“There’s not a woman who can resist little brother’s charms,” Cruz said.
For a moment, she considered telling them about her parents, but then she’d have to endure the whistles of surprise and shocked expressions. Many in the region knew the Thornton name and had a sense of the family’s wealth and influence. She couldn’t deny that Thornton money had set her up to be a successful adult—not as successful as her parents would’ve liked—but it was Liv’s hard work that had established her career and earned her the respect of her colleagues.
As always, she strove to keep her personal and professional lives separate. No, she’d keep the parent angle to herself, then share what she learned, if anything.
“The mark doesn’t have to be female,” Rohan said. “Phin can pull intelligence out of anyone. Not just women.”
“That good?” Liv remained skeptical. No one could deny Phin’s appeal, but it was dangerous to underestimate Kayla’s Bullshit Sensor.
“My second major was in psychology. Humans have basic needs. I excel at uncovering, then exploiting them.”
Hopeful smiles erupted around the room.
Phin Blackwell would make a great undercover agent. Should she subject Kayla to that kind of cutthroat manipulation?
Who was she kidding? Kayla was a lobbyist. Queen of Exploitation. If her friend ferreted out Phin’s intent, she’d make a meal of his smooth-talking tongue.
As if she’d done it a thousand times before, Liv turned to Zeke for confirmation of his brother’s outrageous claims. And maybe a small part of her wanted to experience his hopeful smile. The smile she helped make.
But his mouth didn’t tilt upward like his brothers’. Neither did it tilt down. It rode a neutral line.
She shifted her attention to his eyes. Those expressive brown orbs didn’t share his mouth’s fondness for noncommittal.
No, they bored into her skull, searching. Suspicious.