Something blinked in her mind. That may be the best way to find out more about what he intended to do. At that instant, as if sensing she was looking at him, Finch turned to her and offered his most charming smile. It might be the most stupid or most brilliant idea shed ever had, but if he liked what he saw, she might as well use it to her advantage.
Ignoring all the men around him, Finch made a beeline to her and offered his hand. “Miss, that is the most beautiful smile I’ve seen in a long time. You’ve made my day.”
Zoe extended her hand, but instead he brought it to his lips.
“A gallant man, a vanishing breed.”
His unique silver eyes, the same ones he’d gifted all his sons, glittered like gems. “I’m very sorry to hear it.” Before she could reply, Archer led the small group of men in her direction. “Gentlemen, may I introduce you to my two right hands, Mrs. Ellen Harrington and Miss Zoe Somersby, who will coordinate the meetings and support me. If you need anything, please let them know.”
Zoe had trouble keeping her poker face. Since when was she his assistant? It was Ellen’s job. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the time and place to make a scene. But explanations would be given. Archer introduced only three men in the bunch, who were the potential buyers; Udi Al-Aamri wore a dark blue suit and was young. Smiling, he took her hand and bowed his head. He seemed to be on the more modern side of his country as Kareem Ahmad was dressed in the traditional Saudi Arabian white robe and red headscarf. He was much older than Udi and his face darker with deeper lines, as if he had been in the desert often and long. Knowing the drill, Zoe didn’t offer her hand and bowed slightly as he did the same. He wasn’t impolite, just more reserved. As a complete polar opposite, Anton Vasiliev was as colorful as a bird of paradise. In his pale blue two-piece suit, he had an orange tan and laughing eyes. If she had passed him on the street, he would have made her smile. Exuberant, he even kissed her cheek and then Ellen’s. The executive assistant was a little bit flustered, but nonetheless kept her composure.
She gestured for the group to follow her to the conference room. As Zoe stood to the side, it gave her a moment to observe the other men, advisors she guessed, and bodyguards. Udi’s bodyguard looked around for a moment, as if analyzing his surroundings. It gave her a few seconds to observe him as she waited. Tall, almost as tall as Lance, he was built in a similar fashion. Not from simple bodybuilding, but from hard work. Very probably the military. His skin shone like velvet bronze, his black hair short. With his high cheekbones and square jaw, he was definitely a looker. But when his eyes finally settled on her, it was like a jolt. Could it be a coincidence? The flickers of silver were undeniable. It couldn’t be! The world was vast, what were the probabilities of meeting another of Finch’s offspring from another part of the world? The bodyguard smiled and gestured for Zoe to go on. As she did, she offered her hand. “I’m Zoe Somersby.”
Still smiling, he gently took her hand in his much larger one. His grip was warm and careful. “Sam Sarkhan, happy to meet you.”
As they approached the conference room, Sam stayed by the door with three other men. All the other guests were seated at the conference table as Ellen finished offering beverages.
Zoe looked around and decided to sit behind Kareem Ahmad and his advisor. There probably wouldn’t be any strategic discussions for the time being, and she intended to move freely around the men, not giving the impression of favoring one duo more than another. Taking her seat, she noticed people looking at her: Sam, Udi, Finch, and Archer. But the look on her boss’ face was not as flirty. It was cold and closed off as usual. Zoe didn’t bother looking at him and instead smiled at Finch. If she couldn’t protect Blackwood by remaining by his side, she could act as a shield and go for the threat itself.
The meeting started, and Ellen produced slide after slide of numbers and facts about Blackwood Oil & Gas, the part of the company to be sold. Zoe looked as if she was taking notes, but she kept her ears sharp. Ahmad spoke a mix of Arabic sometimes using tribal expressions. All was business related. She tried to read Udi’s lips, but it was difficult. From what she could gather, nothing suspicious on that side either. Vasiliev was smiling, leaning back in his chair as if he was certain to be the ultimate buyer.
Giving her attention to the presentation, Zoe admired Archer. The man was most at ease when he was talking business, no doubt about it. He described his company in detail, answering questions with mastery and giving figures and projections as if the numbers flowed naturally in his brain. In his element, the man was charismatic, his voice hypnotic. It was probably the mix of raw masculinity, polished urbanite and intelligence that attracted her. Too bad that after testing the waters, he wasn’t interested. That still stung and would for a long time. The mystery of why he’d left so fast lingered.
Slightly shaking her head, trying to dissipate the wave of unwanted lust, she checked her tablet and sent the names of all the people present to Gabrielle. Her phone quickly buzzed on her lap and she glanced at a text from Gabrielle.
Thx. Will update U later. Sarkhan name familiar. Careful.
Careful? Did all of them think that she ever forgot where she was for one second? She was even more vigilant than when she’d worked in a hostile territory, for Christ’s sake!
Zoe skimmed the audience and saw Finch’s eyes on her. Creepy dude. Nonetheless, she smiled before lowering her gaze once more.
How can Finch be Vasiliev’s advisor?
Gabrielle was quick to answer.
Not sure why yet. Suspect silent partner. V rich, but not enough to buy as per Intel.
A blind... it would make sense if Finch wanted to buy the company for himself, or another organization anonymously. Scary thought. After seeing the numbers, the value of Blackwood Oil & Gas and its potential, a criminal organization would have endless power. The trick was to sell it to the right guy. And that was not Finch or anyone under his thumb. Or again, was it another smokescreen, and Finch using suspicions to divert the attention and making another move on the checkerboard?
Unless Gabrielle had an ace in the hole, it was hard to know what was going on, and Zoe sucked at chess.
Again, around the table, the only man she could trust was Archer, and she couldn’t confide in him.
Starting another portion of the presentation, Ellen distributed folders around the table and Archer sat, taking his phone out as the men were going through the document. Her cell buzzed.
Don’t tell them you’re an interpreter.
She looked up at him, but he was opening the document before him, obviously avoiding her gaze.
Why?
Archer looked at his phone and typed quickly.
Just do as I say.
Her natural instinct was to get up and leave. Being ordered around wasn’t her cup of tea and he was stretching her patience. Not answering him was the best reply for the moment. Her phone buzzed again, but this time it was Lance.
Don’t react. There was another attack. Underground parking lot. Blackwood’s town car on fire. No one hurt. Fire under control.
Did Archer know? If so, he was the calmest man she had ever seen.
First Cynthia, now the car... were the two incidents even related? Zoe suspected that much. The question, again, was why? And who?
