“The FBI offered him a deal in exchange for his help in bringing down the cartel’s business in the US.”
“Was he prosecuted?” I pushed the plate away. “Was he put into witness protection or something?”
“No, he paid the money back to the company and gave enough information they chose not to prosecute him. With his help, the FBI and a rival cartel were able to eliminate the group Zach worked with and no further action was taken. The FBI got what they wanted, the company was paid back.” My dad took my hand. “But, after all this went down, I didn’t want his actions to put you or your future in danger. I asked him stay away.”
“But you and him were my family.” I took my hand back. “Why wouldn’t you stand by him? Maybe he needed some help.”
“I wasn’t willing to risk it.” He leaned back in his chair and scratched his forehead. “I knew the two of you were close. You had a crush on him, and I didn’t want you to get hurt or worse.”
“A crush.” I stood up and paced. “It was more than a crush, Dad.”
My dad shook his head.
“I’m in love with him.”
Chapter Eleven
Zachariah
* * *
I had my jet meet me in Miami and we took off to Dallas by morning. Lucinda lived in Austin, but my gut told me she would go home to her father to find some answers.
My assistant had a black SUV waiting for me on the tarmac when I landed. I weaved through the familiar streets of my hometown. I hadn’t returned since things went down four years ago. Officially, I had resigned as Co-CEO of our company and had left town. The specifics of why were never released, to protect Lucinda and her future.
I stopped outside of the new home Jack had purchased a couple of years ago. A modest house in the neighborhood a few streets over from the mansions he had built ten years ago.
It was funny how I took the fall, but while my business flourished, his went in the opposite direction. While I’d like to take credit for it, my exile exposed the truth. Jack was never good with business, that was my expertise. He had a creative side and people liked him. On the other hand, I wasn’t winning any boss of the year awards any time soon, but the bottom line was, I built things and made them grow.
Jack was more of a maintain the status quo kind guy.
When he’d brought the idea up of gaining some cashflow by manufacturing in Columbia, I’d admired his initiative. I had no clue how one idea could derail the trajectory of my life and my future with Lucinda.
I sat down the block and waited. Like clockwork, Jack left for his Saturday morning golf game. The man was regimented. I waited a few more minutes and spotted Ms. Mason, his long-time housekeeper pulling away from the house in a new green Honda.
I stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door. My knock echoed in the enclosed porch. The house likely lacked adequate security to keep my Lucinda safe. He had no regard for his own safety. How else to explain a seemingly intelligent man getting involved with a Columbian cartel? Thankfully, Jack had a lot fewer enemies in the world because of me.
After another unanswered knock, my feet carried me around the side of the property through an unlocked gate.
I peeked around the side of the brick building and spotted her sitting on a covered patio in a lounge chair, staring at the shimmering pool.
Her face was scrunched in serious contemplation. She gripped the coffee cup with white knuckles and took a sip. Her lips pursed, then she stood up and moved toward the house.
I stepped out into the light.
“Lucinda.”
She gasped and dropped the mug. It smashed on the cement, splashing coffee up her bare legs.
“Shit.” She jumped back and flattened her back to the door.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” I held my hands out. She stared at them and then up at me. “I need to talk to you.”
“I don’t want to talk to you.” She reached behind her, but her hand couldn’t quite find the doorknob.
I stepped forward and she turned and frantically pushed the door open. I blocked the door before she could slam it behind her.
“Lucinda.” I used my Dom voice. She groaned softly, her submissive side fighting its instinct to obey. Her stubborn side won as she shoved at the door, trying to keep me out.
