Young Lies (Young Series Book 1) (7 page)

He frowns at me. “Where are we?”

“We’re in a hotel,” I tell him. “We decided to take a little vacation for a few days, and we wanted it to be a surprise.” The less he knows about possible dangers, the better. “How would you feel about flying on an airplane today?”

As predicted, his eyes light up at the prospect. “Really?” he asks excitedly. “A real plane?”

I nod, smiling. He hasn’t been on a plane since the night we flew from New York to Omaha, and I know he doesn’t remember it in the slightest. Anytime we travel, we’re usually driving, since our destinations are only to family members’ homes a few hours away. “Yep,” I tell him, pulling him onto my lap. “Sound like fun?”

He nods emphatically, smiling so widely I think his face might stick like that. We chat a little longer about our plane ride and vacation until Tom enters the room.

“Tom! Guess what!” Tyler exclaims, bouncing out of my lap in a way that makes me wince when his left knee inexplicably makes painful contact with my bladder. “We’re going on a plane!”

To Tom’s credit, no matter how much he hates this entire situation, he doesn’t allow Tyler to see that side. Instead, he’s the attentive father figure who genuinely enjoys seeing my son’s excitement. “Are we?” he asks just as excitedly. “What makes you think that?”

“Mom told me,” Tyler says proudly. “She says we’re going to...” He trails off, frowning in a way that makes Tom and me both grin. “I can’t remember where, but we’re flying!”

“Well, she probably should have told you we’re not actually going on an airplane; we’re flying like birds. I hope your arms are strong enough, because the place we’re going is far away and you’ll fall right out of the sky if you can’t keep flapping your arms like wings.”

“No we’re not!” Tyler replies, immediately detecting the teasing in Tom’s voice. “We’re going on a plane.”

Tom shoots me a grin and a wink. I manage a small smile in return. “Oh, well, that’s good. I’d hate to lose you halfway to New York.”

The two of them continue discussing our travel plans and I excuse myself, the need for coffee suddenly striking. Out in the suite, Matthew and Leo are standing around a table, talking quietly. I take the moment to appreciate Matthew after he’s had his shower. His hair is still damp and flat, since he hasn’t been running his hands through it constantly. Yet. And even from here I can smell his combination of body wash and aftershave. It’s intoxicating and I have to fight not to groan aloud.

Matthew sees me first and I see his eyes soften as he gives me a smile. “Good morning,” he says quietly, almost cautiously. In an instant, I know he’s seen past all my attempts to make it seem as though I’ve gotten a full night’s peaceful sleep rather than dwelling on every little detail of what’s happening around us. “Coffee?”

I nod, averting my eyes from him. “Yes, please,” I practically whisper.

Leo mutters some half-assed excuse and heads into another room to make a phone call.

“You didn’t sleep,” Matthew observes as he walks to the in-suite kitchen to pour me a cup of coffee. I watch him silently, noting he still remembers exactly how much of my favorite creamer to mix in. I even see him roll his eyes at how much he’s pouring in, having never understood why I insist on flavoring my creamer with coffee. He turns and hands me the cup, looking at me expectantly.

I note the black shadows beneath his eyes. “Neither did you,” I retort, taking a small sip of my perfectly prepared drink.

He sighs, leaning against the counter and sliding his hands into his pockets. “Good point,” he concedes resignedly. “But as I recall, I can survive on far less sleep than you.” I don’t respond. There’s no point. “We’ll be leaving in about half an hour. I’ve already spoken to Tom and he’s made all the arrangements with both of your places of employment. I believe the excuse he used was a family emergency.”

Shit. I didn’t even think about calling into the office to tell them I wouldn’t be in for a few days, depending on how long this ordeal lasts. I nod in acknowledgment.

Matthew shuffles a little uneasily. “Have you decided what you’re going to say to Ty?” he asks quietly, watching me very closely.

I stall by taking several sips of my coffee. I have decided what I’m going to say, but I don’t think Matthew will like it. In fact, I know he won’t like it; I know I don’t. “Mostly,” I mutter to my coffee cup. “I’ve already told him we’re going on vacation. Though if you’re referring to how I’ll explain you...” I shrug uncomfortably. “I don’t know what else to tell him aside from saying you’re a family friend.”

