"Only if absolutely necessary, yes." I understood the kind of private security he was looking for. He wanted a shield and a man to run his operations. It would be demanding, but all of my jobs fit that description. On call, late nights, all of it.
He nodded and then looked at me, as thought he was finished with his final assessment. "When can you start?"
"Today." It was the honest truth. I needed to do something, anything, to get myself together. To get my mind off her.
"I think we can arrange something. Welcome to the team." Leo extended his hand again, and I took it.
"That's it? No waiting, no other interviews?"
"I'm the kind of guy who, when I know what I want, I take it. You are the best candidate for the position."
"I can appreciate that. I'm that kind of man too."
Especially when it came to women I wanted. Willow was going to be mine again.
Willow
I looked up at the name on my door. Mine. This office was mine. I'd never had anything like it before. I was used to cubicles and desks in open spaces.
That's when it hit me. This was all real. I left Elijah. I left all the pain and drunkenness and all the scaring behind. It didn't matter that he was the son of a senator. It didn't matter that he was running for office, that he was powerful. I was able to walk away and create my own life.
A life away from him.
"Oh girl, look at you. With your own office and everything." I turned to see Ruby standing there, a box in her hands.
"Those better be the donuts you promised."
"Would I lie to you?" She smiled and handed it over. "You can have them all. I took the jelly one, of course. But the rest are for you."
I grinned at her. "You are a lady of your word."
"As are you. So tell me, why didn't you answer your phone last night? Were you out and about? And without me?" She grinned, her voice just a touch too loud.
"I was out making a mistake."
"Who with?"
"I'd rather not go there."
"Fine, you keep your secrets. I'm just glad you're here and that you are mingling again. You deserve a little bit of fun. You deserve more than that, but it's none of my business." Ruby held up her hands. For all her faults, I loved her. She was pushy and nosey, but she wanted to help me. A real friend, not someone who just told you what you wanted to hear.
It was why she was my best friend in the entire world.
"Thank you, Ruby," I said, then I hugged her, the box of donuts still in my hand. "I couldn't have done any of this without you." It was the truth. She was the reason I was even here. I loved her for it.
"Okay, well, I should let you get back to work, hon. I have an appointment at nine, but I just wanted to stop by."
I smiled at her. "Thank you again, Ruby."
"Oh, before I go, I need to ask you something," Ruby said.
"What is it?"
"My family is hosting their annual 'back to school' party at the lake house. They would love it if you could come. It's for all the teachers, students, and even counselors."
"I remember your parties." This was a standing tradition in the Murdock family. I'd been to more than a dozen of them. "Of course, I'll be there."
"You promise?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure. I promise."
Ruby grinned. "Good. Everyone will be there. Old high school friends, maybe even some old high school crushes." She grinned at me, and I knew exactly who she was talking about. I fought a groan and just smiled at her.
I should've known her cousin would be showing up. I couldn't get off that easily.
Chapter Three
Willow
This is stupid. I shouldn't even be here. I fought my instinct to turn and flee as soon as I hopped out of my car. I wanted the fuck out of there. I wanted to turn and run and hide in my little house.
Me and a good movie and an entire pizza. That sounded so much better than this.
Music wafted over from the backyard, and the flicker of lamplight contrasted against the deep night sky. It was a gorgeous evening.
Perfect temperatures and a clear sky.
I couldn't deny that I wanted to sit under the night sky up against Lake Jackson and sip on something citrusy and filled with alcohol.
"You came!" I swore I was seconds from walking away when I heard Ruby's voice. I just smiled and turned to her.
"I made a promise. I keep my promises." It was the truth. I'd promised I would come. Just like I swore to her that I would leave Elijah if he put one more hand on me. I was nothing if not a woman of my word.
"Come on, I want you to meet everyone."
"I already know everyone," I reminded her. Lawrenceville might've been a suburb of Atlanta, but in some ways, it was still a small town. Our circle of friends wasn't that large, and between family and friends, I knew just about every single person that drove out to their lake house.
"Right, but you haven't seen them in years." Ruby wasted no time making her introductions, passing me through the crowd until I wasn't sure if I was coming or going.
Until a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into him. Zach.
"Fancy seeing you here." He grinned at me, that deep voice and chiseled jaw sending me right back into last night.
I could hear that voice whispering in my ear, feel that stubble against my hand as I glided it along his jaw. All those thoughts, all those feelings, they were coursing through me as I stared up at him.
"What are you doing?" I finally asked when I caught my breath.
"Ruby told me if I saw something I wanted I could have it. Well, I see something I want."
I hissed at him and pulled back. "Who says I'm something you can have?"
"You did, last night." His voice was so tempting. So seductive. But he was dangerous, filled with everything I needed to run away from. I hesitated. "I just want to talk," he assured me. "Nothing more."
I swear to God, if Ruby saw us, I would never live it down, I thought. No way in hell was I going to give her any ammunition.
"Not here," I said as I looked up into his eyes. Who the fuck was I kidding? I wanted to be with him. I wanted to feel those muscles again, the skin.
My body was screaming for it even now.
"I know just the place," he said as he pulled me away from the party and down a path to an alcove. It was gorgeous, a beautiful little area with a beach, a bench and a view of the sky-lit water, stars dancing across the lake's reflection.
"What do you want, Zach?" I asked, keeping my voice even.
"You. I want you," he said as he pulled me to him and looked down at me.
"I thought you just wanted to talk," I said slowly.
"I lied." He dipped his head down and kissed me. The touch of his lips against mine sent an electric shock through my entire body. I wasn't ready for this, for any of this.
But I couldn't say no to him. I couldn't say no to this kiss.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked as I looked up into his eyes.
"No. I'm not sure about anything anymore, but that isn't going to stop me from getting what I want." He pulled me closer to him and kissed me again; this time it wasn't gentle or sweet. It was filled with all the passion I knew we were both feeling. My teeth scraped against his lips as I clung to him, my breath coming in and out in ragged gasps.
This was so foolish, but I couldn't stop. I wanted him.
I would've done anything he wanted at that moment, but he was the one who pulled away from me.
"I'm sorry, I have to take this." Zach pulled his cellphone out of his pocket, and after a quick conversation, he turned off his phone and looked at me. "This is not over. I have to go."
He grabbed me and kissed me one more time. "I'll catch up with you later."
I just stood there and let him walk away. My one chance.
At least I still had the night sky.
Zach
"What did you need?" I asked as I walked towards Leo. He was standing outside of his estate.
"I need you. I'm going to an impromptu meeting and I didn't want anyone else."
I nodded. It was part of my job. I was there to follow orders and protect what needed to be protected.
"I'll need you to drive me. It's at Fifth and Memorial," he said. "A club called Black Cat."
"And it's a meeting?" I asked.
"Yeah, with the club owner. He is looking for a few investors, and I have a personal interest in the club."
I didn't say it, but the question was written all over my face.
"My late fiancée, Hope, used to tell me it was her favorite spot in all of the town. She wanted me to buy it; she wanted to run it. Before she died."