Declan nodded at her and gestured to the drinks on his desk. She slipped the valet ticket into my hand before reaching for a glass.
I decided I could use a little something, as well. I swallowed a mouthful of the cocktail, and it sputtered in my throat.
“Do you like Vegas?” Declan also reached for his drink and perched himself on the edge of his desk.
Let’s see: gambling, dancing, and gorgeous women. “Sure.”
“I have a grand opening at one of my clubs out there this weekend. It’s a replica of The Phoenix, but Vegas style. Would you two care to join me? We can talk business in more detail, and you can decide if you want to continue a relationship between Reid and Matthews Tech.”
I rubbed my palms against my thighs. I expected board meetings and emails when I took over, not weekends in Vegas.
Lauren looked at me, her brown eyes widening with hope.
“Is it necessary to talk at a club?” I tried to hide the sneer that pulsed in my lip.
Declan shoved his hands in his pockets. “Your competition is watching every move you make, especially with the new technology you’ve just developed.”
I wondered what new technology he meant. I still hadn’t talked with the research and development department—I’d spent the last three days signing paperwork.
“It’s in the best interest of your company to keep your competitors in the dark.”
I swallowed the rest of my drink and set the empty glass on the desk as I stood. “I haven’t been to Vegas in a while. I guess it would be good to get away.”
Lauren quickly set her glass down and clapped her hands together.
“Why don’t we get another drink? Put business on the backburner until this weekend. The entertainment will be starting soon,” Declan suggested.
“Oh?”
“Come on. Follow me.” Declan smiled at Lauren as he ushered us from the office.
She wet her red lips and ran her fingers through her dark hair. Was she flirting?
I suddenly realized that Olivia was out there somewhere. And God help me, I wasn’t sure if I could handle seeing her again.
“You okay?” Lauren asked as we made our way back to the main dance area.
“Sure,” I shouted over the booming music.
Declan stopped in front of the bar and pointed up to a pair of crystal chandeliers. “Had those specially imported from the Netherlands.”
The spiral staircase off to the left of the bar was wrapped in LED lights, and there were twenty-foot bird wings suspended in the air above the bar.
“Can I get you something else to drink?” he asked.
“Just a Corona.” Then again, Olivia was here. Maybe I needed something stronger. “Change that to a Jack and Coke.”
Declan grinned and turned to the bartender. “Two Jack and Cokes and Lauren’s usual.”
So, Lauren was a regular.
“Can you escort them to a VIP booth?”
I turned around to see who Declan was talking to.
“Sure.” Olivia looked at Lauren, offering her a small smile, which exposed only one of her dimples. “Follow me.”
I sucked in a breath as I watched the sway of her hips beneath the blue fabric of her dress. The dress fell just above her knees, leaving enough to the imagination while also teasing me with her toned legs. Clearly she hadn’t stopped working out. Even her shoulders and arms were sculpted and lean.
I forced my attention to the crowd and away from her ass. I didn’t want to be attracted to her. It pissed me off that I hardened at the simple memory of her tight body pinned beneath me.
“Connor?” Lauren scooted on to the red leather booth, and a hint of lace from the top of her black thigh-highs was exposed.
I blinked a few times. Anything to help pull my mind from thoughts of Olivia.
I slid in next to her. “Are you joining us?” I forced myself to ask Olivia. I wanted her to say no as much as I wanted her to say yes. God, I was still hard. Was it noticeable? My gaze lingered on her mouth for a moment, and I heard a small cough behind me. Was Lauren jealous of Olivia? She should be. Lauren was hot, but Olivia was in a class of her own.
Olivia touched her collarbone but remained quiet. Clearly, this was as awkward for her as it was for me.
“What’s your name again? I don’t remember seeing you here before,” Lauren said.
Olivia leaned forward a little to be heard. She was standing a few feet away like she was afraid to be in arm’s reach. “I just started working at the club a few weeks ago,” she answered. “I worked for Declan at Reid Enterprises before.”
The music was starting to increase in volume, and I noticed the so-called entertainment walking out onto the stage, which was rising from the center of the dance floor as red lights lit the walkway and blasts of cryogenic smoke began to cloud the room.
Women and men dressed in black leather began performing acrobatic feats. Was this a circus? What happened to clubs where people listened to music and just danced?
“Can I get you anything before I leave?” So Olivia wasn’t planning to stay.
“I’ll take another drink.” Lauren raised her half empty martini glass.
Even through the dim lighting, I could see Olivia was biting her lip.
“How about you? Anything else?” I glanced down at my hand, which held a nearly overflowing Jack and Coke. “I’m good. Thanks.” How had Olivia wound up here instead of law school?
Olivia turned and walked through the crowd and clouds of smoke.
“Sit down, cowboy.”
Cowboy? I smoothed a hand over my jaw and sat at the end of the booth. I didn’t want to give Lauren any ideas. I wasn’t sure about business protocol, but I was pretty sure it didn’t involve screwing employees. And, despite her sex appeal, the woman rubbed me the wrong way.
She scooted a little closer. “What do you think?” She twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers and pressed her lips together.
“About?” I looked away from her and to the dancers on the stage.
