“Yes, he’s Archer Blackwood’s half-brother. Well, one of his half-brothers. I’m about to draw a family tree, it would be less complicated.”
It made sense. His irises were not identical, but eerily similar. A strong gene in both of them, Zoe supposed. She smiled at the man who dipped his head, a mischievous smile on his lips. “I have to say that I now have a weakness for redheads too.”
Lance coughed beside her, disguising an insult without much subtlety. The way they interacted with each other made her instincts tick.
“Are you from the military?” Both men put their poker faces on in record time. The way their backs straightened, there wasn’t any doubt in her mind. Over the last few years she had worked with countless military personnel, and they always had an air about them. At their closed expressions, she laughed and sat back on the sofa, resisting rubbing her face. She badly needed a shower, but as it seemed a meeting was in order, she only unpinned her hair and massaged her tense scalp. “Don’t fret, boys. I can sense your kind miles away. Must be the bickering.”
Gabrielle laughed and sat beside her. “So, how was your first day?”
“If your question is if I found anything interesting, the answer is no. Blackwood is like a block of ice, treating me like a slave. I’ve listened to countless conversations, none of them related or making sense. Most of them in Arabic. I’ve worked on contract summaries to the sale. Apart from his executive assistant, Ellen, whom I can confirm is a saint for dealing with such a man, I haven’t had a chance to meet anybody else.”
Gabrielle nodded. “I wasn’t expecting a miracle on the first day, not knowing the type of man Archer Blackwood is. As we expected, he gave you a cell phone. I’ll merge your personal one, that will be accessible through an app we designed. That way, you’ll have access to your contacts and your own phone line without carrying two phones.”
Lance came around to stand before the two women, followed by Kai, with his hands in his pockets. “And what type of man is Archer Blackwood?”
Zoe had read the profile that Beatrice had done with the information they’d gathered and didn’t know what to think about it yet. Gabrielle began with a quick summary, her eyes still on Zoe’s smartphone as she fiddled with it.
“He’s from a poor and violent background and fell for an heiress who died during the last stage of pregnancy. The press accused him of being a gigolo, only after her money, but according to his profile, his personality totally changed after the tragedy. From reckless and cocky, he became ruthless and cold, shutting everyone out, only focusing on the company he had built. His in-laws immediately distanced themselves from him, accusing Blackwood of not taking care of his wife, even secretly beating her, which led to her hemorrhaging. I’ve read the autopsy report, and there’s no foul play there. She died of sudden aortic dissection. She was forty-one weeks pregnant without any previously diagnosed vascular problems. It was Blackwood’s turning point. Ten years since her death, and he’s so set in his ways, I doubt anybody could ever reach him. And that’s not what we’re after here. What we need is to protect him, keep an eye on him until Finch finally drops his scheme, whatever that is.”
Despite her tiredness, exasperation and frustration with Archer Blackwood, Zoe felt for the man. If the report was true, he must have loved his wife tremendously to turn his back on life in such a way when she’d died. He was a handsome, charismatic man, and many women would probably like to try healing his broken heart. It had probably happened, hence the contract he made every woman sign about not attempting anything on him. To push comfort away, to never allow himself to love again, to be close to anybody significant. Archer Blackwood’s world must be lonely, dark, and empty. Sadness flooded her unexpectedly, but Zoe pushed everything aside. She was far too tired to think clearly and being emotional wouldn’t be helpful.
“So, you two guys are coming with me to the Kingdom of the Ice King?”
Gabrielle gave her a wicked smile as she gave her back her phone. “Oh yeah, you have before you Mr. Blackwood’s new chauffeur and new bodyguard, hired specially for the next events linked to the sale.”
Kai winked at her. “Wanna guess who was hired for which position?”
Arching an eyebrow, Zoe couldn’t be serious on that one. “Lance is the chauffeur because he’s clearly the only one of you who has a brain, giving him the capacity to drive.”
Lance laughed and punched Kai on the shoulder. “Told you she would see right through you.”
Gabrielle got to her feet and Zoe followed suit. “Don’t acknowledge them like you know these idiots. But getting friendly fast would be best for appearance's sake. That way, it will appear more natural.”
Zoe nodded and escorted all of them to the door. “I’ll let you know if something changes. We’re still waiting for the official schedule. Probably tomorrow. From what Ellen told me, Blackwood is like clockwork.”
“Good. In the meantime, rest. Before you return to your slave driver.” Gabrielle touched her shoulder in support before leaving. Lance winked and followed suit, but Kai turned to lean on her door jam, giving her a sultry look.
“If you want someone to rub your feet, I’m your man.”
Zoe eyed him up and down and smirked. “That needs to be determined. Good night, Mr. Jones.”
A bright smile made the man even more handsome, if possible. He took a step back. “From all the women I know, I’m convinced you’re exceptional in bed. That must be due to your Wonder Woman undies.”
Gasping at his insolence, Zoe couldn’t believe he went through her underwear drawer. Tempted to throw something at him, she blushed and slammed the door on his silly face.
