Point Blank

By Lynessa Layne

Even kings bow to blood oaths of the devil's deals. After I publicly rescued Kinsley from Inferno's attack and took control of their motorcycle club, Nightshade refuses to release me from my newfound power and suspects I'm threatening their leadership. Now, as punishment, 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fast Layne Independent Publishing
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781956848311

Lynessa Layne

Lynessa Layne is a native Texan who grew up in the small town of Plantersville, home of the Texas Renaissance Festival. She’s a fan of cosplay, exploration, history, loves the beach, a great book, Jesus and America too (RIP Tom).A military wife, she’s bounced around the US, including the settings in DCYE, currently landing in the heart of sweet home Alabama where she and her husband are raising their blended family.Lynessa is a certified copy editor, a member of Mystery Writers of America, Tuscaloosa Writers and Illustrators Guild, Florida Writers Association, Alabama Writers Conclave and The Royal Society of Literature with work featured by Writer’s Digest and in Mystery and Suspense Magazine. She has also graced the cover of GEMS Godly Entrepreneurs & Marketers Magazine for her creative approach to marketing.For more information on upcoming releases, swag, signing events and this series, visit Lynessa Layne – Romance-Suspense Mystery & Crime WriterSocial MediaLynessa Layne | FacebookLYNESSA LAYNE (@lynessalayne) • Instagram photos and videosLynessa Layne (@LynessaLayne) / Twitter

Book preview

Chapter One

Klive, did you hear me? April’s voice jarred me from my thoughts. I blinked my associate into focus. Her shiny, red nails tapped the documents on my desk, indicating an empty signature line. My assistant, Ingrid, hovered in the doorway. April shook her head at her. He’s not finished.

Ingrid said, No problem, Mr. King. I’ll check back in five minutes. She left my office.

I sighed and produced a blue pen from my desk for the first of many signatures solidifying my hard work on black and white pages. April’s fingernail guided through each sheet I blindly signed. This contract ruled my world for the last three months, yet tonight, I cared little for a victory I normally celebrated. Her nails did nothing to curb my haunted thoughts. Kinsley had red nails on our date. I remembered the way those red nails captured my attention when she’d bowed her arms gracefully above her head in the bath like a nude ballerina. She’d stretched in my naked lap as she’d sought a peace, that at the time, I hadn’t known she’d denied herself for nearly a decade. To hold her nude in my lap right now, I’d pay an easy million to undo my mistake and help her seek peace for pain I’d added. Unthinking wanker!

Red nails snapped in my face, pissing me off.

"Klive, what the hell is the matter with you? Is it that girl?" she bit.

My tongue traveled my teeth as I narrowed my eyes, frustrated.

"What business is it of yours if it is the young woman? I corrected. She may lack twenty years of wisdom compared to you, but that doesn’t make her a child, April."

April stood straight, silently implying my young woman may have youth on her side, but she lacked about nine inches of height by comparison. Sure, April was tall, slender, curvy and attractive. I should be attracted to her. Were I honest, I was before the lift opened on the petite redhead with the best ass I’d ever seen wrapped in leather pants.

She’s not my business. April lifted my blazer from the coat rack beside my office door. However, if you cause us to be late for our dinner reservation, it is. She jostled my empty blazer, waiting.

With robotic fingers, I scrawled the final signature then pushed my chair beneath the desk. I smoothed my tie over my favorite shirt; my lucky shirt: the one I’d worn on my first date with Kins. The blue pinstripes paired well with my new navy suit and tie. Too bad buying a new suit hadn’t pumped the normal power into my play. Now, I longed to see Kinsley’s irises ignite with desire if I’d hit my mark.

Ironically, similar to Kinsley’s apparel on our first date, April’s curves squeezed into a white, figure-hugging shift dress complete with a set of pearls around her elegant neck. Hmm … was she passive-aggressive enough to see our photos from the news article and copy Kinsley to get under my skin?

