She's fighting this as hard as I am. The difference is, she's losing.
And that should make me feel like I'm winning.
Instead, it just makes me want to follow her and make her admit there was more to it than just sex.
Smart woman. Too fucking smart for her own good.
19
TIERNEY
“Earth to Connor.” I duck low and catch his eyes, grateful the focus is on him and not the thoughts of Bronx haunting me. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
He blinks a few times and runs a hand through his hair. “Don’t you have a husband to torment or something?”
I make a face at him. “Someone’s in a mood.”
“Can’t a guy just get some space, Tier?” He sighs. “If it’s not security following me, it’s you askin’ questions.”
“Wow.” I get to my feet and glance at my phone as a message from Livvie pops up on the screen. “Looks like you’ve realized this isn’t a vacation anymore. I was going to mention my coffee date with Livvie and ask if you wanna join us.”
As I head for the door, I glance over my shoulder and find him typing out a text message, his jaw tight and shoulders hunched like he’s picking a fight with someone whoisn’t in the room.
“I miss Dublin too,” I say. “But we’ve gotta evolve, Con. This is our life now.”
My usual security guy is already standing in front of the elevator. The same lad who’d escorted me to the penthouse when I first arrived. He punches the button for me and steps aside to let me move into the elevator when the doors open.
“You had lunch yet?” I ask.
“No, ma’am.”
“Want me to grab you a coffee while I’m out?”
There’s a flicker of a smile on his mouth. “Once you’re back home, safe and sound, then I’ll have a break.”
“Suit yourself.” I shrug. “I know what it’s like trying to steal a few minutes when you’re on a job.”
The doors slide open, and we head into the foyer, where another guy joins us. I know it’s overkill, but there’s comfort in it. Not in the men themselves, but because Bronx has stayed true to his word.
A shiver runs down my spine when I think about him again. I’ve let him get under my skin… and it feels like he’s winning.
The coffee shop sits half a block from the condo, tucked between a florist and a bookstore. Roasted beans and the waft of warm sugar hit me when I push inside.
Livvie waves at me from a table at the back, far from the windows, a paper bag of pastries and two coffees waiting in front of her.
Our security spread out the moment I weave through the crowd. One takes a stool by the counter, another lingers near the exit, both of them pretending they’re just regular customers killing time.
Livvie slides a coffee mug across the table when I sit.
“Hey… you’re looking suspiciously radiant.” She grins.
I glance at the drink, then at her. “Hardly. I barely see sunlight these days.”
She smiles, unwraps a croissant and sets it on the plate between us.
“Just as well you have me then.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “A sister-in-law who understands.”
The word still sounds out of place.
