by India Kells
Zoe forced herself to smile at her neighbor, Ms. Lupe, a sweet but hard-headed Hispanic widow whom she’d barely had the time to chat with since she arrived two days ago. Not that the woman wasn’t talking to her, but her exuberant roommate, Marcus, took all the space when he was around.
“Oh, it’s you, darling Zoe. I heard a car door and steps and it made me worry.”
Zoe frowned at that statement. “Why, is there something to worry about?” Looking around, the area seemed pretty calm. Gabrielle had recommended this apartment and the timing was perfect. She knew the previous woman who’d rented it and who had recently moved in with her boyfriend. The brick building was in the North Side, near the sights and good restaurants, and in a quaint and adorable neighborhood.
“No, no, my dear, it’s just that Marcus isn’t home yet, and I’m not used to being alone at night anymore.”
Zoe felt for the woman, but she needed to decide soon before her feet decided to disintegrate. “Would you like me to wait for Marcus with you?”
“Oh no, my dear. You must be tired if you just came back from work, unless a gentleman kept you late.”
Zoe shook her head. “The only man who kept me late was my new boss, and there was nothing romantic about it. And I don’t easily attract decent men.” She gestured at her body, winking at the older woman who shushed her.
“Silly. Men like curves. And if those from Chicago don’t see the gorgeous woman you are, I know some Puerto Rican men who would be dazzled by you. Just one call to my nephew, and I could have a dozen men crawling at your feet.”
Zoe couldn’t help but laugh, the very first of the day and, dare she say, some of the pain and aches instantly fled. “But you’re not recommending your nephew?”
“Ah, dearest child, mi gordito needs a woman like you. But he’s battling his own demons for now. I have faith that he will come around though. Good night, mi hija.”
“Good night, Ms. Lupe. Call if you need anything.”
Zoe climbed the stairs with a little more energy. Her new neighbor had a way with compliments, which could be addictive, especially after hard days at work like this one.
Unlocking her door, she flung her bag on the old sofa and almost did the same with herself with her new phone still in her hand. The Devil better not call her tonight, or he might have a taste of evil Zoe, if she even existed. When she let herself fall on the old brown heap of bouncy springs and her feet finally left the floor, she sighed with so much relief, thinking that she never wanted them to touch the ground again.
“Wow! The last time I heard that sound, I was in a room with someone having an orgasm.”
At the unknown male voice, Zoe shrieked and tumbled to the floor. As she looked around for a weapon, someone switched on the light, blinding her for a few seconds.
“Calm down, Zoe, it’s me, Gabrielle. With a dumbass.”
Not that it slowed her heart rate by any means, but the familiar female voice stopped her from scrambling away. Replacing her glasses, Zoe looked up to see Gabrielle’s very worried face, and not one, but two very handsome, but very lethal-looking men, in her small living room.
“Dumbass? Singular? That means the other one isn’t?”
Feeling rather small on the floor, Zoe started to get up, only to be offered a hand by one of the two giants invading her new home. The blond Viking who helped her smiled. His pull was so strong, for one rare moment, Zoe felt dainty in his presence.
“Thank you. If you’re the dumbass, you’re forgiven.”
His pale blue eyes glinted. “I’m the one who isn’t.”
Zoe almost blushed under his gaze. “Are you naturally chivalrous?”
He winked at her. “Nah, I have a thing for redheads.”
The other one snorted and Gabrielle shook her head, clearly exasperated. “Sorry to barge in so late, but I wanted an update and to introduce these two clowns to you, as you may see them around at Blackwood Corp soon. This is Lance Sorenson and the king dumbass is Kai Jones.”
Lance squeezed her hand gently before stepping back. Kai extended his hand and Zoe took a better look at him. It was hard getting past the bright red Hawaiian shirt, but after a closer look, the man may be a clown, but he was a cute one. No, not cute, panty-dropping handsome was the expression she would use. Shoulder-length thick brown hair that looked like silk and a trimmed goatee that suited his face. Probably of Hawaiian or Polynesian descent, he was tall, and even the ridiculous pattern on his shirt couldn’t disguise the muscled body on him. Both men were ripped! But his swirling mercury eyes caught her attention. That’s what made her take another step in his direction. Before she could speak, Gabrielle answered her unspoken question.
“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 tremen
dously 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.
Chapter 4
Her second day would be better. Positivity was the key, Zoe told herself. And to make that happen, she rose extra early, feeling refreshed, and put on a very fine red dress she had bought online that fitted her like a glove, a miracle in itself. She decided to wear flats and bring her high heels in her bag. That way, she would be able to walk to that nice bakery she had seen a few blocks away, sit down and have a nice pastry and coffee, like normal people in this city.
Zoe couldn’t remember the last time she’d done that. Even in D.C., her small apartment was in the middle of nowhere, and as the coffee at the office was decent enough, she didn’t bother buying any from cafés.
Warm weather was well on its way in Chicago, so why not take advantage of it. No way her boss would call her so early, and she could finally think about Archer Blackwood in a calm and logical manner.
The bakery was on a busy street, and there was a row of stools facing the wide window that were still empty. Perfect.
A large coffee and a strawberry muffin in hand, she hitched herself up, and started to enjoy her sugary treat. The sun was still low over the horizon, the buildings still blocking most of its rays, but on the tallest buildings, it made the glass shine like sky jewels.
