Chapter 8

**Artemis**


I hesitate outside of Blue's room feeling a strange surge of concern for her. After what she told me...something changed. She wasn't just a random woman I picked to play a role in my life. She was a real person with a past and from what it sounds like, possibly a bad one. She was in foster care. What happened to her in the system? Suddenly I want to know everything about her.

What happened to not caring? I told myself to keep my distance from the woman I would marry so I wouldn't have to deal with the mess of a relationship, but I don't know what that means now. From one conversation with a mysterious woman, I've only just met my whole plan has been thrown out. Maybe because she isn't like most women I know. It's not just the blue hair, it's more than that.

I have never been interested in getting to know people. My mind is constantly wrapped up in my work. The only reason Alan and I are friends is that he was the one to keep that connection alive. He is an extreme extrovert and he basically adopted me and tried to teach me to be more human.

My parents were cold and distant to us growing up. They were wrapped up in their own work leaving us to be raised by anyone but them. When Iris was born my mother went back to work less than a month later. Most actresses slow down in their careers when they have children but not her. In fact, she tried to rope us into the business as soon as we could sit up on our own. My brother Tetys did well, but as soon as I did a few roles and got more interest he went a different route.

It didn't take long for me to decide I didn't want any part of the entertainment industry either. I discovered computers and it became my obsession. All I wanted to do was understand and write code. So that's what I did. When Alan came along he convinced me that I should try putting some of my work out in the world and see if it drew any interest. By the end of high school, I had sold my first program to an up-and-coming company.

When I started to become successful my father saw an opportunity to bring another field under the Rhodes umbrella. I was dumb enough to agree, a decision I regret every day.

My company means everything to me and I don't want anything to mess with how far I've come. This marriage will keep my family happy and by extension keep them out of my business. Dad and Grandad have no interest in what I'm doing other than it brings money. Money they can invest in their own company. Blue is going to be the catalyst I need to continue my life without interruption.

Everyone will be happy. Well, maybe except for Blue. She doesn't seem to want anything from this deal but that doesn't sit well with me. I may not know much about being a husband but I'm sure that title includes caring for my wife's needs. So why won't she accept any money? It's a mystery that continues playing in my mind as I head for the door leading to the waiting room.

As soon as I step through I am bombarded by flashing lights. It takes me a second to get a clear view of what's going on but when I do I sense of dread builds. There are even more people outside now and they are all wanting to know about one woman. My new fiance. It looks like hospital security is trying to keep people away from the doors but they are grossly outnumbered.

I spot a few professional long-range cameras meaning the paparazzi are here too. Which can only mean that my whole family is also aware of what's going on. I'll need to get ahead of this somehow. I pull my phone out and turn my back to the windows like that will somehow make this conversation more private. I wouldn't put it past these people to be able to lipread or make something up to sell a better story.

"I see shit has hit the fan." This is the first thing Alan says when he answers my call.

"Yeah. Look, I didn't want to make a big deal out of all this but it would look bad if my new fiance isn't protected from all this. So I have a proposition for our reluctant clients. Tell them we'll work through their security issues for the payment of their men coming here to protect Blue." I don't have time to vet another company right now and these guys are supposed to be good at their job.

"Blue?"

"That's her name."

"Like the color?" He asks.

I sigh and rub my eyes. There's a stress headache forming behind them and I doubt I'll be able to kick it until this mess is over.

"Yeah like the color. Actually, let's do a conference call." I have no doubt Alan is in a meeting with said client right now.

"You got it. You're on speakerphone."

I hear some shuffling around and voices too far away to make out but I don't say anything until it's silent again. My habit of long silences seems to make people uncomfortable enough that they become more cooperative. They want the awkwardness over and will do nearly anything to make it happen. It's one of the most successful weapons in my arsenal.

"Artemis. It's good to hear from you." The voice of the pain in the ass client grates on my nerves but I try to keep my voice calm.

"Is it? Because it seems you are unhappy with our services and that would make any conversation between us very uncomfortable. Don't you think?" I had not intended to be aggressive with him but I guess I'm still too angry to hide my disdain.

"It's a simple misunderstanding Artemis." He says it so nonchalantly like this isn't messing with my schedule and is about to cost me more than his contract is worth.

"I see well then I'm sure you will take responsibility for the mistakes made on your end, and we can continue with no more problems. Right? Oh and to show there are no hard feelings I will be asking for some of your men to protect my new fiance. How soon can they be here?"

I hear him sputtering through a reply and it satisfies me to know he's floundering for a response to my demand.

"I...That would be acceptable, Mr. Rhodes." Now he's polite. "How many men will you need?"

"All of them."

If he is going to waste our time to fix his issues then I'm going to make sure he isn't making any money that isn't coming from me. He's in my hands right now and he thinks he's getting off without any real repercussions. I'll be showing him how little control he has between us soon enough, but that'll have to wait. My priority is making sure Blue is protected. It's the only thing she's willing to accept from me right now so she's going to get the best.

"O-of course. I can have them there by the end of the week." He says.

"Tomorrow. I don't want her without protection for that long."

Unsolicited worry eats at me at the idea of someone hurting her. She's a target now because of me, so the least I can do is keep my end of the deal.

"It may be difficult to get them to you that quickly given the short notice and distance." The man sounds so flustered that he's out of breath.

"Alan, you have the jet. Bring them with you. I'll see you all at the office tomorrow." I end the call without any confirmation on their end.

Alan can handle all that and I don't want to give them the illusion that what I've asked for is negotiable.

With that handled I turn back to my blocked exit and I'm relieved to see my two personal bodyguards standing just outside the door. Abigail must have called them. She will be getting a raise for handling all this so well.

I fix my jacket and try to make myself look as put together as possible before I walk toward the doors and pull them open. My guys step to the side to let me out and shift into a formation that protects me from the pushing crowd.

"Mr. Rhodes! Mr. Rhodes!"

Several people are throwing questions at me some I can't make out but I ignore them.

"Mr. Rhodes! Is it true that the girl is an escort? Did you hire her to play your fiance?" Someone yells.

I stop in my tracks and look around for the person. "Who said that?"

The crowd falls silent and glance at each other.

"Who said that?" I demand again.

"It was me, Mr. Rhodes. Timothy Smart from the Seattle Beat." The man I've come to recognize steps forward with a smirk on his face.

"I remember you." I move closer to him but he keeps smiling like he knows I can't do anything to him.

He would be right in the legal sense, but there are other ways to hurt people.

"If you call my fiance an escort or anything of that nature again I will be sure you never work again. Do we understand each other?" I say.

"Is that a threat Mr. Rhodes?" He says with a haughty tone.

I smile at him. "I don't tend to say things I don't mean. And I didn't threaten bodily harm to you so I'm well in my rights to say what I need to protect what's mine. That woman in there is mine, and any threats to her be it emotional or physical will be met with prosecution. Keep that in mind next time you slander her name."

He doesn't look rattled at all and I know well why that is. He's going to be a problem.