I don’t think I’m the only one who reacts to the change in Max as Gideon stands to his full height, at attention, ready for anything. But no audible words are spoken, confusing me in the process.
Their eyes are locked once again, the silent communication happening once again. Whatever data is being transmitted between the two is not good as Gideon tenses even further. I watch as the rigid set of his broad shoulders extend to the rest of his body.
His outward appearance doesn’t look any different for anyone else but I have been watching him enough to notice and I seem to be attuned to any slight movement that he makes. I can tell, from all the way over here where I stand that he isn’t happy about whatever he is learning from Max.
“Is everything alright?” I can’t help but ask, worried out of mind for some reason.
I look between the two and I notice Max raise an eyebrow at Gideon and in response Gideon shakes his head slightly. What is that about?
“Nothing major, just some unexpected developments. But it’s good to meet you Miss. Smith” Max says.
“Oh no, please, just call me Chloe.” I say to Max, smiling at his easy charm. Wondering how he knows my name, but hey, this is a whole other world so nothing is private here, what more anyone’s identity.
I wonder if Gideon knows my actual identity. But no way, there is no way he can know.
There is something hard about Max that I can’t exactly place my finger on though. He is smiling but that smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes like before. As we look at each other again, I can’t help but sense a kind of dangerous vibe from him. This time, much more amplified than before.
“Of course. I’ll leave you two to it then.” Max says and with a slight nod and another look in Gideon’s direction, Max leaves as quietly as he appeared.
His gait doesn’t suggest that much silence when he moves, yet I don’t hear a single sound from his retreat.
As soon as he leaves, I can feel Gideon’s gaze on me. My hands clench as I feel other parts of me clench in reaction to his scorching gaze.
Even in this large room, Gideon is a potent force. His palpable energy radiating around us, between us, making me shift restlessly on my feet. But I can’t look at him. I don’t know why I’m shy all of a sudden.
He just stares at me until I can’t handle it anymore. I feel drawn to him, like he has an invisible rope around me, and whenever he tugs on it, I can’t help but respond.
As soon as our eyes meet, I suck in a sharp, deep breath.
He looks slightly, troubled. As if whatever news exchanged between him and Max wasn’t what he was expecting.
“Miss. Smith, I’m afraid I can’t stay long and chat with you. But I will make sure to send you some important information that you need to know. You can go over it and get back to me.” He informs, all business-mode now. There are no more mixed signals from him like earlier.
“Does that mean we have a deal? A complete deal?” I ask in a small voice.
I’m affected by the way his energy is shifting as if whatever is affecting him is now directly affecting me as well. Yet I don’t know what that might be.
“You drove a hard bargain and I agreed. Now you are not sure about it.” He cocks his head slightly to the right, studying me, “It almost seems like you are not sure of what you want.”
It’s an observation he has made of me. I want to open my mouth and argue with him, to defend myself with a witty reply but nothing comes out.
I don’t even know what to say. I have never thought of my life that way before. I certainly have never made that observation about myself either. Yet as he speaks, it resonates within my spirit.
Do I even know what I want? Now or in the future? What do I want exactly, beside bringing down that asshole?
“I just wanted to make sure we are on the same page is all.” I manage to say after an awkward silence falls over the room, throwing me is discord.
Suddenly I feel it again, that feeling I have when I start feeling uncomfortable in situations.
My flight or fight response.
I want to run.
I just want to go back into my comfortable, predictable world, where it’s just me calling the shots of my own life.
I feel too exposed here.
I can’t handle it.
“I guess we are all settled then. I will see myself out.” I quickly say.
I can’t look him in the eye, nor can I stand the tension around us. The last thing I want is to hear is another observation from him.
I don’t want to hear how pathetic my life really is. Not from him.
“Miss. Smith.” Gideon calls out as I reach the foyer.
I suck in another deep breath and close my eyes for a second. I have never felt this vulnerable in my life yet a few minutes in his presence I’m scrambling for pieces of my shield. Completely undone.
“Yes?” I ask as I turn back, thanking all that is holy when my voice doesn’t break.
“Tom will take you home. Have a goodnight.” He says after a short pause as if he wanted to say something. He is looking intently at me, even as his phone vibrates, calling for his attention. What did he want to say to me?
I nod my head and turn once more, with nerves eating at my stomach and my heart rate going oh so slow, it’s weird.
I leave with more than I came with. I leave with a bit of knowledge concerning the sexiest man I have ever seen.
I leave with new information about myself even.
I guess you can say I realized how sad my life really is.
Chapter 10
Gideon
I WATCH HER AS SHE collects her coat and bags then proceed to leave without another glance. Her slender, alluring shoulders tense and I wonder what’s going through her mind with her stiff spine. Looking like she has the weight of the world’s burdens on her shoulders.
Lord knows she wounds me up so much, I’m tense myself.
I watch her, as if starved, as the elevator whisks her away awakening an unfamiliar need within me to go after her. To have her back here in this space, with me.
