Page 11 of Masquerade

“Liam Quinn,” he said. Her grip was more businesslike than her sister’s.

“Whatever you’re going to ask”—she raised a hand in apology—“it can’t be done.”

“Anything can be done for a price.”

“Normally, I’d agree.” Anna frowned. “Clearly, we’re the pragmatists in our respective families.”

Niall snorted. She perched on the end of her desk, then slid one silk-encased leg over the other, the silky fabric light-years from the sixty-denier stockings worn by her drably-coloured researcher sister.

Her sister is more alluring. Where is Kate?

Anna studied her flimsy purple stiletto before raising her eyes to his. “I sold the job to your twin on the basis of the signed contract.” She ticked the clauses off on her fingers. “Clear purpose, limited timeframe, targeted not broad exposure.”

“And?” he demanded.

“My boss and Genosearch renegotiated the contract, assuming our agreement to some extra cash.” She sounded annoyed at her boss’s presumption.

“How? When?” Liam frowned at Niall, dumbfounded to discover another secret. The tightrope he’d been walking snapped. He was falling with no net to catch him.

“No point vowing retribution for him later.” She nudged her chin in Niall’s direction. “He’s getting the same update you are.”

“When did you get it?”

“Does Kate know?” Niall asked.

“Does Kate know what?” Kate appeared at Niall’s side, her shoulder brushing his upper arm.

Liam’s relief at his nonreaction to Anna evaporated. All Liam saw were Kate’s eyes, and his heart reached piston speed in seconds. Kate’s eyes, like the eyes of the woman on the billboard, had etched themselves into his brain.

Anna Turner wasnotthe model on the billboard. Did knowing that give him an advantage?

CHAPTER THREE

“Iwasn’t sure you’dget my message.” Anna grimaced. “You need to hear this too.”

“I was on a break.” Kate squeezed past Niall into the room. “Your voicemail sounded urgent.”

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