Page 17 of Darkness Tempt Me (Bloody Desires #7)
Chapter fifteen
Mavik
T he sound of the office door clicks closed behind us as we leave Hunter’s office. I scan the waiting area, stunned when I don’t see Peyton anywhere. However, my mother is across the room, gazing at her phone with a slight smile.
Hunter leans in and whispers in my ear. “Uncle Mick left all his personal assets and finances to Sophia. She inherited everything with the exception of Blackwood Investments. She’s here for good news, but she doesn’t have any idea.
” My chest fills with warmth; even in death, my uncle took care of us.
He knew I’d give her any inheritance I received.
It makes sense that it would all go to her.
Hunter is the only person left who understands just what I would do for my mother.
She’s one of the main reasons I need to keep my company.
The plan is to spoil her for as long as she’ll allow me.
Mom seems full of life today and absolutely lovely.
I like to think her joy stems directly from all the ghosts I erased from her past. She deserves the world after everything she went through.
If at any point I were to be caught and questioned about my actions, I would remember days like this, when my mother seemed happy and safe.
No longer just a shadow of her former self.
“Mom,” I say with a grin. I stride over to her. She leaps up from her seat and embraces me warmly.
“Darling, it’s been way too long.” She kisses my cheek. I notice movement in my peripheral vision. Peyton is standing there with a sweet blush dusting his cheeks, eyes narrowed with jealousy.
“Is he yours?” Mom whispers in my ear.
I jerk back in surprise. “What?”
Her brown eyes, which look so similar to mine, sparkle with mischief. “Is he your assistant?”
My gaze narrows. That’s not what she said. She laughs because she knows it.
“Peyton,” I call out. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
He wipes his hands on his pants as he approaches. His eyes are slightly glassy as if he’s been crying, and I notice his face is slightly wet as if he’s been splashing water on his face. Without thinking, I rush to his side and grasp his shoulders. I look down into his vibrant blue eyes.
“Tell me what happened?”
He shakes his head. “It’s nothing,” he says at the same time as my mother speaks.
“We were watching Adam Costa’s trial highlights on TV. It seems like things are going in his favor,” she says.
“Adam Costa?” I growl, knowing exactly who that piece of shit is. Hunter and I have been following his case, almost eagerly waiting for the charges to be dropped just so we can handle matters on our own.
“No,” Peyton replies. “It’s nothing. I just panicked because he reminded me of someone at first.”
My eyes widen. I never paid attention to how much he looks like Peyton’s ex. I rub a soothing path up and down his arms. I know it isn’t appropriate, but I don’t care. The shell-shocked look on Pey’s face says he’s more affected than his words let on.
“Have you met him before?” Mom asks, a worried look on her face.
“No, he just reminded me of—”
“Your ex,” I finish for him.
Peyton’s mouth drops open. “What did you just say? How did you know?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Hunter rolls his eyes. “The ex-mayor, right? He used to be our mayor. He was supposed to say he’d been planning to run for re-election next year before the allegations started.”
I give Hunter a grateful nod. Good save.
Mom places her hand on my arm, and Peyton follows the movement. He steps back out of reach and narrows his eyes. “Right,” I say. “Pey, I wanted you to meet someone.”
He gives Mom a small smile. “We met just a few minutes ago.” Jealousy still drips from his tone, and I really don’t want him to keep thinking whatever it is that’s making him stare at me with that cold gaze.
“This is my mother, Sophia. Mom, this is my assistant, Peyton.”
Peyton’s whole face lights up, causing me to bite back a smile. “Oh my gosh, Sophia, I should have caught on when you told me your name. You two have the same eyes.” Peyton reaches out and hugs my mother.
She giggles and wraps him in a warm hug. “Oh, honey. I always enjoy chatting with you on the phone. It’s nice to put a face to the name.” She taps two fingers under his chin. “And what a lovely face it is.”
“And just how often do you two chat on the phone?” I ask.
Peyton gives me that bratty little smile that I fucking adore. He cocks his hip. “That’s none of your business, sir.”
Hunter bursts into laughter. Peyton glares at my friend, making Hunter laugh even harder. He walks forward, still chuckling, and hugs my mother. “Come on, Sophia. I have some news I think you should hear.”
Mom waves at Peyton before she walks over to me. She leans in close. “Don’t think I didn’t see the possessive way you looked at your assistant, Mavik,” she says with a wink.
I groan. “Shit. Not you too.”