 think about taking on the project and Magnum would be well compensated.
As Magnum explored the rest of the papers, he closed the door and waled to his first-floor office. He decided this was something to get his mind off of anything at this point. Until he could see Zuri Carter again, and then he’d know what to do with her.
Sitting at his desk, Magnum realized he’d left his drink upstairs in his bedroom, something he had never done before, but not having the urge to go back upstairs to retrieve the liquor.
Instead, he pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator by his desk to quench his thirst for now as he perused through the schematics of the app design the Gates. A challenge. Magnum loved difficulties when it came to working. The harder the work, the more he found joy and comfort in creating with programs with his mind.
It was a good thing he hadn’t drunk at all because if he were to get his mind off Zuri, he needed his brain’s full capacity.
Perhaps he should call the old childhood acquaintance, Richard Sanchez, when he took a break. Despite Tyler’s warning not to deal with the Count when it came to relationship advice, Richard knew enough about women.
The warm feeling came to this chest again, and when Magnum looked at his phone, the unknown number returned.
Not today, brother. Magnum was feeling different, and he wasn’t about to let his brother steal his enthusiasm. Pushing the call to voicemail, he delved into the Gates Enterprise work.
***
Psyched, leaving the meeting, Zuri could barely think straight. There was so much possible work with Taylor Bellini and also working on her father’s formula.
Briefly, as they waited for the valet to bring the car around, she noted Lucas and Tyler were discussing something, and Lucas handing Tyler some pictures.
Tyler looked pleased about the meeting yet disturbed about whatever Lucas had said to him. As soon as they were in the car, the lawyer was back on his phone with business calls, while Lucas returned them to the hotel. Zuri perused her father’s notes and relished carrying on his work that would profit her for years to come.
Had her mother known about this work? Why wouldn’t Brenda say something regarding this?
Mayhaps Brenda could have known Zuri would have thrown herself into her father’s work and ventured to live without her mother’s dependence would mean the world to Zuri.
Before now, Zuri didn’t have anything to live for except to finish school, and then her future was pretty much in flux. Holding her father’s work in her hands meant a future, and she really could leave the past behind.
Tyler finished his phone conversation abruptly as he started to look through the photos Lucas had given him. “Do you know her?”
He turned one of the photos around which had been zoomed in to a woman about Zuri’s age. African American, exotic-looking, lean with a high black ponytail, which was about shoulder length, the woman was dressed in an all-black leather outfit and black boots. In the picture, she was standing across from Zuri’s hotel door looking disgruntledly at the camera.
“No,” Zuri said, “Who is she?”
Tyler narrowed his eyes. “Lucas said that’s the second time he saw her around the hotel and while we were in the meeting today, she was in the lobby of this building. Like she’s following you.”
“Maybe she’s following Lucas.”
“I doubt it,” Tyler said with a snort. “Do you think she has something to do with your mother?”
A worried feeling came to her stomach. “No, my mother wouldn’t know a woman like that. My mother has never really gotten along with a lot of women. I’ve never heard her having any female friends.”
Tyler stared down at the photo. “She’s familiar, but I can’t place my finger on her.” He tucked the pictures in the inside of his jacket. “Now, I know you’re not the kiss and tell kind of person, Ms. Carter, but my client who is trying to work with Mr. Knight did want to confirm you served the drink to him.”
She shrugged, still feeling the tightness in her stomach about her mother, feeling the question about last night’s activities wasn’t too nosey. “I mixed the drink up and left it on the table like I was instructed. I can’t confirm if he drank it or not, but it was empty when I woke this morning.” She put her hand on her stomach and asked, “Do you think I should move to a new hotel or another place?”
“I thought that, but I have to speak with Magnum on arrangements. He’s never been comfortable with anyone at his home. Built a damn fortress out in the suburbs with a complex security system as if someone was after him according to what my partner, who is also his cousin, told me.”
“Why? Is he paranoid someone’s after him too?”
“According to my partner, he said, an old girlfriend kept breaking in.”
Zuri frowned with reservation. “Should we be worried?”
“About an ex-girlfriend?” Tyler snorted. “You have a lot more other things to worry about, and this old girlfriend trouble is over sixteen years old. I’d rather have you at his fortress to keep you safe as I get your affairs in order and find out what your mother had planned for you. For right now, Lucas has ordered cameras in the front room of your hotel and some other security measures.”
As they arrived at the hotel, Tyler continued, “There should be another note of your next meeting with Mr. Knight soon. My assistant should contact you in a couple of days to require a list you’ll need for the lab. I think I can find one you can privately work in for a while. Access how much time you will need, and I can hopefully work around whatever you give me.”
Zuri only nodded because she was just overwhelmed about her situation. One moment she was looking forward to being with Magnum again, the next moment, she wanted to delve into her father’s journal, all the while in the back of her mind she was concerned her mother and ex-fiance were trying to harm her? How was a person expected to think straight with so much happening all at once?
Was this adulthood? Is this why she avoided being on her own for so long?
Lucas opened the door to the car on her side.
Tyler smirked. “Have fun tonight.”
As Zuri was getting out of the car, she paused and turned back to Tyler. “Why are you helping me so much to get on my feet?”
“Because you’ll bother me less,” he answered, stepping slightly out of the car so he wouldn’t have to raise his voice.
“Is that all, Mr. Black?” she asked suspiciously.
He looked around as if he was expecting someone to walk upon them. “Of course not. I have my motives. I’m using you to get ahead. I’ve told you this.”
“I know you’re using me with Magnum Knight and some other client, but you didn’t have to help me with the lab and my father’s work.”
“Seeing your mother’s plans fail gives me pleasure,” he admitted. “Knowing your father’s wishes are being honored makes me feel I’m doing my job.”
“Do you think my father would have approved of this arrangement with Magnum Knight?”
“Would you honestly tell him about this situation? Would you tell your father about the first time you met Magnum Knight and what you allowed that pervert to do to you? I’m not here to make you feel good or bad about the choices you make for pleasure, and I’m sure neither would your father. Now when you start to do things to affect your future, your father’s legacy, then we’ll talk, if I’m still your lawyer. Otherwise, please be careful and trust Lucas to do his job.”
Zuri was satisfied with Tyler’s response and allowed Lucas to guide her to a private elevator where they returned to her room.
“Are you going to be okay?” Lucas asked. “You’ve been looking queasy since he brought up that picture.”
“Yes, I’m fine, or I’m going to try to be. The thought my mother and ex-fiancee are trying to hurt me is a bit nerve-wracking,” she answered, touched by his concern digging down in her purse for her wallet. “Can you bring me anything like notebooks, pens, or something in that regard? I need to work.”
“Definitely.” He placed a hand over hers to stop her from rummaging in her purse. “Mr. Tyler said to give you anything you requested, and it’s charged to the room, directly linked to Mr. Knight’s account. I’ve also been informed we have an appointment at the bank tomorrow to open up another one of your father’s security boxes at five. They could only schedule a private appointment after bank hours. Let me also know what you’d like for lunch. I’ll have it delivered.”
“You’re my security, not my butler, Lucas,” she said a little bit insulted because it seemed Tyler had given Lucas the task of being her calendar assistant without her knowledge.
“I was ordering lunch for myself as well,” he responded. “It