feel this…connection. I feel it, you feel it. I’m not walking away from that. And I’m also not a man to stand by while assholes try to take advantage of me and my family. So, I will be involved with this investigation. Every step of the way.”
She stared at him.
The phone on his desk buzzed, and Liam circled the desk and hit the button. “Yes?”
“Liam, Mrs. Knox from Human Resources is here to see you,” Eleanor said. “She doesn’t have an appointment.”
“That’s fine, please send her in.”
A moment later, Erica entered Liam’s office. She wore a flowing, floral dress with knee-high boots, and Liam had never seen the redhead look so pale.
“Mr. Kensington, I’m so, so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.” She clasped her hands together.
He moved toward her. “It’s all right, Erica. I’m so sorry about your husband. Unfortunately, my success makes me a target.” He took her hands. “I’m sorry you got caught up in this.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I just want Jake back safely.”
“We’re going to make that happen.”
“I see you officially met Aspen,” Erica said, with a small, watery smile.
Liam smiled in return and looked at Aspen. “I did. It came as a surprise, although I was very pleased to know that she wasn’t actually a blackmailer.”
“Nexus is dangerous,” Aspen said. “We have to find a way to get Jake free.”
Liam nodded. “And I don’t want those photos to get released. If we work together, I think we might be able to sort this out.”
Aspen glanced at Erica, then back at him. “This gang’s already killed, Liam, and they’re not afraid to do it again.”
Liam’s gut hardened. “I got that when they shot at us today.” He met her gaze. “Aspen, we’ll need to work very, very closely together.”
Behind Erica’s back, Aspen shot him a look.
Aspen
I watched Erica leave and turned back to Liam.
He was standing by the windows, lean body silhouetted by the light, and Manhattan a magnificent backdrop.
He looked every inch the billionaire businessman.
He also looked edible.
I pushed the punch of simmering desire down low. I couldn’t afford to let the attraction grow.
I had to bring Jake home and find a way to bring Nexus down.
“So,” I said.
He turned. “So.”
I dropped into one of the guest chairs in front of his big desk. “We need to work out why Nexus wants that land.”
Liam touched the phone on his desk. “Eleanor, pull the file on the Borden property in the Bronx, please.”
“Sure thing, Liam.”
“It’s a decrepit warehouse.” He leaned a hip against his desk. “The land is valuable, of course, but I’m guessing Nexus isn’t in construction or development.”
I frowned, tapping my nails on the arm of the chair. “No. They usually go for a quick win, like blackmail and demanding money.” My stomach churned.
There was a knock at the door, and Eleanor entered.
“Here’s the file.” Liam’s assistant glanced at me, her gaze the perfect blend of curious and suspicious.
“Thank you,” Liam said.
After Eleanor left, he sat at his desk and flicked through the file. I circled around and leaned over his shoulder.
“The warehouse originally dates from the Prohibition era. Through the years it’s been home to various businesses; the last one was a shoe factory.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t see any clear connection. “What could they possibly want with it?”
“I’ve contacted a highly recommended private investigator—”
“No,” I said. “We can’t risk bringing more people into this.”
“He could help. Vander knows what he’s doing, and he won’t talk.”
“Wait.” I stilled. “Vander Norcross?”
Liam nodded.
My mouth dropped open. The man was a legend. He’d been commander of some covert special operations teams in the military before he’d returned to civilian life and started Norcross Security and Investigations in San Francisco. The stories I’d heard whispered about him couldn’t possibly all be true. The man knew players on both sides of the law all across the country.
I was a baby minnow PI, and Vander Norcross was a big, bad Great White shark.
I chewed on it for a second. “Okay. He might be able to dig up something we can’t.”
Liam’s lips quirked. “I wasn’t asking for your permission.”
I stepped closer. “We’re working together, Kensington, but this is my investigation.”
He rose from his chair, the toes of his shoes brushing mine.
“And this is my life. I will protect my family.”
“I don’t want anyone hurt, but ultimately, I need to bring Jake home. And if I can, stop Doyle.”
“Doyle?”
I blew out a breath. “He’s the leader of Nexus. Kristoff Doyle. Just a shadowy figure, who doesn’t reveal