Page 29 of Shadowed Agenda
“My lawyer and I will both be there,” she said, regretting her decision to confront Nicholas. She’d given him another stone to throw at her.
“You won’t win, Regan.” Nicholas looked at her and raised a brow. “You should consider my offer.”
The three of them together painted a better image for his political career. Regan was sure he’d already concocted a plausible story about their separation.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to escape Senator Aster’s aide.”
Regan jumped, startled at the sound of Pavlo’s voice.
“Pavlo Barislov,” Pavlo said and stretched out his hand.
“Nicholas Wyndham,” Nicholas replied. “Pleasure to meet you. I’d swear we’ve met before, but I’d know if we did. It must be your picture in your books. I’m a big fan of yours. I haven’t missed a single one. Congrats on the movie deal.”
Regan stifled a groan. Everyone seemed to be a Pavlo Barislov fan except for her.
“Thank you. I wasn’t joking about the need to escape. Gage Palmer loves to talk… about himself,” Pavlo said, placing his hand on her back.
Her heart rate quickened at his touch. She wasn’t a fan, Regan reminded herself.Pheromones.Simple science. She was certain he had this effect on every woman he met.
Nicholas laughed. “I know Gage Palmer well.”
“We have an early morning engagement,” Pavlo said, turning to her. “I already made our apologies for leaving early.” He nodded at Nicholas. “It’s been nice meeting you.”
Pavlo guided her through the ballroom and into the foyer.
“What were you thinking, talking to Wyndham alone?” Pavlo hissed in Regan’s ear. “Or should I say confronting the man?”
Regan felt her cheeks warm.Damn.Why couldn’t she grind her teeth or fidget when nervous, something less noticeable than the red spots on her cheeks?
“I’ll admit, it might have been a rash decision, but it worked,” Regan said. “I don’t think Nicholas is involved. He’s setting up a video meeting with Senator Aster to ask him what’s going on.”
“And you believed him?” Pavlo stopped a few yards away from the elevator. “The guy’s a professional liar.”
Regan tipped her head up to look at Pavlo. His casual demeanor had disappeared, and his eyes had thatkeep your mouth shut,Regan, if you didn’t want the guy to explodelook.
She thought about the crumpled strip of paper she’d stuffed in her handbag. The message was clear. Get rid of Pavlo or they would.
Pavlo could take care of himself, but he wasn’t Superman. Regan couldn’t bear the thought of him getting hurt because of her.
It wouldn’t take much to set Pavlo off and re-establish their status quo. He’d be out of the picture.
“I think I know Nicholas Wyndham better than you do,” Regan said, delighted at his sharp intake of breath. “Iwas marriedto him.”
The second-floor elevator doors opened. Pavlo turned and headed to the stairwell. “I’m going to take the stairs.”
Yeah, he was definitely angry if he needed to run up eight flights of stairs to cool down. It shouldn’t take much to push him over the edge.
There was no one else in the elevator. Regan jabbed a few times at the button to close the door, grateful to be alone. A hand caught the door as it slid shut. People jostled and pushed as the elevator became increasingly cramped, squeezing her into the back corner.
The doors finally shut. Regan could barely move. Her body pressed up against the strangers. She would struggle to exit the elevator when it arrived at her floor.
Regan’s thoughts flitted back to Pavlo. He was right. Nicholas lied when it suited him, and he was good at it. She was sure he hadn’t lied about the flowers, but that didn’t mean he’d let the truth get in his way when they met with the judge on Friday.
Chapter fourteen
Pavlopoundedupthestairs in a futile attempt to cool off. Nicholas Wyndham was a narcissistic ass with no interest in Regan and her daughter other than using them to further his political career.
The worried look on the bartender’s face as he made Wyndham’s drink had concerned Pavlo. He’d glanced toward Regan and her ex several times. It was what had prompted Pavlo to step in. The suffocating tension he’d felt between the two of them had been enough to convince himself he hadn’t overreacted. Pavlo was certain they’d discussed more than Wyndham’s political involvement with Senator Aster.