by Eliza Ellis
Zuri got up to tell Daemon her plan. They could film a short video of her encouraging her people and then upload it. Maybe Daemon could figure out a way to get the video on the streets in Bendola without needing intervention from other nations. He had a satellite, right? Maybe his guys could hack into television feeds and have it play. She shook her head, thinking it was too Hollywood, but she was desperate. She wasn’t taking her security for granted, but she’d been training her whole life for the resistance. As an integral member of her father’s team, she couldn’t be shut out now. She wasn’t doing her part, and her country needed her to. People were counting on her. How could they trust she would be a good leader if they forgot about her? She had to get her face out there again.
Halfway out the door, the phone rang.
“Zuri?”
“David! I’ve been trying to reach you.” Zuri closed her door and went back to her bed to sit down. Finally, she could get an update.
“Yes, I know. I apologize for the delay. Things have escalated very quickly since you left.”
“There’s so much I have to tell you. About the support we have here.”
“And I’ve much to tell you. President Gohi has claimed you’ve fled the country for safety.”
“What?” Zuri squeezed the phone in her hand. “That’s not true!”
“We know, Zuri. It’s a campaign of misinformation. To discredit you.”
Even more reason to get a video out. If the people believed President Gohi, they would lose support at their most crucial moment. They had to hurry their plans. “I heard you’re waiting on the order.”
“Yes, we are.”
The military coup. With the military on their side, President Gohi would be the one to flee. Although coups hadn’t been successful in many countries, Zuri had hoped for a better result in Bendola. For years, her father had been fostering relationships with sources at the highest level, hoping to persuade them to their cause.
“Yesterday, I spent the entire day reviewing the plans and making sure everything was in place,” David added.
“And? Is everything ready?”
“We believe so. This is a delicate operation, and we need to take our time to ensure success.”
Take their time? Bendola had been strained for long enough. “Of course you do,” she agreed. He was right, after all.
“We’re taking the proper precautions to keep as many people safe as possible until the time comes to act.”
David’s line of thinking was sound. She was impatient for the coup to begin, but this wasn’t the time to lose all sense of virtue, despite the lies President Gohi was spreading about her. This was their most critical hour. It couldn’t be rushed.
Hurried, but not rushed.
“What are the chances for success?” She heard a knock on the door, and Daemon peeked his head in, his expression curious. Zuri motioned for him to enter. She put the phone on speaker, and Daemon sat on the corner of the bed.
“The odds are very good. Security has been maintained, and we do not anticipate any breaches. I, myself, will exact the consequences.”
The base in his voice chilled her spine. He would kill any traitor. “You’re not to blame,” she whispered.
“I can’t forget.”
David blamed himself for the last breach that had almost killed her father. Neither Bayo nor Zuri had found fault with him. David had seen it differently. She felt sorry he still lived with the guilt.
She traded glances with Daemon, who watched her with keen interest.
“I have full confidence in you, David,” she said reassuringly.
“It will be different this time. I will make certain of it.”
“Good,” Zuri said, her fears ebbing away. The last thing the resistance needed now was another security breach and their plans being discovered. Their success rested on the coup being victorious. They would only get one good chance at this. If it failed, they would lose the general willing to break ranks and countless others. President Gohi would hunt down all the conspirators, putting David in grave danger. Guilt would end her if David died while she was safe under the covers of a beautifully handmade quilt, enjoying the lovely sounds of the birds singing from their posts in the large trees that surrounded the home. Her heart fractured with fear for her friend. She’d lost too many people already. “If anything happens…”
Daemon reached over and squeezed her hand. The warmth reassured her but only briefly. She wished she were home where she could see things for herself.
“It will be okay, Zuri,” David said. “When it is all over, you can return to help lead.”
Zuri frowned. She felt like a princess trapped in a tower, unable to live her life. And she wasn’t a princess—despite what Daemon said—and she couldn’t stand by in her gilded cage while David risked his life. She loved her father for wanting to protect her, but didn’t he trust his training of her?
She caught Daemon staring at her intently. She bit her lip and looked away. “Give the general the order.”
“I will.”
“I’m coming home.”
Daemon pulled his hand away. His sound of disapproval came at the same time David voiced his. “No, Zuri. You must stay there. Your face is on wanted posters all over Bendola. You are to be killed, not captured, killed! You have already been found guilty of treasonous acts.”
“Without a trial?” Zuri gasped.
“Yes, without a trial. Are you surprised? President Gohi signed a directive. You are to be killed on sight. You cannot return. It is out of the question.”
So her face was everywhere. She really was a symbol of the resistance that couldn’t be avoided. Daemon had shown her the wanted poster yesterday, but she hadn’t known it covered the country. She had planned to do more research but became distracted, searching for articles on her bodyguard. Who was Daemon Knight, and why did he intrigue her? Could his company really help Bendola?
