Page 143 of No Headlines Please

Forget the business card. That was the thing that really set Delaney off.

Wasn't it?

Now wasn't a good time for anything, except to be left alone.

And yet, I heard myself say, "Go ahead. Show them in."

55

His Natural Habitat

Delaney

As the impeccably dressed receptionist showed me into his office, I tried not to gawk.

Standing behind the massive mahogany desk, there he was – not the guy I'd dumped dirt on. Or had coffee with. Or who had kissed me like he'd meant it.

No, here in his natural habitat, he was Maddox Freaking McGuiness, the black sheep billionaire I'd just spent days reading about.

Okay, yes, logically I realized that he was the same person – except it didn't feel that way as our eyes locked across the wide expanse of his office.

He wasn't smiling. Then again, I hadn't expected him to.

My breath caught as I took it all in – not just his stony expression, but everything around him.

Expansive windows revealed the Chicago skyline in all its glittering afternoon glory. Framed artwork hung on the walls. Polished wood gleamed beneath my feet. And a luxurious sitting area with leather chairs and low tables occupied one side of the sprawling space.

But it was Maddox himself who held my attention as the silence stretched out between us.

The two of us were alone – a point driven home when the office door shut behind me with a quiet click.

When I whirled to look, the receptionist was already gone.

As my pulse quickened, I turned back to Maddox, who studied me with a look that was impossible to decipher.

Apparently, this was my cue to speak.

I cleared my throat. "I guess you're surprised to see me, huh?"

And yet, he didn't look surprised. He didn't look anything. As I tried to read his expression, I couldn't help but recall our penthouse discussion about games, when I'd guessed his favorite to be poker.

And why? Because even then, I'd known he had one heck of a poker face.

Finally, he replied in a calm, neutral voice. "Surprised? You might say that." He glanced past me. "So where's the witness?"

It might've been a joke. It might've been an accusation. From his tone, I couldn't be sure either way.

I had to remind myself that I was the one who'd sought him out – and not the other way around. I cut to the chase. "Well…if you want the truth, I was kind of hoping I wouldn't need him."

"And why's that?"

I gave his desk another glance. The business card – the one I'd given the receptionist – sat on its surface, directly in front of Maddox. On the enormous desk, it looked absurdly small, like a fleck of snow against dark pavement. I pointed to the card. "Because you already have the evidence."

He didn't even look. "Exhibit A, huh?"

"You might say that."

"And it's evidence of what?"