Page 9 of True North

“What exactly do you remember, Toni?” Zac asked. He sat behind his big desk and Nico wished they could just get out of there and go back home. Toni’s old boyfriend gave him the creeps. Something felt off about Zac, but he couldn’t put his finger on just what it was.

“I remember breaking up with you. The next day, I called my father, and we fought about my decision to end things, and then nothing. I have no memory of what happened next or how I was injured,” Toni admitted. Nico noticed the way Zac’s eyes flared at the mention of her injury and he wondered what that was about.

“So, you don’t remember going out boating with me that afternoon?” Zac questioned.

“No, I’m sorry, but I don’t,” Toni admitted. She looked so lost that Nico couldn’t help himself. He rounded the sofa and sat next to her. Toni reached for his hand and linked their fingers, and he liked the fact that she was seeking comfort from him, especially in front of Zac.

“You called me after your fight with James and told me you were reconsidering my offer of marriage.” Toni stilled at Zac’s words and Nico squeezed her fingers in his. “I told you I was going out on my sailboat, and you insisted on meeting me down at the docks so we could further discuss the matter. When you got there, you had a bag packed and told me you thought it would be a good idea if we took out my boat and spent the night on the water, to give ourselves some time and space together.” Nico thought it was strange Toni would make that request. Whenever he went out on his boat to survey the island, she always refused to join him, saying that she got seasick. He wondered if that was just an excuse that she had come up with to avoid going.

“Go on, please,” she begged. Nico could hear the indecision in her voice and for a split second, he thought maybe they were on the same page. Toni looked a little green around the edges and he wondered if she was remembering something.

“Um, I took you out with me and we were going to spend the night at sea until your accident. I was coming about, and the mast got away from me and swung back to hit you in the head. You fell overboard, Toni. God, I looked everywhere for you, but you were gone. I assumed you fell into the water and didn’t come back up. I jumped in after you, but there was no sign of you anywhere.” Zac ran his hands through his hair and Nico noted the lack of emotion in his voice. He wondered if it had been so long since he lost Toni, that he would have voided himself of an emotional response. Although, the thought of losing Toni plagued him by the second, and he was sure he would never be able to overcome her loss.

“So, Toni fell over and you immediately jumped in to save her?” Nico questioned Zac. His story just wasn’t adding up. When Jace and Oliver brought Toni into his apartment, she was wearing a life jacket. They said it was probably what saved her life since she was knocked unconscious.

“Yes,” Zac defensively answered.

“I’m just wondering how you didn’t find her since she was wearing a life jacket. Toni would have floated back up to the surface soon after falling in, and you should have been able to spot her,” Nico countered.

Zac’s smile was forced and mean. “I’ve taken the liberty of researching you before our meeting, Andrews.” Nico knew just what Zac would have found during his internet search, but he let Zac continue. “My predecessor and you didn’t always see eye to eye,” Zac growled.

Toni gasped beside him. “You knew my father, Nico?” she questioned.

He didn’t bother to take his eyes off Zac. He was taught to always keep a close eye on his enemies and Nico had a sinking feeling Zac was not only his, but also Toni’s enemy. “No, honey, I knew of your father, but I didn’t know him personally. He didn’t always agree with my research, and he made sure to express his disbelief as loudly and publicly as possible.”

Zac nodded and stood. “If we’re finished here, I have work to do,” he said. Nico didn’t make a move to leave. Toni needed more answers than Zac had just given her, and Nico wanted her to ask her questions. There was no way he’d want her to return to talk to her ex again.

“We aren’t finished here,” Toni barked. She stood and paced in front of Zac’s desk. “I have more questions, and either you will give me some answers, or I will contact the local authorities and ask them to help me.” Nico was so fucking proud of his girl. He stood and pulled her against his body, kissing her cheek. She shooed him away, causing him to chuckle. His Toni was like a lioness when she wanted something, and from the look on Zac’s face, he knew that about her too.

Zac sighed. “Fine,” he growled. “What else can I help you with?”

“For starters, you can tell me why no one came looking for me after I fell overboard.” Toni crossed her arms over her chest and Nico didn’t like the way Zac eyed her impressive cleavage.

“We thought you were dead, Toni. The Coast Guard searched for you for days, but your body never turned up. So, your father had to come to terms with reality and bury his only daughter. It destroyed him. James wasn’t the same after your death.” Toni covered her mouth with her shaking hand, trying to mask a sob that tried to escape from her chest.

“Is that why he—” She couldn’t finish her sentence. She turned to Nico, letting him wrap her in his arms, and sobbed quietly on his shoulder. The sounds she made gutted him, and he wished like hell they could just get this shit show over.

“Yes,” Zac confirmed her fears. “James left a letter, saying he just couldn’t continue living without you. If you would like, I could have it sent over to you, private courier.” Toni nodded. “Great, leave your address where you are currently staying with my receptionist, and she will contact your father’s lawyer to have it sent over.”

“Why did my father leave everything to you?” Toni whispered.

Zac barked out his laugh and Nico wanted to strangle him. “He had no one left, Toni. I told him you wanted to reconcile, and before your accident, you had agreed to marry me.” He shook his head as if disgusted. “I can’t believe you don’t remember agreeing to be my wife,” he said.

Toni shook her head. “I don’t remember any of this. Just the fight with my father and then nothing—just a blank canvas.”

“Well, it was the happiest and saddest day of my life, I can tell you that, baby.” Nico stepped in front of Toni, effectively blocking her from Zac.

“She isn’t your baby, not anymore,” Nico growled. Zac dared to laugh, and Nico balled his hands up into fists, ready for his challenge, but it never came.

“No, I supposed she isn’t. I’m assuming you two are together now?” Zac questioned.

“Yes,” Nico barked.

“No, we’re not!” Toni yelled. “Nico, I don’t remember you. I’m not with anyone right now, and my relationship status won’t be changing anytime soon, not that it concerns either of you.”

“Right.” Zac clapped his hands, drawing their attention back to him. “If we’re done here, I have work to get back to.”

“You didn’t answer my question, Zac. Why would my father leave his company to you?” Toni asked again.

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