Page 13 of Conner's Choice
“Why didn’t you tell me? This is a decision you should have discussed with me first. You placed me in an embarrassing position with Debra. The Monahans are our friends, and they’re also a powerful couple. Why can’t you wait until Harrison moves on before you run for mayor? Why can’t you be satisfied with an appointment to the bench?”
His jaw clenched. “I wasn’t ready to tell you, and I’m not going to apologize for it. And furthermore, I don’t give a damn what the Monahans think. They’re not that powerful.”
His callous tone frightened her, but she refused to cower. She’d stood up to him before. “I think running for mayor, defending Ray Farmer, and offending the Monahans are huge mistakes that may cost you in the end.”
“I can always count on your support, Lizzie,” he flung caustically at her as he reached for a case file on the nightstand.
She ignored his sarcasm. “You can always count on my wisdom, Kevin. I know I’m right in this instance.” Elizabeth reached for her cell phone and headed downstairs. She didn’t care if Kevin searched her purse, but she didn’t want him checking her phone.
She popped a K-cup into the Keurig, and while she waited for her tea to brew, she texted Conner.
Elizabeth:I’m ok. Confronted Kevin about running for mayor. He wasn’t happy about it. Can’t trust Lexi. Kevin called her when I wasn’t here on time. Need a burner phone. From now on texting only while I’m at work.
Conner:Glad you’re ok. I’ll get you a burner. Sorry about Lexi. You’re brave, Elizabeth. Proud of you.
Warmth spread through her. It’d been a long time since she’d received a compliment that wasn’t business related. She recalled the hardness of Conner’s body when she’d leaned into him, and her cheeks flushed with the delayed reaction of desire. It took a moment for her to regroup and continue texting.
Elizabeth:Thank you. I’m brave because you’re with me.
Conner:I’m with you, Elizabeth. All the way. Trust me.
She sipped her cup of tea. Yes, she trusted him. Something about Conner inspired it in her. His decisiveness. His confidence. His strength. His brown eyes. The way he made her catch her breath just by complimenting her.
A tidal wave of emotion washed through her. It overwhelmed her, yet there was something wonderful about it. God help her.
On Saturday, Kevinholed up in his study to work on his defense of Ray. His eyes narrowed in concentration. Lizzie’s brazenness took him by surprise. In the past two years, she’d become compliant and nonconfrontational, but last night, she’d been unafraid to speak her mind. And, he hated to admit it, Lizzie had been right. If he vigorously defended Ray and won, he’d be committing political suicide, even if his client suddenly died after the trial.
Kevin paced back and forth, his mind racing with different scenarios and possibilities. Harrison Monahan and the D.A. were pushing for a speedy trial, forcing him to rush preparing his defense. No, he concluded, this case couldn’t go to trial. Ray didn’t have a defense. He’d stabbed the Parkers to death instead of shooting them, which made the crime personal. Detective Rawson Stone would dig deep, looking for that personal connection. The only connection Ray had with the Parkers was through Kevin, and no one—not Harrison or the D.A. or Stone—was smart enough to ask if there was a connection between the lawyer and his client. Not to mention theotherconnection that would bust this case wide open.
Kevin’s eyes darted toward his laptop. His sinister yearnings were growing stronger. The allure of the dark net was hard to resist. Returning his attention to his present dilemma, he determined he had three options: convince Ray to confess and spend his numbered days in prison where someone would slip a shank into him, kill him now, or arrange for him to attempt to escape and let the cops kill him. It came down to which option would be most pleasing. And after the situation with Ray was resolved, Kevin could concentrate on two other loose ends. Lizzie and Lexi.
A knock on his door jarred him out of his thoughts. He loathed the interruption. Kevin rose from his chair and walked over to yank open the door. His eyes must have shone with a dark lust because Elizabeth instinctively took a step back from him.
“You know better than to bother me when I’m working, Lizzie,” he scolded her. God, if she could only see the violent images dancing in his mind as his cold gaze raked her figure clad in a simple sky-blue sheath.
Shedidhave an inkling, though, and it terrified her. He saw it in her slate-gray eyes even as she said with a calm tone, “I’m leaving for the Grand. I’ll be gone for the evening, and then I’m heading to Colorado Springs to spend some time with Mom and Dad.”
“Great. You haven’t seen them in a while. I hope the engagement party is a success and enjoy your visit with General Bennett and your mother.” He leaned toward her to kiss her, but she turned and left him alone.
In the exclusiveGrand Ballroom, Elizabeth bustled to and fro, checking details, guiding the hotel staff, and giving directions with her usual efficiency, which belied her inner turmoil. She was scared to death. So scared that she was driving straight to Colorado Springs without returning home to pack an overnight bag.
During a lull in the preparations, Lexi accosted Elizabeth, grabbing her arm. “Where were you last night? You never told me about a meeting with a client. Did you go to see Conner O’Donnell?”
Elizabeth disengaged herself. So, Kevinhadcontacted Lexi. “No, I didn’t go to see Mr. O’Donnell.” She turned her attention toward her tablet.
“But I heard you say you would see him later,” Lexi argued.
Elizabeth gritted her teeth. Could Lexi be any more obvious? “I meant I would see him later at the mayor’s birthday bash. He’s on the guest list. Look, Lexi, I’ve changed my mind about pursuing a divorce right now. Kevin has too much on his plate, and I don’t want to cause him any undue pressure or stress. End of story.”
She walked away and felt Lexi’s eyes boring into her back.
The Allen’s guests began to wander into the artfully decorated ballroom. After Elizabeth did one last sweep of the room, her phone pinged with a text message.
Conner:I’m here in the bar with Christian. Hughes is here, too, looking out for you.
Her pulse raced through her veins, and she smiled.
Elizabeth:You weren’t kidding when you said you wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
