Page 157 of Empire State Enemies

“And just to be clear, I don’t share,” I snap.

His blue eyes blaze with heat. “The thought never even entered my mind.”

Despite the irritation still simmering under my skin, I feel a flutter of hope in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this could be something real. If I’m willing to take the risk on a guy like Connor.

???

I don’t make it through the week without seeing Connor again. When he texts, casually dropping an invite for Tuesday night, my pile of work suddenly seems less important.

So now I’m sprawled out on his couch, wearing nothing but his T-shirt that covers me like a dress.

“Are you sure you didn’t have anything to do with Grace getting the job?” I ask him suspiciously.

Grace got news today that she secured the internship at Quinn & Wolfe’s IT department, and needless to say, she’s been happy-dancing around the apartment for hours.

He frowns. “No, Lexi. You think I would interfere with a young woman’s career? You’re not giving me much credit here. I sent over her résumé so of course she got an interview because it was coming from me, but the rest was all her.”

“Sorry,” I say sheepishly just as the doorbell rings.

He shoots me a look, miffed at me questioning his morals, then grumbles, “It’s Killian.”

“I’ll give you guys some privacy—” I start to say, moving to get up.

“No need. He’s only dropping something off.” Connor waves me off, heading to the door.

Killian enters, leaning casually against the living room entrance. His eyes flash in a way that makes me nervous when he sees me. “Good to see you again, Lexi.”

I wonder if he’s still holding a grudge for the whole car hustle thing. Does he see me as a gold-digger, out to snag his brother’s fortune?

“You too, Killian,” I reply, acutely aware I’m wearing little more than Connor’s shirt and an awkward smile.

Killian doesn’t beat around the bush. “Connor, a word?”

I start to move from the sofa, feeling uncomfortable being present for whatever this is about, but Connor’s expression stops me dead in my tracks.

“I said it’s fine,” he insists, effectively ending the discussion.

The air crackles with hostility and Killian looks like he’s ready to throw punches. Yep, definitely not just a friendly brotherly visit.

“Care to explain why you bailed on the City Planning meeting and left staff to handle it?” Killian asks tightly. “Unacceptable, even for you.”

Connor’s response is equally stiff. “They handled it fine without me.” He saunters to the fridge and grabs a beer with a casualness that doesn’t fit the mood. “Want one?”

“No, I don’t want a beer,” Killian snaps.

“Suit yourself.” Connor takes a long pull from his bottle.

I catch his eye by mistake and instantly regret it, wishing I could just blend into the couch.

“I want to know why you bailed on a meeting we planned for weeks, right when the senator is already screwing us on the hotel build,” Killian snaps, crossing his arms. “What the hell are you playing at, Connor?”

“Jesus, relax,” Connor snarls. “I said my piece at the meeting and had to be somewhere else.”

Killian’s eyes slit dangerously. “Like fucking where?”

My pulse spikes. Did Connor walk out of another meeting because of his hearing issue? I sense this is worse than he’s making out and he’s bottling it up.

“Are you spending all your time fucking?” Killian glares between us, his accusation landing like a blow. “Sorry, Lexi, this isn’t personal.”