Page 84 of Beautiful Lies
“What’s your mother?” I asked, still curious despite myself. When would I ever learn?
Keira shrugged. “My dad calls the shots and my mom does whatever he asks because she’s too scared of losing him. They’re, like, obsessed with each other. And she adores him. No matter what he does, she turns a blind eye.” She drew herself up to her full height, just a few inches shy of six feet, and squared her shoulders. “But I’m not my mother.”
“Yeah, well, you shouldn’t be here.Whyare you here?”
“I want to get to know you and Killian.”
“He doesn’t even know you exist.”
“Well, you’d better tell him. Because I’m staying.”
“Like hell you are. I’m putting you in a taxi and you can go right back to the airport and catch the first flight home.”
“I drove.”
“You drove,” I repeated.
She gestured with her hand and I stared at the silver Porsche 911 with North Carolina plates.North Carolina? “I need to unload this thing. Do you know anyone I can sell it to? Preferably someone who’s not going to ask for any documents.”
“You stole a car.”
“I borrowed my dad’s keys. He’s just not getting them back. So, yeah, technically I stole it. But I changed the plates.”
Fucking perfect. A criminal in the making. Like father, like daughter. “Get back in that car and head south. Keep going until you get back to fucking Miami.”
“I’m staying here. In Brooklyn. And I’m getting to know my brothers. I was planning to stop at Killian’s gym—”
“Killian’s away.” Thank fuck for small favors. Unfortunately, he’d be back late tonight. “You need to let me talk to him before you stop by for a surprise visit. Understand?”
“Sure. So, you never told him about me or anything that happened in Miami?”
“No.”
“Who’s the blonde? She’s pretty. Is she your girlfriend?”
“Leave her out of this.”
“Connor,” Ava called.
I turned my head to look at Ava, her arms crossed over her chest, eyes blazing with anger. “I thought you said you weren’t with anyone in Miami.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. Welcome to the shit storm that was my life. It would be easier if Keira had been a girl I’d hooked up with. “I wasn’t with anyone. And she was just leaving.”
“I’m Keira. Connor’s sister. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Fucking hell. Ava gasped, her eyes wide. “You have asister?” she yelled.
Might as well announce it to the whole fucking neighborhood. I blew air out of my cheeks. “It’s a long story.”
“Well, I’d love to hear it. But right now, I can’t even look at you, let alone listen to anotherstory.” Her gaze swung to Keira. “I’m Ava and I’ll be happy to be your tour guide.”
“Great,” Keira said, giving Ava a dazzling smile. “Do you happen to know where the nearest pawn shop is?”
I stared at Keira. What the fuck? “Why do you need a pawn shop?”
“I have some jewelry to sell,” she said like this was perfectly normal.
“I’d be happy to take you,” Ava said, smirking at me. “Let’s go.”
