Chapter 107 Thin Line
Anna's POV
"That's fine with me," I said, forcing a smile.
Zack stared at me for another moment before turning around. "Good. Follow me."
I followed him through the hall, trying not to let my eyes wander too much. Every person we passed seemed to know exactly who Zack was. They moved aside without being asked, some lowering their heads while others greeted him respectfully.
I kept my face calm, but inside, I was taking note of everything.
This was exactly why I had come.
I needed to know how Zack operated. I needed to understand the people around him, his influence and, most importantly, find a way to get close enough to end him.
Zack opened a door and stepped inside. I followed him.
It was a large office with a desk positioned near the window. He walked behind it and sat down while I remained standing.
He looked at me. "Sit."
I sat across from him.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he leaned back and studied me. "So, Stella."
"Yes?"
"Tell me about yourself."
I almost laughed. "There's not much to tell."
"Everyone has something to tell."
"Then perhaps you should ask a better question."
His lips curved into a small smile. "You're confident."
"I try to be."
"Most women aren't this comfortable sitting alone with me."
"I'm not most women."
"I noticed." He picked up a glass from his desk and took a slow drink. "Where are you from?"
"Not too far from here."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the answer you're getting."
He chuckled. "You really don't like answering questions."
"Not when I don't know why they're being asked."
His smile faded slightly. "Fair enough."
He put the glass down. "What do you know about Xavier?"
My heart skipped.
I kept my expression neutral. "Not much."
"Really?"
"Really."
"You attended one of his meetings?"
"Yes."
"Which means you know more than most people."
"Maybe."
He leaned forward. "Do you like him?"
I stared at him. "Why are you asking me about Xavier?"
"Because I asked."
"And because you think I know something."
"I think everyone knows something."
I smiled slightly. "Then perhaps you should ask someone else."
Zack watched me carefully.
There was something about the way he looked at me that made me uncomfortable. He wasn't simply looking at my face. He was studying my reactions.
Like he was waiting for me to make a mistake. "So you don't like Xavier?"
"I didn't say that."
"Then you do?"
"I don't know him well enough to like or hate him."
He smiled again. "Interesting."
"What?"
"You speak about him like someone who's trying very hard not to speak about him."
I swallowed. "You brought him up."
"And you're avoiding the subject."
"Maybe because you're asking strange questions."
He laughed softly. "I like you, Stella."
I raised an eyebrow. "You barely know me."
"That's exactly why."
I didn't answer.
He stood and walked toward the window. "Do you know what I find interesting about Xavier?"
I turned slightly to look at him. "What?"
"He doesn't trust easily."
I said nothing.
"But he trusted Lucas."
My chest tightened.
Zack continued. "That was his mistake."
"Lucas was his brother."
"That doesn't make betrayal hurt less."
I watched him carefully. "You think Lucas betrayed him?"
"I know he did."
"Because he tried to take Xavier's wife?"
Zack looked over his shoulder. "So you know about that."
I realized my mistake immediately.
I forced a shrug. "People talk."
"Of course they do." He turned fully toward me. "But here's the thing. I don't think Lucas wanted Xavier's wife because he wanted to betray his brother."
I frowned. "Then why?"
"Because he loved her."
My stomach tightened.
Zack walked back toward his desk. "Love makes intelligent men stupid."
I looked away. "Sometimes."
He stopped. "You sound like you agree."
"I think love can make anyone stupid."
"Have you ever been in love?"
The question caught me off guard.
I looked at him. "That's personal."
"So?"
"So I'm not answering."
He smiled. "Fair."
He sat down again. For a moment, I thought the questions were over. Then he said, "What do you think about Xavier's wife?"
My blood ran cold.
I stared at him. "His wife?"
"Yes."
"I don't know her."
"You've never met her?"
"No."
"Interesting." He picked up a pen and turned it slowly between his fingers. "Because someone told me she is very clever, and hard to miss.
"I'm sure she is."
"They say she's also dangerous."
I forced a laugh. "She doesn't sound like someone I'd want to meet."
Zack smiled. "Perhaps you've already met her."
My fingers tightened around the arm of the chair. "Perhaps."
He stared at me.
I stared back.
Neither of us moved.
Then his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and answered. "Yes."
He listened for several seconds. His expression changed. "Are you sure?"
Another pause. "Find out where he is."
He hung up.
I tried to hide my curiosity. "Problem?"
He looked at me. "Lucas."
My heart jumped. "What about him?"
"He is in this city."
I frowned. "Have you captured him yet?"