Page 5 of Masquerade

“His face isn’t revealed yet.” George slid the photo across the desk. “Can you stop it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you want to stop it?”

“I want it to be about sex toys or condoms or anything else that distracts from his bloody face.” Liam’s hand fisted on the desk, and he deliberately unclenched it. “It’s his face. His right to choose.” Playing fair was bred in the bone. “Wanting to make the decision for him should be enough to rule me out of this project.”

“When did he tell you?”

“He didn’t,” Liam said, the intent behind the deception aching like a phantom limb. “I saw the billboard on the way from the airport.”

“Just after I’d sent you Kate’s report. Did you think we’d ambushed you?”

Liam wasn’t prepared to award Kate Turner innocent-bystander status just yet. The tremble in her fingers when they’d met told him she was nervous about something, and he didn’t think it was the job. Liam bared his teeth. “Let’s just say it’s been an interesting morning.”

“Her work’s first rate.”

“At first glance, I’d have to agree.” And Liam had drawn that conclusion before seeing the billboard, before meeting the woman, before being reluctantly fascinated by both women. George needed an outstanding researcher to make the move he wanted, whereas any one of Liam’s colleagues could handle the legal side. Maybe Kate Turner was more valuable to the project than he was? But he’d check Genosearch and her, and he’d shaft her in a New York minute if she threatened George’s interests in any way.

“Should I have warned you?” Since employing him, George had been more generous with his time and advice than Liam had a right to expect. George had won his respect because the older man’s innate decency reminded him of his father.

“I’d have hated it.” Liam’s pride had been battered by Futureproof Mining, but he’d learned about preserving the land along with learning to dress himself. He had his answer. He wanted another chance to work on a big environmental case.

“Talk to your brother.”

“I plan to”—to confirm what his gut already told him—“and I’ll step aside.”

“No dice, Liam. Talk to me when you know what’s happening and why.” George brushed his objections aside. “Then we can talk implications. You know what I’m offering.”

“A promotion to partner and establishing a new team.” His goal had been partnership or bust. The guaranteed income would make his father’s remaining debts disappear. His mother would be secure. Could George read the eagerness on his face? “Did you have this in mind when you first hired me?”

“To be honest, I’ve been mulling this move for a few years. Not just for the girls. The corporate world needs a social licence to operate. I’ve reviewed all recent hirings with this in mind, but when I hired you nearly two years ago, I had you in mind. I couldn’t believe my luck when you applied for the job. You’re stiff-necked, but your integrity’s rock solid. Having you on board has allowed me to think differently.” George headed for the door. “You told me a partnership was your goal when you signed on.”

“That was before you handcuffed it to environmental law.”

George chuckled. “There’s always a catch.”

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