A video was needed now more than ever. People knew she was out of the country, but she had to let them know that she was safe to encourage them to soldier on.
“And afterwards?” Zuri pressed. “I must be there. I won’t stay away while the government is in transition.”
“Of course,” David said in a placating tone. “Bring Daemon with you—his companies I mean. They can help rebuild and position this country to become wealthy and self-sufficient.”
Zuri believed him. She and Daemon held one another’s gaze. All of her research into Knight Industries convinced her that a strategic partnership with the company would benefit Bendola and her people. Yes, it’d line the pockets of the billionaire with even more money, but she was convinced Daemon was a generous man. Money wasn’t what he was after.
“Please, Zuri, promise me that you will stay safe until this is all over. Promise me that you won’t return until after Abdullah is out of power.”
The arch of Daemon’s right brow added further pressure to a promise she didn’t intend to keep. She closed her eyes to shut out Daemon. How could she say yes? The words of Joqi’s wife still haunted her. She had been cursed by her. What if the people rejected her when she returned after their families and friends had died fighting for freedom? She’d lost her own father, but no one else had the ability to flee the country.
“The people see me as a coward,” she whispered.
“I doubt that, Princess,” Daemon said softly, his warm hand encasing her own again. “You’ve sacrificed. You’ve lost your father. They won’t forget that right away.”
“Daemon is right, Zuri. I know you are thinking of Joqi’s wife. She is one of millions. You are a Bendolan treasure, and you will help lead this country into freedom—you have led this country into freedom. The people do not see you as a coward. They are happy that you got away.”
Were they? David could be saying what she wanted to hear. Manipulating her into an answer that went against her gut feeling. She’d read in her father’s journal to follow her gut. It was God-given instinct. Ignoring it could
be the difference between life and death. Zuri opened her eyes, releasing warm tears. “I cannot promise you, David.”
She heard David’s sigh over the line. Daemon smiled. She cocked her head at him, and his grin only grew wider. She had expected him to be as disappointed in her as David sounded.
“I must go. We have a lot to prepare for. Daemon?”
“Don’t worry, David. You know I’ll handle it.”
“Thank you.” And he disconnected the line.
Zuri pulled her hand from Daemon’s and crossed her arms. “You’ll handle it?”
Daemon still smiled. “I never thought you would promise your friend to stay away. I think a small part of you craves the danger. Although there’s plenty of danger here”—he winked—“you’re looking for a different kind.”
She stiffened. He, too, was perceptive. She did enjoy the fight. She couldn’t admit it to her father because he had never desired the road to freedom to be so violent. He wasn’t naïve, but he didn’t wish harm to come to anyone. Zuri held no fear for the loss of her own life. Her father’s dream meant everything to her. She had spent her life worshiping him. Even her university education had been influenced by his beliefs and dreams. She didn’t push for violence, but she wouldn’t shy away from it either.
Is that why she also couldn’t help but challenge Daemon every chance she got? She craved the fight with him? The danger? Admittedly, she had enjoyed their bouts for dominance. She respected a man who could hold his own and stand up to her. Her father didn’t spoil her as the only child, and Daemon wasn’t going to let her get away with anything either. She respected Daemon. But she would still try to get home. It was home, after all.
“Bendola is my home. I have to return.”
“I get it, Princess. And you’re going to try to get there, even if that means stealing one of my jets, right?”
“If I have to,” she said simply.
Daemon laughed. He stood and placed a swift kiss on her forehead. The gesture sent a bolt of lightning through her, shocking her into silence. She was his client. Emotions couldn’t be involved. She had just admitted that stealing his plane wouldn’t be beneath her, and he had responded with a sweet gesture. Was he patronizing her?
“I can’t wait to see you try, Princess. I enjoy our battles. Keeps me on my toes, which keeps me hyper-focused on your safety.” He winked. “By all means, steal my jet. You’ll have to find a way of getting off the property without being noticed, first.” He chuckled softly.
Zuri’s lips betrayed a smile. “Your VP, Roland, is very friendly and helpful.”
“Friendly?” Something dangerous flashed in Daemon’s light eyes. “What do you mean ‘friendly’?”
All playfulness gone, Zuri cleared her throat and stood. “I only meant I could probably convince him to—”
“Hold it right there, Princess.” Daemon’s expression relaxed into an easy smile. “If you think you’ve turned Roland, then you’ll be sadly disappointed. He’s loyal to the core. We were in the same unit. No way he’d turn on me. Not even for a smile as beautiful as yours. Although you’re welcome to try.”
Her smile was beautiful to him? She’d thought that his attraction had stemmed from their fights. That admission had her feeling off-balanced. “I’ll find a way,” she said weakly, knowing the argument was lost.
He chuckled again and squeezed her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I’m sure you will, Princess.” He turned to leave.
“What about if I offer Knight Industries contracts in Bendola?”
Daemon halted.
Chapter 13
Did he hear her right?