His jaw tenses. “How about telling him who I am?” he says through gritted teeth. “Are you planning on hiding it until he’s old enough to figure it out for himself?”

I glare at him. “He knows about you, Matt,” I say coolly. “He’s seen pictures, I’ve told him stories... He knows who his father is. But he’s six and he’s not going to understand the connection, especially since for the majority of his life, Tom has been the constant.”

“That’s not my fault,” he says in a low voice, looking angry and hurt. “You’re the one who—”

“Don’t,” I interrupt harshly. “Just fucking don’t, Matthew. I’m not having this conversation with you right now.” Or ever, if I have my way. “This needs to be as simple as we can manage for Tyler’s sake. He’s already much more aware of his surroundings than a six-year-old has any right to be, and the last thing any of us wants is for him to sense the danger or animosity between any of us. So, please, for his sake, can you at least be civil to Tom?”

The suggestion seems to annoy Matthew further, but he grudgingly nods just in time for Tom and Tyler to join us. I hear Matthew suck in a sharp breath as he sets eyes on his son for the first time in years outside of photos or him sleeping. I can’t imagine what it feels like for him to do so; I’d lose my mind if I didn’t get to see my baby every day and the turmoil it must cause Matthew is at the forefront of my mind.

I turn around to face the new arrivals and immediately see Tyler looking between Matthew and me with a frown. Immediately I know his mind is making connections most little kids couldn’t manage. He really is too smart for his own good—and mine—sometimes. I have to diffuse this before he starts asking questions. “Tyler,” I say, setting my coffee cup on the counter, “come here. I want you to meet somebody.”

Tyler hesitantly leaves Tom’s side to join me and I kneel down to his level. “This is my friend Matt,” I tell him quietly, instantly hating myself for the lie. Every bone in my body is screaming at me to introduce Matthew as my son’s father.

Very slowly, Matthew kneels beside me. “Hello, Tyler,” he whispers thickly, his wide eyes taking in every detail about our son. “It’s nice to meet you.”

As I expected, Tyler reverts into his shy mood, sliding closer to me as though seeking protection. “Hi,” he whispers, pressing himself into my side.

Matthew smiles sadly. “I like your shirt,” he says, gesturing to the t-shirt Tyler is wearing with the Batman emblem. “I’m a big Batman fan myself.”

Tyler smiles shyly. “He’s cool.”

Chuckling, Matthew nods. “That he is,” he agrees, looking at me with an expression that tells me having this conversation is a dream come true for him. “Maybe later we can watch one of the movies.”

I smile fondly at the two of them, knowing this will be the icebreaker that brings them together. I’ve daydreamed about how they might interact, knowing Matthew can be the perfect playmate for a small child just as easily as he could run his company. Glancing back at Tom, I see an expression of extreme annoyance appear on his face as he watches Matthew interact with his son. Something tells me it’s going to be a very long flight.

-------------o-------------

Two hours later, we’re all sitting comfortably within Matthew’s private jet. From the outside, it’s completely inconspicuous, looking no different than the other small airplanes around it. On the inside, it’s made for comfort. Three rows of large leather seats are arranged in the front. Behind those, on either side of the walkway are long couches that lead to a set of tables. Towards the back of the plane is the restroom, a small study, and a bedroom. I find myself looking longingly at the bedroom and only turn away my attention when I see Matthew smirking knowingly at me. I roll my eyes and push past him to join Tyler in the seats.

Looking over at Tom, I can see he’s grudgingly impressed with his surroundings. I know it isn’t easy for him to allow Matthew to control our actions, but my affection towards him increases at the fact that he’s taking it this well. He glances over at me, giving me a wink and a smile that I return.

When it’s time for takeoff, Matthew and Leo sit in the row in front of us, and they both engage Tyler in a Batman conversation to get his mind off the impending flight. Apparently my son has an unexplained fear of flying. Who knew. Their distraction technique works and before Tyler even realizes we’ve left the ground, we’ve leveled off in the sky and the seatbelt sign has been turned off, allowing us to move around. Matthew shoots Leo a glance, then turns to Tyler and me.

“So Leo has a couple Batman cartoons ready to watch if you’re interested...” he says leadingly.

Tyler looks at me with wide, hopeful eyes. “Can I watch, Mom?” he asks, bouncing in his seat.