She is an enigma. A beautiful, captivating smart woman who has this ability to read a situation properly. She has no illusions to what a man like me can do. A man in power can take advantage of anyone, taking the upper hand in any situation. And she proved that she wasn’t having any of that with me or from me.
Charlotte Chloe Hamilton Smith carries so much within her, I’m amazed at her self-restraint and dedication to working for the man that killed her parents. If it were me, I would have lost it the first time I would have set my eyes on that scum.
Better her than me.
“She is even more beautiful in person than I thought.” Comes Max’s voice from somewhere behind me.
Max moves silently like a ghost and it used to freak me out the first days, but now, I’m used to it.
“Yes. She is.” I agree with him but she is much more than just beautiful, she is fucking amazing. And something tells me that she doesn’t know that about herself.
“Does she know?” Max inquires as he comes to stand beside me, holding his iPad of doom. Each time he brings that darn thing, I feel like grabbing it and throwing it out the window of my fiftieth-floor penthouse building.
“No. I don’t want her to know.” I confirm what he already knows. There is no way I’ll tell her what I have found about that bastard Demetri. Not yet anyway.
“Man, I know women enough to know that if you tell them you’ll do something and then don’t follow through, they won’t be so thrilled with you.” Max chimes in.
Yes, but she is different. I could sense it from the first time she was found and her intel came across my office desk a week ago. It was confirmed to me just now, gazing in her eyes that can pierce a man.
“She said I should tell her everything I know, but I can definitely leave somethings out when I deliver.” I say but can’t help but feel the tugging and twisting in my chest, as if I have already betrayed her. Betrayed an oath
that isn’t even a few hours old.
“Whatever you say man.” Max says and brings his iPad to life. “The jet is being prepped for take-off but I’ve found something that I think you should know.”
I physically and mentally shake the image of that fire spitter in my head and concentrate on what Max is saying.
“That dickhead is going to D.C and I think he is going to meet up with some representatives there or lobbyist or some shit. Intel is still coming in.” Max explains.
“I don’t care where he goes Max, just get to the point.” I grit out, my patience running out.
“Of course, D.C isn’t a big deal but his absence is however. We just got a window that we needed for a while now.” Max says as we begin to walk towards the elevator that will take us down to the parking garage.
“A window for. . .?” I question, intrigued. Max has one of the smartest minds around and every suggestion that he makes, I listen.
“To get his records and statements. We know now that he uses that investment company to keep his money filtered clean. But of course, all of that money isn’t his. We have the chance now to find out where it’s coming from.” Max points out.
“And you think that bastard Roach would give us any documents, especially if it’s connected to Demetri?” I question with disbelief. Now way that’s going to happen.
“Of course not, that asshole is as suspicious as he is shady. We have something better in our arsenal than our direct reach.” He says as we enter the elevator and presses the codes to get us down.
I own this entire building but I only occupy the upper ten floors. For security reasons.
“And what is it that we have that can get in and out undetected?” I question, seeing where this is going but needing confirmation.
“Our new friend of course. Chloe is the best candidate and the fact that she already works for her enemy, now that’s pure gold.” Max confirms my theory.
“No.” I state. There is no way I’m just going to put her in harm’s way. Men that work with Demetri are at best, questionable. I won’t ever put her in a situation where she has to squirm her way into their good graces.
“I thought you might say that.” Max says as the elevator comes to a stop and the doors slide open, “Which is why I already mapped out what needs to be done. You see here.” he hands me the iPad when we are seated in the car. “It’s a detailed plan on what she needs to do.”
I look at the plan, there is a scan of the blueprint of the building I assume houses the financial house where Demetri keeps his investment portfolio rolling. It shows in a red marker, where Chloe needs to go when she gets to Roach’s office.
“You see, they house all documents for the high rollers in this backroom, which only a handful of people have access to. If Chloe can just go there and . . .”
“And sweet talk her way to the backroom then grab the files, you mean?” I ask, already over Max’s plan.
“Hey, I only had a few minutes to come up with this plan.” He defends and I just shake my head.
“This is not some Mission Impossible movie, Max. She isn’t going to do any of that.” I state with finality. “We are just going to have to find another way.” I dismiss the subject turning away from him as I pay attention to my phone.
“Yes, or she could just call Roach and have him bring him the stuff. All in the authority of the office she works in.” Max says, wearing a giant smirk on his face and I realize what just happened. He just baited me.
“Fuck you.” I say, feeling disgruntled. Damn him.
“Aye man, I just had to try.” Max says as he chuckles, clearly enjoying himself.
“Yeah, whatever. Tell me about this thing, what’s happening?” I ask, deliberately changing the topic.
And now, the image of her is back in my mind. I don’t know how she is able to control my thoughts but she does. That’s the last thing I want anyone to know though. I’m not a man that allows any kind of manipulation to happen to me. I’m a Black, we are strong men.
“So, you agree then, that she can do it?” Max questions once more and I just nod my agreement. I see no harm in her calling.
