by Zuri Day
It was a beautiful day, temperatures in the high sixties, not a cloud in the sky. Deciding he’d benefit from a break and fresh air, Ike grabbed his cell phone, forwarded his calls to Lydia and left the building. He crossed the street and headed north, no particular destination in mind. What he’d actually like would be to run away from this nightmare, but that was not an option with the last name Drake. Drakes didn’t cower. Drakes didn’t run. Drakes met challenges, opponents, life, head-on. It’s what had been passed down for at least three generations. If he was blessed to have them, it was a lesson he’d teach his children, as well.
He reached the intersection where the accident with Quinn had occurred, crossed the street and passed the local florist shop. On a whim, he went inside. Bernard wasn’t the only person hard to reach. Since leaving with Quinn the night of the ball, Audrey had refused his calls as well and not responded to texts. Maybe a bouquet of flowers delivered to her job would let her know there were no hard feelings. In fact, he felt her actions were justified and what he deserved.
“Good afternoon, sir. May I help you?”
“Yes. I’m looking for a beautiful bouquet of flowers.”
“You’ve come to the right place. What’s the occasion? Birthday? Anniversary?”
“No special occasion, actually. These are for a good friend who can use some cheering up.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Does he or she have a favorite color, or flower?”
“Yes, her favorite color is yellow, and I know she likes this certain flower. I can’t remember the name but I’d know it if I saw it.”
“My biggest sellers in that color are chrysanthemums, daffodils and, of course, roses. Let me get our flower book to help you find just the right one for your friend.”
The cashier walked over to a desk and looked around. “Oh, it’s in the office.” She turned to Ike. “Be right back.”
Ike turned to view the flowers in the glass display. Just then, a high-pitched yelp, followed by the sound of scurrying nails on tile, broke the silence. He caught a glimpse of fur bursting through a doggy door he’d not even noticed.
“Snappy! Bad dog!” The woman who’d been assisting him was hot on his paws. “Snappy! Get back here!”
Ike watched briefly before turning back to the display. People and their dogs. Growing up there were many animals on his grandparents’ farm, and the Drakes had owned a collie when the boys were young. The dog had been a member of the family for twelve long years. When their parents offered the chance to get another dog, the boys had turned it down. The loss had been too painful. Except for Warren, none of the brothers had pets to this day.
Turning back to the display, he spotted the flower Audrey loved. At the same time, the saleswoman, breathing heavily, returned to the store. She went inside the office beyond the counter, retrieved the flower book and closed the door on the runaway canine.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, still panting for breath. “Wasn’t even thinking when I opened the door.”
“It’s okay. I actually found the flower in your display case.” He pointed to a flower holder on the top shelf.
“Oh, the calla lilies. Great choice. I’m not sure I have yellow in stock, but I’ll check.” She looked at the closed door. “Tell you what. Let’s look at bouquets using the calla lily and I’ll make sure to get your phone number when I write up the order. If I don’t have any yellow ones, I can include those in a design using other yellow flowers.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Thank you. I just don’t want to chance opening the door again right now while he’s still hyped up.”
“He’s a fast one.”
“He is that. Makes it almost impossible to catch him sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. A month or so ago, his ability to run fast saved his life.”
“Oh, really.”
“Yes, just about gave me a heart attack. Happened right near the corner. A red sports car ran into this cute little black car. I felt so bad. Crushed that thing something awful, and all because she was trying to avoid that disobedient critter. I ran after him for two blocks, but knowing how mad I was, he hid under a Dumpster. By the time I got back to check on that lady, the ambulance had taken her to the hospital. But the EMT told me she’d be okay. I used to never have a problem with him staying inside. Course, I’ve only had him six months or so. I guess he just realized what the doggy door was for.”
Ike hadn’t heard a word past red sports car. She was talking about his accident. No one had believed Quinn’s dog-dodging story. Ike thought she’d been trying to lessen her culpability. But she’d been telling the truth.
“Here I am going on and on while you look like a man with more to do than hear me prattle. Let me show you a couple of examples I think you’d like.”
“Did you arrange the bouquets in those display cases?”
“Sure did. I’m the owner. It’s just me and a couple of high school students who work a few hours a week.”
Ike reached for his wallet and pulled out a business card. “Then I will trust your judgment to create something wonderful.”
“I appreciate your confidence.” She looked at the card. “Oh, you’re a Drake. Your company built the home we bought.”
“I hope it is serving you and your family well.”
“We’re extremely satisfied.” She stapled the card to an order form. “What is your budget, Mr. Drake?”
“Whatever you feel is reasonable. Put together something nice. I’ll have my secretary call with a delivery address.” He reached into his wallet again and pulled out a bill. “Thank you.”
“Oh, no, this is probably more than you’ll pay for the bouquet.”
“You’ve been extremely helpful. Treat yourself to something nice.”