Yes. She would absolutely be such a bitch. If that were April’s aim, she had herself to blame for pushing my thoughts to Kinsley’s curves filling the pencil dress I’d picked for her. My memory reeled like a movie remembering Kinsley’s toned legs and calves in check in nude platform pumps. As she’d adjusted her earrings, her posture was so pretty. Sure, she wasn’t tall, but who noticed when she donned heels? Then, she’d later kicked them off, and she was tiny, endearingly adorable, so much so that I longed to pick her up and hold her.

Were I to try at this point, she may bite. Should I try? No! Nothing changed since forcing her away.

Klive King, April interrupted again. If you do not get your damn head out of the clouds I will leave you on your own with these clients tonight.

Hmm … I rather like that idea better ….

April never took my insults seriously. Sometimes, I wish she would.

Though I didn’t need assistance, she helped me into my blazer and ran her hands like an iron across my shoulders. Her fingernails speared the back of my hair where she tugged playfully and ordered me to be a good boy for her. I slapped her hand away and locked my office.

"So, when do I get to meet this young woman without costumes? April asked. If she occupies your mind to the point you aren’t even checking me out in one of your favorite dresses, she must be quite a woman .…"

My eye twitched. Favorite dress? I asked this daft cow. Spare yourself the absurdity. You don’t, I told her, ignoring the pouty protest she gave in response. I passed Ingrid the paperwork, apologized for keeping her late. Care to join us for dinner with our clients?

A demur blush hit her cheeks, eyes met the ground. No thanks, Mr. King, I have plans. Her eyes lifted to my face, a soothing, sympathetic smile followed as though she read the ache within me.

Should you change your mind, we’ll be at our regular hot spot. Your date is welcome, too, Ingrid. I gave her a grateful smile.

Ingrid brightened like I’d rewarded her. Thank you, Mr. King. Good evening.

April took my hand, and I watched Ingrid’s demeanor stiffen. Odd, she didn’t seem jealous; she seemed uncomfortable with April touching me. Welcome to the club, dear.

Have a good night, Ingrid, April told her. I’ll hold Klive’s hand to keep him from walking in front of cars.

Gimme a bloody break. I tugged my fingers loose, but April caught them and insisted I hold her hand for my own safety since the young woman clouded my better judgement and basic decision-making. At the elevator, I cast a pleading look back to Ingrid, desperate for her to bring her date as a buffer, but she busied making copies with her back turned.

An hour later, April and I sat side-by-side in one of my favorite restaurants. Across the table, our potential client, Edwin Banks, Kinsley’s drunken, non-blood-related uncle I’d met at the Renaissance Faire, sat with his lawyer, an assistant, and a young man I recalled stealing my date. They chattered, April flirted and flattered as I sipped a Manhattan.

When we finished talking formalities and business, Mr. Banks went straight for the jugular. Mr. King, am I to understand you’ve moved on from the pretty peacock? He nodded toward April.

My Manhattan nearly erupted from my nose. I cleared my throat and apologized for my inadvertent insult in laughing so suddenly. April rolled her eyes as if I shouldn’t flatter myself. Ha! What a gaffe! I’d knocked her naughty hand off of my upper thigh twice beneath the table. She attempted so often, refusing her inappropriate advances without drawing attention likened to the doctor testing my reflexes.

Forgive me, I said to Mr. Banks. April is nothing more than a colleague. I abide by a strict policy against dating those I work with. Enough about me. I was surprised to learn you reside nearly four hours away. What draws you to our area?

Other than the exceptional growth and prosperity? He grinned. I reciprocated and swirled the liquor in my glass. My son is on partial scholarship here at the university. About to graduate. Runs long distance on the men’s track team.

My chin rose along with my admiration of his son’s accomplishments. I take it you’re tired of the long distance between you?