“Send the car package to her and let her go through what we have. Remove the Chicago files, she doesn’t need to know that. And whatever you do, don’t add any of her information.” I instruct. “I’ll tell her when she is ready.”
“Whatever you say boss.” Max remarks, “So, Miami. There is a situation there that needs your immediate attention. . .”
And it goes on and on. Max shows me a lot of information that I need to know and take under consideration during the ride and I send emails and correspondence with many of my staff members even during the flight.
But she is a constant in my head now.
I can’t shake her as much as I can shake the undercurrent of grief and sadness that she wears as a type of shield.
But that’s alright. It’s alright because I will give her what she hungers for, if it’s not me. I will give her Demetri’s head on a spike.
Chapter 11
Chloe
IT’S MONDAY MORNING and I’m in my office. I can’t believe I’m about to do this.
This is reckless and anything can happen, but I would be damned to hell if I said that this new course of action hasn’t intrigued me.
Gideon was nothing but convincing last week when we met. Now here I am, about to engage in some high risk, possibly dangerous plot.
Gideon, true to his word, over the weekend sent a portfolio I had to look at concerning the money trail for my beloved boss.
This is the legit, legal money trail profile, but we need to get ahold of all the accounts so we can go further with the plan.
Now here I am, about to initiate a whole new step in a grand master plan. A Billion Dollar Plan.
I wait anxiously for the phone call that I know will be coming at any minute now.
My palms are sweaty and my heart is beating faster than normal. I would like to get up and start pacing, but I can’t afford to. The office is full and buzzing with everyone going about the work they are paid to do.
It would look suspicious if I just broke into a nervous pace. I don’t usually pace, everyone who knows me knows that fact about me.
Now the urge to do just that has been attacking me since the evening I met with Gideon Black. I’m now involved in this crazy ass plan. This plan is by far different from what I had in mind.
Did I mention it’s also dangerous?
The high pitched shrill of the ringing office phone has me almost jumping out of my office chair.
Forget about nerves, I’ve got elephants stampeding in my stomach and I don’t know what to do about them. I try pressing my palm into my tummy but that seems to make the feeling worse.
The phone rings again, I center myself and try to calm down. I call upon every mask I’ve worn all these years, reach for the receiver and answer the call.
“Demetri Enterprises, good morning.” I give the customary greeting.
“Girl, why is your phone unreachable? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for a minute now” I take a relieved sigh upon hearing my best friend’s voice over the phone. Good, more stalling time.
“Sammy, I’ve been a bit busy and I totally forgot to tell you that my phone died.” It’s not a lie though, just as Gideon Black came crashing into my life, so did my phone go crushing to the hard cement ground that day.
“Uh, and when did this happen.” she quizzes. I think she knows something is up. I’m never preoccupied and I never procrastinate anything. No matter how small of a task.
“Err, a few days ago. You know how work has been stressing me out lately. I meant to get a replacement this week.” I try pacify her.
I hear her sigh over the line and I immediately sit up straight. I know that sigh, it means trouble. Parental trouble.
“What’s going on Sam?” I ask, bracing myself for a rant I know is coming.
“Oh nothing. It’s just that mother dearest wants
to meet for dinner this Saturday. I mean, I told her I’m busy and that I’m not sure if the end of the week will work for either one of us. Of course, it doesn’t really help matters that I met her for lunch last week and haven’t communicated with her since.” She rants, her words coming out fast.
I just listen and offer sympathetic, unintelligible remarks wherever necessary.
“I mean, she is drowning me here. Suffocating me really. I need time to breathe, I need space.” She goes on and on about how her mother seems to smother her.
Wanting to see her all the time, to stay in the loop of her day to day life.
“And what did you say? You didn’t flat out say all of that to her now did you?” I ask knowing damn well that she is at the edge of doing just that, which I’m all for by the way.
The problem with that is, Margaret Barker Martin is rather, a very sensitive and emotional woman.
And well, her second husband, Charles Martin is not a fan of her tears. Which in turn means that Sam would be in for some more heat and that’s the last thing the good doctor needs now. Or for me either.
“What did you think I said? Don’t be ridiculous Chloe, I told her we’ll be there” her throaty voice is now calmer and more confident.
Which also means one thing, she enlisted me as a buffer.
“No, you didn’t Sammy?” my jaw drops.
“Of course, I did Chloe, I mean you owe me and I figure, she is much more tolerant when you are around. She adores you” Sam says.
“Sam...”
“I know, we’ll be square if you do this for me. You are the bestest friend a girl could ask for. I mean where the hell have you been all my life?” Ass-kissing Sam means another thing too.
“You told her that I would be cooking for everyone, didn’t you?” God help me not to kill my best friend on this day. Amen.
“I’m sorry, she wasn’t exactly happy with me ignoring her calls since I last saw her, so I had to throw in a sweetener for the deal. Come on Chloe, you know I’d never hear the end of it if I go by myself and the food is just... you know. Your cooking is top class Chloe, and mama, and Charles by the way, love it”
The Billion Dollar Plan: Incongruity Series Book 1 Page 8