by Desiree Holt
“Okay. Tell him if he can just get me a name, I can do the rest.”
“Fine. Listen. I need you to get your team to keep working on that list. I have a special project. I want everything you can find about Ivan Demoff, his family, his friends. Especially the son. Everything including what grades he got in school and who he ate lunch with. And I want it—”
“I know, I know,” Jay broke in. “Yesterday. I’m on it.”
“I’m leaving here at four. Whatever you’ve got by then, load onto the laptop Nina’s getting ready for me and have someone bring it to my office.”
“I’ll do it myself.”
****
Zoe leaned back in the desk chair and rotated her head to relieve the strain on her neck. She’d lost count of the number of different combinations she’d used to retrieve the files from the server, but everything seemed to lead to a dead end. She’d been so sure the program she was writing for Escape would do the trick for her. The non-simulation files were there, she could just feel it, but every time she pulled up the file directory and clicked on one, she got the same response—access denied.
She’d told Zak she’d have thought they’d just delete the files. He pointed out to her that they needed the information to track what might be millions of dollars in activities. They just had to prevent her from seeing them. Being shut out of her own computers had made her angry and also frightened her. She’d designed the security for her computer system herself, so whoever hacked it had talents she hadn’t seen yet.
Finally, she decided to take a break and get a cup of coffee.
As if I haven’t had enough today for a permanent caffeine addiction.
Despite the fact she hadn’t slept for hours, unless she counted her drugged nap, she wasn’t sleepy and couldn’t seem to settle down. Zak was right. This was no longer merely a business problem with Nate. This whole thing was being carefully orchestrated by someone, and she’d only missed being caught in the trap by a stroke of luck. Someone with a lot of power was pulling the strings, someone out to destroy her. But was she a primary target or just collateral damage as they got rid of Nate?
For a moment, she was back in Nate’s den with a dead body and a gun, and panic threatened to break free. Then she deliberately pushed it back. Very little shook her. She’d built a successful business on grit and determination, then had the guts to take it one step beyond that. But had her desire for that growth been a velvet trap? She was suddenly a target for people who could frame her for murder, blow up her house, and wipe out her computer system from a distance.
And being locked up like this wasn’t doing her any good. The only result was to give her too much time to think. Keith was solicitous to a fault, trying to entice her to take a break from the laptop. Watch some television with him. He also showed her the reading material kept in the house. He tried coaxing her to eat a little something after they got to the house, then tempting her with a sandwich at lunch.
“If you get sick and die on me, there goes my pension,” he joked.
To satisfy him, she’d gagged down as much as she could.
But she felt trapped, both by her own ambitions and the walls of this house, which were closing in on her. What if she’d paid more attention to Zak two years ago? What if she hadn’t taken Uncle Ivan’s and Sergei’s recommendations that Nate Dunning was her answer?
What if, what if, what if?
She wanted to pull her hair out by the roots.
Zak was the best at what he did. She knew it and she trusted him to take care of her, or she never would have called him. And he would get to the bottom of this. Especially now that he had all the resources of Guardian Security at his disposal. But she was frustrated that, even with her computer skills, she couldn’t crack these files. It was driving her nuts. She’d have to talk to Zak about it tonight.
And then there was her mother, with whom she was extremely close. Even though Zoe had her own place and had been busier than ever with Lombardo Simulations, she had made it a practice to call her mother once a day and lunch with her once a week. They had the type of relationships her friends often envied. Mama would be in hysterics by now, worried out of her mind.
Uncle Ivan would do his best to keep her calm, but the news was full of the murder and her picture was on every newscast. How much could her mother take? She had to do something to ease her mind. Since her father died, her mother was more important to her than ever.
Zoe nibbled on a fingernail. Zak had said not to use the cell phone to call anyone but him. She wasn’t stupid. She knew the danger in sending out that signal. But how much could one phone call hurt, especially if she kept it short? It would make both of them feel better, and at least she could then concentrate on her own troubles. Not worry about her mother.
