Page 51 of Empire State Enemies

I stare at him, bewildered by the sudden ferocity. We’ve traded far worse barbs before. Why’s he so pissed all of a sudden?

When I stay frozen, he snaps, “Did you understand the command?”

“Loud and clear, Connor.”

“It’s Mr. Quinn if you can’t fucking behave yourself,” he bites out sharply, raking a hand through his hair in agitation.

What the hell? I quickly gather my things, pulse racing.

I lift my chin, keeping my voice steady. “With pleasure,Mr. Quinn.”You big jerk.“I’m leaving.”

At the door, I risk a quick glance back at his brooding form. His stormy eyes meet mine, simmering with emotions I’d need a psych degree to decode.

What triggered that explosive reaction?

FIFTEEN

Connor

Visiting Killian’s Fifth Avenue brownstone is like entering a different world from mine.

Here he is, living out the white picket fence fantasy with Clodagh and my sweet niece Teagan. Meanwhile, I’m still the eternal bachelor, enjoying the perks of variety that come with the unattached lifestyle, in my penthouse in the sky.

I’m not throwing shade at Killian’s picture-perfect life. Far from it. He and Clodagh, they’ve got something real, something solid, especially since he got down on one knee a few months back.

They met when Clodagh started working as a nanny for Teagan a few years back. He’s not the easiest man to share a roof with and she’s a fiery Irish lass who refused to be intimidated by him. Those two constantly butting heads provided no shortage of amusement in the early days. But Killian just couldn’t keep his hands off her, and now here they are.

But I’ve never been sold on the whole “happily ever after” fairy tale. Call me cynical, but believing one person can continually satisfy all your needs for fifty years straight without turning into either a source of uncontrollable rage or a human sedative . . . yeah, I’m calling bullshit. People change, desiresevolve. My longest relationship capped out around a year before the novelty wore off.

Still, seeing Killian thrive as a dad makes me proud as hell considering our unstable childhood.

The moment he opens the door, his expression is a clear giveaway—he’s pissed.

“Hey man,Incredibles 3is starting soon,” I greet. “Teagan ready for our movie night?”

Teagan and I, we’ve got this tradition. Every other week, just us, we have an uncle-niece date at the movie theatre.

She even circles them on her calendar withUncle Cscribbled in glitter pen. Not gonna lie, it hits me right in the feels whenever I see it. Maybe it’s the closest I’ll come to fatherhood.

After the week I’ve had, I’ll gladly take some fun time with my niece.

But Killian blocks the doorway, jaw set. “That’s not happening this week.”

I frown, confused. I didn’t get the date wrong—my memory’s rock solid when it comes to Teagan. “What’s going on? She sick?”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t have her seen with you right now. She’s embarrassed enough as it is.”

What the hell? I stare at him as dread settles in my gut. “What’s that supposed to mean? Come on, Killian, you gonna let me in at least?”

He seems to check himself and opens the door. “Of course, come in.”

I follow him to the kitchen in tense silence. Clodagh’s there and comes over to give me a kiss and hug, but her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

“What’s this about?” I ask as I slump onto a barstool, though I’m not sure I want the answer.

Killian’s face hardens. “Teagan’s catching heat at school because of that damn recording of yours.”

Jesus Christ. It hits me like a sledgehammer to the chest. This is my worst nightmare come to life. Lexi’s pointed questions about family echo in my mind, now feeling like a direct call-out on my recklessness. “Are you serious?”