Yes. That and my best friend. His family. I’ve avoided my ex-wife for longer than I should’ve. I’ve a daughter here in Tampa I rarely see since my messy divorce.

I’m sorry to hear that, I said.

His son arched an eyebrow at his dad, then grinned at me. "I’m not. My step-mom was evil, but my ex-step-mom puts her to shame."

We all laughed. April’s confusion knit her tattooed brows. I said, Meaning she’s worse since their div— never mind. I gestured Mr. Banks continue.

Mr. Banks’ smile dimmed. Speaking of evil, I’m terribly sorry about your house and what happened there.

I clenched my jaw and watched the amber liquid reflecting light in my glass. Thank you. I met his somber eyes.

What you did took courage. Hayden is grateful and so are we, he said.

My brow furrowed. Hayden?

Oh, sorry. Hayden Hayes. Andy. Kinsley’s father. His first name is Hayden but he quit going by that when we graduated high school. Old habits, ya know?

Ah.

He got sick of everyone calling him Hay Hay. Am I to understand his daughter is on the market again? He elbowed his son in the ribs. His son rubbed the spot, but awaited my response.

Never been off the market. I held his son’s eyes, then met his father’s. We date casually, nothing serious, I lied my ass off.

Oh, please. April’s hand waved. Don’t let this one fool you. Someone needs to microchip him, he’s so lost without her. I had to hold his hand like a leash for a puppy on the way here.

I shot her a glare she ignored.

If you’re lost, Mr. King, I can’t blame you. Running into a burning building and resuscitating someone is hardly what I’d call casual.

April fidgeted. Mr. Banks was right, and, even to this blonde tramp beside me, the depth of that endeavor proved Kinsley was no small fling, which commanded a sense of respect.

"Perhaps what I should’ve said was, life would be easier if we’d dated casually and was nothing serious."

He sat back in his chair and studied me. Do you agree anything having too easily isn’t as valuable as what you worked hard for?

I agree. And, I deserved his open curiosity for the girl he loved, his family loved, his best friend loved. I’d hurt someone they all loved and now I needed to explain myself.

You’re in good company, Mr. King. She has my son’s entire frat house under her thumb. I’m curious. She’s sweet to me, but my son claims she’s scary at school. Indulge me. Is she sweet or scary in the realms you know her?

Both. She’s sweet so long as you don’t piss her off, I grinned. They all laughed, with the exception of a quietly listening April. I ignored her. I’d say she’s misunderstood.

That’s what I say, too! Timothy injected as though relieved. When you work hard, you don’t have time for games or drama. She works really hard, but the girls at school translate her drive as scary bitch, among other things, he finished, bitter.

Well, if the only place they’ve seen her is on the track, I understand their fear, I said.

That fight video amplified their fear, Timothy said with a flush in his cheeks. The pride in his face shined like a glittering clear coat on a pink paint job. Did he blush because of how hot his non-blood cousin was when her top ripped open? If so, I couldn’t blame him. I was heating remembering her cleavage heaving in the hottest, innocent white bra spattered with blood that also marked her arms and chest. Kinsley admiring her own breasts as she chatted of giving the undergarment to a voodoo priestess … her hair disheveled in bad ass disarray .… I unconsciously licked my lips recalling how she spit blood as if barely fazed while she’d glared at limp Angela in smug disgust .…

‘Klive … Klive ….’

‘Yes, love?’

‘Am I ugly now?’

You’re not ugly. You’re the most beautiful little vampire I’ve ever lain eyes on. You’re perfect. You belong with me— I must have you! I’d wanted to confess before Jase had ruined the moment after her fight.

Tears had filled her eyes after she’d asked that question.

Tears draining down her eyes after the fire … after I’d dumped her ….

Erection officially flaccid. Well done, you bloody prat.

She may have done herself no favors on campus, Edwin pulled me back to the here and now. But, the message she sent came across loud and clear.

What’s that? April asked. Her attempt at kind interest wore like a thin sheet of gauze over bleeding jealousy.