Of course with Keith watching her like a hawk, checking on her every few minutes, making the call was almost impossible.
Her cell rang, the sound piercing the silence and startling her.
“You okay?” was the first thing he asked.
“Just dandy.” She tried to keep her voice even.
“I know that’s not the case,” he told her, his voice soft. “But you’re safe and that’s number one on my priorities list. How’s the computer work coming?”
“Don’t ask. I’d love to know who they paid to create this cyberwall. I might want to hire him.”
“Take a break,” he told her. “Nina managed to get into part of it, and I’m bringing what she got with me.”
“Damn.” She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her. “I wanted to do it myself. I have the skills, Zak.”
“I know you do, but Nina could out hack anyone. I’m on my way with Chinese food and another laptop, with additional homework for you.”
“Okay. Good. Thank you.”
So his cyber person could do things she couldn’t. So what? Maybe she could pick up where that person had left off.
A glance at her watch told it her it was just after five. Maybe she could sneak in a quick call to her mother before Zak got there.
She jumped at the light tap on the door.
“Yes?”
The door opened a crack, and Keith stuck his head in. “Just making sure you’re okay, Miss Lombardo.”
If he didn’t leave her alone, she was going to scream. Then a crazy idea popped into her brain. “I’m fine, Keith. In fact, I think I’m going to take a long shower. See if it relaxes me before Zak gets here.”
“Holler if you need anything,” he teased, but his voice was respectful. Whatever Zak had told his men, they treated her like visiting royalty.
“I’ll let you know as soon as I’m done.”
What she was about to do was risky as well as probably idiotic. Oh, wait, no probably about it. But if she was smart enough to keep things brief, no one would ever have to know she’d violated Zak’s instructions. The sound of the shower would cover her conversation. When the water was running strong and hard, she dialed her mother’s number.
“Zoraya?” Her mother’s voice sounded shaky. “Is that really you?”
“It’s me, Mama. I just wanted to let you know I’m all right. So you don’t worry.”
“Not worry? My sweet thing, the police have been here so many times. They say you killed Nate.” Her voice hitched on a sob.
“You know me. I didn’t kill anyone. Someone else is doing this.” Zoe tightened her grip on the phone. “I can’t talk long. I just wanted you to hear my voice. Okay?”
“Please come home,” her mother begged and lowered her voice. “Uncle Ivan can help you with this, with the police who won’t leave us alone. He knows everyone.”
Weakness grabbed Zoe, and she sat down quickly on the closed toilet seat. The police! Were they there now? In her mother’s house?
Oh God! What have I done?
What if they tapped the phone? What if the others were tracking her? Oh dear sweet lord. What had she done? For a smart person, she hadn’t given this the kind of thought sh
e should, simply acted on emotional impulse. After all the trouble he’d gone to, Zak was going to kill her if anything happened because of this call.
“I have to go, Mama. Right now. Just don’t worry.”
She disconnected and leaned her forehead on her closed fingers. Inside, every bone and muscle felt as if they were shaking. She’d barely been on the phone for a minute. Surely that wasn’t enough time for anyone to trace the call, was it?
Idiot, idiot, idiot.
She couldn’t repeat the word often enough. Stupid after all. Dumb.
Oh, lord. She’d done it now.
Putting herself and Zak at risk.
Maybe it would be all right. Maybe the call had been short enough not to bring trouble. She hoped. Maybe she wouldn’t have to let Zak know she’d completely ignored his instructions.
Zak.
His image blazed across her mind.
It hadn’t taken long for the old chemistry to ignite. There was simply no way to ignore what was going on between them, no matter what she told herself. Those kisses still branded her lips, and the warmth of his body as he’d soothed her through her meltdown had awakened urges she hadn’t felt since…well, since she’d walked out on him.
