Page 25 of No Lies No Promises

Sean

We’re still drinking our morning coffee at the kitchen table when Lillian receives a text message.

Jeff: Another property has become available. Meet me here at ten.

She clicks the included link, shares her screen, then whistles through her teeth. “Whoa. A money launderer’s dream castle. This might be the break we’ve been waiting for.”

Finishing off my joe, I place my mug on the countertop. “Tell him it’s me who wants the asking price, the cost of the upgrades, the final sales figures. No. Hold on. We should discuss this in person.”

“We?” Her laptop snaps closed. “Listen, I can do more damage alone. Guys like Jeff let their guard down with women like me. Something will slip that I can use to take him down. Please, Sean. Just this once. Let me take the lead. You can wait downstairs. I’ll bring my Taser, pepper spray, and my Beretta.”

Scowling, I shake my head no. “We stay together. We’re a team.”

“We are, which means you trust me. I kick ass, too. This is important.” A junkie waiting for a fix, sweat trickles down her brow.

Dammit. How did I miss it? Being raised by a crime lord left more than psychological scars. She’s hooked on adrenaline, the rush from putting oneself in the direct path of danger.

“Okay. Let’s go.” It’s the wrong decision, but I have no fucking idea how to change her mind.

Later, with every goddamn nerve cell sounding alarms, I park the SUV in a lot. As I walk her to the lobby, every eye follows her high red heels, bright red lips, and tight red dress. Males desire her. Females envy her. If not for the oversized black denim jacket, she could be mistaken for an expensive escort.

In contrast, I wear pricey black jeans, a sports coat over a black sweater, and comfortable leather sneakers. Nothing flashy. No logos. I do, however, make a point of glancing at my understated expensive gold watch as I plop into a visitor’s chair.

Spikes clicking against the marble, butt wiggling, she struts to the front desk. “I’m here for Jeff Pearson. Sky residence.”

The sixtyish man narrows his eyes, picking up his phone to make a call. After hanging up, he escorts her to the elevator, reaches inside, then palms a button.

As the doors slide shut and she blows me a kiss, the building guy returns to his station.

“I wouldn’t let that woman out of my sight,” he says as if I have a choice.

Grunting something unintelligible, I snatch my cell and open the live feed from the camera hidden in Lillian’s necklace.

On my phone app, Pearson greets her, smiling like he’s won the lottery. The picture goes dark for way too long as he hugs her. After they separate, his gaze sweeps over her body the way men do when they’re imagining a woman in their bed.

“Thanks for coming on such short notice.” The suspect’s hand disappears, no doubt touching her face or hair.

Sensing I might go ballistic, Lillian turns toward a mirror. “No problem. Sean was busy. He sends his apologies. I’ll take pictures for him, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. It’s his money we’re spending, is it not? Allow me to show you around.” The view shifts from the living room to the kitchen, where cabinets line one wall.

“The pasta sink will go in the island here.” He points to the plywood subfloor. “Gold faucets, handles, and knobs. High-end appliances. We’re still picking out the tile. Come see the view.”

Lillian spins toward the windows, giving me a sweeping panorama of the Statue of Liberty, the Science Center, and the harbor beyond.

“Wow.” Her breath rushes out, distorting the miniature mic taped to her chest.

Feigning an old-money accent, Pearson shows off the bedrooms and the baths. When finished, he grins, pulling out a chair. “Sit. Please.”

“Why not leave Clark. Work for me?” The asshole sits so close, all I see is his white button-down shirt.

I swear I can hear him salivating.

“I don’t know…” Her demeanor turns playful. “First, I’d need to know you’re solvent. Study your accounts. Make sure I’m trading up.”

Fuck, she’s totally on point.

Jeff laughs, his voice even closer. “I assure you, there is no comparison.”