Chapter 7

Luz managed to sleep for four entire hours. A little after noon she burst out of my room in abject panic, asking what time it was. She almost cried when she saw me eating takeout. After about ten minutes of reassurance, she finally agreed to eat something before starting to work.

She was absolutely crestfallen throughout lunch. By the end, though, she’d pivoted to blaming me. I was the one who tucked her in. I was the one who failed to wake her up. I chuckled at her, which only made it worse. She eventually left the room in a huff, only to sheepishly come back to take the dishes to the sink.

I could easily have slapped her down to earth, of course, but I was feeling generous. She was cute enough to have earned the reprieve. That said ... I was going to be filing this little act of insubordination away when planning and buying supplies for her punishment later today.

She did engage work-mode with considerably more gusto than anticipated, though. It was night and day compared to yesterday’s lackluster performance. Maybe the combination of not having her mother breathing down her neck, a good nap, an amazing orgasm, and the feeling she had something to prove had coalesced into her current determined demeanor.

A quick googling had revealed that there were several... hobby shops ... in the area. I also needed to go to a locksmith, since Luz needed a copy of the keys. She’d need them to let herself in whenever I was at the office or out of the city. Not that I’d be travelling this week, but ... maybe I’d have her stick around after all. For her skill as a housekeeper, of course.

I also needed to stop by the Rolls-Royce dealership to see about fixing the damage from yesterday. I honestly didn’t care too much, but I could picture occasions where a pristine car would go a long way toward convincing people to work with me instead of against me. Looking the part counted for more than many would admit when it came to the rich and powerful, and those those were exactly the people I’d need to rub elbows with if I was to have any success.

This country was a lot more ... open about the palm-greasing that happened at the intersection of business and politics. The people didn’t like it, of course, but it didn’t look like they’d be able to get a handle on it any time soon. Much as I didn’t want to, I’d likely have to wade into the muck at least a little to get anything done.

I let go of that train of thought before it got me any more irritated and turned to more immediate concerns. First, I’d call Paz. She probably knew trustworthy locksmiths. Couldn’t have just any schmuck doing it, not with how common robberies were here. Even with the top-notch security in this building, I wasn’t about to drop my guard.

Paz took her sweet time answering—but she did, eventually

“Who is it?” she asked, panting lightly.

“Hey, Paz. It’s me, Edward Sheffield.”

“Mr. Sheffield,” she said, professionalism overtaking her breathlessness. “I didn’t expect you to call so soon. Do you want to talk about those washers and dryers we discussed?”

“We can do that too, but I was wondering if you knew a good trustworthy locksmith?”

“You’re talking to one,” she said. “We offer a variety of services. When do you need it done?”

A shriek echoed through the house. It was more of surprise than pain, so I didn’t think it was too serious.

“One moment,” I said to Paz. “You alright?” I shouted to Luz.

“All—All good!” she replied. “I’m okay!”

“Be careful!”

“I will! Sorry!”

I went back to the phone. “Anyway, I was hoping to get them done today?”