This time the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Lionel and I have some catching up to do.”
“Just don’t kill him. Or at least don’t leave the body where it can easily be found.”
He chuckled. “You know me better than that.”
As she watched him walk out and up the steps to the terminal, she wondered why he’d really come back to visit. And why she thought his discussion with Lionel might not be so friendly after all.
Chapter 14
Sunday eveningat a quarter to six, Jane sat in her car, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, a bundle of nerves.
It made no sense. She’d been invited to dinner with a colleague. A simple meeting where they’d talk, she’d give him information about her old RA, and they’d share a meal. Her payment for passing along information to her old boss. To her friend.
So why did her pulse keep racing and her palms feel sweaty?
I can handle Matthew Scott,she kept telling herself. Yeah, he was good—no, great—looking. He had power and money and presence.
But he was no match for Jane Cannon.
The thought had her laughing at herself and her stupid nerves.
After calming down with some deep breathing exercises and promising herself not to act like a total idiot, she left the car, locked it despite the nice neighborhood, and moved through a gate and up the steps to the front door of her version of a dream house.
Months ago, when she’d scoped the place out with Hal, she’d seen the interior through many small cameras. But the reality of the home was even better.
The two-million-dollar residence, located in North Capitol Hill, had privacy despite its closeness to its neighbors. It also possessed arooftop deck with views from the Olympics to Lake Union and Downtown Seattle. Matthew had decorated the inside with upscale furniture and a modern, minimalist aesthetic, much like her own taste. She could easily see herself living here.
If she had the money to afford it. And on her salary, that was less a big if and more a not-in-her-lifetime.
But Matthew Scott, the only son of Senator Ronald and Belinda Scott—heir to the multi-million-dollar Rupert fortune—had serious wealth and the power that went with it.
In fact, Matthew’s family would totally be the type to join the Collective. A thought that gave her pause.
She hadn’t seen the Scott name on the list, but then, she hadn’t read through the entire book. With any luck, they’d get answers sooner rather than later.
Before she could knock, Matthew opened the door.
Dumbfounded, she could only blink at him. In a suit and tie, he appeared officious and good-looking for sure. But in jeans and a casual tee-shirt, he took her breath away. And she’d never imagined feeling that way about a man. Ever.
“Jane.” His grin showed even, bright white teeth. “Glad to see you. Come on in.”
She took a step then paused. “Shoot. I brought a bottle of wine. It’s in the car.”
“Don’t worry about it. Dinner and drinks are on me.” He gently tugged her inside then closed the door behind her. “Follow me.”
He gave her a small tour that she didn’t actually need, having seen it before. But she made the appropriate comments, sincerely appreciating the décor as they wound around the main level, through a formal living area and dining room back to the kitchen and more casual living space.
“Wow. This place is great.” Done in creams with teak accents and Scandinavian style furniture, everything felt sleek and natural while modern. The many plants parceled about the home gave the area color and life but didn’t detract from the calm feel.
“Wait until you see where we’ll be eating.” He drew her back into the kitchen, where the heavenly scent of steak sizzled over the stovetop grill. The white kitchen looked pristine, everything in its place, reminding her of the way he’d kept his office, his stacks of papers neat and orderly, every pen in the cup holder, every paperclip in its compartment.
“I really like your house.”
“Thanks. It took a while to find a place I liked.” He fiddled with the steaks. “I thought we could eat out back since it’s such a nice night. Then maybe coffee or wine afterward on the upper balcony. It’s got great views of the Space Needle and Lake Union.”
“I’m sold.” She glanced around, surprised when he handed her a wine glass. “Oh.”
“Is wine all right?”
