UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 20

She tugged me onto the dance floor. In the dim lights, her body pressed to mine, soft curves rolling with the beat, coiling around me like a snake.

Her hand slid to my waist, fingertips sneaking under my shirt to skim my skin, sending a shiver through me.

I fought to keep control, but her perfume, those dewy red lips, and that teasing hint of cleavage formed a net I couldn’t break free from.

On the floor she pressed closer, her chest flush against mine, hot breath on my neck, like she was lighting up every nerve I had.

“Liam, you really are a fun little thing.”

She whispered it, fingers gliding to the nape of my neck; with a gentle tug, my lips nearly met hers.

Just then, a cold laugh came from a shadowed corner of the bar.

I jerked my head around and saw Serena.

She stood in the shadows in a tight black leather dress, eyes cold as ice, a drink pinched between her fingers, her gaze stabbing straight into my chest.

“Liam, having a good time, aren’t we.”

Her voice was low, laced with mockery, like a verdict.

My heart stopped; my mind went blank.

Lisa felt me stiffen, followed my gaze, and smiled.

“Well, Serena’s here too? Quite a lively night.”

Serena’s eyes shifted from me to Lisa, edged with hostility.

“Lisa, since when did you start fancying this hotheaded rookie?”

Lisa chuckled, her finger tracing down my chest as she threw Serena a taunt.

“Come on, Serena. The kid’s got potential. I’m just getting a head start. Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

Serena snorted, strode over, and yanked my arm. “Liam. We’re leaving.”

Her grip was iron, nails nearly digging into my skin.

Before I could react, she had pulled me off the floor.

Behind us, Lisa’s laugh rang out, sultry and sweet. “Don’t rush off, Serena. We’ll play another time.”

Outside the bar, the night air cleared my head a little. Serena let go, spun on me with fury and disappointment blazing in her eyes. “Liam, what are you doing? Running with someone like Lisa—are you out of your mind?”

I froze, trying to explain. “Serena, I’m doing this for you. I’m digging for dirt on Mr. Morgan. Lisa said she could help.”

“Help you?” She gave a razor-thin laugh. “Liam, are you stupid? Lisa works for Morgan. Help you? She’s playing you.”

My stomach dropped. Lisa’s teasing smile, that smoky look in her eyes—they flashed through my head. Had I really been a toy?

“Serena, I…” I started, with nothing to follow.

She drew a breath, her tone softening a notch, her gaze still ice. “I thought you were different. Look at yourself. For a scrap of ‘leverage,’ you’re ready to toss your bottom line.”

She paused, voice low, almost to herself. “Maybe I was wrong. In this world, no one stays clean.”

She turned and walked away, her back as lonely as the night itself.

I wanted to chase her, but my legs felt poured full of lead.

Back at my crappy apartment, I lay on the bed, my head a mess.

Serena’s disappointment, Lisa’s provocation, Chloe’s warning—they were three knives hacking at my heart. I clenched my fists until my nails bit my palms, the pain bringing a sliver of clarity.

I told myself: Liam, you can’t keep going like this. Find the truth, or you won’t even be able to protect Serena.

The next day, I forced myself to dial Lisa again. Her voice was still sultry, but now edged with cool distance.

“Didn’t get enough last night, kid? Coming back for more?”

I gritted my teeth and cut straight to it. “Lisa, the dirt on Mr. Morgan—do you know it or not? Don’t play games with me.”

No Clean Hands