Lucky
I left her once to keep her safe from my world, but now I
need someone I can trust to watch my son.
Running with this
syndicate, I've learned to keep my emotions in check. Compartmentalized. But
when Bria walks back into my life, everything comes flooding back—every memory,
every kiss. Having her so close to the dangers of my reality is selfish, but my
kid comes first.
Keeping my distance is critical.
It’s also impossible.
Bria
I never expected to come face to face with Lucky
again. Not like this. But he's a single dad now, offering me a job he knows I
can’t refuse. I try to keep things professional, but it doesn’t take long for
old feelings to resurface.
It’s the one thing I’ve never been able to do.
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Excerpt
Copyright 2024, Rochelle Allison
I’m having a glass
of water in the kitchen when Conlan breezes through the back door, eyeing me as
he tosses aside his wallet and keys. I should’ve gone straight to my room, but
a part of me—the tipsy part, probably—craves confrontation. His behavior outside
the bar just now was embarrassing.
“Sawyer, huh?” he
says by way of greeting, brushing by as he reaches into the fridge. “Guess his
patience finally paid off.” I turn around, putting my glass into the sink. The
microwave opens and closes, beeping as he jabs at it. “I almost feel bad for him.”
Leaning against the
counter, I give him the attention he’s so obviously seeking. “What are you
talking about?”
“You must know he
still wants you.” He mirrors my stance, folding his arms as we stare at each
other from across the room.
“So what?”
“You’re just gonna
play with his emotions like that?” His eyes widen, mocking me. “Didn’t think
you were the type.”
“You’d know all about
that, huh?” Picking up my purse, I push away from the counter. “Good night.”
“Good night?” An
indulgent little smile tugs at his mouth. The same one he gives Liam when he’s
being naughty at bedtime. “You say something like that and then, good night?”
Ignoring him, I leave
the kitchen. But he follows me down the hall and up the stairs, every footstep
intensifying the jitters in my stomach. I turn abruptly at my bedroom door,
feeling cornered. “What, Conlan?”
“Are you going to see
him again?”
I stare at him,
trying to figure out this sudden interest when he’s been nothing but aloof
since the day he hired me. “Are you serious?”
He steps closer,
stopping only when I hold up a hand. “Answer the question.”
“Yeah, I probably
will see him again. He’s sweet, and we had fun tonight.”
“Sweet, huh?”
Conlan’s voice drops, dangerous and low. “That’s what you’re into these days?”
“What I’m into is
none of your business,” I say evenly. “And neither is what I do in my free
time.”
“I’m making it my
business.”
“You’ll need to issue
an addendum to my contract, then,” I grit out.
“Maybe I will.”
“You haven’t
expressed one iota of concern for me since I got here, so please don’t start
now.”
“You think I don’t
care?”
“You barely talk to
me.” Turning, I grab the doorknob. “I know you don’t care.”
“What is there to
talk about?” His fingers wrap around my arm, and he tugs so I’m facing him
again.
“You said we were
ancient history.
Remember?” The way he
smells is so familiar to me, even with the cologne he wears these days. It tugs
at my heart, threatening to open old wounds I’d thought were long healed.
“Right, so why are
you acting like a jealous ex?”
It’s more than I
meant to say, but now that I have, I don’t regret it.
“Because it’s easy
for him,” he says. “In a way it’ll never be for me.” My breath catches. Is this
how he really feels, deep down beneath that ice-cold veneer? “What do you
mean?”
Conlan shakes his
head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Why are you being so
cryptic, Conlan? Just talk to me!” My voice cracks, and I pause to get myself
under control. “We used to talk about everything.”
“Not everything.”
I go still, staring
at him, willing him to tell me. I’d thought that something happened in the
years between, but maybe it was already happening way back then, when we were
together.
“You’re right,
though. We did talk. You knew me better than anybody, except maybe Tristan.
“Sometimes I miss
that.” He touches his knuckles to my cheek. “Sometimes I miss you.”
My heart leaps at his
words, but it sinks just as fast. I can’t allow myself to get tangled up in
this.
“You’re drunk.”
“That doesn’t change
how I feel.”
Swallowing, I look up
at him. “You’ll regret this tomorrow.”
His hand falls away.
“Maybe.”
Reaching back, I open
the door and step into my room. My cheek tingles from his touch as I close the
door. A second later, his footsteps pad quietly away. I should feel vindicated.
Conlan hasn’t forgotten. He still feels things. But somehow, it makes me feel
even worse.
Because he might miss
me, but he doesn’t want to.
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