Zuri continued. “Once Bendola is in the hands of the people, the country will need outside help. We have many natural resources. I know certain people have contracts with President Gohi, but those could easily be canceled.”
Daemon turned. “You’re offering Knight Industries exclusive contracts?”
Zuri shrugged. She looked half desperate and half like she didn’t know what she was doing. She was so cute trying to negotiate something she probably didn’t have any authority to do. She wasn’t elected into any office.
“You don’t want to be like President Gohi,” he cautioned gently.
She visibly stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“He unilaterally decides who gets what contracts, all of which favor him and not the people.”
She bit her lip and crossed her arms. Her expression turned pensive, and she looked away.
Daemon came back to her and squeezed her upper arms. “Look, I know you’re thinking of the people and not fattening your pockets. President Gohi is a greedy man, but you’re not him.”
“Thanks,” she said, her lips twisted into a grimace.
He didn’t want her to think her plan was a total loss. “You’ve got the right idea, Princess. How about this. I’ll take you over to our main offices today. Give you a brief overview of what we can offer Bendola. You can look over the prospectus while David handles everything on the ground. That way, when the new government is voted into power, you can pass on the knowledge. What do you say?”
She nodded.
“Good,” he said. With one final squeeze, he released her. “I’ll let you get ready. Meet downstairs in an hour? We should be able to get downtown by the time my father heads off to lunch.”
She smirked. “Trying to avoid your destiny?”
“For as long as possible,” he said dryly.
“Do you think that’s a good idea? To not be the CEO? Who else could do a better job?”
He placed a hand over his heart. “Your confidence in me warms my heart, Princess.”
She rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t thinking of your heart, Daemon.”
“I’ll take what I can get,” he answered lightly. “But in all seriousness, there’s a whole board of people who’d love a chance to run Knight Industries. My father doesn’t trust any of them. He thinks only I can usher in a new generation of unforeseen profits,” he said with a humorless laugh.
She crossed the room to where he stood. “And what do you think?”
He was thinking how incredibly beautiful she looked in fitted pants and the dark green tank top. She looked at him with assurance, which made him doubt his resistance. He could lead Knight Industries. But it would take him away from Zuri.
That was probably a good thing.
“I’m thinking I probably should consider it further,” he said evasively.
Her eyes betrayed nothing. All she offered was a small smile. What could he expect from her? Nothing. And she did well not to encourage him.
“See you downstairs,” he said too stiffly.
In an hour and a half, they were seated in a conference room at Knight Industries. Zuri looked enthralled as Daemon and a few other associates briefed her on Knight Industries. She had asked intelligent questions, impressing Daemon not only with her knowledge of the company—outside of what she’d read on him—but with how her own country’s economy worked. She saw ways to integrate both.
“You want a job?” Daemon asked, half-joking.
“A job?” Zuri looked at him, the space between her brows crinkling.
He chuckled. “Yeah. You want to be the company’s liaison to your own country?”
She snorted and shook her head. “You have that as a position?”
“’Bout to drop the notice on Zip Recruiter today. But really, we would hire someone in anticipation, but ethically, it probably shouldn’t be you.”
She nodded, appearing to comprehend his deeper meaning. Likely, her people would vote her into office. President Gohi had a firm hand on lucrative contracts for the country. When Bendola was under true democratic rule, it would up to another department to handle commerce and trade. “Just like I shouldn’t offer you the contracts without consulting others.”
“Exactly.”
“Even though deals like that are done all the time?”
Daemon twirled back and forth in his chair. �
�I know. But you want to start your presidency off right, at least for as long as you can.”
She ducked her head in uncharacteristic insecurity. “Who said I’d be the next president?”
“Who else would it be?”
“David, for one. He’s got the temperament.”
Daemon pursed his lips, considering. There was truth in that statement. David was diplomatic enough, and his training and military background would serve him well as the leader of a country. Maybe David would be the next Bendolan president—if Zuri didn’t want the job.
But would the country follow David? And did David want the job? He seemed content to be second-in-command, performing his role well. If Daemon knew his friend, David preferred operating in the background.
“How long do you think we actually have?” Zuri asked.
He shrugged. “The harder you work at it, and the more people that come on board believing in the dream and ideals, the better off Bendola will be.”
Zuri’s gaze moved to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked downtown Washington, DC. Knight Industries was in the heart of the city. His father loved being here, but Daemon preferred the quiet stillness of Ashburn. Even being in Bendola was more like a vacation. Outside of the densely, building-packed capital city were beautiful beaches and lush forests. The countryside was green, although the further east he traveled, the dryer the land became. Still, there were large swaths of the earth and mountains untouched by man. Paradise.
“I hope the new government doesn’t completely industrialize Bendola,” he said. “I’d hate to see a lot of the countryside turn into large metropolises.”
She raised both brows at him. “I didn’t think two weeks had been enough time for you to appreciate the country. You couldn’t have seen much.”
