Page 82 of A Life Imagined
“Bullshit.If that was true, you wouldn’t have sent Elise to get me.”
“It was merely a precaution,” Mathias lied.
Rayan’s voice softened.“You don’t need to deal with everything on your own anymore, Mathias.”
It landed right where he intended, and Mathias prickled defensively.“I can handle myself.”
“I know you can.But talk to me.”
Mathias grunted.“Christ, you’re a broken record.”
“Have you spoken with Elise?”
“Briefly.”Mathias had contacted his appraiser the night before.She’d been beside herself.When her panic subsided, he would have to address what had happened.
“She’ll have questions.”
Mathias shrugged.“Then she can ask them.”
“Did she know about Heylen?”
“You’ve met her.She inhales all information in her direct vicinity.”
“So I should pry more?”Rayan asked.
“You pry plenty.”
“You don’t sound too thrilled about the idea of partnering with him.”
“When have I ever sounded thrilled?”
Rayan tossed the paper onto the coffee table and cocked his head.“I know how important it is for you to push yourself.Just look at what happened with the Albanians.You get bored enough, and you start making your own fun.”
“I wasn’t bored.I was proving a point.”
“You took it as a direct challenge.”
Mathias leaned back against the sofa cushions.He had to admit there was some truth to Rayan’s observation.
“It might be an interesting venture,” Rayan offered.“Worthy of your talents.”
Mathias recalled the figure Heylen had scrawled on the back of the sheet of paper and the man’s promises of market domination.Something about it scratched an itch—the same itch he’d felt when Enzo had offered him Montreal on a silver platter.Power, respect.A part of him that small-town living hadn’t managed to satisfy.Perhaps his hesitation stemmed from not wanting to upend the life they’d so carefully constructed together.Especially for Rayan, who’d known enough turmoil.Yet here the man was, giving Mathias his blessing.
The night before, Mathias had heard the tremor in Rayan’s voice as he made his plea.Rayan had always been judicious when it came to his feelings about Mathias and the family.He’d never before attempted to force Mathias’s hand.What Rayan didn’t know was that the decision had already been made.Rayan had made it for him.
Mathias’s gaze fell on the book he’d given Rayan, perched on the edge of the coffee table.It wasn’t the only one either.There were more stacked on the floor by the sofa and another two on the end table.
Rayan was watching him.“It bothers you.”
“The books?”
Rayan nodded.
“You don’t think I’m used to it by now?”
“Used to it doesn’t mean you like it.”
“I like it, then.”Mathias leaned over to pluck the red hardback from the table.“How many times have you read this one?”
