Page 50 of Empire State Enemies

There’s a brief moment where his impassive facade cracks, revealing a glimpse of something more beneath. But it’s quickly hidden behind a grunt of indifference.

I shouldn’t have told him about Grace. The less he knows about my personal life, the better. I cough slightly, trying to move past my overshare.

“Anyway, the work you’re doing with the NexiHubs is impressive. We should set up some visits to the schools, get some shots of you engaging with the students. Highlight your involvement.”

“Fine.” He dismisses with a wave, like I’m an annoying fly. “Are we done here?”

I tighten my grip on my notepad. “Not just yet.”

He leans back, cockiness pouring off him. “Well come on then, do you have any hard-hitting questions in that pretty head of yours? Starting to feel like I’m being interviewed by an awestruck intern here.”

Condescending prick. I clasp my hands and gaze at him sweetly. “Oh it’s justsohard to think of probing questions for the guy caught with his pants down at a public event.”

I actually make his jaw drop a fraction.

“You’ve got some mouth on you,” he growls.

“You bring out the worst in me.”

A hint of both amusement and frustration dances across his face.

“Unless you make better headlines, we’re stuck managing this mess,” I say breezily. “So back to business—do you think you and Willow can convincingly fake a relationship?”

He smirks. “Oh, I can be very convincing. Willow has all the right qualities—elegance, grace, beauty. Everything I want.” His gaze sweeps over me, loaded with implication. “I have no doubts we can make it believable, whether we’re out in public or not.”

“Fabulous,” I grit out.

“The real question is, can you handle this without your obvious jealousy showing?” he taunts.

I take a deep breath, visions of throttling him dancing in my head. “My only concern is selling this convincingly. I don’t care who warms your bed, as long as you both play your parts.”

I inject breezy nonchalance into my tone. “I’m sure you’ll put on quite the performance. Just try to keep it tasteful in public this time. I know restraint is difficult for you.”

Vicky would murder me for sassing a client like this. But Connor brings out a defiant side I can’t seem to control.

He chuckles, clearly enjoying our verbal sparring. Then he leans back casually, arms behind his head, showing off his sculpted biceps. I hate that I notice.

“What constitutes ‘tasteful’ in your view then, Lexi?” His eyes glitter with humor, like he’s laughing at me.

“You’re a grown man. I’d have thought you learned this lesson already.” I glance pointedly at the photo of his young niece. “Don’t you even care that the recording’s out there for the world to hear? For your family to hear?”

His amusement vanishes, face hardening. I’ve hit a sore spot.

“Of course I care about my family hearing that. They’re important to me. As for everyone else . . .” He gives a dismissive shrug. “If they want a show that badly, let them feast.”

I still, a twinge in my chest. It sounds like they did have sex.

“Did you listen to it, Lexi?”

His question makes me tense up. “I—yeah, had to . . . for work reasons . . .”

He lets out a low chuckle. “For work, huh?”

I give an awkward laugh, looking away. “Yeah, really wish I could scrub that audio from my brain. Made me want to go temporarily deaf after.”

My attempt at humor falls flat as his expression turns to stone.

“We’re done here. Leave,” he orders coldly.