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It was time I took control of my future.
Chapter Eight
KILLIAN
Ichecked my phone.Time to go.
With a glance at my wallet, I decided to leave it at home. Tonight’s event didn’t require identification. Besides, everyone there knew who I was, and Max was driving me. I was more than ready to head out to my yacht to blow off some steam and party with a boatful of friends.
I pushed the elevator button inside my penthouse for the main lobby and the doors whispered shut. After a speedy trip, I exited the elevator, strolled over to the doorman, and gave him a curt nod as he opened the door for me.
“Have a good evening, Mr. Hook,” he said with a warm smile.
“Will do. Don’t wait up for me, Joe.”
He chuckled at our usual banter.
I wasn’t two feet out the door when someone slammed into me. They bounced off my chest, I threw out my hands, and managed to wrap them around their soft arms.
“Oh, shit.” A light, familiar voice diffused the momentary annoyance flooding through me.
I drew in my chin and looked down at the top of a recognizable blonde head. “Trissa?”
Fuck.
Not now.
Not her.
“Oh, Killian. I uh—” Her cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of pink.
My gaze drifted lower, following the rosy glow, and I silently cursed the high neckline of her shirt as I pondered just how far that blush spread. “Fancy meeting you here.” Her voice had taken on a high-pitched tone that I recognized all too well.
Trissa was lying.
This—shewas the last thing I needed tonight. Because of our shared past, and our friendship, I couldn’t let her get mixed up in this.
“Really?” I released my grip and crossed my arms. “Then just exactly whowereyou planning on visiting in the building?”
“Not that I have to share that information with you, but… ” Her lashes beat a steady rhythm as her gaze darted frantically around, finally landing on a large plant next to the main doors. “Mrs., uh, Pla—er … I mean Mrs. Potts … on the fourth floor.”
“And how do you know each other?” I enjoyed watching her squirm.
“From the library.” She nodded a little too enthusiastically. “Yup, the library.”
“I see. And you’ve known each other… ” I let my voice drift off.
She hadn’t yet figured out what I suspected.
“Yeah, we met there five … months, I mean days, ago.”
Oh, Trissa. She could never pull off a lie. It wasn’t in her nature.
A mix of fondness and frustration twisted my insides.
“It’s interesting that the length of time since you met her corresponds to the number on my building.”
“What? No way.” She swung her head to look at the large stately number next to the side of the building, and her eyes widened a little too dramatically. “What a coincidence.”