Page 24 of Dark Alliance
“Why are you here, Connor?”
“It’s ‘Dane Ryder’ by daylight, especially when we’re discussing art.”
I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder. He hardly even twitches. “That name is so dumb.”
“You said it sounded like the name of a movie star the other night. You loved it.” He reaches up with his free hand and smooths a loose hair off my face. “What would you name yourself if you needed an alias?”
My temple tingles where his fingertip brushed my skin, but I force myself to remain still. I won’t let him see me react.
He tilts his head, raising an expectant eyebrow.
“I don’t know.” I cross my arms, giving myself a moment to consider the question. “I’d probably do something boring and mesh the names of two famous artists together. Georgia…Claudel.”
He grins. “I changed my mind. I want a four by four of your pussy on my wall, à la O’Keefe.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, and I shove him harder, managing to get some distance this time. “You’re such a pig.” The fact that he’s funny doesn’t help. “Seriously,Dane, what do you want?”
He leans back and shrugs. “Just…this. To talk to you. Get to know you.”
But why?
I don’t even know where to look. The hair, the face, the height, the shoulders, the chest, the hands, the clothes… I’d bet money that he even has hot feet.
I shake my head, disappointed in my own thoughts and the way they’re betraying me. “You want to know me? Impress me with something from your line of work. Connor Gallagher’s work.”
He hums and taps his fingers on his knee, and I attempt to block out the memory of them trailing over my skin.
“After the latest FBI raids, the Riccis need new airline smuggling routes.”
He’s right. We do. I’m not surprised he possesses that information, but I am surprised that we keep agreeing on how my family should operate. First the Russians, and now this.
I lift my chin, feigning boredom. “Hardly impressive.
He holds out his palm like aPrice is Rightmodel. “Quid pro quo, Cat. Your turn.”
At least thistête à têteis finally becoming productive. “Perla told us what you made her do. And she gave us your payoff. We destroyed all the bugs you planted at the Ricci estate.”
He’s probably already aware, since his camera feeds should have gone dark at some point last night, but he has the manners to look impressed all the same.
“Sorry about that. Can’t be too careful in this business. I’m sure you understand.”
“Of course. Which is why I don’t trust you.” I aim a big phony smile at him. “But you might be able to fix that. Can you deliver on new smuggling routes? That might convince Eduardo to view your proposed alliance more favorably. I’ll even put in a good word for you.”
I won’t, but two can play his game. If he insists on lugging me along, I won’t roll over and surrender.
Connor gets close again, pressing his thigh against mine. Energy crackles in the air between us.
“I can deliver.” Though his face closes off, his low voice hums straight through my bones. “But you’re the only one in your family I want to deal with. I respect your father, but he’s very unwell.”
I stare at him, trying not to reveal my genuine surprise. Connor—Declan’s heir, someone trusted by Finn Gallagher to act as his mouthpiece—wants to work with me? In the grand scheme of things, I’m nobody. Sure, I’ve got my father’s respect, but Nino’s the next head. There’s no way…
I must take too long to reply, because Connor clears his throat impatiently and lowers his voice even more. “Forget the family politics, Cat. We could run this city. You and me. What do you think?”
My head spins at the mere idea. Me? Running the city, with Connor Gallagher at my side? Impossible.
I’m no one. Simply the daughter of a mob boss and the older sister of the future Ricci head.
I also know Connor’s just toying with me. He’s nothing more than a liar.
