Page 12 of Conner's Choice
The information didn’t amount to much, but Surfer could flesh it out. He’d start with the biological mother. That bore further investigation. Conner asked Elizabeth for the names of Kevin’s lovers, but she didn’t know them except for Alexa. He continued questioning her further, and before long, darkness had fallen.
“Oh, no!” Elizabeth exclaimed as she leaped to her feet. “It’s almost eight o’clock. Kevin is expecting me.”
“Let’s go, then. I’ll follow you out.”
When they reached her car, Conner squeezed her shoulder. “Be safe, Elizabeth. Leave if you think you’re in danger. We don’t know what Warner may be capable of yet.” He did have an inkling, but he didn’t want to increase her fear.
Their eyes met and held. She leaned into him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Conner. For caring.”
She branded him with the touch of her lips on his cheek. Shaking his head, he waited until he couldn’t see her taillights before he climbed into his Jaguar and headed toward his apartment. Once inside, he made himself comfortable on the sofa and texted Surfer.
Conner:Need info on Lexi Loveland.
Surfer:No problem.
Conner:Sending compromising photos. Can you pull the security camera footage?
Surfer:Got it, Con-Man. Sending now. Anything else?
Conner:Yeah. Find Kevin Warner’s bio mother.
Surfer:On it.
Conner set his phone down and poured a shot of whiskey. He still felt the touch of Elizabeth’s lips against his cheek and tossed another shot down his throat. Forty-eight hours after she walked into his office, she’d already gotten under his skin. Crap. Rule number one: never get personally involved with your clients.
Kevin was annoyedas he undressed in the master bedroom and hung up his suit. He’d cut short an evening of sexual bliss because Elizabeth said they needed to talk, and she wasn’t even home waiting for him. Reaching for his cell phone, he texted Lexi, his gullible, little lover-spy.
Kevin:Did Lizzie have a meeting with a client tonight?
Lexi:Not to my knowledge. Why?
Kevin:She’s not home. You’re supposed to keep track of her schedule.
Lexi:She said she was going shopping after work. That’s all I know.
Kevin heard Elizabeth’s car pull into the garage.
Kevin:Never mind. She’s here.
Thinking about Conner steadied Elizabeth. That platonic kiss had been rash. She could still feel the roughness of his five o’clock shadow on her lips. For some inexplicable reason, it gave her strength. She entered the master bedroom and faced her husband with her shoulders squared and a slight tilt to her chin.
“You’re late. Where have you been, Lizzie? With that client you mentioned?”
Her heart slammed into her chest. She heard the accusation in his voice. He didn’t believe she’d had a meeting. Until now, he’d never questioned her unless…
Elizabeth licked her lips. No, not Lexi. Lexi wouldn’t betray her. Or would she? She’d always had a soft spot for Kevin. Elizabeth considered her options. Kevin must have contacted her assistant regarding her whereabouts, but Lexi hadn’t told Kevin about her plan to divorce him; otherwise, he would have thrown it in her face as soon as she walked through the door. She figured Lexi only repeated what she’d told her about the flower stands. She would stick with the lie.
Smiling, Elizabeth kicked off her pumps. “Relax, darling. I went to Denise’s Wholesale Flowers to buy a few flower stands before I met with my prospective client.” She removed her earrings and met Kevin’s scowl in the mirror. Silently, she challenged him to confess he’d called Lexi.
Her boldness caught him off guard. “Sorry for snapping at you, sweetheart. I was worried. You said we needed to talk,” he prompted her.
Elizabeth stripped down to her bra and panties. Kevin’s eyes rested briefly on her figure.
“Debra came by the shop today to finalize our plans for Harrison’s birthday party next month.” She paused as she traded her bra for a camisole. “They’re not happy with you, Kevin. You’re defending Ray Farmer. Harrison has promised to do everything in his power to help the D.A. I begged you not to take his case. It will cost you socially and politically if you win an acquittal.”
Elizabeth slipped into a pair of satin sleep shorts and began to moisturize her hands and arms. “That’s not all Debra told me. She said you’re running for mayor next year. People have already begun to contribute to your campaign. Is that true, Kevin?”
Kevin turned toward her. His eyes burned with anger. “Yes, it’s true.” His clipped tone warned her that he was controlling his voice.
