Zac didn’t believe for a second that those men were just random street punks. How could a bunch of drunks have so urately blocked his car?


    “Zac, if you leave those cuts untreated, they’ll look lot worse tomorrow. Let me clean them up for you, and then I’ll go. All right?”


    Zac turned his head toward Xena. When his eyes met hers, glistening with unshed tears, he finally gave in.


    “Fine.”


    Relieved, Xena quickly stood and stepped in front of him, carefully dabbing disinfectant over his wounds.


    … стек


    When she finished cleaning them, she reached for the ointment. Her touch was gentle, but Zac still flinched and furrowed his brows in pain.


    “Sorry. I’ll be more careful.”


    Zac caught her hand and took the cotton swab from her. His voice softened. “I’ll do it myself.”


    Xena lowered her gaze, looking hurt. “I’m sorry, Zac. I’m so clumsy.”


    Zac frowned but didn’t botherforting her. His tone was calm but firm. “It’s fine. Don’t me yourself. I’ll have the driver take you home.”


    Her expression shifted, and she opened her mouth to refuse, but Zac had already stood and headed for the bathroom.


    Watching his back disappear from view, Xena bit her lip.


    Ever since Zac had broken up with Liz, his attitude toward her had gone downhill. They spoke less and less, and the distance between them kept growing. If things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before he pushed her outpletely


    And that was something she would never allow.


    She picked up her bag and left. On the way home, she sent a message to Victoria, asking when they would start targeting Liz.


    It was a long time before the reply came: “Don’t worry. I’ve found a former client from one of her past failed cases. Within three days, she’ll be utterly ruined.”


    Xena deleted the conversation and let a cold smile corl at her lips.


    The next morning, as soon <b>as </b>Zac arrived at the office, his assistant, Chase, knocked and stepped inside.


    “Mr. Lincoln, no matter how we ask, those guys insist they only attacked you because they were drunk.”


    Zac’s face darkened. “And you actually believe that?”


    If this was just some drunken ident, he would eat his hat.


    Chase looked troubled. “Mr. Lincoln, I’ve already checked on the men who attacked you. They’re just a few unemployed drifters, with no connection to anyone you’ve had conflicts with recently. They keep swearing they were drunk, and there’s nothing else we can do.”


    Zac picked up the teacup on his desk and smashed it to the floor. His voice was low and dangerous.” Fine. If they won’t talk, find out if they’ve ever done anything illegal. If they have, take the evidence to the police and make sure they rot in there for a few years.”


    Chase nodded. “Understood. I’ll get on it right away”


    Once Chase left, Zac hurled a teapot to the floor, finally easing some of the rage burning in his chest.


    His phone buzzed on the desk.


    Annoyed, he nced down and saw Michael Smith’s name. Taking a steadying breath, he answered. “Hello, Mr. Smith. What is it?”


    “Mr. Lincoln, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll agree to your terms. But I want the chip’s purchase price lowered by another twenty–five percent from the original.”


    A sh of displeasure crossed Zac’s eyes, but he quickly hid it.


    Right now, the most important thing was making up with Liz. Everything else could wait.


    “Fine. I agree.”


    “When can we meet to sign the contract?”


    Zac chuckled lightly. “Mr. Smith, don’t you trust me?”


    “I trust a signed contract more than promises.”