Page 47 of Masquerade

Kate filed the information he hadn’t shared previously. He’d kept in touch. He’d known the bare bones of this case, and probably every other case she’d listed in her research. Environmental protection was his passion.

“They’re key organisers for the local campaign.” He sent her a sideways look. “Two of the three in the cone of silence about our real identity. So, it’s a business meeting as well as a catch up.” He was back to emphasising their business relationship.

“Who’s the third?” she asked.

Liam’s scent was enhanced by the semidarkness, warmly seductive and very distracting.

“Rory Brady’s joined them recently. He comes with a good reputation, but I haven’t met him yet.”

“Rory Brady?” she groaned inwardly. “I’ve worked for Rory a few times.”

“What’s he like?”

A tall man with rugged good looks and a lantern jaw. Excellent at his job, but his style was more prefeminist, women as helpers rather than equals. She’d had a meal with him once, before she’d worked out his priorities. Disentangling herself from coffee at his place after the restaurant had been awkward. She’d been desperate to keep the contract, her first after fleeing Sydney.

“Good at his job,” she admitted. He could also accept anowith grace. “A bit of a show pony. But you can decide for yourself.”

Billy’s house was a traditional timber building, dwarfed by the wide verandas on the three sides she could see. Solar lanterns guided them up the front path. A Garth Brooks honky-tonk, classic rock number was coming from the back of the house. Honeysuckle floated on the soft air. Liam steered Kate away from the front door, down the side veranda to the back of the house, where the veranda opened to a patio. A short, stocky man was lighting candles at either end of a table, already set with neat precision for dinner.

“Kate, meet Billy Kelly who’s feeding us tonight.” Liam introduced her.

“Nice to meet you.” Billy smiled, stepping away from the table to wrap Liam in a bear hug, before yelling over his shoulder. “Rosie, they’re here.”

A tiny whirlwind flew through the back door to jump into Liam’s arms.

“The Mighty Quinn,” she squealed, letting him swing her in a circle before placing her back on her feet.

“This is Rosie, Rosie Anu.” Liam turned to Kate with the woman still in the circle of his arms, her dark-brown, corkscrew curls spread across his shoulder.

The Mighty Quinn, Kate mouthed at him, her brain tallying possibilities for the nickname. Was it because he had a brain the size of a planet, to quote his favourite sci-fi novel, or because he was a demon between the sheets? His wink told her he’d guessed her wayward thoughts. The stuffy lawyer she’d met in George’s boardroom had disappeared somewhere between Sydney and here. His voice was more liquid honey than icy legalese, as content as when he’d made peace with his brother.

“I guess you can tell we haven’t seen this one in a while.” Rosie released Liam and stuck out a friendly hand. “Welcome.”

Accepting Rosie’s hand, Kate realised she and Liam could have eaten anywhere tonight. An impersonal meal in a restaurant would have muted the sensual buzz clamouring for attention in the apartment. Instead, he’d chosen to introduce her to close friends and reveal more of his private self. There was romance in his invitation, despite his denials.

“We’re in the kitchen,” Rosie added, turning to lead the way.

Liam exchanged a look with Billy. “I wasn’t expecting anyone else.”

“After you, Kate.” Billy urged her forward. “You know Rory’s a member of the team. Apparently, Rory and Kate have worked together before.” Billy offered a half-apology. “Rory dropped by unexpectedly. When I mentioned you and Kate were coming, he insisted on staying.”

“Rory.” In the kitchen, Kate offered a hand and flashed her professional smile. Liam was hard on her heels.

Rory rose to his feet at her entrance, rounded the table and swung her into his arms. Too late she remembered he was demonstrative to friend and foe alike, part of maintaining his edge.

“Hello, sweetheart. Lovely to see you.” He buried Kate in a hug.

She pushed herself free. “When did you move up here?”

“Billy called asking for help.” Rory drew her to his side of the table and tucked her in beside him. “Looks like he called you too.”

“Actually, I’m working with Liam.” Kate gestured towards her poker-faced companion.

Rory was doing his usual jostle for top alpha male. Rory’s instinct was naturally competitive, but in this instance, he was deliberately needling Liam, testing Liam’s reaction and assessing her relationship with Liam. She’d been pre-disguise when she’d first worked for Rory. He’d never met Ms. Dowdy, and her subsequent work for him had been delivered online.

“Liam, meet Rory Brady. Rory, meet Liam Quinn.” She made the introductions.

“Nice to finally meet you after all the news clips.” Liam stretched a hand across the table. “You’ve been part of some great campaigns. Terrific work getting that coal mine outside Gloucester stopped. That was a groundbreaking court decision.” Liam’s compliment defused the incipient tension.

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