I look questioningly at Matthew who’s eyes communicate he wants to talk to us without Tyler’s presence. I catch on immediately. “Of course, buddy,” I say, flattening back his hair and unbuckling his seatbelt. “Have fun.”

Leo grins at Tyler, taking his hand to lead him towards the very back of the jet, to the bedroom. I look back at Matthew who no longer has the fond, fatherly glint in his eyes, but a dull reluctance that shrivels my insides. “What?” I ask quietly.

He doesn’t meet my gaze until the bedroom door is shut and Leo is returning to us. “I need everyone to be on board with the security measures I’ll be putting into place once we land,” he says, moving so he can address both Tom and me at the same time. “It’s not ideal, but the measures are there to keep all three of you safe. Otherwise, you will be at risk to anyone who wants to hurt you.” Tom looks between the three of us uneasily, but doesn’t comment. “Firstly, you’re not to use your cell phones until I say differently. And there’s no point searching for them; we confiscated them last night.”

Tom immediately stops searching his pockets for his phone, glaring at Matthew. “You stole our property?” he asks incredulously.

“Yes,” Matthew replies unblinkingly. “You were being tracked by the GPS chips in your phones. I’m having them encoded so you can use them freely again. Next, none of you goes anywhere without a security escort. I don’t care if you want to walk down the street for a fucking Snickers bar; you take someone with you. Leo will introduce you to the security team once we reach the house. Third, once you’ve gotten back your phones, you are not to tell anybody, not even family, where you are, who you’re with, or why you’re with them. Anybody can be involved in this mess and you don’t want to take the chance that someone you know has been bribed into giving away information about you. Last, I need to know that I can trust you.” He speaks to both of us, but looks directly at Tom. “Anything you hear in my presence has the potential to make this entire thing worse if the wrong person overhears it. I need to know that you won’t tell anyone about whatever you see, hear, or do. This is the most important rule and will be the one that gets you sent right back to the fucking farm if it’s broken. Are we clear?”

I agree immediately and Matthew sends me a small smile of gratitude before turning his sights back on Tom. “Well?” he demands.

“Yeah, sure,” Tom mutters, looking like it’s going against everything he is to not argue with Matthew right now.

“Thank you,” Matthew says quietly. “In return I will be as honest with you as I can be without compromising your safety any further. There will be things I will refuse to tell you because I believe they will do more damage than good. If you ask, I will tell
you if I can’t answer.”

“What the hell is it that has these bastards after us in the first place?” Tom blurts.

I look at Matthew curiously, wondering how much he’ll admit to the man he once considered a sworn enemy. “If I told you that, I’d have to kill you,” says Matthew, deadpan.

A grin starts to grow on Tom’s face until he realizes no one else is joining in on what he believes to be a joke. I feel a little sorry for him; I’m familiar with what it’s like to initially learn just how serious Matthew’s job can be and it’s startlingly unsettling. And if I didn’t know any better, I’d say even Matthew felt slight pity for him. For a man who can spend most of his day joking, teasing, and flirting, Matthew takes his work incredibly seriously and Tom isn’t familiar with that side of him.

“So what makes you think your place is safer than anywhere else?” Tom challenges, trying to recover from both his shock and embarrassment.

Leo and Matthew smirk at one another. “It just is,” Leo says dismissively.

I’m fully aware of the security measures that surround Matthew’s home, the place I called home for three years, incidentally. Deep in the country of Upstate New York, surrounded by forest, the house itself was rather modest when you brought Matthew’s wealth into consideration. Through tall wrought-iron gates that surround the several acres of land, a long, winding gravel driveway leads up the hill to where the house is set. The outside is misleading: From a distance it seems like a simple log cabin, but the closer you get, the clearer it is that there is so much more to it. Two stories high, not including the basement, the place Matthew Young calls home is the epitome of a bachelor pad or a man cave, whichever term you prefer. The furnishings are simple, yet gorgeous. The main floor is more normal than anywhere else—large kitchen, living and dining room large enough to accommodate parties for a hundred people. My first party there was nearly overwhelming, but I had no trouble finding somewhere to steady my nerves and get used to the crowd. Downstairs in the basement was the entertainment area where Matthew spent most of his free time. He had a movie theater installed as well as his very own arcade with every video game imaginable and only the very best in home gym equipment. The second story housed the bedrooms—five of them—and Matthew’s home office.