Chapter 11
The detour she made to the small office kitchen had three very good, very valid reasons. First, she needed another cup of coffee. Second, she wanted to take a quick look at Ellen’s summary, and possibly send it to Gabrielle. And third, and most important of all, Zoe wanted to avoid a murder—Blackwood’s of course.
Taking deep breaths, repeating to herself to remain calm, composed, and professional as a mantra, she barely had time to finish pouring herself a cup when Kai came in. Maybe she could try remaining Zen with him, in preparation for the Ice King.
The man looked her up and down and smiled appreciatively. “You look beautiful today, Zoe. Well, you always look stunning, but with your fiery hair down and that dress... you are stunning.”
It took her a moment to realize that he was sincere. “No innuendo? No come-on line? A simple and straightforward compliment? I’m impressed. Thank you!”
Kai came beside her and grabbed a mug. “I can be sincere if I want to. But admiring your beauty isn’t why I came in here.” Immediately his voice lowered, making sure not to be overheard. “Gabrielle checked the elevator feed. You were right, something was fishy. The hacker could clear the image. On the screen, was writtenTrust me. We’ll protect you. Just do the work.”
Zoe grumbled. “Not much. Too bad there was no name. It would have helped us.”
“Yeah, but that means that Cynthia was up to something. Gabrielle is looking into her past some more, maybe something will come up. And we’re digging into the computer side too. She had access to the servers, not much, but enough to do damage.”
Kai’s phone buzzed, but he didn’t look at it. “It’s Lance. Our guests have arrived.”
He took a sip and put it down immediately. He seemed to hesitate but turned to her. “Be careful, Zoe, okay? We’re all gonna dive into a pool full of sharks.”
“Why do I have the feeling that you speak from experience, Mr. Jones?”
His smiled turned amused and he touched her nose with his finger. “Oh, my dear, you have no idea.”
“Mr. Jones”.
Zoe jumped at her boss’ voice behind her. Kai, on the other hand, was cool as a cucumber. Did he hear him arrive?
“I don’t pay you to flirt with the staff. Our guests are in the elevator. Is the security in place?”
Kai looked straighter. “Yes, as you ordered, sir.”
Archer eyed him for a moment and then turned his ire on her. “And you! I told you to come to my office right away.” Kai almost fled out, a sheepish look on his face.
Calm and patience, patience and calm. “I just grabbed a cup of coffee, it’s not a major crime. And at the same time, I was about to check out a summary of our guests. Something you should have told me about days ago. Instead of making me translate senseless texts and insipid conversations.”
Archer took a step in her direction. “I need you focused on this task. This is what I’ve hired you for, not flinging yourself at the security guards.”
“So now, I’m a whore. Just because I have a friendly relationship with Lance and Kai?”?
“This is blatant flirting, and very unprofessional.”
The conversation turned so surreal, Zoe was more and more convinced she had imagined what had happened at her apartment the night before. Where was his warmth?
“If you regret what happened, take it like a man and be done with it, instead of accusing me of lying to you.”
Something shifted on his face, but she couldn’t make out what it was. “It’s not regret. It was a mistake, one I never want you to speak of again.”
The unveiled disgust in his voice, the way he told her that what had happened was a mistake twisted something tender inside her. Then she realized that last night mattered to her in some weird way. She’d clearly imagined that they had a connection.
“Don’t worry, sir. I will definitely never refer to it again. I wouldn’t want you to get sick thinking about it.”
And she walked out, not looking at him even though he was on her heels, toward the lobby. She sensed more than saw him opening his mouth to speak, but the familiar ding of the elevator signaled the arrival of the buyers and a definite end to that chapter.
Plastering a smile on her face, Zoe stood by Archer’s side. He turned his head in her direction but said nothing. It only lasted a second, and then he was the mighty Mr. Blackwood once more. Ellen appeared and stood at the ready by her side.
Nearly a dozen men got out of the elevator, already talking. Archer went to them immediately. As the men were greeting each other, Ellen touched her elbow. “Did you have a chance to look at the summary.”
Zoe shook her head and wished she had. The only man she recognized was Jamieson Finch. Well into his sixties, the man was the epitome of the powerful and successful businessman. Tall, fit with graying hair, and if she didn’t know his true nature, she would have fallen for the man.
