Page 60 of End Game

“Name it.”

“See what you can find out about a company named HCVS and the company’s rep, Larissa Maywood.”

She scribbled the information on her pad of paper. “Is HCVS an acronym for something?”

“Maybe.”

“How deep do you want me to go?”

“To the ninth circle of Hell, if necessary.”

“I love it when you talk Dante.”

Ash strode back to his desk, risking another sip while in motion.

He’d barely managed two hours of sleep last night. After his mind-scrambling kiss with Kayla, his body had remained strung taut for hours, until he’d finally taken himself in hand.

Regardless of what Kayla thought, he didn’t regret the kiss. The revelation surprised him as much as it would her. What he did regret were his parting words.

Stick to fucking up people’s lives.

For nearly two years, he’d done his best to stay out of her orbit. Primarily, because of Phin’s and Liv’s close relationship with the lobbyist. But he’d also been unable to suppress his irritation over how her lobbying efforts had impacted his day-to-day life and was concerned that his lack of control would cause a deeper rift in the family.

Something he did not need. Or want.

But something elemental had changed.

He wasn’t sure when or how she’d managed it, but the woman inside the lobbyist attracted him like a bee to pollen. Maybe it was her selfless efforts helping his brothers or the stories of her generous philanthropy. Maybe it was her sharp, amused intelligence that seemed to always be directed at him or the grief in her eyes after witnessing her godmother’s murder.

Or maybe, just maybe, it had been the way she looked yesterday morning. Casual, slightly disheveled. Sexy as hell.

Several times today, he found his thoughts trailing off. Moving from the important work in front of him to reliving the feel of Kayla’s lips against his. Their softness, their warmth, their need.

A need that matched his own.

Ash threw on the mental emergency brake and sagged into his chair. She kept him on an emotional roller coaster. It was damn exhausting, which was why he’d made a third trip to the break room for caffeine.

Fishing his phone out of his pocket, he scrolled through his favorites until he found Rohan’s name. While the line connected, he anchored a white Airpod into his right ear, pushed out of his chair, and strode to the far window, away from curious ears.

From this vantage point, he could see Otis Street, the public parking garage, and a sliver of the Battery Park area. Vendors occupied the permanent outdoor stalls, hawking their handmade crafts or popular tourist bric-a-brac. Tourists inched by them, deciding whether or not to part ways with their hard-earned money.

After three rings, his brother picked up. “Hey, Ash.”

“How’s it going?”

“Quiet for a change.”

“Got the office to yourself?”

“In part. Phin and some of the ladies are busy planning a surprise birthday party for Grams and the rest of us are hunkered down, trying to stay out of their honey-do sight.”

Ash’s chest constricted. “Party?”

“They’re brainstorming dates, but it’ll probably be on the Saturday before her actual birthday.” His brother paused as if realizing something. “It’s all preliminary right now, Ash. Mom threw out the idea to Liv, Maddy, and Lena yesterday. The guys and I learned about it last night.” Another brief pause. “I’m sure Mom was going to text you today.”

Ash swallowed to ease the tightness in his throat. “Yeah.”

“Don’t worry, bro.” A lighter, teasing note entered Rohan’s voice. “Distance won’t exempt you from Mom’s to-do list.”

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