“Declan.” She placed her hand on my shoulder.
My instinctive flinch at her touch sent her scooting back.
“He’s interesting.” I didn’t know what the hell to say. Clearly, she had some sort of . . . something . . . with the guy. And so had my father, apparently.
“Do you like the club?” Declan had come up behind us. He slid into the opposite side of the booth.
“The place is great,” the lie slipped from my tongue.
God, I couldn’t wait to get to a gym. Or maybe even a gun range.
I spotted Olivia at the bar across the room as the smoke began to settle. Her back was to me, and one of the bartenders was talking to her. “Can you excuse me for a moment? I think I need a stronger drink.”
“I can get someone—” Declan started.
“I’m good. Thanks.” I rose to my feet and moved through the crowd, Olivia still in my sights. Her hair was long, wavy, and had a wind-blown look to it, which reminded me of how her hair looked after one of our many days at the beach together.
She scratched the heel of her shoe against her calf muscle and began rubbing her neck. I scolded myself for imagining that it was my hands on her neck—massaging her.
“Can we talk?” I whispered in her ear as my hand rested on the small of her back.
She jerked from my touch and moved a few steps back. My hand dropped to my side. What the hell was I thinking, touching her?
“Connor.” The way she said my name sounded like a warning.
I pressed my back up against the bar and noticed Declan observing me from across the room. “What are you doing working here?”
“Please.” She moved a little closer. “Please don’t talk about me with Declan.”
“Why?” I’d had no plans to, but what was she trying to hide? “Are you married?”
“No, but please just don’t mention anything to Declan, okay?”
My hand caught her wrist, and she pulled away
again. Shit—what was wrong with me? I had some damn instinct to touch her, despite the anger that had consumed me for years. “Olivia, are you in trouble?”
She shook her head and glanced in Declan’s direction. “If he asks anything, can you just say we hooked up once? Whatever you men say to each other . . . I don’t know. Just not the truth, okay? I need this job, and I sort of fudged my resume to get it.”
Lying again . . . Did anything change with her? I had to steel my nerves as my pulse began to quicken. The memories of our past pushed up into my throat, leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
I didn’t say anything or get a new drink. I just turned away from her and started back for the VIP booth.
“Hey, there.” A red tie had been flung around my neck by one of the dancers. Her glittered face was inches from mine as she pulled me closer. Great, this was all I needed . . .
I glanced at Olivia, who was still standing by the bar. Watching me.
Was she jealous? Did she think she had a right to be, after all these years?
I caught the tie with my hand and pulled myself free of the woman’s hold. “Another time.” I moved from the dance area and stopped next to Declan’s booth.
“I think it’s time for me to go. Lauren, do you need a ride?”
“Leaving already?” Her face went long as her lips curved into an exaggerated pout.
“Is there a problem with Olivia?” Declan asked.
“What? No.” I shook my head. “I was an asshole to her in college. Just apologizing.”
Of course, it was more like she needed to apologize to me. I couldn’t believe I was lying for her.
“Women,” Declan muttered and smirked. “I can give you a ride, Lauren.” His hand rested on her thigh. Yet, her brown eyes lingered on me.
“See you at the office tomorrow.” She sipped her drink, peering up from beneath dark lashes.
“I’ll get the info to you tomorrow.” Declan stood, reaching for my hand. “Thanks again for coming. I look forward to talking with you more in Vegas.”
“For sure.”
I was already dreading the trip, but I had to follow through. I didn’t want to screw this up for my brother.
I made my way through the maze of people and found Olivia near the door, talking to some guy in a leather jacket. He had to be hot in that thing.
Olivia shook her head at the man and pointed at his chest. Maybe an ex?
I walked past the two of them, catching her eye on my way to the exit.
The crisp air slapped me in the face as I stepped through the door. I stuffed my hands in my pockets as the valet left to retrieve my car.
“I’m sorry.”
My shoulders arched back as a thrill ran up my spine. I slowly turned to face her. “Sorry for what?”
She released a sigh. “Asking you to lie for me.”
I shrugged and tried to think of something to say, but it was too hard to concentrate when she was standing so close to me, smelling so damn good. Fortunately, the valet pulled up in my Jeep. “I’ll see you around, I guess.”
“Connor?”
“Yeah?” I didn’t turn around.
“Goodnight,” she whispered.
I hopped into the car and clenched the steering will, forcing myself not to look.
Chapter Six
Olivia
“One more time. Come on. Hit it hard.”
My gloved hand pounded the bag, and I had to reel it back and shake off the pain. “Ughhh . . .”
“That’s what I’m talking about, girl.” Bobby, the bartender from the club, came from behind the punching bag and slapped me lightly on the back. “You ready to spar?” He handed me a bottle of water.
I sucked the bottle dry. “The question is, are you?” A grin teased my lips.
“Always ready.” He reached for the blue gloves he’d set on a folding chair by the boxing ring.
I pulled the white headgear over my ears. “Don’t take it easy on me.”
“Have I ever?” he asked once we were in the boxing ring, squaring off.
