Page 24 of His Sacrifice

I wasn’t a patient man.

Chapter Eleven

Jada

I looked up at the towering building and wondered for the fiftieth time if I was doing the right thing.

Candace had texted me yesterday, and I needed to get my ducks in a row before she started demanding information from me.

I rode the elevator up to the sixty-eighth floor, watching the numbers light up one by one. “What is it with these Banachi men and tall buildings,” I muttered under my breath, the irony not lost on me. The elevator chimed softly, and the doors slid open, revealing a sleek, modern waiting area.

The room was immaculate and professional, with sleek leather chairs arranged in a tasteful pattern around a few glass coffee tables. A large, mahogany reception desk dominated one side of the room, where a well-dressed receptionist sat, her headset on as she handled a call with practiced ease. Her tailored blazer and neat hairstyle spoke volumes about the level of professionalism expected here.

I stepped out of the elevator, my heels clicking on the polished floor, and took a tentative step towards the seating area. Just as I turned, I collided with a tall, handsome man who seemed to appear out of nowhere.

“Whoa, there,” he chuckled, steadying me with a firm grip.

“Oh god,” I stammered, feeling my face heat up. “I’m so sorry. I’m not really sure where I’m going.”

The man stepped back, his smile warm and inviting. “Well, then maybe I’m the man you should be bumping into since I know pretty much everything here.”

I tilted my head to the side, scrutinizing him. Could this be Leo? I had never met him before, but I knew he was older.

“Uh, well, I’m looking for Creed. And probably Leo and the other minions,” I said, slapping my hand over my mouth the moment the words left my lips. I couldn’t believe I had just said ‘minions’ out loud.

The man laughed loudly, throwing his head back with genuine amusement. “Minions, huh? I think I can help you with that.” He extended his hand. “I’m Apollo.”

I shook his hand, still mortified but relieved to have found at least one of the people I was looking for. “Nice to meet you, Apollo. I’m Jada.”

Apollo nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Creed’s office is just down the hall. Follow me.”

I followed Apollo through the maze of corridors, each one more elegantly decorated than the last. As we walked, Apollo filled me in on the layout of the office.

I really had no clue what the Banachis did, but they obviously needed this big ol’ building to do it.

We stopped in front of an open door, and he herded me inside. “Here is Creed’s office. I’ll go get Leo. I’m the only other minion in the office today,” he chuckled.

Creed looked up from whatever he was engrossed in on his desk as we entered.

“I found her in the waiting room looking for Leo and his minions,” Apollo announced with a grin. “I figured I would bring her to you before she started asking Beatrice where the minions were.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Beatrice is great at answering phones, but she’s not the brightest crayon in the box. I’ll be right back.”

Apollo left to go find Leo, and I stood there, feeling slightly out of place.

“Jada,” Creed called, his surprise evident. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

I pasted a smile on my face, trying to appear casual. “Uh, well...” I hesitated, unsure of how to explain myself. Ever since Candace’s text, I’d been paranoid about saying anything out loud, fearing she could somehow hear me. I really needed to get a tin foil hat. “Can anyone hear us in here?” I asked, my voice lower.

Creed tipped his head to the side, clearly puzzled. “What?”

The question sounded dumb to my own ears, but I pressed on. “I mean, do you sweep for bugs?” I cringed, realizing how ridiculous I sounded. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to figure out how to talk without sounding like I was losing my mind. I opened my eyes and sighed, “I sound crazy.”

Creed’s expression softened, and he stood up, coming around his desk to stand in front of me. “Jada, what’s going on?” he asked gently.

“I’ve got the head minion,” Apollo chuckled.

Apparently, Leo’s office wasn’t very far from Creed’s.

I stepped back from Creed and off to the side.

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