Hide did not sit immediately.
The person behind the desk didn't even look like he would be someone to sit here, but here he was and he watched Hide with the calm, cheerful patience of a man who had all the time in the world.
Hide walked to the chair in front of the desk and sat down.
"There we go," Maddox said warmly, as if Hide had done something commendable. "I was beginning to think you'd stand there the whole time."
"You said we had a lot to talk about," Hide said. "So talk."
Maddox smiled, completely unbothered. He leaned back in his expensive leather chair and folded his hands over his stomach. "I like directness. The people who come through that door usually spend the first ten minutes trying to figure out how to impress me." He tilted his head. "You walked in here like you were doing me a favor."
"I'm here because I need something," Hide replied simply. "So are you."
Maddox's smile widened a fraction. "Smart kid."