Edwin sipped his wine, cleared his expression to a cool neutrality for the sake of our deal, then said, You don’t infringe on what she holds dear. His eyes drifted from hers to mine with a deeper conveyance.

What she holds dear ….

What was she doing right now? Was she with Jase? Was he mending her broken heart?

April said, She’s lucky the Sheriff didn’t arrest her and press charges. Confirmation she’d watched the video. Not sure what strings were pulled to protect her, but she got lucky.

Money buys a lot of things, Ms. Stone, Edwin said as if he were the one who’d bought Kinsley’s freedom. I didn’t miss his insinuation of April’s plastic face and body, or maybe that was my inference of what he’d said. I hid my private smile behind a long sip of liquor.

Well, April added, a beauty queen is one thing. Prison fights are another animal.

I coughed bullshit. That beauty queen was a whopping ten inches taller and a good sixty pounds heavier. She was also high on coke. Superhuman. Give credit where credit is due.

Your bias has no bearing on this opinion? She was pretty bloody in the aftermath. And, she cheated to win. Where’s the honor in knocking someone out when their arms are pinned behind their back?

All’s fair in love and war. Edwin’s wine-cheered cheeks plumped under a smile. If this was her only fight, maybe I’d agree, but Kinsley held her own pretty well against that rapist who attacked her. I read they found his blood all over the scene. Guess that’s why his only option was to subdue her and tape her up. She’d have murdered him. So you see, Mr. King, pillaging in Lynessa’s town was always a scary prospect, but now we know it wasn’t solely due to her watchful parents.

I liked this man. How he could carry the heavy topic into lighter places was a welcome relief. Were his best friend to be in our midst, I doubted he’d be as kind in the aftermath of my insensitivity to Kinsley’s trauma.

He thanked me again for risking my life to save hers.

Thank you, sir. I wasn’t alone in that. Jase Taylor deserves equal credit. I’d hope any man would have stepped in to do the same. She’s a great woman. And I’m going positively mad without her. Nothing has tamed my longing to be in the same room with her. I am madly in love with her, and I can’t stand the dismal gray of every day without her vibrant light!

With the way humanity has headed, far fewer are willing to come to the aide of others. They’d rather record it for followers instead. I find what you did incredibly brave and quite the testament to your personality. And he’d say no more on the matter, his tone of finality told me. I will say this, then I’ll drop the subject so I don’t exhaust you. If you wish to keep her, snap her up before another does.

Was he talking about Jase? Did Andy say something about him being in her picture now?

Andy told me that she’s inundated with fan mail and flowers from not only well-wishers, but men begging for her company. He pointed a finger at me like assigning me a task. "She received a personal invitation to have dinner with the mayor at the very same rooftop restaurant where the two of you were pictured."

My jaw fell open. April’s blowfish lips also opened wide.

That prick! That shameless wanking asshole! He wanted a hole in his head!

I shifted in my seat and clenched my jaw once I managed to close my mouth. What to say?

No worries, Mr. King, Timothy said. "When she got the invitation, Kins sent me a picture of it. Her mother does most of her correspondence, refusals, thank you cards, but Kins made sure to personally write and send her refusal to the mayor herself. She wanted it clear that she was not interested."

I smiled. Not just smiled. I unleashed the same toothy expression Kinsley praised my alter-ego Henley for. No use hiding my vindictive glee.

"She refused the mayor?" April asked in shock she didn’t bother concealing. In her own mind, April was high society, Real Housewives reality TV material. In mine, she was a mean witch who shamelessly used sex appeal to aim for rich men as a means of elevating her status. Newsflash: rich men rarely marry their toys. They play with them, then stow them away until their next craving. If she removed the broomstick from her bum, she could use her ride as a phallus and check her randy behavior at the door.

