Chapter 4 - Ashan

Leo had told me that someone had come to Roman’s place, claiming to have seen the person responsible. He had sent two men to check it out. Now, we waited patiently to hear back from them.

I was staring out my office window when I heard the knock at the door. Swallowing the whiskey I had just sipped, I answered. “Yes?” I expected Leo or one of his men to have news on the hacker.

The door cracked open halfway as I turned around. It was one of my guards popping their head inside. “Boss,” he said.

“Yes, man, spit it out.” I didn’t have time for house problems right now. We had enough other things to focus on.

“There is a woman here looking for you.”

“Do they have an appointment? I didn’t know I had a meeting.” I asked, rising from my desk, and placing my glass down. It was surely Ana returning to try again. Not that I knew why she would send a guard to collect me in such a way. I didn’t know if she understood anymore, but I was ready to send her packing if it was.

“She said Pedro sent her, sir,” he added, glancing at the floor. “Should we ask her to leave?”

“Pedro sent her?” I said, half confused. Why would Pedro send Ana or anyone else here, for that matter? It couldn’t be Ana as I felt sure, I had seen her fighting with some of the cleaners earlier. “No, I’m coming to have a look,” I added as I walked towards him, and the door. I was suddenly fascinated to find out who was looking for me.

I followed the guard down to the entrance, where one of the other men was waiting. Before him sat someone at the corner table in the dark. Stepping closer so I could see more clearly, I was astounded. It wasn’t Ana as I had concluded. She was surely around quacking at someone somewhere in the den.

What was this? The woman waiting there was messy and covered in dirt. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why Pedro would send such a person here.

Her appearance spoke of living on the street but by her clothes and bag, I felt sure she wasn’t or rather hadn’t been living on the street. Feeling my anger pushing back up, I spoke hastily in a tone less than soothing. “Yes, how can I help, miss?”

Something in her eyes caught my attention as she glanced up at me. There was something wild in them. She intrigued me even though her face was streaked, and her brown hair was a mess under the cap she wore. The loose-fitting shirt was dirtier than her smooth face, and I felt a pull to her for some reason.

“Please, sir,” she said softly. “I will work for you in exchange for protection. Please don’t send me away.”

She looked a mess, but something inside me told me that this woman before me, even in her state, could benefit me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to help her. I didn’t even know why she needed protection, but there was a strong pull.

Yet, after my brother Luder fell irrationally in love so easily, I became a bit cautious regarding women. I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. Why was this dirty woman fogging up my brain? But maybe I could give her a chance and see what she could bring to the table business-wise and not in any other capacity.

“Okay, miss,” I said, turning sideways. “Come with me, and we can have a chat.”

She beamed as she came closer, ready to follow me. Walking to the bottom office, I entered and told her to take a seat so long. This office was more like an interrogation room, holding only the bare minimum needed. I wasn’t comfortable taking her to my office yet. I first wanted to know more.

There was a small table with nothing on, two chairs, and a basin in the corner. The shelves were bare, and the single cupboard held some chemicals, medical supplies, rope, and a bucket. As I left to order some coffee, I noticed her taking off her jacket and placing it on the chair before sitting down.

This was an odd gesture, but maybe she wanted to keep the chair clean somehow. The guards were now both standing just outside the door, so I asked one to get us two cups and a pot of coffee. Re-entering, I closed the door and sat down behind the desk.

She pushed the hoodie back from her head and removed her cap, revealing the hidden beauty. I was entranced and couldn’t pull my eyes away. Her brown hair perfectly framed her dirty face, giving it an almost angelic look. Cleaned up, I felt sure she could attract a lot of attention.

Clearing my throat, I spoke up. “So, miss…, sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”

She glanced at me with her piercing blue eyes and answered in a barely audible voice. “Jamie.”

Raising my voice slightly, feeling irritated, I asked again. “Sorry, your name? Please speak up so I can hear you.”

This time, she looked me in the eyes as she spoke. “I said, my name is Jamie, and you are?”

I liked the spark I saw flaming in her as she answered the second time. She was a livewire, which intrigued me more. “Well, Jamie, I am Ashan, you said Pedro sent you. So, what can I do for you?”

Jamie jumped in her seat as the door opened behind her. She looked back with such speed that her hair covered her face for a second. The guard entered and placed the tray with coffee and cups on the table. “Will there be anything else?” he asked, looking at Jamie.