And what a dumb thing that had been. Talk about being an idiot. If he found out about her latest stupidity and decided to wash his hands of her, she wouldn’t blame him one bit. But she didn’t know if she could survive a broken heart twice.
Dragging in a breath, she set the phone on the vanity, releasing it as if it were a hot flame. Pulling off her bra and panties, she stepped into the shower and just stood there, letting the water run down on her until it finally turned cold. She wanted to wrap herself in the towel and hide in the closet until it all went away.
****
“How’s everything?” Zak carried the paper sacks, along with the laptop, into the kitchen and put them on the counter. “How’s Zoe holding up?”
He’d called Keith with the code and rolled smoothly through the open gate and into the garage. He had the familiar itch on the back of his neck that he hoped would go away as soon as he laid eyes on Zoe. The session with the Demoffs had ratcheted up his anxiety factor, and the information Jay had given him didn’t help ease it.
“Fine,” Keith told him. “At least, considering the circumstances. Maybe you can get her to eat something. I’m afraid she’s going to starve herself to death before this is over.”
Zak nodded to the paper sacks. “I brought her favorite. Chinese food. That ought to tempt her appetite.” He pointed to the laptop. “And a little more homework to exercise her brain.”
“Good. Listen, Zak.”
“Yeah?” Zak was busy unpacking the food and lining the white cartons up on the counter.
“Did you happen to see a black panel van outside when you got here?”
Zak’s hand stilled in mid-motion. “No. Why? Has one been hanging around?”
Keith shrugged. “I’m not sure hanging around describes it. When I did my perimeter check just before you got here, I saw one parked two doors down. But by the time I finished walking around, it was gone. Do we have one on our list?”
When a house was used for high profile safety, Guardian Security went to great lengths to know every inch and speck of the area. That included satellite photos of the street as well as the ones on either side, and notations on which vehicles were seen regularly. Even visitors to homes were logged and checked out.
“Not that I know of, but I’ll call Nina. She’s still at the office and can pull up the information. Did you get a license number?”
“No. Sorry.” Keith dropped his eyes. “It was only here for seconds. I caught it as I turned the corner to the backyard, but when I hustled out front, it had taken off. I think I dropped the ball.”
“It could have been nothing,” Zak told him. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. But let’s keep an eye out. Maybe head outside again but stay out of sight. Let me know if it shows up again.”
“Nobody knows we’re here, right?” Keith asked. “I was very careful when I drove Miss Lombardo here.”
“Nobody knows. We’re probably jumping at shadows, but being cautious is our motto. I’m going to check on Zoe, then dish up the food. Why don’t you go ahead and fix yourself a plate so you can eat at the monitor?”
“Nah. I’ll get something later.” He headed for the small den where a computer received the feeds from six security cameras mounted on the perimeter of the property.
Zak tapped lightly on the door of Zoe’s room and opened it, poking his head inside. She was sitting in the middle of the bed, arms wrapped around herself, looking so distressed his heart cracked open. In a flash, he had closed the door, moved across the room, and scooped her up in his arms. When he sat down on the edge of the bed, he was cradling her against his body.
She pressed herself against him, fine tremors running through her body, her forehead pressing against the hollow of his throat. She smelled of soap and flowers and a scent that was distinctly Zoe. He felt his erection thickening and pressing against her bottom and wondered why she didn’t say something about it. But he just kept holding her, smoothing his hand up and down her back while his mouth pressed kisses against the silk of her hair.
“You’re okay, kitten. Everything will be okay. I promise.”
“Oh, Zak.” She pressed harder against him. “Just hold me tight. Please.”
His soft chuckle teased the fine strands of her hair. “That’s easy. I love holding you.”
“I’m so sorry, Zak.” With her face still buried against his chest, he could barely hear her words. “I know you keep trying to change the subject when I bring it up, but please let me get this out.”
“Get what out?” He cupped her chin with his free hand and tilted her face up to him.
