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The server arrived with their food, giving Hayley a moment to compose herself and try to slow her racing heart. He knew about her past. Raymond knew she’d lied about her experience in matchmaking. “I’m surprised you found the time to look me up.”

“I always make time for the people I’m fond of.” Raymond sliced off a large piece of bloody meat and stuck it in his mouth.

Hayley fought the urge to grimace as she concentrated on her potato and salad. He knew the truth about her. What now? Did he expect her to come clean? How would that help him find his perfect match? Maybe he doubted she’d do a good job and would request a transfer to another colleague. If Raymond did that, it would raise questions with Diadora and result in her finding out the truth.

“I’m fascinated to learn how someone with zero matchmaking experience got a job at a premiere alien dating agency?” Raymond asked. “Surely, you need a specific skill set to do this kind of work.”

“My skills are transferable.” Hayley felt like she was walking into a trap. “And I’m a fast learner.”

“I know how clever you are, and I know how manipulative you can be.”

She stared at him, her blood pounding in her ears. “I’m not manipulative. I wasn’t the one who tricked me into falling for you.”

He smirked. “There was no trick needed. You were happy enough to fall for me, as you say. I simply allowed nature to take its course. I know you’re smart and resourceful when you want something.”

Hayley glowered at him. “What if I am?”

“I wonder what your boss will think if she discovers your true work history? Six months in a cafe here, a few months behind the bar working for minimum wage. You didn’t carry on with your studies and made no attempt to be a success. I have to say I’m disappointed in you. You showed such promise.”

“Being kicked out of college stamped on that promise.” Hayley stabbed blindly at her food. He was going to ruin her, just as he’d done all those years ago. Her throat tightened, and she blinked away angry tears.

“Life is full of challenges. It’s how we rise to meet them that makes the difference. It separates the winners, such as myself, from the losers.” Raymond gestured at Hayley. “Those who have to lie and deceive others to get what they want.”

“You sound like you’re describing yourself, not me,” Hayley muttered.

Raymond shook his head. “Now, now. There’s no need for bitterness. Some of us are simply born to succeed. Life does not hand winning opportunities to everybody. You shouldn’t have been afraid to go after what you wanted. You could have been at the top of your game by now. Instead, you let one tiny setback ruin you.”

Anger curled Hayley’s fingers into fists. “It was not a tiny setback. And you were the one to ruin me.”

Raymond shrugged. “Even so, you appear to have landed on your feet here. It would be such a shame if it came crashing down because I felt compelled to be honest. I think honesty is very important, don’t you?”

Hayley gripped her knife and glared at Raymond. “What are you getting at?”

“You like it here. You enjoy your work and find space an interesting place. I’m wondering what you’d do in order to keep me quiet about your deceit?”

Hayley felt the blood drain from her face. He couldn’t be serious. Was Raymond blackmailing her into keeping quiet? “I don’t know what you mean.”

He stroked a finger down the back of her hand. “A smart girl like you can figure it out. Let’s enjoy the rest of our lunch together, and you can think about ways you can keep me quiet.”

Hayley swallowed her horror. Raymond had her trapped, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Chapter 18

Elias paced the empty room for what felt like the hundredth time. After being taken by Princess Isolt, he’d been shoved in a room on her ship and left on his own for hours. He slumped against the wall and slid down it. This was it. This was the day he’d been dreading. He’d had nightmares about what would happen when Princess Isolt discovered him. Now, he was about to find out.

Although he felt frustrated about being trapped, Elias felt a certain amount of resignation. This was his fate. Princess Isolt would kill him and most likely add him to the disgusting bone pile he’d discovered on her ship.

It had been an unrealistic dream to think he could run from this problem forever. Princess Isolt had contacts everywhere, and no matter how discreet he’d been, she would have eventually found him. It was hideous timing. Elias had begun to think he could have a life here. He had a job he loved and friends, and then there was Hayley. Smart, beautiful, funny Hayley. They were just at the beginning of their relationship. They had something together, and he’d wanted to explore that and see where he could take it.

He’d never see her again. He wouldn’t get out of this room alive. Princess Isolt would never allow him to get away. He’d never feel the touch of Hayley’s lips on his, smell her perfume, or watch as she laughed and her cheeks flushed when she talked about her passions. That had been taken away and all for one mistake.

The sound of the lock opening on the door had him jumping to his feet. Elias’s back straightened as Princess Isolt walked into the room, accompanied by two guards. She stared at him in silence for a moment, disgust rolling off her in waves. “Leave us.”

The two guards turned and left the room, the door sliding shut behind them.

Elias watched as Princess Isolt walked slowly backward and forward in front of him, her ice blue gown moving like water across her long limbs. Her thick dark hair was piled on her head in an elaborate braid, and long tendrils framed her delicate face.

She stopped pacing, and her gaze ran over him. “I thought I would never see you again, Elias.”