Broken

Chapter 21: Temptation

Zac and Brandon stand toe-to-toe, the tension between them palpable. Zac narrows his eyes at Brandon's hostile glare. "You have mad issues looking at me like that?" Zac challenges, his voice low and taunting.

Brandon scoffs, stepping forward as he matches Zac's intensity. "Like what, councilman?" he retorts, clearly unwilling to back down.

The two men are now chest to chest, their body language aggressive. The atmosphere in the room is thick with animosity, and it feels as though a physical altercation is only moments away. Fatima quickly steps between them, pushing against Zac's chest with one hand while facing Brandon.

"Okay, stop that," she commands, her voice firm and authoritative. "My place of business isn't for that." She turns her head towards Zac, their faces so close that their lips are barely an inch apart. "Please leave," she pleads softly, sincerity in her eyes. "I will call you, I promise."

Zac hesitates for a moment, his gaze shifting from Fatima to Brandon and back. With a resigned sigh, he cups her face gently and kisses her lips, a brief but possessive gesture that leaves her momentarily stunned. Then, without another word, he walks out of the office, leaving a charged silence in his wake.

Fatima stands with her back to Brandon, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Zac's unpredictability had caught her off guard, and she couldn't believe he had kissed her so openly in front of Brandon. She struggles to compose herself, her mind racing with the complexities of the situation.

Brandon breaks the silence with a derisive scoff. "I see why you dropped the lawsuit," he sneers, his tone dripping with contempt.

Fatima finally turns around to face him, her expression cool and composed. "No, that's not the reason why," she counters, her voice steady but with an edge of frustration.

Brandon shakes his head, his disbelief evident. "That man is going to make you weak; he already has. Just look at you! Dropping lawsuits, changing strategies—" he continues, his voice rising with indignation.

"Enough," Fatima cuts him off sharply, her patience wearing thin. She walks around her desk and takes a seat, her posture tense but controlled. "What are you here for?" she asks, her tone curt and business-like, signaling that the conversation was over and she was done entertaining his accusations.

"Your father's in town," Brandon states bluntly, sitting down and leaning back in his chair with a knowing look.

"Don't remind me," Fatima replies, rubbing her temples as if to ward off an impending headache.

"So you know?" Brandon presses, sitting up straighter. Fatima nods, her expression hardening. Brandon continues, "Then you also know that Zachary Taylor was the lawyer—"

"—who had my father sent to prison. Yes, I'm aware, thank you," she interjects sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Her tone is sharp, and there's a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Brandon shakes his head, frowning. "This would feel like a betrayal, then."

"To who exactly?" Fatima challenges, her eyes narrowing as she meets his gaze.

"Your father," Brandon responds, leaning forward slightly as if emphasizing his point.

Fatima scoffs, leaning back in her chair with a dismissive wave of her hand. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

"And what about Taylor?" Brandon asks, his tone shifting to one of concern. He watches her closely, waiting for her response.

Fatima tilts her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I'll take care of Zac personally," she says, her voice smooth and confident. The implication behind her words is clear, yet she leaves them deliberately ambiguous.