Chapter 10
When she woke up the next morning, Zoe felt fuzzy and unsettled. Pushing the previous night out of her mind, she made the decision to act as if nothing had happened. Archer Blackwood clearly regretted what had occurred and bringing it up would only put additional strain on them both. After all, they hadn’t had sex per se. She decided she would go to work as she had before, keeping an eye on him and any possible threats, and reporting everything to Gabrielle as planned. Even if the painful pang of rejection still made her uncomfortable.
Archer had indeed dropped her new clothes on her couch the night before. Zoe carefully removed them from the protective bags and took a good look. There were more items than she’d noticed last night. Would it look like she was pining for him if she wore one of those? Would it anger him more if she didn’t?
After much debate, she decided to try one on, a shirt dress in a jade color. The cut was demure, but it hugged her figure to perfection. A rare feat as she had tried truckloads of dresses before and either looked like a potato sack or a tied up tight like a roast. It lifted her spirits and she smiled at her reflection. If Blackwood regretted what happened the day before, she sure didn’t. It would go in her fantasy file for a long time to come.
She curled her red hair and let it flow past her shoulders. Loose hair obviously required contact lenses. After putting her makeup on and a pair of high heels, she felt like herself again. And banging!
Zoe grabbed her bag and opened the door. The sun was beaming, the air was warm and fragrant, and a blond chauffeur was waiting for her on the curb. Seeing him, her good mood immediately went down the drain.
Locking her door, she walked to the town car and smiled at Lance who was leaning against it, waiting for her. “Hello, Mr. Sorenson. You’re bright and early. Especially since you didn’t get to bed early, chauffeuring our boss around into the late night.”
He smiled back at her, but didn’t move, an inquisitive gleam in his pale blue eyes. No need for beating around the bush on this. “No, I didn’t have sex with Archer Blackwood, so you can wipe that smirk off your face.”
“Hey, I didn’t say a thing!”
“Yeah, but you broadcast it loud and clear.”
He lifted his hands. “No judgment here. But didn’t you sign a contract forbidding you to make any type of advances toward the guy?”
Gritting her teeth, Zoe rolled her eyes. “Why are you here? I have a bus to catch.”
“Nope, my dear, I’m your ride. Those are the boss’ orders, remember?”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” Before she could walk past him, Lance circled her wrist.
“Zoe, Cynthia’s body was recovered early this morning.”
All blood drained from her face as she saw the truth on Lance’s face.
“Please, get in the car, Zoe. I’ll tell you everything on our way.”
Lance opened the back door, but she ignored him and went to sit in the passenger side. She heard him sigh in defeat but didn’t care. No way was she sitting in the back.
Lance slid behind the wheel and off they went. “I bought you a coffee; I thought you would need one.”
Grateful for his thoughtfulness, she grabbed the cup and almost whimpered at the scent of caffeine. Taking a tentative sip, she let her head fall back. “So, what happened?”
“Wait, I’m gonna put Gabrielle on too.”
A few clicks later, her boss was on speakerphone. “Zoe, it’s getting serious here, you need to keep your head in the game.”
“I have, from the get-go. What are you insinuating?”
A quick look at Lance and she could almost discern the faint blush on his cheeks. “Damn it! I didn’t sleep with him! I don’t know what gossip girl here told you, but it didn’t happen.”
“Calm down. All I said is keep a level head. I’ve got no doubt that you’re a strong and intelligent woman. Don’t let your judgment be clouded. Fuck him all you want, but his protection is paramount. Understood? Remember your job.”
Zoe knew she had a point. And what had happened last night might tip the scales in a way that would compromise Archer’s safety.
“I will. Promise, Gabrielle. Now, what happened to Cynthia? Lance just told me about it.”
Gabrielle sighed. “She was found this morning in a container, five miles from Blackwood’s head office. Two bullets in the head. Nothing had been stolen and she was still dressed. I’m waiting for my contact in Chicago PD to update me as soon as any information becomes available.”
“That contact is Detective Liam Harker, isn’t it?” And there was another brother implicated in this game.
Lance frowned tipping his head slightly as he turned and slowed down for the incoming morning traffic. “So, Harker’s in on this?”
