn’t surprise me that Matthew is recognized on sight, or that the man he’s meeting is familiar to staff. What concerns me is the slight hint of tension that enters Matthew’s shoulders as he turns to face me, his dark eyes tight with hesitation.

“What’s wrong?” I scrutinize his expression, trying to understand the change in him.

“Come with me.” He grabs both my hands, entwining our fingers. “Come to my meeting.”

I hold my surprise in check, unsure if I should be concerned or appreciative.

This is a far bigger step than I anticipated. A massive switch from the information injunction we’ve had in place. And as much as I want to learn everything there is about him, I know I’m not ready to reciprocate at this level. Not yet.

“Who is it with?”

“An old friend. He’s a mentor of sorts. At least, he used to be.”

“You want me to meet your mentor?” That’s big.Huge.

“I’d be honored, and so would he.” He raises one of our joined hands and kisses my knuckles. “And if you haven’t figured me out by now, the request was a courtesy, but your attendance is compulsory.” He grins and tugs me toward the hotel doors. “You’ll be joining us, Layla. You’ve got two minutes to prepare.”

Two minutes?To prepare to meet his mentor?

“Are you kidding?” I scope my disheveled appearance in the glass windows as we approach. “I look a treat.”

“You better fucking believe it.” He shoves past the doors and leads the way into the reception area. “You always look edible.”

I ignore the heat rushing to my cheeks. The tingle in my belly.

I’m not succumbing to lust right now. Nope. Not again.

“Can we just stop for a minute.” I plant my feet and squeeze his hand, forcing him to comply. “Please.”

He turns to me with a frown. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” I huff a laugh. “This is a big moment for me. And I think it is for you, too.”

The frown deepens, but he doesn’t deny my statement.

“This man is important to you.” It’s not a question. The evidence was his tightening posture when he realized Lorenzo was already here. That he was about to dictate for me to meet someone he cared about. “I don’t want to make a bad first impression.”

He steps forward, wrapping a rough arm around my shoulders to drag me into him, his face finding my hair, his aftershave filling my lungs. “I thought giving you no notice would be easier.” There’s forgiveness in his tone. “He will adore you, Layla. Just as much as I do.”

“And if he doesn’t?” I close my eyes, relaxing into him for the briefest respite.

“Then he’s out of my life,” he murmurs into my hair. “Gone. Done. I won’t spare him another thought.”

“I’d never let you do that.” No woman of worth would. “If you were considering getting rid of Bishop, on the other hand…”

“That’s different.” He snickers, pulling away to guide my hair back behind my ear. “What you get from him isn’t personal. It’s personality.”

“Well, his personality sucks.”

“I don’t disagree.” His fingers trail my jaw, my chin. “You’ll like Lorenzo.”

I have to trust him. Trust that this meeting will go well. That these new steps toward full disclosure are the right ones to make.

“The two of you will get along fine.” He places a kiss to my hairline, then reclaims my hand and continues toward the entry of the restaurant, the maître d' watching us approaches with familiarity in her gaze.

“Welcome, Mr. Langston. I think you’ll find Mr.—”

“It’s okay, Sophie.” He interrupts her speech and guides me to stride past her. “I can already see him.”

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