Page 119 of Empire State Enemies

I slump into a chair, wishing I could up and vanish.

“We need to fix this mess,” Willow snaps, with more backbone than she usually shows. “The pictures make us look all lovey-dovey, but the interview paints us as a trainwreck of a couple. It’s a total disaster.”

She gives Connor a scathing glare that would make a weaker guy cower.

“I’ve done everything you wanted, Willow,” Connor retorts, stopping his restless movement to lean against the wall, his muscular arms tensed. “From those staged photos to that absurd interview and all your charity events.”

“I didn’t tell you to storm out mid-interview!” she screeches back, throat flushed.

“I’ve apologized for that. Enough is enough. We’re done playing this game.”

He turns to Vicky, his voice heavy with irritation. “Tell the world Willow called it off. Spin it however she wants.”

“No way,” Willow explodes. “I’m not ready for that.”

“It’s not open for debate,” Connor states coldly, his voice as firm as a brick wall.

“My dad is going to lose it when he finds out,” she warns, playing the daddy card. Classic move, Willow.

“Well, I’m grown enough to handle your dad.”

Willow’s eyes blaze my way with scorned fury, like I’m the wicked witch who stole her designer ruby slippers.

She spears an accusing finger at me, and I instinctively recoil. Panic swells in my chest as I try to predict what she’s going to throw at me.

“It’s because of her, isn’t it?” she spits out, her voice dripping with venom. “You have a thing for her. I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

Connor’s jaw locks up tight. The accusation looms heavy in the air.

My throat tightens.Fuck.

Vicky lets out a nervous chuckle, trying to ease the tension emanating from Willow. “I doubt that’s the problem. Connor isn’t into Lexi, believe me.”

“No, it was Gigi he was into,” Brooke chimes in. “That’s his reason for talking to Lexi.”

Willow looks utterly appalled. “Gina Malone? Butt Buildr?”

“No, no. Lexi’s cousin, the one caught stealing cars,” Brooke explains matter-of-factly,

Willow recoils. “A criminal?”

“A young woman in a difficult situation,” Connor retorts, his tone dripping with annoyance. “A beautiful girl who couldn’t ask for help. But that’s beside the point. This conversation is absurd and a waste of my time.”

Willow’s lips twist. “I want Lexi fired.”

The words hit me like a sledgehammer to the stomach, knocking the wind right out of me. “Youwhat?”

There’s a quick flash of regret on Willow’s face, but she steels herself again. “I’m sorry, but I want you gone.”

My heart plummets to new depths.

Losing this job is not an option, no matter how much I dislike it, no matter how many times I’ve fantasized about telling Vicky where to shove her campaigns. Everything will go off the rails if I lose it. I don’t have a big enough safety net to catch me.

“I’ve put so much work into your campaign, Willow,” I say, my voice tinged with desperation.

“No one’s getting fired,” Connor interjects. “Vicky, Quinn & Wolfe have some opportunities that might interest you.” He glares at the poster of Gina Malone. “We’ll have her promote one of our new hotels in . . .” He mutters a curse under his breath. “Alaska. My team will work out details.”

Obviously bullshit, but his tone brokers no argument.