Page 9 of Zander

CHAPTER FIVE

JUNIPER

Istood outside Zander’soffice door, clutching a black coffee mug filled with gingerbread latte from the hellishly expensive coffee machine in his kitchen. It was the only part of his apartment I ventured into. Straight down the hall from the doorway each morning, turn left and then right past the kitchen, the small bathroom, ensuite area and into the open area waiting area before his black floor-to-ceiling office doors.

I swear the man never left the eighties.

Five days into my job and I wasn't any further, along with my goal from that night at the soup kitchen.

The man drove me crazy on several levels, the least of which was his immaculate taste in charcoal suits, but then how was a billionaire supposed to dress? He hadn't spoken to me since that day in the office and my fingers still itched to discover what photo exactly that frame held. What Zander was so protective of.

His barb from before stung, but I knew he was just scared inside. Not that it gave him a reason to be an asshole, but I sort of got it, him locked away in his crystal castle.

Holly, my semi-sister, warned me about the Klauss brothers before the job started, telling me scant stories with her soft, sad smile. Her loss was the only indication she gave me otherwise, but she missed the sweetheart who never came home from a non-war to see her again. Keegan Klauss, one of the youngest brothers of the eight, was still the heartstring she clung to but never spoke about.

Instead, she told me all about Zander and the other boys. The younger media magnate made his first million and then billion in the year after, founding a Fortune 50 company or five—and then became a recluse from society.

"That man's heart is as broken as his sense of humanity." she offered, unable to give me more on the family side when she barely understood her own.

I wondered if she had been talking about Zander, or Keegan.

The other side of Zander’s door held absolute silence. I stared at my reflection, twisted by tiny imperfections in the slabs of black glass. My consternation was written across my face in the slight downturn of my lips. I schooled my features into something more neutral and knocked.

Those damn automatic doors parted like he knew I'd been there on the other side. Not for the first time I wondered if he had security cameras watching me, but... that would be unnerving.

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Klauss. Coffee." I kept my eyes trained summer around the middle of his chest, unable to meet his eyes, and struggled to keep the coffee cup steady in my trembling hands.

"Christmas is tomorrow." His voice was rougher than usual.

I risked a quick glance to his face, though what I saw there froze me and my mouth opened in shock.

The usually suave, dedicated billionaire was a mess. His hair distinctly rumpled, his suit crumpled, and I swore he wore the same shirt I'd seen him in three days in a row. The stark black of his suit reflected the pale quality of his skin more so than usual.

"Are you trying out for the vampire of the year?" I asked, and then closed my mouth with a snap.

"You are the limit, Juniper Blackthorne." he glanced at me wearily and motioned me inside.

I still clutched the coffee mug and wondered how long it would be before I wore it. "I am?"

"You are." Zander murmured, and said nothing else.

Rallying my thoughts, I placed the mark on his desk and skidded it forward a few inches into the murky waters somewhere between his keyboard and screen and me. I backed up a step, then my brief spurt of courage deserted me. "Well, if you need anything—" I eased another step back as I made my retreat.

"Actually, I do need something." His piercing gaze lit right through me, and I froze on the spot.

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