Chapter 11
11
JACKSON
I didn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms upon our first meeting. Nor did I expect to see Zora Knight break down in front of my eyes. Admittedly, I didn’t give her an easy time in high school, but I had my reason.
Even then she never seemed to let anyone get to her. I realize my former associates were assholes who cared more about status and making anyone they deemed beneath them miserable. Hell, I was an asshole but I can’t remember a time when Zora Knight didn’t walk with her head high, exuding a defiance that screamed ‘come at me.’
It was one of the many things I’d admired about her although I was in no position to tell her. I never considered myself an emotional person but seeing her so broken did something within me I couldn’t quite explain.
For as long as I’ve known this woman, I’ve wanted her. Lusted for her, thought about her, obsessed over her. There’s probably a landfill somewhere full of stiff facial tissues and empty lotion bottles thanks to Zora.
When she opened the door in that t-shirt that didn’t quite reach her thighs. I nearly lost my composure. She hadn’t aged much but she’d clearly matured. The pictures I’d had taken of her over the years didn’t compare to seeing her in person.
She was just as adorable as I remember from her full lips and silky brown skin. Even her pink night cap is cute. Her breasts hang slightly lower than I remember, but they’re still full and inviting. I could see her nipples though that threadbare top. My mouth watered and my dick shifted uncomfortably in my pants.
The roundness of her hips, thickness of her thighs gave her waist a cinched appearance. She was still deliciously plump in all the right places, and every single one of her curves tempted me to run my hands over every single inch of her.
I literally bit my fist when she walked away to put some clothes on. Her ass was something straight out of my wet dreams. High, round and fat.
Fuck I wanted her.
But I didn’t count on seeing her this way. Yes, I’m indirectly responsible for this. Well, mostly responsible, but this isn’t how I wanted things to start in my grand scheme.
I’m not good with dealing with my own emotions so seeing her like this leaves me at a loss. I’m not sure if I should offer her comfort or let her cry out whatever it is she needs.
Clearly there is more going on here than just her missing brother. I’d made it my business to find out the state of Henry Knight’s finances and I knew they were dire and that this house in foreclosure. I’m certain could be what has Zora upset but I sense there is more.
I should feel guilty but I’ve waited twelve years to get to this moment and I had no intention of turning back.
I slid onto the couch next to her and place my hand on her knee. I don’t speak. What can I say? It’s going to be alright? I know that. But she doesn’t know that yet.
She doesn’t pull away from my touch which I take as a positive sign, so I move my hand to her shoulder and give it a reassuring squeeze.
Her sobs are heart wrenching. Her face rests in her hands as tears cascade down her face. She looks so tragically beautiful right now but her pain is so palpable I can’t ignore it. I pull her against me and wrap my arms around her.
She’s soft and warm and I hold her tighter. I don’t speak as her tears stain my polo shirt. I stroke her hair and gently rock her back and forth. This isn’t how I envisioned having her in my arms after all these years.
Slowly her sobs becomes a soft whimpers. When she stiffens in my arms, I know the peace is broken.
She places her hand on my chest and pushes herself out of my hold and then jumps to her feet. “I’m sorry. That was…unexpected,” she says with nervous laugher.
Her eyes are red and puffy but she quickly turns her back to me when our gazes meet.
“You have nothing to apologize for. I’m sure the shock of seeing me again, couldn’t have helped with everything that seems to be going on with you. And now you’ve learned your brother is missing. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it doesn’t look good for Langston.”
With her back still turned to me she sniffs and then asks, “How do you know my brother and what exactly has he done that would warrant you seeking him out yourself instead of getting the police involved?”
“Your brother briefly worked for my company. I got to know him and when I learned he was from Champion, the two of us hit it off. Shortly after the CFO took a leave of absence, he was put in charge of the financials.”
“Seems like a huge responsibility for someone who was so new to your company,” she interrupted.
Zora has always been sharp so I was prepared to be probed. “He was hired as one of our top executives to take on these tasks. As this would only be a temporary position and based on his resume and work experience, it made sense at the time.”
“Did you know he was my brother?”
“That came up in conversation, yes.” That wasn’t exactly a lie.
“So what went wrong? Did he embezzle money or something?”
“Yes.”
She spun around with a gasp. “Are you serious?”
