Gold Moon had a fairly squat building down by the river, close to the network of warehouses that we used most often for our business, but today we traveled into the business district of downtown. I glanced out of the windows, looking upward as we passed skyscrapers that increased in height the farther we rolled.
I’d thought Patrick’s home in Lycan Heights had been impressive, but I expected his place of work would be equally as remarkable. When the SUV swung into an underground parking lot, the glimpse of the building above told me I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Girard led me to a bank of elevators. “We’ll go straight to the Apex floors,” he said as he pressed one of the call buttons.
The elevator was a smooth ride, and I tried to ignore whatever was squirming around in my stomach like I’d just downed a plateful of live worms. Anticipation at seeing Patrick again threatened to overwhelm my reason for being here.
Girard led me through a short network of corridors where many of the offices had glass walls and doors. The views from the dozens of windows made it look like we were walking within the sky itself, like all the buildings nearby were built on the clouds as well.
Patrick was standing, looking out of one of those windows, when we finally arrived at the largest, most well-appointed office. Everything was black and chrome and sleek and modern.
I opened my mouth to address Patrick as Girard left me in the room, but he turned slightly, and I caught sight of the cell phone in his hand as he pressed it to his ear. I shrank back against the glass wall as though I could hide. I didn’t want to eavesdrop on one of his business conversations.
Instead, I fiddled with my fingers, twisting them around each other before I repositioned the strap of my purse on my shoulder.
“Yes, I said Jamaica,” Patrick said, and my head snapped up. Mom had also said Jamaica this morning.
“That’s right. Then the connection with the cruise ship.”
She’d said that, too. Whoever he was talking to, it was clearly about Mom’s excursion and the newest changes in plans. I’d caught him red-handed over his involvement in changing everything when I’d thought I’d need to ask him question after question to discover anything at all.
He sighed, frustration evident in the sound. “I’m not sure how much clearer I can make it. Look, I have to go. An urgent matter just came to my attention.” He met my gaze in the reflection in the window as he said that, and my cheeks warmed. “But as I said, put all the charges on my personal account. That’s non-negotiable.”
My breathing spiked as he hung up and turned to me, his sage-green eyes warm as they met mine.
“I can’t let you do all that,” I blurted.
22
PATRICK
“Good morning to you, too, Jo.” I pretended like she’d simply greeted me in the normal way rather than trying to tell me what I could or couldn’t do.
She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you dare,” she started.
I lifted my eyebrows in practiced innocence. I used the expression often on Davina. It infuriated her. “Dare what?”
“Greet me withgood morninglike I’ve just arrived for a chat.”
I shrugged. “You haven’t?” Again with the faux innocence. I even glanced at my phone screen before slipping it away, like she didn’t have all of my attention.
“You know I haven’t. But at least I haven’t barged into your office with all the tact and diplomacy of a rabid dog that’s broken its leash. At least I haven’t started making all kinds of decisions on your behalf.” She paused and tapped her fingertip against her lip. “Oh yeah. That’syouagain. You’re the one who makes decisions on behalf of other people.”
I frowned. Now she was making my protection and my gifts sound ugly.
“Me coming to your office to offer my protection—”
“In a rage,” she interrupted.
I shrugged in a semi-concession. “It was very different from merely sending your mother on an upgraded excursion.”
“But…” She spluttered, drawing her eyebrows down and looking exasperated like she couldn’t find the words. “But just…” She stopped again before meeting my eyes. “Why?”
The question was stark and bold, and too many words jumbled up inside me as I tried to phrase an answer.
I held out my hand, inviting her to come and stand beside me at the window. “Let me show you,” I murmured. It was easier this way.
Her small fingers twined in mine, and I reflexively tightened my hold as I drew her against me.