From her view point she imagined Archer Blackwood already at work in his room, in one of those high towers. His papers around him, a phone in his hand. Immediately, Zoe dismissed the image. Too messy for the type of man he was. The most probable image was him jumping out of bed already clothed, going to his personal office and making two conference calls, before having his first cup of coffee.
Zoe smirked at the image but realized how lonely it was. The depth of his sorrow, he never really got out of. Instead, he buried himself even deeper in it, his outer focus only on his company. And a very successful one indeed. Not only had he become one of the youngest to accumulate such a fortune, but he had an innovative approach to it. Zoe had read a few articles on how Blackwood decided to slowly change from fossil fuels to new energies, focusing impressive amounts of money in research, and hiring specialists from all over the world to focus on attacking the problem. Chicago had been an obvious choice for the sale as it was where he intended to build the new headquarters of Blackwood Energies that he said himself were his pride and joy. The end and beginning of a chapter in the same place. How the office seemed so functional already made sense, if he was preparing the entire floor for his new American venture.
Eating her muffin, Zoe hummed in delight as strawberry jam melted on her tongue. Too often she had suffered or been confronted with the ugly and even death not to decide to live life to its fullest. It was hard not to wallow in pain and not get stuck there. It was something she understood too well. However, she had someone who was her will to live, her motivation to keep going and to fight. But not Archer. He was alone with everybody against him. Still today, he fought the entire world, expecting the worst from it.
Zoe sighed and took another sip of coffee. In other circumstances, she would have liked to shake his cage, make him see that people weren’t all bad. There must be a way of getting through his thick armor. Maybe she would have the opportunity. At least, she would keep an eye open for one.
Time to go. She grabbed her bag to leave when she saw a man walking past the bakery with a dog on a leash. A scraggly brown dog, with his head low, limping slightly. Zoe pitied the poor beast when she saw the man pulling harshly on the leash before kicking him in the ribs when the mutt didn’t follow. Even from inside, she heard the dog’s whimper of pain. It was an out of body experience, and she was out the store before realizing it.
“Are you insane? Why are you kicking him, moron?”
At her shout, the man turned, not looking better than the dog.
“What the shit do you want, fatty?”
The insult stung, but the way the dog cowered at his owner’s voice fueled her rage. “You have no right beating that dog.”
The man sneered and his filthy breath reeking of alcohol made her want to heave. “I do what I fucking please. Mind your own business.” And to make his point, he kicked the poor pup even harder. Reacting, Zoe swung her bag and caught him straight in his ugly, smirking face. The force was such that he stumbled a few steps back. Behind, she heard someone cheering, but preferred to keep her attention on the ass before her.
Shaking his head, the dog beater’s mocking tone turned into spitting rage. He let go of the leash and charged her. Booze must still have been high in his system because his aim was off. He must have wanted to put his hands on her, but he was a little bit too much to the left, and his foot caught an invisible crack in the pavement, making him pitch right into the building’s brick wall.
Unsure if she should start kicking him in the gut as he’d done to his poor dog, or call for an ambulance, she decided on the latter. A quick look around told Zoe a small crowd had gathered. The poor dog came to lean on her leg, a show of support or thankfulness. It was decided. Zoe would make sure the dog was safe, and away from that awful man.
Too bad the dummy didn’t stay down. Blood trickling from a gash near his temple, it took a moment for him to get his bearings, but when he saw her, his intent was clear.
He gargled some sort of curse and charged Zoe. Instinct kicked in, and she evaded him again, pushing the dog out of his path. Once more, the dumb man fell and rolled into the street. This was going nowhere, and worse, it was obvious the man was going to badly hurt himself if he continued. Zoe wondered what to do when she saw a police car approaching. Obviously, the small crowd drew suspicion, and two uniformed officers came out.
This didn’t bother the dog owner who si
mply charged at her again. This time, the cops intervened. Many struggles and screams ensued.
“It’s that bitch’s fault! She attacked me! She’s stealing my dog! She’s the one you should arrest. I was minding my own business, officers!”
It took quite some time, but they were finally able to sit him in the police car. By that time, another police team had arrived on site. One of the first officers came over to her, and the dog cowered between her legs. The poor thing was probably scared of all men.
“Miss, would you mind coming to the station to do a report? It’s not the first time this man has been arrested due to trouble on the street, but this time, he’s become more violent than usual. A report would help us give him the help he needs. Most likely, going to rehab, or us forcing him to do so.”
Zoe sighed, this would take longer than she wanted, making her late for work. On her second day. But it couldn’t be helped, if there was something she could do to help the man, even if he didn’t deserve it, she had to do it.
Nodding, she followed the office to his car, and made a call to Ellen explaining the situation. The dog followed her, and despite the officer’s frown, he didn’t say anything about it.
She also sent a text Gabrielle to give her a ‘heads up’ but didn’t wait for a reply. No doubt she would hear from Blackwood first. And it would be done in a more condescending, annoyed tone.
The dog put his muzzle on her knees, shaking like a leaf. He was filthy and mangy, but Zoe couldn’t help but pet his head, trying to reassure the poor pup. When they arrived at the precinct, Zoe grabbed the leash and was ushered into an office where they took her statement. The officer told her that the man wanted to press charges against her. Zoe was outraged.
“I didn’t do anything wrong! He was beating that poor dog. What was I expected to do?”
The dog sensing her mounting anger, pushed his wet nose against her hand. The officer sighed and asked her to stay put as he went out. Zoe looked down at the dog, his big brown eyes so worried it broke her heart.