“I wouldn’t joke about something like that. We brought in forensic auditors and it’s worse than we initially thought. It appears he attempted to pay most of it back but apparently he siphoned off a bit of money from several accounts within the write off margin so it doesn’t appear to be a loss but when added up, it’s a significant total.”
That last part I unfortunately didn’t have to make up. Apparently, Langston Knight was an even bigger con artist than even I bargained for. The business wouldn’t suffer for it but this kind of thing needed to be addressed when the board of directors had their own accountants look over the books for when we took our company public.
I wanted to hold off sending our findings to the authorities, but Gavin insisted we get the DA involved. Fortunately for me, this particular DA is up for election and with the promise of a generous donation to his campaign he is willing to forego sending the case to trial and offer a plea agreement that basically amounts to a slap on the wrist.
At the end of the day, I think the case wouldn’t have garnered him enough media attention. It wasn’t the kind of issue that moved the voters. But Langston disappeared before he was formally served.
“So now what?”
“I was hoping to get in contact with him to let him know that my company doesn’t want to see him locked up, as long as he’s willing to agree to probation and restitution.”
“Restitution? How much would that be exactly?”
“I don’t have an exact amount but I imagine that number would be topped with court costs so in the tens of thousands.”
“No…” Zora whispers. She sways from side to side and for a moment I think she’s going to lose her balance.
I’m immediately at her side to catch her in case she does but she places her hands on my chest to push me away.
“Are you going to be okay?”
She shakes her head. “I’m as fine as I’m going to be. I still don’t understand why you’re here. Like I said, I haven’t heard from my brother in a long time. At least three years. He keeps in contact with my father sporadically and it’s only when he wants something. We’re not exactly close, so you’ve wasted your time coming here.”
“Do you think he will try to contact your father? Maybe when he does you can tell him if he returns to California, we’re willing to work with him. If he doesn’t it’s likely he’ll face prison time. The DA has agreed to hold off issuing a warrant for his arrest. But he’s only giving me a limited amount of time.”
“And you’re saying if you find him, he won’t go to jail?” There was caution in her voice and I could barely keep myself from grinning.
I almost had her.
“As long as my company agrees to these conditions as long as we’re the injured party.”
She closes her eyes with a groan. “My brother and I have a complicated relationship and honestly if he’s guilty of this crime, he deserves to go to jail. I’d love to tell you to do your worse but it would kill my father. He’s been through enough lately so I’ll do my very best to get a hold of him. Wait a minute….” She takes a few steps away from me as if something dawns on her.
“You said as long as your company agrees to the conditions. Does that mean there’s no guarantee he’ll stay out of prison?”
I raise my shoulder in a slow shrug. “Where’s your father, Zora?”
She narrows her eyes. “Why do you want to know?”
I chuckle. “Good luck finding your brother.” I head to the door even though I have no intention of leaving. As just as I calculated, she calls out before I’ve taken three steps.
“He’s in the hospital.”
I turn on my heel. I was aware of his financial issues and didn’t ask the P.I. I’d hired to dig beyond that. Knowing he had health issues raised the stakes. No wonder Zora seemed so stressed when she answered the door. But this was turning out even better than I anticipated.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I can understand the dilemma he’s probably under, especially with his health issues, and his home being in foreclosure and now his son could be facing prison.”
“How…how did you know about the foreclosure? And what does that have to do with you finding my brother?”
“I imagine you’re going to spend the next several weeks trying to figure out a way to save this house. You’ll probably going to take some time off work to care for your father and I doubt not having an income will help the situation. And then there’s the issue with your brother. Seem like you’re in a considerable amount of trouble Zora.”
“You bastard. Did you come here to rub this in my face? Being your target in high school wasn’t enough for you? Did you seek me out for the purpose of kicking me while I’m down. You haven’t changed at all have you? Get the fuck out of my house.”
“You’re partially right, Zora.” I close the distance between us until our bodies are only inches apart. I hook my arm around her waist and pull her against me.
“I did seek you out, Zora but not for the reasons you believe I have. You see, I understand your situation and I want to help you.”
She places her hands against my chest and pushes but I tighten my hold. “This isn’t funny. You don’t want to help me. You just want to make my life miserable like you did back then.”
“That’s not true. I want to help.”
She snorts with obvious disbelief. “And I’m sure that help comes at a price.”
“Of course it does.”
“And what exactly is the cost of your help?”
“You.”