Hollow

Ten | Lust

The door busts open and Nova comes running in, apologizing as she walks into the conference room. She starts going through her briefcase, pulling out folders that she hands to Tate before settling in her seat.

Bryce resumes, gesturing to the screen. "Gentlemen, I present to you the MX5."

"Surely, this must be a joke. It looks exactly like the last release."

"What are its capabilities exactly?"

As the murmurs quiet down, Miguel clears his throat and the room goes silent. "If you had let Bryce finish, maybe you would have gotten the answers to your questions. Anyways, we've upgraded the capabilities of the bullets. The new ones are self-propelled; they can perforate any surface by the nanosecond."

I smirk, taking a minute to examine each person's face to tell their reaction. Some have frowns, scowls others look confused, some seem impressed and the rest are stoic.

"I'm sure you've heard a Colombian drug lord is planning to take over Tijuana." A new voice speaks out. "One of his top lieutenants mentioned during an interrogation that they have plans of stealing a weapon I believe your company has not put on the market yet."

Gasps erupt around the room and I resist the urge to roll my eyes but I smirk as my eyes land on the owner of the voice: Fred Shaw; Defense Secretary at the Pentagon. I sit up and join my hands on the table before meeting his gaze.

"Doesn't the Pentagon have other pressing matters than chasing after a kid that wants to play guns?"

"I think you're aware of the fact that if this gets out of hand, we're gonna have a problem?" Fred retorts.

"I guess it's good thing we won't since I'm revoking every clearance." I taunt, a smile tugging at my lips.

I turn to Bryce and he nods, fumbling with his tablet. A new set of gasps is heard but I shrug it off as Tate goes over the last details for the launch party.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

A waiter brings a bottle of champagne to my table on the terrace of Azur; a spot near the fountain and where I can see the whole city. He pours the golden liquid in a glass before taking his leave. I take a sip and place my glass back down, averting my gaze to the city view —my thoughts drifting to everything going on in my life.

I feel my hand being uplifted and a kiss is planted on my knuckles. I smile when I come face to face with Daniel Harris; the founder of one of the most successful investment firms in Europe. I met him at a charity event Tate dragged me to and we hit it off.

"You look as beautiful as I remember." Daniel says with a smirk before sitting down.

I grin mischievously. "You don't look too bad either."

The waiter brings a glass and fills it it with champagne and walks away. Daniel lifts the glass at me before bringing it to his lips. Taking a sip, I watch as his gulps down the liquid.

He places the glass down and leans in. "Why did you want to see me, angel?"

"Do I need a reason to see you?"

"The last time we saw each other, you left me in Amalfi after I proposed to you."

I take a sip of my drink before placing my glass back down. "I want to take over a deal I believe will be very beneficial."

"And how do I fit into this equation?"

"I need you to get me in contact with Adrian Palma. I'm asking you because unlike my lazy ass, you actually know a lot of people."

"I've seen your ass, it's perfect." He chuckles, earning a glare from me before straightening up. "Retail? That's pretty mediocre, even for you."

"I know."

"What I don't get is why you need me. You're Zahra Pierce, you can get anyone to have lunch with you."

"I may or may not be going behind someone's back for this."

"Look at you, already taking over the world."

"Taking over the world without allies like you is like driving a car without fuel."

He leans back in his seat and I try to ignore how hot he looks from that angle but my eyes dart over his body, shamelessly looking him up and down. He's wearing a navy blue suit over a white button up with the first few buttons undone.

"So, will you help me?"

"I could use a little bit more convincing." He chuckles, standing up. "Let me walk you out, angel."

"We both know what happened the last time you walked me out of a restaurant."

His brown orbs lock with mine, a smug look on his face. "The last time I walked you out of a restaurant, you were not exactly complaining."

"True."

"You still owe me an apology by the way."

"Let me show you how sorry I am then."