Page 26 of From My Past
“This is headquarters?” I asked, looking around at all the millions of dollars of sports cars in the parking garage, expensive cars lined up one after and another. Lamborghini’s, Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Ferrari’s. Dear god. Have any of these people even seen a Ford or Chevy?
I think Kieron’s Mustang, as beautiful as it was, was the cheapest car there.
“Wow.”
“I know.” He said, pulling into a free space between a Rolls Royce SUV and a sleek black Ferrari. “Let’s go.” Kieron smirked and I tried to smile back. I watched him stand up and climb out of the driver side, his ass perfectly encased in his jeans.
Yum.
“Let’s go, Talia.” I heard Kieron say from outside the car and I swear, I heard a smile in his voice.
Like the jackass knew I was looking.
* * *
Kieron led me to an elevator and pressed the top button, meaning his dad’s office was in the penthouse.
He leaned against the side of the elevator, crossed his arm and ankles and looked at me with a dangerously sexy smirk as he looked me up and down.
“What are you looking at?”
“You. You’re beautiful, you know?” He said, pushing off the wall and standing right in front of me, his back to the door.
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” I said softly. I knew he was trying to be nice and help me, but I knew how I looked, especially with my caked-on makeup to cover the bruises that were impressively gross looking today.
“You are. Always have been.” Kieron brushed the back of his knuckles over my cheeks so softly I wouldn’t have felt it if I hadn’t seen his hand touch me. His eyes were dark brown and locked onto mine. I could feel my heart beat faster. The way that he was staring at me… It was like he wanted to eat me alive, in the best way, but also that he understood my hesitance.
Before I could say anything, the elevator doors dinged and light illuminated Kieron, bathing him in bright light. He took both of my hands in his and then his expression changed. His facial features turned down; became more serious, more dangerous. The light and joy in his dark eyes went out and he looked every bit the mobster he said he was.
If he hadn’t been holding onto my hand and giving it gentle squeezes, I would have backed away.
“Trust me,” He mouthed to me before turning around, still using his body as a shield between me and the rest of the room.
“Kieron.” I heard from within.
“Father.”
“Please, come in.” Kieron started to walk forward and brought me with him. Our hands were joined, but the way that Kieron had positioned himself, I was still hidden.
“Did you bring her? I would like to meet the woman who has captured my son’s attention so totally.” The man spoke with a heavy Irish accent, and my nerves started to take over my body again. My spine started to tingle and my heart was beating too fast. I could feel the palm of my hand clasped in Kieron’s start to sweat.
“I did. Father, this is Talia Jones. Talia, this is my father, Kellan Tavish.” Kieron stood aside and rested his hand on my lower back so I could shake his fathers outstretched hand.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Tavish.” I said. I tried to sound strong and confident, but it was hard when I was acutely aware of how I was shaking hands with the head of the Irish Mob.
“Please, lass. Don’t worry about calling me Mister. Kellan or Skipper will do just fine. Please, have a seat.” He took my hand in both of his and shook it. I looked around the office and was shocked with how cozy and welcoming it was. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t the comfy grey couch with an adjoining loveseat that looked equally as inviting to sit on. The space was a proper living room set up with a dark coffee table in the middle and a lamp on either side of the couch that gave off soft light. On the other side of the wall was a TV that was mounted up high, muted and playing a soccer game.
“Coffee, tea?” Kellan asked, walking over to a little coffee bar set-up and I was so surprised I just shook my head.
“I’ll have a coffee, Dad. Thanks.” Kieron said and guided me to the large grey couch before sitting down close to me. His hand never once leaving my back. I just shook my head, declining.
I was surprised that there wasn’t anyone else in the office with him, no security or right-hand man. It seemed to be just Kellan working here.
“Don’t you guys need security?” I asked Kieron quietly while Kellan was pouring two cups of coffee and bringing them over.
“There is, just not in here at the moment. Dad wanted you both to meet without a bunch of sentinels hanging around.”
“Sentinels?”
