“It’s okay, Elijah. She knew we were working on a project. She’s pulling your leg.”
His shoulders relax.
Elijah’s respect for the older generation was drummed into him, although my mother is not technically that much older.
“I’m only teasing,” she says, giving him another squeeze.
“That’s okay then,” Elijah says, shooting me a look that would render me unconscious.
Mum has always liked to tease.
“Mum, Elijah needs to go to work,” I tell her.
“No problem. Just don’t be a stranger,” she says, patting his enormous chest before stepping back. “See you soon.”
I watch as he stoops and drops a kiss on my mother’s cheek.
“You too, Mrs D,” he says, making her growl as he grins. “Two can play at that game.”
“Get to work,” she says, smiling. “I need my daughter to make me a coffee. Her machine is better than mine.”
A total lie since I bought her an identical model.
Elijah is still smiling when he gets back into his car. Mum comes to stand next to me, and we watch him leave.
When he’s out of sight, she turns to me, her eyes questioning. “And?”
“We were working.”
She grunts as she walks past me and into my house.
“Come in,” I say under my breath before rolling my eyes and following her. It’ll be a while before I get any sleep.
CHAPTER 25
ELIJAH
Adrenalin courses through my body as I enter my office, priming my muscles despite my lack of sleep. I look to the bookshelf where the watch Pen gave me buzzed.
Fuck.
It’s something when you can’t even feel safe in your own environment.
My nerves are stretched raw from stress and now a lack of sleep.
Everyone I passed on my way here, anyone who acknowledged me, I wondered.
Is it you? Are you the one who sold me out?
My mind is racing.
Whoever it is, I’ve been working alongside them for months, maybe even years. It could even be one of my founding members.
Fuck! This is messing with my head.I still need to speak to Todd and the board.
I move towards my desk and drop into my chair. It lets out a loud creak in protest and I drop my head back, closing my eyes.
A knock on my door has me jumping upright.