“No, thank you,” I responded, waving for him to leave. I poured us each a cup and handed her one. She was very shaken, and I wondered what had happened to send her to my door. “You were saying?” I asked, leaning back in my chair, inhaling the delicious aroma of the coffee.

She sipped from the cup, her lips forming a soft circle before looking at me again. “Pedro told me I could come here, as I mentioned before. I need a place to…,” she glanced away as her words disappeared.

After a second or two, she looked back and continued. “A place to stay. In exchange, I could work for you.”

Grinning at her, I rubbed my cheek as I considered. “What exactly do you do? What kind of service can you offer? We don’t really have a staff shortage at the moment.” I was intrigued and raised my eyebrows as I spoke, knowing the kind of company Pedro kept.

Jamie shifted and glanced around the room as if seeking a way out. “Well, I’m pretty good at working on computers. But can pretty much do anything or at least try.” She now appeared calmer as she spoke.

“I don’t know if we have an opening, though. But tell me more about your computer abilities.” I asked. The fact that Pedro had sent her made me wonder.

Jamie slowly raised her cup. She looked at me as she sipped. She no longer looked even slightly jittery or scared. Something changed in her.

Sitting back, she spoke with confidence. “I can basically do anything you want. You name it, and I will get it done.” she proclaimed.

Grinning, I wondered what Leo would think. “So, you can do searches to collect information and do such things?” I asked curiously.

“Yeah, sure,” she replied, a bit too quickly for my comfort.

“Oh really,” I remarked, leaning forward, wondering if she had something to do with the recent hack. I was sure she knew what I was thinking as she protested even before I asked.

“I don’t go snooping or do illegal things, though. I only access public details and such.” I noticed she was fumbling with the edges of her hoodie as she spoke.

“You seem nervous suddenly,” I said, folding my arms. “Is there something I should know? Like the real reason for you coming here?”

“No, no,” she responded quickly. “I’m not into anything dangerous or such. Like I said, I’m only looking for a safe place.” As the words left her mouth, she realized what she had said.

Her hands flew up to her mouth. She shifted forward to the edge of the chair. With wide eyes, she leaned forward as she spoke. “That didn’t come out right. Please let me explain.”

I knew she was hiding something. “Now, now,” I said. “Calm down and tell me the truth.”

As she started, it dawned on me that she could be the hacker everyone was searching for. “Okay,” she said, glancing at her feet. “This guy, well, a customer called me two days ago.” she shifted nervously. “He asked me to do something for him. Which I had done without knowing what it was he wanted.” She glanced at the door and breathed in deeply. “He is trying to blame me for everything. I only did what he asked, though.”

As she spoke, I noticed her demeanor changing. Her shoulders sagged, and she hung her head against her chest. Jamie sat with her hands folded in her lap. She looked defeated, and I felt sorry for her. However, if she had what I thought, she could be a benefit. That information would be like holding precious gems. Keeping her safe would be easy.

“Tell me about you, you from around here?” I inquired watching her every move.

Jamie blinked and turned her head to the side as she responded. “Kind of. I have lived in Miami most of my life but not in this territory in another part on the other side.”

“And you came all this way on your own for protection you say?” I wondered how far she had actually come. Judging by her appearance she had surely spent a day or two on the run.

“I was heading,” she rubbed her cheek as if in thought formulating her answer. “Heading to another place but couldn’t stay there.”

“So, the danger you are in can come looking for you here then?” I inquired, wondering how many groups were after her.

“I--I don’t know,” she said softly.

“Give me a second to consider what you are asking,” I said as I stood and walked to the door. Opening the door, I waved the guard closer. “Please take her to the back dressing room,” I told him as he approached me.

“Jamie,” I stated, looking at her. She rose and turned to me. “He will show you to the back, get cleaned, and see if any clothing hanging there fits you. You can’t go around looking like that. Put on some other clothes. I”ll be back shortly.”

She nodded and left with him. I headed upstairs to my office. I called Leo and informed him that I may have a lead on the hacker, but I would let him know if the information panned out. Sitting back in my chair, I consider my options. I liked her spunk and fighting attitude.

Maybe I could turn this into a win-win situation, but I had to be sure. She needed to be protected, and what she could do if she was the hacker, would be useful. How would I make it work though? And then it struck me, the perfect solution. This would get the family off my back, sort out Ana and give me a solid hold on her.