Well, twice, Timothy supplied like he enjoyed April’s reaction, too. He didn’t like her. First time was at the faire. A knight-in-shining-armor got too handsy with her, and I came to the rescue. Turns out, Mayor White was trying to lure her to the rose garden with him after he asked whether she was with Lord Rion ….

Now that made me sit upright a little too fast, knuckles turning white around the glass in my hand. I watched Timothy’s mouth moving, saying something about how I had nothing to worry about, his father adding humor to dispel my demeanor, but in my head, I replayed the pretty peacock’s hands on the knights armor after he’d yanked her toward himself. The motion had caught my eye because I’d known who was under that knight costume before I’d known who the peacock was. I’d decided to rankle the knight’s egotistical plans, I’d plunder and play with the prettiest woman in the place. Then, he’d unmasked himself to win her and she’d shot him down. I wanted to ask Timothy exactly when the mayor asked about Kinsley being with me, how, why, but now was not the time.

April was obviously miffed and failing to hide her emotions, but Timothy Banks just handed me very valuable information beyond his understanding. Now, I itched to yank Kinsley into my arms and wield my sword at that evil bastard for treading on territory he didn’t belong. David White was up to something and I needed to know for how long and who he may have doing more than met the eye in our lives. The scope of everything we’d been through to this point expanded to a picture bigger than I’d thought to look at.

Relax, April, I said more like a command to myself. You know how this works. She’s the it-girl of the week. Was she? Was Kins like the others? Or was he sending me a message? Maybe you can help him heal from the rejection. And distract him from making a fatal mistake with the wrong girl.

When her venomous gaze descended on my poor recovery, Mr. Banks asked her to dance like extending a favor. The lawyer and assistant took that moment to stop eavesdropping on the whole affair and depart our company. Tim and I were left to ourselves. I stared at the liquor in my glass. If I meant my word when I’d told Kinsley to go be with Jase, her love life was none of my business. But, like before, I found myself in uncomfortable territory having to acknowledge I could keep my word only to an extent. She was my favorite subject. My special interest. An obsession. Was she a new obsession of David White’s? How far would he go to obtain her attention? He wasn’t used to hearing the word no from anyone.

He really asked if she was with me first?

You aren’t intimidated by his political status, I hope? Timothy asked, his eyebrow cocked like I was crazy.

No. I don’t like him much, is all.

Me either. I didn’t hear him ask her. She told me later and asked me if I knew a Lord Rion, which I didn’t until we all watched you interrupt that show. Was that part of the show or did you make that up?

His admiration disarmed my discomfort. Improv. Now you know I carried a torch for her before the faire. When I realized who she was, I couldn’t stand that knight making anymore moves. My eyes conveyed as best I could without asking that he make sure she didn’t wear down and accept the Mayor’s invitations. You did me a favor when you stole my date.

That got a laugh out of him. I asked if they still saw each other. My boss, Paul, seemed in good spirits ever since that night. Also, I’d noticed a distinct absence in requests I be Carissa’s plus-one to anything. A deep blush flushed his cheeks, though not from embarrassment.

Yeah, we are a couple. For clarity, I wouldn’t say it’s casual.

Shit called. Translation: if you’re in love with Kinsley, man the fuck up and own her the way I do Carissa!

Congratulations, mate.

Thanks. His gaze found his father on the dance floor with April shamelessly caressing his shoulder and smiling too bright. Annoyed eyes darted back toward mine sharing similar aggravation. If my father chooses your firm for this franchise, does she have to be part of the process? I told him to wear a decoy wedding ring to scare off scavengers, but he says the practice is good for him.

If I land your account, I’ll have Paul remove her from this project and assign her to assist another associate.

Thank you. Please, don’t mention my concern to my father. I think he enjoys the flattery, but if he’s moving here, I don’t want to tip-toe around anyone.

You have my word, I told him. Kinsley has your entire frat house under her thumb, you say? I changed the subject to something I hoped would lighten the mood.

