Page 34 of Empire State Enemies

“Lexi?” he repeats, tone lethally calm.

This is it, isn’t it? Scenario Three. The one where I’m found out and possibly murdered in a conference room.

“That’s me!” I stammer, feeling like I’m about to regurgitate my grilled cheese sandwich.

Connor’s jaw is clenched so tight it might shatter, his eyes drilling into me like shards of ice.

I’ve never seen a man look so bewildered yet enraged over me. It’s not a good experience.

Yeah, he knows exactly who I am. My goose is cooked. Any second now, he’ll out me to the room.

I plaster on a tortured smile, bracing for the axe to fall. Fuuuuuck. Will he demand I’m fired? Have me arrested?

Even if he doesn’t have enough to go to the cops—and since my front door hasn’t been busted down, it seems he doesn’t—he can get me booted off this account. And Vicky would fire my ass faster than I could plead wrongful termination.

My only hope is denying everything and pray he lacks evidence.

I slide into a seat as far from Connor as possible, squeezing next to some lawyer looking guy. I open my laptop, but my shaking fingers won’t cooperate.

Just blend in, be the invisible assistant, not the girl who played the big bad billionaire then fled.

“My daughter says you’re the best for these situations,” the senator says, leathery face glistening.

“We are,” Vicky assures him with a placating smile. “We deal with these types of hiccups alllllll the time.”

The senator grunts. “My PR team isn’t cut out for this circus. You’ll have to coordinate with them.” He pauses, his face turning a purplish shade of red I’ve never seen before. “Sadly, my Willow is too trusting. There are smarmy rakes in this city all too eager to take advantage of such a beautiful girl and tarnish her purity.”

The room inhales sharply, collectively bracing itself. I sneak a peek at Connor. His jaw clenches, leashed rage simmering beneath the surface.

“Willow’s been under stress,” the senator continues. “Her grandmama passed away two years ago, and her charity work’s been weighing on her. It leaves her vulnerable.” He looks around, clearly expecting everyone to agree with his assessment.

My brows knit together as my fingers hover over the keys, wondering how detailed to get.

“This is very upsetting for us all. My wife is hysterical.” He slams his first down, nearly ejecting me from my seat. “I would never have taken my daughter to that event if I’d known some playboy shmuck would set his sights on her!”

I hold my breath, stuck between shock and astonishment. I can’t believe he’s saying all this with Connor right here in the room.

I keep my eyes glued to my screen, too scared to even sneak a peek at Connor’s reaction. In fact, everyone’s avoiding eye contact, focusing on anything but the ticking time bomb sitting at the end of the table.

This does not bode well for me. I already poked this bear by playing Connor—the senator is making it exponentially worse.

Down comes the beefy fist again, loaded with extra gusto. “This mess makes my coalition look like we’re in cahoots with Hooters!” he roars, spittle raining down. “My opponents are having a field day! I’ve got Christian delegates withdrawing theirsupport, left and right! My good reputation dragged through the mud! And the same man tries getting in bed with me! Me!”

My eyes snap to the senator, but he seems oblivious to how that sounded.

Awkward tension suffocates the room, dense enough to pass out from. I feel sorry for the two guys stuck between him and Connor.

Then it hits me—Connor’s seating at the far end of the table is deliberate. He’s been relegated to the naughty corner. I suppose he has been rather naughty.

If I wasn’t quaking in fear, this would be downright hilarious.

“Dad.” Willow’s voice cuts through the tension, sadly ineffectively. “Stop. Please.”

But we’re past the point of no return.

“I’m keeping my cool out of respect for your daughter, sir,” Connor drawls, his voice eerily calm despite the promise of murder in his eyes. “That’s why we’re here. Let’s get this over with and make a plan. I’ll do whatever it takes to clear Willow’s name. The accountability stops with me.”

I don’t miss Willow’s grateful smile his way. My hands clench the laptop harder.