She rolls her eyes, flipping her dark red hair over her shoulder, “Oh my God, I went to this questionable sushi place last month, it was awful.”
She follows me to my desk, telling me about her bad takeout experience.
I listen, nodding along, glad I do not have to say more about yesterday.
Just as I’m about to sit down, Erika appears.
I never see her during the day, so my brows gather as she rushes toward me.
“Hey,” I call with a wave.
“Hey,” she says back, like she’s a bit out of breath. “I’m on my way downstairs, but I needed to ask a favor.”
“Of course,” I answer, standing back up.
“My brother’s coming into town. I’m trying to leave a little early to meet him for dinner. Any chance I can forward any phone calls that come through the law office up here? You just need to take messages until five. I’ll answer them on Monday morning.”
“Of course, I can. Not even a question,” I wave my hand. “I’m on it.”
“Thank you,” she gasps, leaning over to kiss my cheek. “It’s been forever since we’ve had a one-on-one dinner and I’m really excited.”
I want to ask if this is the same brother who helped me, but this is not the time or the place. So instead, I kiss her cheek back. “I hope you have fun.”
“I will,” she calls, as she trots back toward the elevator. “I’ll check in with you later. Busy day.”
Rachel watches Erika go. “Think her brother is hot?”
I give Rachel the side eye. “From the little I’ve heard, I think he’s theyou’re better off not touching thatvariety of man.” Criminals don’t make good boyfriends. Or husbands. I would know.
“So exactly my type then,” Rachel nods. “Noted.”
I shake my head, swatting her arm.
I look up, finding Rush staring at me through his open office door. His gaze is so intense, I dip my head, heat climbing my cheeks.
Is he thinking about what we did this morning? Last night?
Rachel starts to cross toward her desk when the elevator dings again.
The doors slide open and a man I don’t recognize steps out. He’s dressed in all black, a tattoo of a snake climbing up his neck, his wavy swept back hair only adding to the air of danger that surrounds him.
The only thing that is soft about him is the warm tone of his brown eyes.
I tense for a moment, worry making my limbs heavy, as my hands ball into fists. He looks like the kind of man Vigo always had showing up at our house.
But Killian steps out next to him and I instantly relax again, my lips curling up into a smile of greeting as I look at the other Smith brother. Killian’s also dressed in his standard black uniform. And he might be as intimidating if I hadn’t watched him dress a doll in a pink polka dot sundress yesterday.
“Gigi,” Killian calls. “Can you let Rush know that our guest has arrived?”
“Of course,” I answer, dipping my chin. I turn, happy to be in Rush’s company.
But Rush meets me in the doorway. “I heard, sweetheart,” he murmurs even as I come to a stop just in front of him.
“Everything all right?” I ask, my chin tilting up to look into his gaze, my eyes searching his, as I attempt to assess the danger.
“Absolutely fine,” he answers, his smile warm, his demeanor entirely relaxed and unconcerned. “He’s an old friend from Vegas.”
“Oh,” I relax then too, my breath blowing out as I shake off the tension. “Shall I get coffee for everyone?”