The gym was Declan’s, and he’d insisted I take advantage of the place, especially now that I was working later in the day. Bobby, who reminded me of a young Will Smith, never hit me even remotely hard. It drove me nuts—I was used to sparring with guys who were willing to slam me to the floor. I wanted—no, needed—an intense match up. Especially after last night.
Bobby touched his gloved hands to his black hair—he never wore headgear—before raising them in front of his face.
My right hook caught him in the jaw, and I shifted my weight to my left side to come at him with a fast crescent kick.
“Feisty today, huh?” A lopsided grin formed as he threw a soft jab at my mid-section.
My white T-shirt was already clinging with sweat. Earlier, thoughts of Connor had me pounding the punching bag like I was fighting for my life.
I blocked Bobby’s left punch and returned with a second blow to his jaw. Even if he decided not to take it easy on me, I knew I could take sweet Bobby down.
My focus shifted to find Declan entering the large private boxing area. “What’s he doing here?” I lowered my gloves and took a step back.
“He does own the gym,” Bobby said with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
“No, shit,” I responded and raised my hands back up. “But he should be at the office.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he needed something to hit as much as you do.” He smirked.
I laughed. “What? Need me to go easy on ya?”
“Hardly.” He swung, but I ducked out of reach.
“I told you to use the gym, but really—you box?” Declan climbed into the ring, stepping under one of the red ropes that surrounded the fighting area. “You’re full of surprises.”
“Do you need me for something?”
He folded his arms and directed his attention at Bobby. “You mind if we have a few moments alone?”
So, he’d come here for me.
“Sure.” Bobby winked before climbing out of the ring.
I removed my headgear and started taking off my gloves. “What’s up?” I asked, still a little breathy from the fight.
“Is my doing business with Connor Matthews going to be a problem for you?”
Without realizing it, I took a step back. My eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
He closed the short distance between us and placed his hand on my shoulder.
Take your hand off me, I wanted to yell, but I stayed still and silent under his touch.
“Connor mentioned he screwed you over. Just hoping you can move past whatever it is he did . . .”
My breath caught in my throat for a moment. What in the hell was I supposed to say? My short fingernails pressed into my palms. “I haven’t seen Connor in nearly ten years. It’s ancient history.”
He angled his head and kept his eyes on mine. “You’re sure?”
Hell, no. “Of course.”
“Good. Then I want you to head over to his office for me.”
“What?” This time, I couldn’t help it. I stepped away and out of his reach.
Declan crossed his arms, taking a defensive stance. “I want you to drop off the Vegas info.”
I propped my hands on my hips. “You don’t think my showing up to his office will have the opposite effect?”
“Why would it if the past is behind you?” Giving me a pointed look, he said, “Make sure he’s happy. Make sure he’s at the club this weekend.”
“He’s that important for business?” This can’t be happening.
Declan’s expression softened a little. “Yes, he is.”
“Then he’ll be there.” My chest tightened as I thought about whether or not I’d be able to follow through with my promise.
“And Olivia? Next time you plan on sparring, call me, instead.”
Now that was something I could do. “What about now?” I hadn’t meant to be so obvious, but my excitement at the thought of hitting the bastard
echoed in my voice. I’d grown to hate the man in the last nine months working for him.
“I have a meeting. But I’ll definitely take a rain check.”
I watched him duck under the rope and exit the ring. He nodded at Bobby, then strode through the boxing area and back to the main gym. I huffed and tossed my gloves and headgear into my bag.
“You done for the day?” Bobby hovered as I zipped up my bag just outside the boxing ring. The room was empty, except for us. Declan only allowed his employees and friends the use of the boxing room, which was tucked away in the back of the gym.
“Unfortunately. I have an errand to run for the boss man.” I picked up the bag and slung the strap over my shoulder. “See ya tonight.” I patted him on the shoulder and started for the locker room.
Thirty minutes later, my fist tapped the door three times. I waited, my stomach a ball of nerves. I couldn’t believe that it had come to this.
The door swung open. “You’re late.”
I stepped past Blake, removing my Mets baseball hat and sunglasses as I walked down the hall.
“What took so long?” he asked.
“Traffic.” I sank into the leather chair and pressed my hands to my jeaned thighs. “Why were you at the club last night? You don’t normally make an appearance on Wednesdays.”
“Trying not to be too predictable.” Blake’s blue eyes studied mine for a moment before he sat across from me on the couch.
The apartment was our home away from home, for now. Last month it had been a penthouse in the Upper Eastside, and the time before a brownstone in Harlem.
“You were in an awfully pissy mood last night—wouldn’t talk to me even when I called your damn phone. That’s a breach of protocol.”
My eyelids snapped shut. I still didn’t want to say a thing.
“Who was it that Declan was talking to last night? And you, too.”
I wanted to tell him it was none of his damn business, but in all fairness, it was. “Connor Matthews. He inherited his father’s company. Matthews Tech.” I slowly opened my eyes and tried to push the image of Connor out of my mind.
Blake rubbed his clean-shaven jaw before smoothing a hand over his short, dark blonde hair. “The same Matthews Tech that designs and manufactures weapons?”
Buried Lies (Hidden Truths) Page 4