Page 96 of So Close

“Here she is,” the attendant says unnecessarily, extending his arm toward me as if presenting me.

“It’s a lovely spot. Thank you.”

I’d forgotten that voice. To look at her, you’d expect her to speak like Jessica Rabbit, not Betty Boop. Yet, once she starts talking, that voice not only fits her but also manages to sound dangerously sexual. She’s catnip for Kane, and he’ll do anything, believe anything, to wallow in her.

The attendant smiles and offers a slight bow. “It’s good to see you again, Lily.”

“You, too, Ari.”

She settles into the chair across from me, sets a red leather envelope clutch on the table and crosses her long legs. “Ah … it’s good to be out in the city. I couldn’t be more in love with the penthouse, but sometimes, you just need to spread your wings a little.”

“Is this the first time you’ve left Kane’s side?”

“Yes.” She laughs. “Although he came with me. He’s having lunch here with Gideon Cross.”

Cross, of course. Although, that doesn’t explain why the attendant seemed to know her well. And apparently, only I considered hiding this meeting from Kane. We could’ve met at Baharan. It would have been far better for me if we had.

Two servers work in tandem to bring the champagne in a standing ice bucket and two delicate flutes. Lily orders sparkling water with lemon.

“I thought we’d toast to your return,” I say mildly, hiding my irritation. She’s a contrary girl, seemingly determined to do the opposite of what I wish.

Her smile is sweet enough to make my teeth hurt. “I’m not a drinker.”

I wave the champagne away and order a flat white coffee instead.

When we’re alone again, I strike quickly to reap the advantage of surprise. “Does Kane know your real name?”

Her mouth curves in an easy smile. “What makes a name real?”

My lips purse. She didn’t even blink.

“I find it very strange,” I say, “that it doesn’t bother you to be called by another name in private moments with the man you love.”

“Have I ever told you I love him?” she queries curiously. “You and I have barely exchanged a handful of words, as I recall, and we’ve never discussed Kane.”

I shift, my back automatically straightening. “You like playing games.”

“I do.” Her leg swings to and fro. “I’m very good at them. You might want to find a different opponent.”

Her water and my coffee arrive, and she gifts the server a beatific smile.

“What do you want?” I ask. “How much do you want?”

Resting her forearm on her knee, she leans forward, her emerald gaze focused like a laser. Not for the first time, I notice how cool and calculating those eyes are. Kane doesn’t see it because she’s always careful to look at him with heat. Of course, maybe she doesn’t have to fake that. Kane has the same exuberant sexuality as his father, and women can’t resist it.

“What doyouwant, Aliyah?”

“To protect my son, my family and my business.”

“Your motivations aren’t nearly as noble,” she dismisses. “You could manage Kane more easily when he was half dead with grief, and there was nothing for him to live for but Baharan. You want me to go away in the hopes that he’ll go back to being a workaholic, but he’s been fundamentally changed by my return. You can’t unring that bell.”

I reach for the delicate saucer holding my cup of coffee. “You think you have the power to manipulate Kane? Because his heartache over another woman has made him desperate, and you’ve clouded his mind with sex? It won’t last. You’ll get tired of playing a role, and he’ll get tired of you.”

Her brows arch. “Another woman?”

“I know about your aliases. I know there’s no legitimate trail for the money. I know you’re not Lily because the Coast Guard recovered her body. You’re running a stupendously elaborate con, but you’ve made mistakes.”

Her nostrils flare on a deep breath, and she flows back into the chair, settling comfortably into the plush seat back. Subtle tells, but a retreat, nonetheless. Satisfaction fills me. She’s not so self-assured now.

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