“But why attack me? Money? Power? What’s his goal?”
Tension coiled inside Zoe to the point where she felt pain radiating. Tears pooled in her eyes and a couple of them fell on her hands. Images of Lucas popped into her mind, but she felt so helpless, and a traitor, it was becoming unbearable. What were her guarantees from Finch after all? The man Lazarus painted would use her and stab her in the back without even blinking.
“Information.” The word was out of her mouth before she could stop it, and did she even want to? The silence was deafening, and Zoe couldn’t move from the sheer weight of it.
Eyes on her hands, she prayed for strength and for Lucas while she continued. “His goal wasn’t Archer, not directly. He needed... he needed my help to get information. All of this, was orchestrated by him, and we set it in place like well-played pawns.”
Someone moved, and Beatrice kneeled before her. “Zoe. Talk to me.”
Her throat closed off, and all she could do was retrieve her phone and show her a picture of Lucas.
“I know, darling.” Putting the cell on the floor, she took Zoe’s hand in hers.
Archer didn’t move from his place, but shifted on his feet, impatient. “You know her.” It was a statement that couldn’t be denied. And he took a step toward Lazarus. “You placed Zoe in my path.”
Lazarus lifted his hands, shaking his head. “You needed an interpreter, Zoe is the best there is. The only purpose was to help you, and make sure you were safe. Zoe is not an agent but Beatrice’s friend.”
Archer cursed low under his breath and started pacing the length of the room. “You made sure she was hired here so she could spy on me.”
“No!” His accusation burned so deeply, Zoe couldn’t stay silent anymore. “I never spied on you or gave him any information about you. That’s not what he forced me to do.”
Beatrice squeezed her hand, bringing Zoe’s attention back to her. “Listen to me, Zoe. Before Archer Blackwood called me and asked to dig into what was on your phone, who was threatening you, Hector Nazario contacted us. He had seen you and deducted a few things on his own. You stopped answering our communications, avoided everyone, disappeared. It was only a question of time before started asking questions. From the beginning, I never wanted you to take any risks.”
Archer never stopped pacing and cursing, and Zoe feared he was about to leap out of his skin any minute now. “He... he sent me pictures of Lucas. Recent pictures of him, and told me that if I ever told anybody, he would...” Zoe shook her head, unable to say the words.
“Who’s Lucas?” Archer’s voice so close, booming in her ears, making her jump, but she answered.
“My little brother.” Gathering all the courage left in her, Zoe lifted her gaze to him. “I told you about my abusive father, well, abusive family, to say the least. Beatrice helped me escape them, hide and change my identity, build myself a new life. But I couldn’t leave Lucas behind, so she helped me gain custody and hide him too. And because of this, because of me, he’s used Lucas against me. If I don’t obey him...” Zoe lowered her head again.
“I will protect him, Zoe. You have to believe in me and in Purgatory. I would never allow any harm to come to him.” Even with her sincerity, it was impossible to believe her.
“You can’t be everywhere, Beatrice! How was I to know I was under surveillance from that monster? There’s supposed to be someone watching my every move, a silent ghost ready to strike if I disobey. Tell me what I should have done? I was trying to protect you, and Archer, and Lucas all at the same time! I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to you! You’re too important!”
Unable to sit still, it was her turn to pace. Looking at the floor, Zoe started describing what she had done from the moment she’d received the first threat. The other three people in the room stayed silent until the last word poured out of her. Shaking and walking at the same time, her anxiety didn’t lessen. “And now I’m waiting for this last assignment. At any time, and I don’t know what it is. And now that I’ve told you, I’ve put you in danger, all of you, including Lucas, and it’s unbearable. All I want to do is run, go to Lucas, grab him and disappear from the face of the earth. I know it’s impossible. That’s why you have to protect him, Beatrice, you have to take care of Lucas. I’m willing to put my life on the line for all of you, but I need to know you are all safe.”
Someone grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around. At first, she was about to confront Beatrice, but when it was Lazarus’s eyes meeting hers, words failed her.
“I never asked you to risk your life, Zoe. I only wanted you to keep an eye on Archer, so you could tell us if he was in danger.”
Zoe closed her eyes and lowered her head. “I’m so sorry, I failed you all. I never thought someone would use my talents against me. I hate them, they’re a curse.” Lazarus took her into his embrace. “I’m cursed.” Her voice was muffled into his chest, but the words resonated clearly in her head. And with every curse, it could only get worse.
Archer moved, his voice closer. “Who is our father, Lazarus? Who’s threatening Zoe?”
It was Lazarus who spoke. “Jamieson Finch.” Again, no reaction. Archer stood there, processing so much, Zoe feared he might tear apart at the seams.
Right on cue, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Zoe jerked away, and avoiding everyone, went into the kitchen before looking at her screen. It was a simple text message. A picture of Lucas taken from the street, through the windows of the house he was living in. With one simple word. “Remember.” She heard the trio talking from a distance, but she was numb, unable to do anything but look at her brother. When she finally shut the screen off and took a deep breath, there was nothing else to do but do damage control. She returned to the living room where Lazarus looked defeated, as was leaning against the wall. Archer was standing eerily still, his eyes lost through the windows and Beatrice looked at her with concern on her face. Zoe only shook her head.
“Only a threat, nothing definite indicating his intentions. I still have to wait.” Licking her lips, she straightened her shoulders. “I’ll go back to my apartment. The less I’m seen with Archer, the better it will be when everything explodes in my face and the police come for me.” Beatrice stood, but Zoe shook her head. “I know Purgatory can offer protection, and I will take it, but I won’t risk Blackwood Corp’s reputation. Not at this critical moment for the company. I’ll send a formal resignation letter through the legal channels, and to the State Department. Beatrice, I’m sure there is a way to transfer this phone line to another phone that doesn’t appear in any way linked to Blackwood.”
As Beatrice nodded and was about to say something, another voice, cold, deep and authoritative, filled the air.
“You won’t do any such thing.”
Archer’s order was undeniable, even if he was still not looking at her. Instead of bowing down, Zoe grew taller. She knew all the hardships and sufferings this man had to overcome to build his company. He was mistaken if he thought she would allow its destruction. Fire built deep inside her belly and it felt good. It was her own power coming back, and it was something she had control over. Zoe reveled in the feeling as her eyes stopped on the wide back still turned on her.
Beatrice stood by her side. “Zoe’s right. With the last negotiation phase, your father can use what he knows about her to discredit your company. You could lose a lot in this.”
When Archer finally turned to look at them, the resolve in his posture was evident. He wasn’t about to give in, and a warm feeling turned her heart to mush. She loved this man, despite the short time they’d had together. It was as undeniable as it was impossible, and that’s what gave her strength. He may not have the same feelings for her, but at least she had the capacity to make sure he was well and safe until this madness ended.
