Page 14 of Property of Zombie

7

LUCY

It’s nice to meet you.

How can this man stand here and shake my hand like his fingers weren’t just inside me? It’s all I can do not to drop to my knees and beg him for more.

“You, too,” I finally say.

Dr. Binks clears his throat when our handshake lingers a little too long. “Brad, this is Lucy Thomas.”

As soon as Brad—wait, he introduced himself as Zombie earlier—releases my hand, my body goes cold. I take a step back even as I inhale deeply in an effort to ground myself.

“Lucy, Brad and I have cultivated a great working relationship over the years, and my hope is that the two of you will do the same.”

Working relationship? Maybe that’s why his name sounded familiar.

“I’m sure we will,” Brad says smoothly, his eyes boring into mine. “Lucy will no doubt see the benefit of working so closely with me.”

Jesus, what is happening?

Dr. Binks darts his gaze between us. “Right. Well, I’ll leave you to get acquainted."

My mentor walks away, and Michael slides his arm around my waist, reminding me of his presence. The reminder is necessary because I’d completely forgotten he was standing next to me.

“I think we’re past the ‘get to know you’ phase,” Michael bites out. “Zombie, this isn’t the time or place for whatever it is you’re planning for Lucy.”

“Planning for me?” I blurt.

“Yes, planning for you,” my date retorts. “You see, Zombie isn’t exact⁠—”

“Michael is right,” Brad says, his attention focused on me. “Is there a day next week that would work for me to drop by for a chat?”

My stomach churns with confusion and indecision. On the one hand, I want to jump at the chance to see him again, but on the other hand, there’s something about this entire situation that has me slightly on edge.

“Stop by any time,” I reply, and Michael’s fingers dig into my side. Ignoring his reaction, I continue. “If I’m not immediately available, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind waiting.”

He quirks a brow and grins. “For you? Not at all.” Turning to Michael, his grin falls, and his expression hardens. “Don’t forget what we talked about.”

With that, he turns and disappears into the crowd, leaving me stunned and feeling a bit… hollow.

“The nerve of that jackass,” Michael seethes.

Turning my head to the side to look him in the eye, I wince internally at the darkness I see there. This isn’t the man who picked me up at my place several hours ago. This isn’t even the same man who was too scared to maintain a boner in the lion’s den. No, at this very moment, Michael is a man with a dangerous aura about him, and I’m not entirely sure how to handle it.

“I really need to mingle with the guests,” I say in an effort to reclaim my sense of… I don’t even know what. “The money won’t donate itself.”

He gives me a tight smile and nods. “Of course.”

The next few hours go by in a blur. Michael only leaves my side to refill his drink or use the restroom. By the end of the night, his presence is annoying, and I’m desperate to get home and be alone.

No such luck, though. When I tell Michael I’m going to book an Uber, he insists on taking me home in his limo. I don’t have it in me to argue, so I let him. I wish I could say the ride is silent, but it’s anything but. He rants and raves about Zombie and his audacity, never letting me get in a word. I try to tune him out, but it’s almost impossible.

“I’ll walk you to your door,” he says when the driver parks in front of my condo.

“No, I’m good,” I reply, not bothering to wait for the car door to be opened for me.

Michael rushes to exit the limo and race around to my side. “I’ll walk you,” he insists, resting his hand on my lower back.