Since I knew he wouldn’t show weakness by imploring me to leave, I got to my feet and said, “Stay out of trouble while I go confirm some stuff with security."
I didn't look at Jude as I left the office. I also didn't go any farther than Simon's desk. The opaque glass walls of the office meant I couldn’t see inside of the space but since there were no entry points aside from the main door, I was okay with leaving Jude alone in there. I sat down at Simon’s desk and waited. After a few minutes, I heard the sounds of clicking keys. I didn’t really understand the sense of relief that washed through me nor could I help but smile.
Jude Archer was an enigma.
It would be interesting to pull back all the layers that the man used to insulate himself from the world.
I paused what I was doing as I heard my own words play back in my head. I wasn't supposed to be interested in finding out more about Jude. He was a job and nothing more.
I needed to remember that.
I would remember that.
Chapter 6
Jude
It took me a good hour to get my focus back and it was probably another two before I managed to completely lose myself in my work. By the time I looked up from the screen, the sun had started to fall. My first thought was that twenty-four hours had passed since Nikolai had stormed into my life. Right after that came the knowledge that despite having had peace and quiet for the last several hours, it wasn't going to last. I hadn't seen Nikolai since he'd left my office, but I was pretty certain that he was still around somewhere.
I took my time shutting down my computer and organizing my desk. I tried to ignore the little flip-flops of nerves in my belly as I shrugged on the jacket I’d discarded earlier in the day. I sent a silent prayer heavenward as I approached my door. For one brief moment as I opened it, I actually believed that maybe I'd won, and Nikolai had given up on his fool's errand. But then I heard the soft rumbling of his voice.
I wasn’t strangely relieved to know he was still there.
I wasn’t.
I glanced to the right and saw him just outside the waiting area. He was standing in the doorway to the suite of my office talking to a security guard. Something about his interaction with the man bothered me. Maybe it was because Nikolai was smiling. I told myself I didn't care, nor did I wonder what it would take to get him to look at me that way. I kept silent as I moved forward and pushed between him and Jenkins and began walking toward the elevator. Not surprisingly, I heard his footsteps behind me an instant later. When I reached the elevator, I pressed the button and waited, hoping the man wouldn't initiate a conversation with me.
He didn't.
I told myself that was a good thing.
Once the elevator reached the floor, I prepared to step forward when the door opened, but Nikolai grabbed my elbow. Before I could say anything, he was maneuvering me behind his broad back, putting himself between me and the elevator doors when they opened.
“Is this really necessary?" I asked.
"I don't know, is breathing really necessary?" Nikolai replied.
Once on the elevator, his behavior was very much the same. He kept his body between me and the doors the entire time and wouldn't allow me to step off until he'd made sure the coast was clear. Clear from what, I wasn't sure, but I played along. I knew, for the moment, I didn't really have a choice. I wanted to point out the fact that his behavior seemed to draw even more attention to us, but I kept my mouth shut.
As a visitor, Nikolai was forced to go through the checkout process that I as an employee was not required to. I used that to my advantage and tried to outrun the man, but he was back at my side by the time I reached the main doors of the building.
As we exited, I turned left with the intent of joining the throngs of commuters walking along the sidewalk. I hadn't managed to go more than two steps before Nikolai's fingers closed around my upper arm and he pulled me backward.
"What the—" I began, but Nikolai cut me off.
"Your chariot awaits, Mr. Archer," he said and then he began maneuvering me toward a dark SUV sitting at the curb.
"I walk home," I said firmly as I tried to stop Nikolai's forward motion. His fingers tightened slightly around my arm. He slowed slightly but didn’t stop like I expected and since we were surrounded by people, it wasn't like I could let loose on the man like I wanted.