Ike walked back to the office in a different frame of mind. His father was disappointed, his brothers were angry and he hadn’t heard from Quinn about a meeting with Corrigan. But at least one mystery had been solved. There had been a dog at the accident scene. And his name was Snappy.
Chapter 25
The next day, Friday, he got the call he’d been expecting. “Ike Drake.”
“Hey, Ike.”
“Hello, Quinn. How are you?”
“Better than you, it sounds. Are things still pretty rough there?”
“It’s a difficult time. The entire office went from being swamped with work, busy preparing for a major event—Ten Drake Plaza, and all of a sudden that frenzy is gone, and not with the celebratory ending we all anticipated. So, yes, it’s rough. Depressing. And it’s my fault.”
“I’m sorry, Ike. I feel bad for what’s going on in the office. After all, it’s partly my fault, too. None of this would have happened if not for me.”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it. At the end of the day, it was my responsibility to receive the information and process it logically and critically. Follow that up with research and cross-checks. All the things that I do on a regular basis, even for unimportant transactions. I still can’t believe how I reacted, or that I reacted. It was probably one of the costliest lessons in history, but I’ve learned it. And something like that will not happen again.”
“For what it’s worth, I believe you did the right thing.”
Niko walked into Ike’s office.
“Look, Quinn, someone just entered my office.”
“Okay. I just wanted to know if you’re busy tonight, and if not, are you up for a date?”
“You’re back in PC.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll call you later.”
Ike watched Niko take a seat in one of two chairs that faced his desk. “What’s on your mind, brother?”
“I came to check on you.”
“Wait a minute. That’s my job.”
&nb
sp; “It’s okay for the younger brother to lift the older brother once in a while.”
“I appreciate it.”
“So how are you holding up?”
“Ah, man. I don’t even know. I’ve analyzed and rationalized to within an inch of my life, and at the end of the day, the result is the same. And that’s really all that matters.”
“I made a couple discreet inquiries about Global 100, and what Quinn said.”
“And?”
“Nothing but positive feedback, the same information on the reports we received. Bernard might walk a fine ethical line, but there was nothing that would corroborate what you shared. And I pulled in some favors, talked with big guns.”
“I’m not surprised. This information is known only by the highest echelons of society, and even there, only the ones who are willing to sell their soul for a dollar. This isn’t being discussed on the golf course or at private clubs. This is another level. Brother, we’re talking murder, starvation, corruption to the core.”
“Or so you’ve been told.”
“That’s the most aggravating part of all. Well, besides letting go of a few million dollars.”
“Hmm.”
“I may never be able to find out if what I acted on is true. To go the rest of my life not knowing will eat me up inside.”
“You can’t let it do that, Ike. We all make mistakes. You don’t make many, but being human, it happens. We make money, lose it, make some more.”
“This is the biggest loss in the history of our company.”
“See, that’s where perspective comes in. You can’t lose what you’ve never had. We haven’t lost any money. We lost an opportunity to potentially make money. Big difference.”
“Man, you are definitely a politician!”
“Hey, I can’t help my keen intellect and eloquent speech.”
“Can anybody? Because we need to find whoever that is and fly them in!”
“It’s good to see you laugh, man. You’ve got to keep the balance. I hope you’re leaving here pretty soon with plans to spend the evening doing something enjoyable.”
“Negative.”
“What are you doing?”
“What I’m doing right now.”
“That’s not good. You need a break. Why don’t you join me and Monique for dinner? We’re going to a dinner theater venue. Should be fun.”
“I hope it is, and appreciate the invitation. But I’m going to pass.”
Niko stood. “All right. Don’t say I didn’t try.”
Ike stood and came around the desk. “I appreciate your coming by and showing your support. It means a lot.”
The brothers hugged. Niko left. Ike resumed working. But not for long. Ten minutes later, his cell phone rang. Quinn. He almost sent the call to voice mail but remembered he was supposed to return her call.
“Ike Drake.”
“Whoa, so businesslike. Do you still have someone in your office?”
“No, still working but I’ve got a few minutes.”
“Only a few? I’d love us to meet up once you leave the office.”
“Once I leave here, I’ll work from home.”
“Tonight?”
“Sorry, Quinn. I’m just focused on work right now.”
“Come on, Ike. Even the president of the United States takes a vacation, and he’s the leader of the free world! We’ve never had a proper date. You’re a great cook and have a beautiful home. But we’ve never done anything else or gone anywhere.”
“This is who I’ve been from the beginning. I told you up front.”
“You told me you liked being at home. You didn’t say that’s all you’d ever do every day for the rest of your life.”
“Maybe it isn’t. But that’s what I’m going to do tonight.” He continued through the huffing of her disgust. “Quinn, I don’t mean to sound callous or frustrate you. The week has been intense, and you know why. I have just as much work this weekend. And given that I single-handedly destroyed the deal of a lifetime for the company I run, I’m not in a partying frame of mind.”