He laughed, somewhat embarrassed, but I watched a mischievous gleam illuminate his irises. Wow. He had more of his father in him than he knew.

An ex-boyfriend of hers was a member of my fraternity a few years back. She became quite the name around there, and, well, it never went away. She put up a collage of them outside his room upstairs. He didn’t take it with him when he left. No one took it down. The guys add to it like a shrine whenever they catch pictures of her. It’s taken up a whole wall. He gestured toward me. "The pictures from the paper are there, too.

A few days ago, one of my frat brothers bragged about her inviting him to have drinks. Of course, I knew he invited her, but she accepted. He mass blasted a selfie she allowed him. He flipped his phone to show me a photo that stopped my breathing. To lay eyes on her beautiful smile again …. It’s all pathetic and kinda funny, he finished. I stared at her beside the younger guy. He was every bit her peer and far more the type she ought to be with. What a fool I’d been to compromise her in every way. To lecture her as if the adult I was somehow surpassed this innocent fraternity boy with an obvious crush. She deserved purity. She was pure.

Ex-boyfriend, huh? I asked, somewhat at a loss for words. Nathan Knox?

Yeah. You know him?

Met him with Kinsley when we were in Pensacola. Apparently he’s a friend of Jase Taylor’s. Small world.

Tim set his glass on the table and leaned forward on his forearms. Wait. You’re telling me she saw Nate again? How long ago?

A month or so? Damn, a lot changes in a little time.

Tim’s hand went through his hair. She didn’t even tell me? She was so pissed at him I thought that anger would live on until death.

Hmm ….

Why did they breakup? I asked. Kinsley had sat across the surf board table at the beach bar and told me she’d dumped a guy for the one who made her feel the sky wasn’t falling after all ….

I think she kind of pushed him away, he said. Before their break-up, Nate told another brother he was going to propose to her after he graduated.

Whoa. She’d cried about not being Kinsley Knox when we were in Pensacola, but I figured she’d harbored some romantic notion. He may love his wife, but recalling the way Nathan danced with her, closure with Kinsley hadn’t happened until that night. I’d had a front row without knowing the significance of him giving the ring he’d bought for Kinsley to Leah instead. No wonder Kinsley’d been such a mess.

Why didn’t he? I asked him.

I dunno. Kins told me she wasn’t ready for marriage. Guess he royally screwed up. He left after graduation and never told anyone what happened. Timothy pulled his wineglass to his lips, but held my eyes through his sip. Did you? Is that why she dumped you?

Damn. I inhaled as I sat back and unbuttoned my blazer, glancing down in a bit of shame. No. I mean, yes, I screwed up, but—

"You dumped her? He, too, sat back, affronted. No wonder she’s such a wreck. You should know Kinsley doesn’t love easily. Her dad may be in denial, but I’m not blind. Whatever made you break up with her, I can’t imagine—"

It’s complicated, I interrupted.

Well, it’s not worth sacrificing true love, said the man in love with my boss’s daughter.

I swallowed. This boy was free to live and love as he chose. An unbreakable blood oath to a crime syndicate left me without choices.

I didn’t mean to upset you, Mr. King. Timothy leaned forward once more. His sincere eyes searched my face. "Forgive me for pressing, but I read the articles. There’s no way a man who works as hard as you have to be where you are quits when things are hard. What you both went through wasn’t easy. None of this makes sense."

Neither does love, I said, deflated.

I agree. His hands spread on the table. But, I’ve never felt anything more worthy of respect and reverence in my life, he said with conviction. "If there’s anything worth fighting for, it’s love. Love perseveres, never fails, and it protects. If you fight for love, your love protects my cousin from unwanted advances from people so high in the food chain they could eat her alive her for denying them."

Holy shit. My jaw clenched as I swallowed. David White’s capacity for evil didn’t escape Timothy Banks’ discernment and our smalltalk hadn’t removed his attention from his greatest concern. A concern we shared.

