Chapter 25

**Blue**


Rhea and I are on our feet in an instant and being ushered out of the room as quickly as our feet can carry us.

“What happened?” I ask as we’re being herded toward the emergency stairs.

“There’s been a breech or unknown intent.” He says as if that clears everything up.

“Okay, what does that mean?” I ask.

Dane is waiting for us at the stairs and holds the door open for us. Several other people are rushing down the stairs as well. Is this a possible fire situation? Why else would everyone be trying to exit by way of the emergency stairs? Bryant moves ahead of us, and Dane takes the back and tries to create an area of protection around us. Rhea seems calm but she reaches out from behind me and slips her hand in mine. I hold it tight to try and reassure her, but I’m secretly panicking too. After the stuff I’ve experienced I’m a little paranoid.

We make it outside where a crowd is forming outside of the building. Everyone is looking at the building as if their waiting for something to happen but nothing does. A few people start whispering to each other but soon the man who I’m guessing is the manager appears. He waves his hands in the air to get our attention and everyone goes silent.

“Everyone if I can have your attention, please!” He tries his best to yell but we can barely hear him. “This has been a mistake in our alert system. There is nothing to worry about so you can all return to your rooms where you will each receive a meal voucher in compensation.”

That makes a few people happy, but I don’t have time to celebrate because Bryant continues to move us away from the group.

“It may be best to stay away from here for a few hours until we’re sure it’s safe.” He suggests.

As much as I want to remind him it had been a mistake I figure it will give him peace of mind.
“Well then let’s go cake tasting!” Rhea says happily before pulling me toward the outdoor parking area.

Bryant and Dane move back into formation to escort us and Rhea talks the whole way to the car about the amazing cake places we can visit. I’m less than excited but I like sweets so maybe it can be fun. As we pass the hotel’s main building I notice someone standing away from everyone else with their phone raised and pointed at us. This could be bad. No one has shown up here to stalk us yet, but that peace might be over now. Artemis is going to be pissed.


**Artemis**

I had to drive myself to the office today since I left Bryant and Dane with Blue. It isn’t ideal since I like to get a little bit of work done on the way but I’ll have to deal with it. Plus it gives me time to plot how to get back at my sister for her invading my privacy. She has never done this at my house, so I don’t know what possessed her to do it now. I may have been joking about killing her but if she doesn’t knock it off I’ll have her banned from the hotel for good. We’ll see how much she likes coming by with that enforced.

The idea of her being turned away makes me smile. That would teach her.

When I get closer to the office, I feel a sense of rightness. This is my domain. I am king and no one questions my position. The last couple of days has warped my mind making me feel out of control but now I can focus and know I don’t have to worry about blue. My men did well protecting her before and I trust them with my life. I can focus on my work and the shit storm I have been dealing with for months now.

A very important client has been pressuring me to finish their software but we have been running into one problem after the other. Even I haven’t been able to pinpoint the problem, and that is never good. We can’t scrap it and start over either since we are running out of time. The only solution I can think of is diving in deeper on my own to figure this out. Too much access to it could be why we haven’t been able to fix this. Someone can be either sabotaging it or trying to fix it and only creating more problems.

It doesn’t matter because I’ll be moving everything to my secure server. When I arrive I make sure to park my car in the underground storage that is reserved for me, Alan, Abigail, and my security team only. I don’t even trust a human guard and had an extensive security system put in along with other security measures. It may seem like a lot but for a company that works for some of the most exclusive business in the country we can’t afford to be targeted.
I make my way up the floor where my office is and glance around to see everything exactly the same as always. Nothing is out of place which fills me with satisfaction. This is my kingsom and all is well with the world once I’m here. All the other stuff is left outside when I come here.

“Good morning Mr. Rhodes! Can I get you anything?” Abigail asks as I pass her desk.

“Black coffee Miss Simmons.” She is up in a second and I walk into my office with resolve.

Today is going to be productive.

I walk over to my desk and power on my laptop. As I starts I move over to the large window and look out on the city. This view has always helped clear my mind, and I could use the help. It used to be easy to focus on work, but my mind has been preoccupied. Blue is a live wire in my life that’s shocked me out of my comfort zone. I haven’t slept in bed in weeks now. In fact, I’ve barely been home. Since she came into my life, I’ve spent two nights in a real bed and gotten good sleep. Last night she wrapped her arms around me, and we stayed that way all night. Never have I let a woman hold onto me like that but it didn’t feel as weird as I thought it would.

The two nights I slept beside her were the most peaceful I’ve had. My mind was silent, and I woke up well rested.

Abigail joins me and we start our work in the usual way. She goes through any new updates with our current accounts and any we may be interested in. I open my email and start to skim through it when I see something I wasn’t expecting. An email from Blue Rhodes. The sight of it makes me smile. What could she possibly be emailing me about?

I consider waiting to read it but what Abigail is telling me is nothing new, so I decide why not. I click on the email and start to read.


*Dear future husband,

I wanted to test out my emailing skills so here you go. Thanks for letting Bryant and Dane babysit me. I might not let you have them back! Also your sister dragged me to a cake tasting. You should have seen the lady’s face when I told her I was the bride. This place is fancy and I’m way underdressed. They have champaign! Not a fan, so I’m not sure we should have it at the wedding. Look at me making wedding decisions!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this update and stop smiling like a smug bastard. I know you liked seeing my name, so knock it off.

GET BACK TO WORK! And tell Abigail, I say hi!
From: Rhodes, Blue Rhodes.*



I push down a laugh at her antics, but my amusement is gone when I hear Abigail mention my brother again.

“Miss Simmons, I have made my thoughts clear when it comes to my family. As you well know.” I say it as clearly and firmly as I can, so she understands I won’t waver on this topic.

“I understand sir, but we have been receiving messages from smaller family-owned businesses. They want to work with a company who share their values and with you getting married that can only help our image. It would help the company widen its horizons. The company can make a brief statement but contact between you and your brother can be minimal.”

I consider her words. Not once have I thought about working with smaller businesses. My goal has always been to make enough money to buy my father out. To gain control of Rhodes Technology completely. Maybe I’ve been going about it all wrong. Maybe taking on more smaller clients will help me with that goal. Then I do something I’ve never done before. I wonder what someone else would do.

What would Blue think about this? And why do I care? She doesn’t know anything about business, but she knows people who own small businesses. She might be able to help with this.

I pull out my phone and forget responding to her email and instead I open a text message to her.