I called down and ordered some food and more coffee. I told the guard to bring her up once she was done. We could continue our chat in my office now. Comfortable enough with my decision, I waited.

The food came shortly before Jamie did. As she entered, I felt my chest tightening. Dressed in a tight-fitting pair of blue jeans, the neon light from the signs streaming in through the window cast a fantastic glow upon her.

Her silky-smooth skin, now clearly visible, highlighted her sparkling blue eyes. She was a vision to behold. The white lacey top she wore surely made her breasts more noticeable as well. Jamie looked nothing like the woman who had entered here a couple of hours ago.

I was frozen in time for a moment, speechless, as I struggled to regain my senses. I cleared my throat before speaking. “Well, you clean up nicely,” I said, waving my hand and pointing to the chair. “Sit, I ordered some food as I am sure you must be hungry.”

Jamie faintly smiled and sat down. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. “I think we can make some kind of arrangement,” I said, sipping some coffee.

“Thank you,” she blurted out. Grinning as she took one of the pizza rounds and started eating.

I watched her finish it before continuing. “Right, so, to keep you safe, we would have to do it a bit differently than usual, but I feel confident we can assist each other.” I started as I took a slice from the plate.

Jamie wiped her mouth and raised her eyebrows at me. After drinking some coffee, she spoke. “So, tell me how you can keep me safe and what I have to do in return?”

“You have to look at it from our point of view,” I said, once I swallowed the bite I took. I studied her reaction as I spoke. She shifted slightly on the chair and placed the cup down.

“Your point of view,” Jamie stated. “And what is that?”

I could see she was suddenly uncomfortable. But I rather enjoyed seeing her squirm. “My proposition may sound a bit far-fetched. But I assure you it is the only way.” I spoke deliberately, slowly, hoping she would accept what I was about to say. I was still processing my idea but knew it would be the best option.

Jamie stared at me blankly. Folding my hands, I placed them on my table and leaned forward. “I can offer you full protection, but you will have to marry me.” Before I could continue, Jamie rose to her feet.

She gasped loudly. “You are unbelievable.” She spat at me. “Who do you think I am?”

“Please sit down, I”m not done,” I responded calmly. She was fiery as she flopped back onto the chair. She mumbled to herself, looking at the wall.

If she was who I thought, she would have no other options. She was stunning, intelligent and wild. I was sure she would be a preferred choice where the family was concerned in comparison to Ana.

“Jamie,” I said, waiting for her to look at me. “If you want our protection, this is what is needed. But,” I added, taking a deep breath. “You will also bear me a child in exchange for protection. Being married to me gives you all the protection you will need and for some form of freedom, you will bear me a child.”

Jamie”s mouth fell open, and her eyes widened. I sat back, allowing it all to sink in. Feeling proud of myself. I was killing two birds with one stone. I would give the family valuable information. Luder and Leo can stop complaining about my escapades. Plus, I could get Ana off my back without banishing her from the organization.

I had asked Ana to marry me two years back but the family made it clear that she would not be accepted. Ever since my brother fell in love with his better half, he started embracing this idea of the one. Like I cared finding the one. My arrangement with Ana worked well—she worked for us, we fucked and then we went separate ways. Hence, I had struggled somewhat with their ultimatum but eventually accepted it, because, after all, I didn’t really care all that much.

However, this woman before me was more in line with what they expected. There’s also something about her I couldn’t really name. Most of all though, I was thinking logically about it and not falling head over heels like my brother. This was a solid business transaction with some benefits.

“Look, you need to decide now. It”s not that I want to pressure you. But my offer is only available for now. Once we leave here, it expires.”

Grinning, I rose and headed for the door. “You have until I return,” I stated, leaving quickly to check in with the guards. She had a lot to think of and I was sure she could do with some time to consider her options.

Ana’s pride might be hurt at first, but she was strong and would bounce back as always. After all, it wasn’t like I was throwing her to the curb, she could stay in her position. I was simply making a strategical move that would benefit the family.

Heading back downstairs I grinned widely as I felt like a cheshire cat who had just received a bowl of cream for being a good boy. I needed to let the guards know that she wasn’t to leave the premises under any circumstances. If she decided not to take my offer, I would escort her out myself.