Chapter 2
Jasper Florraz
I flipped through the file again and looked up at my personal assistant, Mikal. He stood there stone-faced, which told me he knew he’d crossed the line, but didn’t regret doing so. If Mikal wasn’t so damn good at his job, I’d fire him. If I was successful and won the election to become president of Tabiq, I’d need him in my cabinet. Trust and loyalty didn’t come easy in Tabiq, and Mikal had demonstrated and earned both. “You know better than to hire anyone without my approval.”
“Yes, sir.”
I was angry, but I had to admit, on paper, she appeared to hold the qualifications I would look for. All except one. She was an American. I’d had my fill with them already. They’d been the downfall of Tabiq and as far as I was concerned, they had no business here. Yet the Hendersons seemed to be putting down roots where they didn’t belong.
When I’m president, the first thing I’ll do is send them packing. They might have fooled many of the people here, but I’m not buying their act.
“Even though Alysa LaHouse has an impressive résumé, that does not mean I want, or need, her here. You know how I feel about hiring outsiders.”
“It is only temporary. With your election under way, we need additional staff. As a foreigner, Miss LaHouse has no opinion of what you should do. She will strictly provide facts,” Mikal stated. “I…I thought that maybe an impartial set of eyes during these next three months might not be a bad idea.” He sighed and added, “If you would like me to call her and let her know she is no longer needed, I will do so.”
A grunt of displeasure echoed in my office. That was exactly what I wanted, but Mikal was right. Since she didn’t seem to know anything about Tabiq, I might be able to utilize her, just not in the way Mikal had in mind. Although I trusted Mikal, there were things I shared with no one. I needed someone to do a little digging on the Hendersons without drawing unwanted attention. What better person for the job than a fellow American? It would take some manipulation on my side, but for the future of Tabiq, it would be worth it. Someone had to stand and fight for Tabiq. I might not be able to change the past, but I’ll be damned if I let history repeat itself.
I bit back my smirk, as Mikal had unknowingly provided me exactly what I had been searching for – a way to keep everyone in the dark. The last thing I needed was for Tabiqians to question my loyalty to our homeland. Not only would it be a setback for the country, but it would cost me the election and give the Hendersons yet another reason to stick around. This might be my only chance to cut their ties here before they were so deeply rooted they’d never leave.
With piercing eyes glued to Mikal’s I ordered firmly, “Let her come, but under one condition. She reports directly to me, no one else.”
Mikal’s expression was one of shock. “You? Why?”
I didn’t like being questioned any more than I liked being last to know. Glaring at him, , I said, “Let’s get something straight. I pay your salary, just like I’ll pay Miss LaHouse’s. If at any time either of you don’t like how I do things, you are free to find other employment.” Mikal nodded. “Then there should be no problem.”
“No, sir,” Mikal said weakly.
This country had crumbled because of gutless men who didn’t stand up for what was right, what was needed. If I needed to flex my muscles and piss some people off, even people I considered friends, so be it. Nothing mattered to me more than Tabiq.
“When does Miss LaHouse arrive?” I asked.
“Tomorrow, sir.”
Sooner than I expected, but she would need time to need to settle in. “I take it you have made living arrangements for her?”
“She will be staying at the New Hope Resort until I can find something more suitable. It has been difficult to find someplace closer.”
“New Hope is fine,” I cut in. Actually, the closer she is to the Hendersons, the better. Usually I wanted the complete opposite with my staff. If she was staying at the resort, it would provide more opportunity for natural interactions to take place.
“You want to her stay there? Won’t that be inconvenient for you, since she’s reporting directly to you?” he asked. “You have refused to set foot on Henderson owned property.”
I know what I have said and done. What I don’t need is to explain why the change. “Let me worry about that. Now, is there anything else that might have slipped your mind?” I asked sarcastically. Mikal cleared his throat and looked hesitant to speak. What the hell now? “My patience is running thin, Mikal. If you have something to say, best make it quick.”
“Alex Henderson has called a few times.”
“And you informed him that I am unavailable, as I’ve expressed.” He nodded, and I continued, “Then don’t worry about it. If he needs something, he can reach out via email.”
Mikal nodded and added, “I will be out of the office for a short time so I can go to New Hope and personally make the arrangements you requested. I should be back within the hour.” He left my office, closing the door behind him. He’d worked for me for three years now and knew when it was best not to argue with my request.
I exhaled slowly, settling into my highback leather chair. I wasn’t thrilled being caught off guard regarding Alysa LaHouse, and I sure as hell wasn’t in the mood for a second surprise. Of all the Hendersons, it was Alex I disliked most. If he thought that just because he married a Tabiqian woman that made up for what his family had done to this county, he was wrong. If anything, it showed me how little respect he had for us and our traditions. We didn’t marry outside of our culture.
Ziva’s behavior confused me even more. I thought she was such a strong independent woman. I’ve heard rumors of her helping other women in need and protecting them from harm even though it meant putting her own life at risk. Why would she be with a family who has brought such destruction to our Tabiqian families? And why the hell would she and Alex make Tabiq their home?
If the Hendersons could trick and manipulate someone like Ziva into trusting them, what does that mean for the rest of the Tabiqian people? I saw no one else who could stand up to them. Keep them at bay. Doing so might mean playing by their rules, which meant breaking mine.
There was a knock on my door and I called out, “Enter.”
Mikal peaked his head inside and said in a soft, nervous tone. “Mr. Henderson is here. He is insisting on speaking to you.”