Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [108]
"Because David Hathaway showed the dragon to my mother the day he was assaulted. She might have been the last person to see it."
"You want to protect your mother."
"And Paige wants to protect her company from a lawsuit since they hadn't purchased the statue when Mr. Hathaway took it from the store."
"Do you think you should be calling him Mr. Hathaway when he's your father?"
"I don't know what to call him," she said with frustration. "The whole thing is strange. I've wanted to know who my father was for so long. I had this dream that I fit in better with him and his family than I did with my own. I used to think about running away to find him."
"Alyssa—"
"Now I know who my father is," she said, cutting him off, "and it doesn't make any more sense. I'm not a Hathaway. I can't fit in with them."
"You don't know that. You don't know who they really are."
"What would we have in common?"
"You won't find out if you don't try. And I suspect you want to try, or else Paige wouldn't be joining us."
"I just don't want her making trouble for my mother." She wouldn't let herself look at any other motives right now. "I think it's better if I know what she's up to than let her do this on her own."
"Whatever your reason, it's a start." He looked up as the front door opened. "There they are now." He waved them over
"I hope we haven't kept you waiting," Paige said as she and Riley joined them.
"Not at all," Ben replied. "I need just a moment, and then I'll take you upstairs."
"Upstairs?" Riley queried.
"My uncle knows a great deal about Chinese artifacts. I asked him to speak with us about the dragon you're seeking. I'll be right back."
"Thanks for calling," Paige said to Alyssa. She could see that Alyssa had stiffened upon their approach, and she wanted to put her at ease. "We really appreciate your help."
"Whoa, what is this?" Riley murmured in amazement.
Paige turned to see two men sizing each other up in the middle of the studio. In their hands were long, curved, single-edged blades.
"They are using broadswords," Alyssa said.
"I didn't think weapons were involved in the martial arts," Paige replied.
"The swords were used in ancient times, as the hand weapons of military foot soldiers."
"I would have liked one of those," Riley said with macho enthusiasm.
Paige rolled her eyes. "You are such a guy," she muttered. They all sat down together in the corner as the sparring proceeded.
Alyssa leaned in closer to explain what was going on. "The use of the broadsword requires speed and strength and excellent footwork. One wrong move could mean death."
"It looks dangerous," Paige commented.
"It is, but these two are highly skilled. And they will use every resource they have. Wisdom and courage, sharp eyes, fast hands, and the ability to confuse the opponent."
Paige saw exactly what she meant as the two men spun and kicked, thrust and parried, moving like dancers in an odd, brutal, killing ballet. Yet there was something beautiful about the fight, something intriguing. Ever since that dragon had appeared, her days had taken such a strange turn, leading her into a world she'd never seen before. She wouldn't have believed she'd enjoy watching a fight like this, but these men were so warrior like, so elemental in what they were doing. They were pushing themselves to the limit, a mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual battle. They were living the way she should be living.
A few moments later the sparring ended. The two men bowed to each other and moved off the floor amid sporadic clapping from the spectators sitting around the room.
"That was very cool," Riley said with enthusiasm. "I think I might have to take a class."
"Have you studied martial arts?" Alyssa asked.
"A little tai chi, some kickboxing, karate, nothing for any length of time. I think I'll grab a flyer from the front desk."
Paige shook her head, a rueful smile on her lips as she saw him heading fast and furiously into something new and exciting. What kind of woman could ever keep a man like this happy and feeling challenged? It would