You’re right, I said, lifted my chin, met his eyes with mine full of things I couldn’t say. I won’t argue a wise man. I couldn’t very well go to her place this instant and beg her back. Not after the awful things I’d done since our split.

What are you going to do about it? his eyes demanded as the others returned to the table and ended our ability to discuss this further.

Love protects. My eyes met his head-on. I’m going hunting.

Chapter Two

April’s fake laugh fell over our table like a black cloud. Apparently, she’d heard the end of the conversation, because she said to Tim, Arguing love with Klive King is like arguing with a child about why the sky is blue. She thanked Mr. Banks for pulling her chair for her as she reseated herself. At Mr. Banks’ tilted his head, she elaborated. Meaning if neither knows why the sky is blue, there’s nothing to argue. They’re both clueless on the subject. Klive doesn’t date. Her red nails stabbed the space between us. He scares away anyone who shows an interest. I wouldn’t be surprised to find he dumped this woman because he realized he wasn’t into women. She laughed, then slapped my arm. Bleh. I had a half a mind to tell her she was absolutely right, then demand she keep her bloody hands off of me.

Do you know why the sky is blue, April? I asked, tilting my own head.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. Give me a break, Klive.

I’m curious, too, Tim said to her. A tickle rushed through my stomach and I held my best neutral expression though I wanted to laugh.

She pinned him with a glare she quickly covered with a patronizing smile. That’s easy, she said, red nails waving with her hand that reached for her wine glass. The blue of the ocean reflects off the sky. Her glass lifted to her condescending simper.

Mr. King? Tim asked.

April must not have endured Color Theory as part of her degree the way architects do. My tension melted into a relaxed posture. White light is a combination of all colors and the sun produces white light. Light travels in a straight line until gasses or molecules in the atmosphere interrupt and scatter the waves. Blue light travels in shorter waves, thus scatters more abundantly than say larger waves like reds. Shall I educate you on why the blue is deeper the further from the Earth’s surface you get or why the sunset is red? As a favor for the next time you’d like to argue with an adult.

Tim coughed to cover his laughter and pointed to his cup, signaling the passing waiter.

April grimaced. Guess I struck a nerve, she said, dismissing the entire point. You know what they say about emotional clouding …

Mr. Banks chuckled politely. "Careful, Ms. Stone. Like love, one’s own bitterness can cloud judgement and project falsehoods on others."

Tim’s neck craned toward the dance floor to hide another laugh. My jaw clenched to keep my lips from splitting.

Mr. Banks continued, "My best friend has been infatuated with the same woman for twenty-five years. I regard him as an SME on love. When we played golf earlier, I asked Hay— Andy his opinion of Klive. He spoke very highly of him, so I wouldn’t say Klive’s clueless."

I felt glued to my chair, unable to shift.

April blinked hard, once, staring at Mr. Banks like she wasn’t sure how to proceed after his candor. SME? she managed.

I cleared my throat. Subject Matter Expert.

Exactly, Mr. Banks said to me. Between us, I doubt H— Andy’d take too kindly to Klive’s coming out of the closet after claiming to love his daughter.

Shit!

April nearly choked on her wine.

Andy knew! This guy knew?!

His lips twitched while I fidgeted. Love is the only subject you take once and become an instant expert. By comparison, the inexperienced outside your newfound knowledge wouldn’t understand for obvious reasons. Would you agree, Mr. King?

I nodded, dumbfounded by his candor myself.

I like you, he said. I’m not waiting for my attorney’s green light. Draw up a proposal. We’ll meet directly to discuss the meat and marrow. He leaned on his forearms, holding my gaze with a sudden authority. "Watching you interrupt that show to prevent anyone from stealing what you wanted, that’s the man I want to do business with. Assertive. Confident. There was a passion, an enjoyment in your challenge I admired. Whatever complication you have with Kinsley Hayes, I’m confident you’ll resolve." Understand? he finished with his eyes. Whomever I work with, I want my passion to become their passion or take a hike.