“Okay. I get it. I guess...we’ll talk later.”
“If you change your mind and want to spend time with a boring old man, you’re more than welcome to stop by.”
Ike tried to get back to work, but turning down two invitations in less than thirty minutes had him taking stock of his life. Maybe it was boring and needed to change. After Ten Drake Plaza was rectified, maybe he’d do something about it. But not before.
* * *
Something jolted him awake. Ike looked around, rubbed his eyes, looked again. He’d fallen asleep in his office. What time was it? He looked at the clock and was shocked to see it was almost midnight. He’d vaguely remembered laying his head against the chair. Was going to close his eyes for five minutes. That was two hours ago.
Ding.
He wasn’t dreaming. That was his doorbell. At this time of night? Ike walked toward the front door, hoping whoever it was didn’t have bad news.
“Quinn?”
“That’s right,” she said, brushing past without an invitation. “You invited me. Remember?”
“That was hours ago.”
“Hey, I can’t help it if you don’t answer your phone.”
“You called?”
“Twice.”
“I fell asleep. Man, I must have really been out of it.” Ike plopped down on the couch and closed his eyes.
“Perfect position for what I have in mind.”
“I’m sorry, Quinn. I’m really tired.”
Quinn reached for his belt buckle. “No problem. I understand.”
“What are you doing?”
“Don’t worry about me.” She unzipped his pants. “Just raise up a little and I’ll be fine.”
“Quinn, come on now.”
“Are you going to sleep in your clothes? I’m trying to help.”
“You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?”
“Nope.”
He raised up.
She reached into his boxers for the prize inside.
“Sweet, I told you...”
“I know. Just relax. I got this.”
She did, and knew exactly what she wanted to do with it, too. She flicked her tongue across the mushroom tip. His shaft twitched. Quinn smiled. Not all of Ike was asleep. She ran her tongue around the rim, up and down his lengthening member.
“Quinn, come on...”
Not as much conviction, she noticed.
“Shh. Just relax.”
Long, wet strokes from base to tip. Over and again. As he got harder, longer. Fully aroused. Quinn paused long enough to pull the condom she’d brought from its foil wrapper. She placed a shield on his sword, eased down on it and began to ride.
It wasn’t long before Ike joined her.
“I told you I was tired,” he murmured as he thrust up into her in that slow, lazy way that drove her crazy.
“You just keep being tired, baby. Just keep...on...right there.”
Later, in bed, Quinn listened to the smooth, even sounds of Ike’s slumber, thought of how even in his exhaustion he made sure she was satisfied. He was willing to put in the work for what she wanted. There was one thing Ike wanted. Quinn knew what it was. And she was going to put in the work to make sure he got it.
Chapter 26
Quinn whipped into a parking space near a restaurant Phillip Corrigan had assured her she’d enjoy. When’d she’d acted on impulse and included a brief but informative overview of the proposed Ten Drake Plaza building with the thank-you note for the hospitality during her visit, it was simply to underscore what they’d discussed and reinforce the selling points. Basic Business 101.
So rec
eiving his phone call had caught her totally off guard. So much so that afterward she’d phoned Trent, sure that he’d had something to do with what seemed to be his father’s genuine interest in doing business with the Drakes. She’d imagined it but had never thought it was actually possible to initiate a negotiation. Yet here she sat, about to dine with an investor.
“Look at me,” she spouted, her English accent perfect as she used the visor mirror to freshen up. “I’m a businesswoman, I am.”
She exited the car wearing Brenda’s dress, the name she’d given the royal blue sheath Maggie had found in her closet. The dress that had inspired that conversation about her mother had been the catalyst for the new level of relationships she now enjoyed. Once inside, she was quickly ushered to a table where Phillip stood to greet her.
“Good evening!” Air kisses and a genuine hug followed before taking their seats. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“I purposely got here early, wanted to unwind and enjoy a glass of wine. Becky is away visiting her sister. That house gets pretty big and lonely when she’s gone.”
“In that case, I’m happy to have inspired this meeting. I was surprised but delighted to get your call.”
“Probably not half as surprised as I was to get the report you compiled. I must say, I was impressed, young lady. Didn’t know you had it in you! And I mean that in a good way.”
Quinn laughed. “There’s no need to explain. You knew me during the rebel years, when I was a tornado tearing up everything in sight and destroying myself a bit along the way. I guess I’m finally growing up.”
“You’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Quinn. I was rather proud to know that report was your work. Actually, you are what initially made this project of any interest or relevance to me. As I began to look into some of the numbers you provided and talked to a few people, lo and behold, there began to be serious conversation about taking a closer look. That’s why you’re here.”
“I’ll be happy to share as much as I know, which isn’t much more than what I sent you. A meeting with the Drakes would give those interested all pertinent details.”