Chapter 14
Zoe couldn’t draw a full breath. It was as if her chest was compressed so tight, she was about to have a heart attack. She couldn’t remember how long after Finch left that she had left the restaurant. Zoe was lost, like a ship drifting at sea. Her first reaction was to go to Lucas, but to what extent was Finch’s threat real? Was it just a gamble? How would he keep eyes on her? Did he know about Gabrielle, Kai, Lance?
The worst-case scenario popped into her mind and there wasn’t any solution other than being Finch’s pawn. Despite the warm summer night, she was shivering, her feet hurt from walking so long and she was tired of watching over her shoulder all the time. Despair subsided to panic and now her only goal was to go home, close the door and crash. Maybe after some sleep she would see a way to get herself out of this while protecting Lucas and her friends. And Archer.
For a very long while, as much as it was necessary to gather her wits and feel in control of her emotions, she wandered the streets, walking aimlessly as the sun went down. Having ditched her high heels, she now carried them in her hands, the sensation of the warm pavement under the soles of her feet grounding her, inching up until her entire body was steady again. Zoe knew she was resilient and strong, and her brain was her greatest asset, they all just needed to be aligned. The woman she was would find a solution, go through the ordeal, and save Lucas. That simple determination helped to bring back her hope and her inner power, along with a much-needed sense of calm and purpose.
Turning the corner, Zoe was glad to see her apartment building. Her body felt like lead, but her spirit was resolute. As she made her way up her alley, an engine roared behind her. Turning, she immediately recognized the Harley and the man she had seen earlier that evening. Had he been hired by Finch to make sure she behaved? Was he a threat?
Frozen into place, she saw him park and get off his ride. When he removed his helmet, her knees gave out in relief.
Archer was immediately by her side. “Zoe! Dammit! What’s going on?”
But she couldn’t breathe. It was as if all her fear, panic, and stress she had pushed down was trying to get out of her at the same time. It seems that she would have to work a little more on her self-control. Archer hovered over her as she was desperately trying to catch her breath. His hands were on her head and back and she could feel the warmth of his skin and the scent of him mixed with leather. It somehow instilled a sense of peace she desperately needed. After listening to his voice telling her to breathe, she could finally speak.
“I’m fine. I’m fine, sorry about that.” She could have laughed hearing her trembling voice. Could she sound any less convincing?
“You’re definitely not fine, and you’re lying.” The anger in his voice amused her, bringing her a sense of normalcy. But it was short lived. She put a hand on his chest, a vain attempt at reassuring him and pushed herself back up again. Archer was quicker and, as she finally found balance on her heels, scooped her up in his arms.
“Put me down, Archer, you’ll hurt yourself. I can walk.”
The look he gave her was a clear warning not to say another word. Tired, she decided to remain silent as he carried her up the stairs. His strength, the power emanating from him, was like a balm, restoring even more of her balance. At the top of the stairs he put her on her feet, requesting her key, keeping a protective arm around her waist as he opened the door. Zoe took a step inside, looking apprehensively at the dark corners of her apartment for the first time. This whole mission was taking a toll on her psyche.
Archer flicked up the light switch, and it reassured her somehow, as if he had looked for monsters under the bed.
“Thanks, I’ll...”
But words fled her when he half-carried her to the sofa and made her sit on it before heading for her small kitchen. Blinking, Zoe didn’t know what to say. He opened her cupboards until he found a glass and filled it with water. He then returned in front of her and crouched at her feet, handing her the glass.
“Drink.” Some of her stubbornness was starting to react to his constant orders, which was a good sign in her opinion. The tightness had dissipated, and the cool water finished soothing her raw throat.
“Thank you.”
He took the glass from her hand and returned his burning gaze to her again. “Now, what is going on?”
Oh, how desperate she was to tell him. “I’m fine. Is everything alright at work? Is it the reason you came here?” Blatant diversion, but it was worth a try.
The look he gave her told her it was a bad tactic with him. There’s nothing else wrong. “I’m fine.”
This time, the snarl he gave her made her stop. “You are not fine, what’s going on?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“So that nothing made you collapse on your front lawn.”
“I must be overworked.” Another lie, and one she probably wouldn’t get away with. So, she added rapidly, “I know you don’t want to be here. I’m sorry, I had left word with Ellen, though. Thanks for helping me up. I think I’ll head to bed now.”
As she pushed herself up, Archer put a hand on her thigh and she shivered. He was genuinely concerned about her, and that realization was jarring.
“Zoe. I’m here because I want to be here. Nobody makes me do something I don’t want to. Not even the mighty Miss Somersby.”
“But the other night, after... you fled. I know you didn’t want to be there, you regretted...”
His hand went to her face, forcing her to look at him. “You took me by surprise. I’m not used to it.”
Zoe didn’t know how to interpret that. “I didn’t mean to surprise you. I’m just... me.”
A ghostly smile tugged at his kissable lips. “I know. That’s even worse. Since... since my late wife died, and our unborn daughter with her, everything turned cold inside me. That’s why I like to control everything. And everyone. To be the opposite of you. Until you.”
