Page 112 of Poison Evidence

“I don’t think—”

“There’s a man making a beeline for you right now. And oh my God, but he’s hot. I saw him staring at you earlier when you were talking to the German guy.”

Ivy shifted and caught a glimpse of the man with her peripheral vision. Her belly flipped, and her entire body flushed with heat and joy. She caught her breath and faced her sister. She couldn’t let her reaction show.

“He’s Death-Valley-in-July hot.”

“If he asks you to dance, you’d better go for it.”

She took a sip of her drink. “I think I might,” she said softly.

Ivy was even more beautiful than Dimitri remembered. He’d been watching her all evening, savoring the moment when he’d speak to her. He had to do this right. This would become their origin story, the story they’d have to tell everyone in her family except her cousin Alec.

Alec had been the one to suggest they use Hazel as a witness for their “first meet.” Her presence would make it all the more real for the rest of the family. Alec had also suggested surprising Ivy. And the look on her face, the shock and heat, set Dimitri’s heart pounding.

Ian had initially been suggested to play bodyguard, to set up the meeting, but it was decided that he was too much of a friend to Ivy. His presence would be intrusive. Plus, Ivy would likely suspect something was up. Sean was the better choice, and he’d been brought into the loop and knew exactly who Dimitri was. He was also watching Dimitri’s back, making sure no one was tracking him.

Today, at long last, Dimitri would claim his life.

He reached Ivy’s table and she met his gaze. He saw the telltale pulse jump in her throat, the rush of joy in her eyes. She’d been practicing her poker face, but she wasn’t quite there yet. Fine with him. He loved her just the way she was and didn’t want any part of her to change.

Tossing out an awkward pickup line for her sister’s benefit wouldn’t work—Ivy would never fall for a guy who introduced himself with a cheesy line—so he simply said, “Would you like to dance?”

Ivy jumped to her feet, bumping the table and sloshing her drink. “Yes. Yes, I think I would.”

Hazel laughed. “Have fun, Ivy.”

“Your name is Ivy?” he asked, just loud enough for Hazel to hear as they walked to the crowded dance floor. “I’m Matthew. Matthew Dimitri Clark.”

“Matthew?” she said as though she was testing the texture of it. “Do you go by Matt?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

They reached the dance floor, and he pulled her against him. A slow song had just started, giving him about two minutes to hold her close and lay the foundation for their future.

He whispered in her ear, “It’s myrealname. The FBI tracked down my birth certificate in Berlin. They did a lot of digging and pulled a lot of strings, and it appears the GRU never knew that name, never knew who my mother was or where she was from. The FBI worked with the CIA and State Department to get Matthew Clark citizenship. I’ve been given a past no one will have reason to question. Now I’m here to ask if you’ll be my future.”

He raised his head away from her ear and met her gaze. Her eyes had filled with tears. “Yes,” she said softly. She cleared her throat. “But you should know, I’ve got a five-year-old at home I’m in the process of adopting. His name is Julian. We’re a package deal.”

His arms tightened around her. “I love him already.”

He held her against him for the duration of the song, no words necessary until the music changed to a faster beat. “Keep dancing, or return to the table and play first meet for your sister’s benefit?”

A glance toward the table showed Hazel chatting with Sean.

“Does Sean know who you are?”

“Yes.”

“Table, then. The sooner we convince Hazel, the sooner we can escape and go for a walk in the garden…or go to your hotel room.”

He flashed a grin. “You’re propositioning me awfully fast.”

“I don’t do one-night stands very often, but I understand they can be quite empowering.”

He laughed. “There’s only one problem. I don’t have a hotel room. I live on a boat. It’s docked in the hotel marina.”

“And this is a problem how?”