“About walking out—no, storming out—the way I did two years ago.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “I know you said we’d talk about it later, but I want to get it said now. I made a huge mistake. Enormous. I deserve to be in this mess.”
The muscles in his face tightened. “That’s bull, and I don’t want to hear you say that again. Ever.”
She burrowed against his chest. “I wish we could go back to that night and start all over again.”
“We can’t do that, but when we get this all cleared up, we can take a look forward.” He was reluctant to commit to more than that, no matter how badly he might want to. Right now, Zoe was running on fear and desperation. What if her feelings changed considerably when her life settled down again? The last thing he wanted to do was take advantage of her vulnerability. And was he really ready to risk his heart again? She might just be caught up in the heat of the moment, clinging to him as her anchor.
“I won’t feel any different,” she insisted, as if reading his mind. “I need you in my life. I want you.”
The Chinese food was in the kitchen and the laptop was waiting, along with Keith, but suddenly, Zak just didn’t give a damn. He took her mouth in a kiss both hungry and marauding, licking the soft inner flesh and sucking her tongue into his mouth. When he scraped it lightly with his teeth, she shuddered and moaned.
Easing up the fabric of the sweater, he raised it until her bra was exposed and he could pinch her nipples through the fabric. She moaned into his mouth and pushed her breasts into his touch. He pinched harder, then moved to the other taut bud, giving it the same treatment.
She dropped one arm from around his neck, slid it in between them, and found his cock through the fabric of his slacks. When she squeezed, he gasped and bit down lightly on her tongue. The feel of her fingers around his shaft was like magic, just as it had always been. She squeezed again, and he moaned. With one swift movement, he tugged her sweater over her head, tossed it to the side, then unclasped her bra and dropped it with the sweater.
Naked. He wanted her naked. Wanted to lick and kiss every inch of her.
He bent and took one nipple in his mouth, teeth scraping the pebbled flesh b
efore he soothed it with his tongue. Cupping one breast, he squeezed the warm flesh, his teeth and tongue still teasing that hard nipple. By the time he worked his magic on both breasts, he was sure her panties were soaked because her familiar scent carried up to him.
“More,” she murmured against his lips when he pressed his mouth to hers. “More now. Take off your shirt. I want to feel your chest against my nipples. Do it, Zak.”
“More. Yes!” Impatient, he yanked his shirt off without unbuttoning it and dropped it on the growing pile of clothing. Then he proceeded to trail kisses along the column of her neck, from shoulder to shoulder and down the valley between her breasts. When he placed his open mouth over the hollow of her throat where her pulse was thundering and sucked hard, there was nothing soft about the moan that she gave.
His hunger spiked again, and he unfastened the button and zipper on her jeans and just stripped them down her legs, along with the little bikini panties he’d bought for her. He ran his fingers between her thighs, sliding them through her slit. Damn, he loved the feel of her slippery flesh and the heat of it. Pinching her clit, he drew a cry of need from her that echoed his own feelings.
Slow. Take it slow. Don’t rush this.
But it had been so long since they’d been together, since he’d been able to touch her like this, that his control was all but shredded. Lifting her by the waist, he placed her on the bed, knelt before her with her legs on his shoulders, and licked the full length of her slit.
“Ohhhhh.” The cry slid from her mouth on a puff of air, the sound making him even hotter.
He did it again, then spread her lush, pink lips and plunged his tongue inside her.
Jesus!
She tasted even better than he remembered if that was possible. He slipped his tongue in and out, a rhythm both new and familiar, her little cries forcing his need even higher. When she moved her hips back and forth, riding his tongue, he pinched her swollen clit, tugged on it a little, and in a flash, she exploded. Her inner walls grabbed his tongue, and her hips matched the rhythm of his thrusts. Her cries grew louder and the thrust of her hips jerkier and more forceful. He drove his tongue deep inside her, gave her clit one final pinch, and drove her over the edge.
