Page 126 of Innocent Intentions

I try to do that yoga deep breathing thing.

Nope. Still panicking.

“You must be Margot. I’m so glad you could make it!” She bypasses her son entirely and pulls me into a hug. It’s warm and comforting and makes me miss my mom.

She pulls back and looks me over. I try not to shrink back at her gaze. I’m praying, begging, for her approval.

“Aren’t you just beautiful! Matthias has a great eye. You’re far out of his league.” Her grin softens the teasing, but the compliment’s sincerity shines through. I blush.

“Mom, don’t tell her she can do better. She’s going to realize it’s true and tryto leave me,” Matty jokes, but there’s something almost earnest in his eyes.

He pulls me from his mom’s arms and tucks me into his side like he can’t go long without touching me.

Good. I’m going to need his comfort to survive this.

A man steps outside. Definitely Mr. Montclair. Matty and Roman clearly get their strong noses and sharp features from him. He’s just as tall as Matty, and dressed sharply like he’s heading to a meeting, not lounging at home.

He’s extremely handsome in a silver fox kind of way. If this is how Matty ages, I’m a lucky woman.

Already picturing growing old together?

“Evelyn, give the girl some space. We don’t want to scare her away.” He pulls his wife into his side just as Matty did to me andpresses a kiss to her temple. Despite his teasing, the way he looks at her… this man adores his wife.

He turns to me and holds out a hand. “I’m Damien, Matthias’s father. And this is my beautiful wife, Evelyn. We’re so glad to have you over. We would’ve done so sooner if our son hadn’t been monopolizing you.” He shoots Matty a glare when he says it.

I shake his hand firmly. They say a weak handshake reflects a weak person, right? The Montclair’s exude power. I need to match them. Or at least fake it.

“Thank you for inviting me over. It’s so nice to meet both of you.” And to my surprise, the smile on my face isn’t even forced. They seem kind and welcoming.

“Come in. We have refreshments.” Damien gestures inside.

Matty lets go of me so we can walk, but he grabs my hand the second we lose contact. When we get to the sitting room, he pulls me onto the couch beside him and tucks me into his side again.

“Thank you for coming early. We wanted to get to know you a bit before the rest of the boys arrive and chaos ensues.” Evelyn smiles like she loves every second of the chaos they bring.

“It’s no problem, Mom.” Matty says smoothly, like my meltdown this morning didn’t happen.

“So, tell us about yourself Margot. Where are you from? What do you do? What’s your family like? We’re just so excited to meet Matthias’s girlfriend. None of our sons have introduced us to anyone before.”

Wait, he’s never brought anyone to meet his parents?I’m the first?

That has to mean something.

Obviously.

“There isn’t much to tell. I’m from here, born and raised in Boston. I work for a shipping company, but I’m looking forsomething new. My parents retired and have been traveling for the last year.”

“She’s being modest,” Matty cuts in. “She’s a financial advisor for Northwestern Hemisphere Cargo. But she doesn’t need to work anymore.”

“Umm, I do. I need a job to, you know, make money and survive.” I say, confused. Does he really think I can just not work? I know I’m done with NHC, but I still need a job.

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to work anymore. I have enough to support us. You’ll never want for anything.” He smiles like he’s saying something sweet and leans in to kiss my head.

I jerk back. “Like hell I will! Are you out of your damn mind? We only just started… getting serious. I’m not mooching off you.” I correct myself just in time. His parents don’t need to know about the whole kidnapping situation.

“We already live together. I’d say that’s pretty serious.” He looks frustrated, like he expected me to just go along with it.

“I didn’t choose–” I catch myself when he coughs. Right. They don’t know I was his hostage. I should out him! Make his parents realize what a psycho their son is.But you won’t. You want them to like you and Matty together.“–to move in permanently. Just while my place is being worked on.”

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