Page 51 of Push

I couldn’t help laughing with him.

Maybe I had a friend after all.

17

She Impressed the Client

Gwen

“The jilted wife hasarrived. What fun.”

I hesitated in the doorway. Nervous, trembling hands fumbled over my jacket, and I tried to force my feet forward, but the fury that had powered me down the corridors of Cumberland Investments vanished when the ice-blue eyes narrowed on me across the room.

My brother’s eyes.

I missed you so much.

A blond eyebrow lifted. “Well?” Liam’s face was stone. “Time is money.”

He’d know. Six clocks lined the dark-paneled wall behind his oversized desk. I managed a step before my heel wobbled under me. No. I needed to be strong. He’d respect that more. A deep breath in, my squared shoulders, I focused on the time in Tokyo as I crossed the marble floor.

I’m so proud of you.

Liam pushed back his chair, rose to his feet, and buttoned his jacket. The immaculately tailored navy suit was worlds away from the faded T-shirt and ripped jeans I’d last seen him wearing. My brother had transformed from a lanky, underfed teenager into an imposing man.

I love you.

But I shouldn’t have come.

When the recruiter had spat out the name Liam Crawford, I should’ve politely thanked her for the opportunity and run for my life.

There had always been something not quite right about my brother.

The tabloids had fooled me into thinking Liam might have escaped his demons. But the articles I’d devoured over the years painted a very different story of the man standing in front of me.

On the surface, he was the golden-haired prince who was fodder for the gossip columns. His perfectly combed hair, expensive suit, and crisp white shirt were on point. But the smug smile he flashed at the paparazzi was missing. There were no hints of the playboy antics splashed over the online news. The man looming behind the desk was expressionless and cold.

Just how I remembered him.

I stopped in front of Liam’s desk. A rush of protectiveness surged through my veins. Every muscle in my body strained to throw my arms around him and bawl my eyes out, but the wary glance he tipped in my direction warned me to keep my distance.

I leaned over just enough to offer my hand for him to shake.

He blinked down at me.

An awkward smile froze on my face. “Don’t you want to greet me, Liam?” I waved the hand stuck awkwardly over his desk. “It’s been a long time.”

“Oh.” His brow lifted again. “You want me to shake your hand?”

“Even if it’s not the typical way to greet your sister, it’s a professional courtesy, isn’t it?”

“Is it?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“Businessmen shake hands, don’t they?” This was officially one of the strangest job interviews in history. “Aren’tyoua businessman now?”

“Technically, I’m an actuary. I calculate risk…for investments…for…insurance.” His lips curved slightly. “Perhaps other actuaries shake hands, but I don’t. It’s nothing personal. Won’t you take a seat”—Liam gestured to one of the leather chairs in front of his desk—“Mrs. Sullivan?”

My eyes narrowed. This was a test. A game.

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