I swallowed. Yes, sir. I’d love the opportunity to pour my passion into your project. I mirrored his body language, seasoned my stance with respect and sincerity. I regard Mr. Hayes highly and appreciate all of the insight. My colleague is correct in that I’ve always discouraged anyone who takes an interest in me beyond professional. Kinsley Hayes’ interest is the only one I’ve ever encouraged. I found myself in a fearful place, but I face my fears.

He stood and extended his hand. Let’s take this to the next step.

I rose and gripped his palm firmly in mine to imply the deepest meaning of my word. Gladly. I’ll draw up the proposal and we’ll be in touch.

He released my hand and allowed me to shake Tim’s hand while he shook April’s. He politely thanked her for her time and company. The two pushed their chairs under the table. Edwin Banks held the chair back and returned his full attention to my face.

I won’t be modest in my ulterior motive. If I choose your firm, I’m hoping for a front row seat to you rising to meet the challenge Hayden’s daughter brings.

Tim waved his finger at me the way Andy and Kinsley were fond of doing. When he did this on the coattails of his father’s words, the motion came off more like a mic being dropped, a gauntlet thrown, a dare to rise or fall into the flames of failure. Tim’s look conveyed hope I’d win, but if I lost, I deserved to crash and burn. Fortunately, his father’s eyes only filled with excited hope of the encouraging sort.

As we walked back to our building, April gushed, Wow! Way to play on the Kinsley Hayes bit! Again, she snagged my hand. Her palm swung mine like a child with their parent— bizarre, to say the least. Her resting bitch face shined bright, though I knew her stone-cold frown would drop her Juvederm like an anvil once I told her of the requested reassignment on this project.

I resigned to save her sour side for tomorrow’s problems. For now, as she gabbed about Kinsley, I considered the whole conversation, feeling somehow closer to my love than I had in weeks. Possibility unfurled in my stomach.

He is into that girl!

He loves her, April. She’s his niece. I tugged my fingers free.

She waved away my comment. Who’d have known your dating that little peacock would bring such profit? This account will be a breeze! She twisted to face me, walking backward. Good job, Mr. King!

I arched an eyebrow, implying how pathetic she appeared. She scoffed and tossed her head back on a laugh, reached for my fingers again.

April, kindly release my hand, please? I don’t want the press speculating that I am dating anyone else. Least of all you.

She winced playfully, then yanked my hand as she stopped in front of me so I ran into her. She quickly wrapped her hand holding mine behind her back. Her other gripped the back of my neck. Blowfish lips parted on mine. My body went rigid. Robotic arms shoved her so hard, she nearly tripped on her own high heels.

She gasped and caught her balance while a tremor of rage rammed my spine.

My fist filled the space between us, my index popping free. Touch me that way again, you’re fired. My jaw clenched hard. Last thing I needed was a front page spread on my temper. Was she angling for that, now, instead?

She shoved my fist away with as much force as I’d shown her, only my feet didn’t budge. My fist stuffed inside my pocket.

Gimme a break, Klive. Overreaction, much? Lighten up. Paul’s in charge of hiring and firing, and he could care less if we hooked up. That man wants you to find love. He worries over you as though you’re his son. That’s his motive with Carissa. Now that she’s with Mr. Banks’ son, you need someone else so he doesn’t fear for your wellbeing.

Sure, Paul had a heart for me, and I saw he worried about my unflinching dedication to work, even if our profit margins shattered glass ceilings. Dedication equaled devotion to my double life down to the most minuscule detail.

April walked quietly beside me.

I hadn’t missed Paul’s pleasure in seeing me with Kinsley. He’d been less like a father and more like my boss these past weeks with Tim dating Carissa. No way in hell he’d ever look at April as anything other than toxic to me. Why