Chapter 6
As Blackwood disappeared around the corner, Zoe realized he had left his phone on his desk. It buzzed again. It was locked, but by pushing the button, she could see part of it on the screen. It was from Lance saying that two unidentified men had taken Cynthia as she stepped out of the building.
Taken? As in kidnapped? Zoe ditched the heels, took the phone and decided to go see for herself. As she passed a few offices with closed doors, there were whispered voices behind them. Ellen’s door was also closed. She was tempted to take a detour to her own office, grab her phone and call Gabrielle, but she suspected Lance would have already informed her of the situation. Reaching the empty reception area, she saw from the lit floor numbers above the door that the elevator was in the lobby.
Something beeped behind the reception desk and she walked around the desk to see that the phone lines were blinking away, but there were also several small screens flashing different parts of the offices. There was also one showing the inside of the elevator and the staircase. Sitting down, Zoe tapped the mouse and the computer screen came on. It didn’t take a lot of time to find the feed she was looking for, in which Cynthia appeared in the elevator.
The girl was rummaging through her bag before closing it. She was fidgety and kept looking at her cell phone. Just as the door opened, she dropped her phone back into her bag and walked out. That was the end of the video.
Zoe was about to search for the feed from the lobby when Blackwood’s phone buzzed.
Possible incoming through the staircase door.
Incoming? Zoe jumped to her feet, barely thinking of bringing the phone with her. Shoving it into her bra, she grabbed the only possible thing that looked remotely like a weapon; a horrible and awfully heavy crystal sculpture.
Hardly having the time to realize how silly she looked, noise came from the staircase. Heart pumping, she crouched behind the door. Noises became louder, then shouts and some muffled gunshots.
Biting her lip, she welcomed the pain that distracted her from the stress. How she wished for any kind of professional training or any serious looking weapon, but again, her usual bad luck struck.
Bracing, she heard scratching, then a loud thumping sound and the door burst open.
Zoe swung the crystal ugliness, but it was heavier than she expected and the brunt of it threw her off balance, which had mixed results. On the upside, she did strike the intruder on the head, and she was relieved that he was a stranger and had a gun in his hand. On the downside, despite her strength and weight, she fell with the man on the floor. The crystal sculpture exploded, pieces flying everywhere like ice shards.
It took a few breaths to get her bearings and realize that she wasn’t alone anymore. Blackwood, Kai, Lance, and two other men wearing uniforms were running through the door, stopping short as they realized what had happened. All the men had their guns out and Zoe blinked. Archer Blackwood had a gun?
The moment froze only for a second when she locked gazes with him. His eyes were on fire, blazing through her. He reminded her of a caged animal trying to restrain his fury. It was then she realized that under the sophistication and ruthless business brain was much more than the eye could see. The core of him was obviously raw and violent.
Blackwood turned, dispatching the men to search and secure the office, breaking the unexpected connection. Zoe looked at Lance, who nodded, and Kai, who sported a worried look this time, searching her eyes before jogging off with Lance. The two guards tied the hands of the still unconscious intruder.
Zoe pushed herself up, realizing that she bled from numerous little cuts on her hands, arms, and calves. Nothing bad, more like an annoyance.
“Don’t move.”
Blackwood all but barked the order, making her jump. Slightly more shaken than she realized, Zoe winced when the crystal pieces crunched under his shoes. When he spoke again, his voice was much calmer, but still rough around the edges.
“Don’t move, Zoe. You don’t have shoes on, you’ll cut yourself even more.”
Before she could recover from the shock of him saying her name, he crouched and scooped her in his arms. The movement was so sudden, she yelped and grabbed his shoulders fearing he would drop her an instant later.
As he turned, Lance appeared, his gun lowered. “The office is secure sir. The building security guards are locking the exterior doors and Jones is making sure everybody still on this floor is safe. The police are on their way. I’ll see to the intruder.”
Blackwood nodded. “Good, Sorenson.”
“Sir. Does Ms. Somersby require first aid?”
Before she could reassure him, Blackwood passed by him, saying he would take care of it.
Zoe tapped him on the shoulder, trying to get his attention as he walked away. “Reminder, I’m just here, not deaf. And I can walk now, no need to strain your back carrying me like this.”
Not answering her, Blackwood walked back into his office before lowering her on the leather sofa in the sitting area. He must have sensed her intention, because he cut her off when she opened her mouth.
“Don’t move.”
Unable to resist, she rolled her eyes at him. “Can I at least breathe? That requires moving, sir.”
Without replying, Blackwood turned and closed his door. Her heart skipped a beat. Still silent, he went to an armoire in the opposite corner and retrieved a small first-aid kit and returned to kneel before her. He didn’t speak a word and started inspecting the cuts on her legs. They were superficial and had stopped bleeding, but he nonetheless swiped the antiseptic solution on each of them. Then he checked her arms before finally reaching her hands, where his touch became less clinical, more caressing.
His face turned sad, and she suspected he had forgotten where he was, lost in memories. Zoe pulled away to better take his hands in hers. “I’m fine, I assure you, Mr. Blackwood.”
