Page 4 of Once Kissed

“Montenegro’s second was arrested this afternoon,” Declan adds. “And we have a lead on his third.”

“Do you think either will talk?” Miles asks him.

Declan widens his grin. “They will once they know how much we have on them.”

Both men laugh. I shift my weight and steal a glimpse Curran’s way. The prosecutors may be talking mob bosses and arraignments, but his attention is all on me.

“Contessa, make a note that I’d like the records clerk to bring everything they have on Gus Mancini, starting from his first arrest.”

My fingers sweep across the screen. “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”

“Do I know you?” Curran asks, his deep voice cutting through the other men’s chatter and tensing every ridge in my spine.

My fingers pause their erratic typing. “No,” I answer quickly.

The old wooden chair creaks as he leans back. “I could swear I’ve seen you before. You hang out at Lou’s Barbecue or Romeo’s Pizzeria?”

“N-no, not at all.”

“What about Frank’s Bar? Or— I know, O’Malley’s Tavern?”

“No,” I mutter, doing my best to shield my face.

“Curran, do you mind?” Declan asks.

“Oh—sorry. I thought I knew Contessa here from one of my stomping grounds.”

“I assure you, I’ve never been to those places,” I stammer.

My nervousness and direct eye contact totally give me away.

Curran straightens as stunned recognition spreads along his features.“Argyles?”he asks.

Chapter 2

Curran

Tess Newart. Miss “Let me tie you up so I can ride you hard” is sitting close enough to touch.Fuck. Me.I never thought I’d see that face again.

But there it is, with a nice coat of red to top it off.

“Is there a problem?” Miles Fenske asks me.

His attention drifts from me to Tess. Hell, I never knew her real name was Contessa. Then again, I never knew that much about her. Unless you count the night we…

I clear my throat, knowing both Miles and Declan are watching me. “She’s wearing argyle socks,” I say like a dumbass, motioning to her feet.

“And?” Miles asks.

I shrug. “Didn’t know grown-ass women wore that shit.”

I grimace. Okay. Probably not the best response. Butdamn,argyles? It’s been what—almost four years since I last saw her? And she’sstillwearing those things? What the hell’s up with that?

Miles looks to Declan, whose grip on his pen tells me he’s seconds from stabbing me in the eye. I should be on my best behavior in front of his boss. But I’m not. In my defense, Tess, here, now, is a damn good reason to be off my game. Not that she’s exactly thrilled to see me. Shit. I thought we had a good time.

She keeps her attention forward and away from me, her spine straight enough to raise a flag on.

Okay. Maybe it wasn’t as good for her as it was for me.

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