Page 35 of Fifth Avenue Fling

“I agree with him,” Clodagh pipes up, making Connor smile.

“Please,” she begs. The emerald eyes hit the right spot to stare directly into the camera. “I need to trust you too. I binge-watched that Netflix series last week on serial killers, and I freaked myself out. For all I know, the last domestic assistant might be dead in the attic. I listen to a lot of true crime, so I wanted to do a few checks.” She chews her bottom lip. “What with moving in with a strange man and all.”

“Stop talking.” I jab the mute button again. “Do I look like a fucking serial killer?” I mutter to Connor.

He shrugs. “C’mon, man. The girl’s on the verge of tears. Cut her some slack. I get why a young woman would be scared of living with you.” His lips twitch. “Like living with a homicidal maniac.”

I roll my eyes in disgust.

On the screen, Clodagh adjusts her shorts self-consciously, her weight shifting from foot to foot.

“I’m the vulnerable one here.” Her voice fills the boardroom. Apparently, now she knows where the camera is because those piercing green eyes stare unwaveringly at me. I’ve never seen a shade like it before. Are they contact lenses? The swallow action in her throat is visible on the screen. “Moving into a strange man’s house.”

I jab the speaker button again to tell her she’s wasting my time when she should be packing, but Connor puts his hand over mine.

“Don’t be rash.”

“Fuck off. I don’t need distractions or drama in my own home.”

His brow arches. “What drama has she caused?”

“I thought you only checked the cameras by exception,” Clodagh continues softly, dragging my gaze back to her. “I didn’t realize you’d bewatchingme.”

My lips press into a thin line. Is she telling me off?

“A new nanny is an exception,” I bite back gruffly through the speaker.

She nods dramatically. “Okay, fair point. But please, give me one more chance. Please? I wasn’t trying to steal anything.” She pauses, pouting. “I just wanted to make sure you’re a good guy.”

Connor snorts. “She’s in for a disappointment.”

I turn my head, bemused.

“Are you still there?” Clodagh pipes up over the speaker. She nibbles on her lips like she’s trying to chew them off. “Wherever you are.” She waves both hands in the air, laughing nervously. “Am I looking in the right direction? This is really unnerving.”

“Killian.” Connor leans over and jabs the mute option, his expression turning serious. “Give the girl a second chance. What is she, like twenty?”

“Twenty-four,” I correct, nostrils flaring. “Almost twenty-five.”

“Come on, loosen up a little. Do you really think cleaners don’t poke around in bedside cabinets? Get a lock if you’re that concerned. Besides, you don’t have any other options right now. You’d have to vet someone else.” He shrugs, still holding the mute button. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

I shift my focus from Connor back to Clodagh.

Swallowing thickly, I watch her rub the back of her neck. I watch her chest heave with shallow breaths. I watch her green eyes burn with the adrenaline and fear of knowing that my next words will decide her fate in America.

“Please, Mr. Quinn.” Her soft lilt carries surprising steel.

Don’t beg me. It didn’t work for the Mareks, and it won’t work for—

Damn.

Acting on impulse, I jab the speaker button. “No more fuckups. I don’t do second chances, Miss Kelly.”

The breath whooshes out of her. She collapses on my bed with such force it makes her small breasts jiggle. “Thank you, Mr. Quinn. I won’t let you down. Again.”

An irritating spark of emotion ignites inside me when I see that megawatt smile. It’s a smile money can’t buy, and surgery can’t fake.

So now I’m a soft touch.

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