Page 38 of No Lies No Promises

“But you’re going to do it whether I agree or not.”

She nods. “I am going to spend my life stopping Parkhaven and companies like it. Whatever it takes.”

Fuck.

Hours pass. Indulging in more soul-searching than I care to admit, I call my boss back. “Dante, if this operation is happening, it’s on my terms.”

Chapter 19

Lillian

I can’t believe how busy Talon is on a weeknight. While Pierre serves customers upstairs, laughter bubbles up from the private party below. The nondenominational holiday balls have been packed away. The green shamrocks, too. Strings of white twinkling lights wrap around the top of an old dry-cleaning rack. Tiny American flags left over from Memorial Day will probably stay up until the Fourth.

After ordering two brews at the bar, I carry them through the open glass door to the sole empty patio table. Outside, cannabis and a fruity vape drift on the evening breeze. From here, against the vine-covered brick wall, I have a clear view of both entrances.

While I wait, Emily, the redheaded hostess, clears away a stack of empties.

She stops to discuss the grifter incident. “I’m a little worried about the bad publicity.”

“Don’t be.” I scoot my chair back, giving her room to wipe her damp rag over the surface. “My sister Rebecca is all over it. She’s a marketing maven— a real-life Rumpelstiltskin. Spins yarns into gold.”

“Funny.” Chuckling, she walks away to chat with a group of regulars.

Halfway through my beer, Dante sounds through my comm unit, “Heads up. He’s here.”

Taking my time, I glance up from my phone. Dressed in black, the smiling, tanned blond approaches and kisses me on the cheek.

“You look gorgeous.” Snobbish accent thicker than usual, he holds out his hand.

“Thank you.” When I reach out my newly manicured nails, he again squeezes my fingers far longer than necessary.

As he sits on the bench across from me, I slide the brew to his side of the table. “Hope you like IPAs.”

“They’re alright…” Reptilian eyes stare over the lip of the bottle. “You said you wanted to talk? I’m here.”

I pull out a tissue from my purse, dabbing at my nose. “Sorry to put you on the spot. Sean broke up with me, so I need a job. Do you know who’s hiring?”

“Figures.” He shrugs. “Boy Scout’s not like us. Know what I mean?”

Sean growls in my comm unit. “Asshole.”

Dante cuts in, “Zip it.”

Ignoring the conversation in my ear, I lift my gaze to my mark and hold it. “I didn’t, but I do now. The penthouse fire rattled him. I had to sneak out of the house. He won’t let me leave.”

“Let you?” Blond brows arch over piercing blue eyes.

“I know. It’s ridiculous, right?” I lean forward, my cleavage on full display. “And get this. I almost died because some suicidal bitch thought she was going to change their one-night status. Insane. If that’s the kind of woman he attracts…”

Pearson’s frown deepens. “Then why marry him?”

“His father is loaded.” The daughter of a crime lord, I’ve perfected the art of the lie followed by a cold, heartless laugh.

Bottle to my lips, I finish my bitter brew before pushing back my chair. “Need the restroom. Can I get you another?”

“I got it.” When he scoots back, my heart races as I rest my hands on his shoulders.

No, no, no. For this to work, he needs to stay put.