I feign hugging him back just as warmly. Then Pray pulls away and looks directly at me.
There’s not one sign or hint of recognition on his face. But that doesn’t necessarily surprise me. Men like Pray don’t have a habit of remembering people who they can’t or don’t make use of. Who they think don’t matter. The person of Addy Bianchi is now seared in his memory, totally separate of that of Dele Martin.
Then he ushers Bella forward for similar treatment and does the same with Bond.
Pray makes a show of looking for someone in our entourage. Then feigns disappointment as he says, “You didn’t bring the children?”
“We wanted to,” Bella lies easily. “But it’s the middle of school year, and all of them already have a habit of slipping away from their teachers’ notice when they’re bored. It’s best not to disrupt that schedule or it’ll take them weeks to get back on track.”
“What she means is that I wanted to, but she vetoed me,” I say.
“You already pull them out of school for your random vacations enough as it is,” Bella replies.
What that really means is that she hates when I randomly take them out of school to go see Viper.
“What’s the use of having money if you can’t break a few rules every now and then?”
Pray laughs and says, “A woman after my own heart then.” He offers his arm to me. “How about we leave the meticulous and tedious details to the lawyers for now while we go out and see the city? I’ve made reservations at one of the most exclusive fine dining establishments in the city.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I say, flashing the man a smile as I take his arm.
He leads me back out while a receptionists leads the lawyers we brought with us up to the legal department. Everyone else who remains follows us.
I’m aware of Viper’s gaze glowering into my back the entire time.