Page 15 of Masquerade

“What’s your solution?” George asked.

“Assign the project to someone else in this room, and I’ll give them everything I have.” Liam’s growl revealed a passionate commitment to the case.

All heads swivelled to George—spectators following the ball in a tennis match.

“Very generous of you.” George nodded, the speed of his response the tell he wasn’t giving it a second’s consideration. “I was delayed because I was talking to the CEO of Genosearch. An old friend.”

A master tactician, Kate had the answer to George’s earlier indifference to her confession. She pressed her hand to her heaving stomach.

“The campaign is a success, even before your brother’s face has been fully revealed,” George stated. “The expanded coverage will be for at least another month.”

“I rest my case.” Liam conceded defeat.

“He’s the perfect cover.” George dismissed Liam’s objections with simple logic. “I understand he’s a cabinetmaker. If someone claims to have seen you somewhere an intellectual property lawyer shouldn’t be, say it’s him.”

“I stopped impersonating my brother in primary school,” Liam interrupted. “I’m not comfortable about deceiving people.”

“Our team will know exactly who you are. I never planned to broadcast the information that Clelland’s was on the case. Yours is the superior proposal. You deserve to follow it through. Let’s talk about the best way to do that alone.” George reminded them all who was in charge. “Continued confidentiality is the best way to achieve our shared goals. Now, if the rest of you will excuse us.”

Kate stared at the folder in front of her while the others filed slowly from the room. “You spoke to the CEO of Genosearch.” Her mouth went dry.

George nodded.

“You already knew my twin designed the billboard campaign.” She’d been careful in her choice of words but had essentially offered to disqualify herself in place of Liam.

“He may have mentioned her name in passing.” George waved his hand dismissively. “But I appreciate you telling me yourself.”

Kate leapt before she was pushed. George’s loyalty to Liam was an insurmountable barrier. “I can leave the project today, sir.” She swallowed her disappointment; dismayed to discover the lost income counted less than missing out on learning more about how Liam’s mind worked. “I brought an electronic copy of all my files. I can recommend a colleague to take over.”

Liam leaned back in his chair, one arm hanging over the back, while he studied her. His eyebrows drew together in a brooding frown.

“I want you both on the project. Serendipity.” George’s face split in a wide smile. “An undervalued word but perfect for this situation.”

“How so?” Liam grunted.

“You’ll be working together, seen together, and the fact you both have doubles also in the public eye gives you freedom of movement. Although, I wouldn’t have picked you and your sister for twins.”

“That’s deliberate.” The hairs on the back of Kate’s neck rose as Liam continued to study her.

“I’d have picked her out in a police lineup.” Liam’s eyes blazed into hers.

Her pulse skittered like a wild thing. Recognising her and understanding her were different, so she shouldn’t be afraid he’d found the key to all her secrets.

“That’s useful,” George said. “Confidentiality remains key. But if you’re caught in some unlikely place, you can say you’re there for another photo shoot. My friend’s looking at some interesting locations on the North Coast.”

“What do our twins do during our little jaunt up the coast?” Liam asked.

“The CEO of Genosearch had a private chat with the CEO of Changing Minds and suggested a new twist on the campaign.” George rubbed his hands together. “I gather he implied it could deliver long-term benefits for both companies.”

“I’m not appearing with my twin as part of some grand reveal.” Liam scowled.

George continued as if Liam hadn’t interrupted. “What do you think your brother’s answer would be to paid hibernation in his workshop?”

“He’d leap at the opportunity,” Liam offered grudgingly.

“What about Anna?” George looked to Kate for confirmation.

“On the back of the Genosearch ad’s success, Anna’s boss is giving her a chance to pitch to a new and lucrative client.” Kate’s sister was over the moon. “If you lock her down, she’ll spend the time developing her presentation.” Anna would also encourage Kate to take advantage of being catapulted out of her comfort zone.

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