Society Girls: Matisse

by Crystal Perkins

  “Jane Corrigan approached us as we were walking out of our apartment, bags in hand. She had heard about Ken, and his grades, plus the volunteer work he’d been doing with battered women. I need to tell you right now that yes, he did that to get noticed, but I want to also remind you that he truly cares. You all have to know that. He loves the work he does, and while he initially did it to look for a way out for us, he has come to love this place, and all of you in it.

  “I don’t know what else to say. You all know his parents and Klas found us. We had no time to plan anything, and Ken did what he had to in order to protect me once again. He hurt Matisse, and I’m truly sorry for that. He says he chose life over love, but I can tell you, he has no life without you, Teesy. I know this is a lot to take in for all of you, but while I am now safe, I still want to be part of the Society. I may need it even more than I did when I was in danger. I hope you’ll consider letting me join you.”

  Reina stands and hugs her, before addressing us. “Are there any questions before you vote?”

  “I have one,” I say, getting to my feet. “When can she start?”

  My friends all get to their feet around me, and voice their approval as well. How could we not welcome her after what we just heard. And more importantly, how can I not forgive Kendrick for doing what he did? She told me he was going to tell me everything that night I helped blindside him, and I believe her. He had no chance that night, but I’ll listen to him when he gets back. If he still wants me to.

  Chapter 23

  Kendrick

  “I’m in,” Waverly yells into the phone when I answer it. “I’m a recruit.”

  “Congratulations, my friend. Were there any problems with anyone?” I really don’t want to hear that Matisse fought against her.

  “She was the first one to stand and give her approval,” she says, knowing exactly what I was asking.

  “I’m glad.”

  “When are you coming back to her? She needs you.”

  “Just because she accepted you doesn’t mean she wants me.”

  “She asked when you’d be back.”

  I want to hope, but I also need to be realistic. “That doesn’t mean anything. She could just be asking so she knows when to start avoiding our part of the building.”

  “You’re an idiot.”

  “If you ever started sugarcoating things for me, I’d probably die of a heart attack.”

  “Just hurry back, Ken. I miss you, and you need to talk to your girl.”

  “She’s no longer mine.”

  “That’s bullshit. The two of you belong together.”

  “I have four more hotels to visit before I can leave.”

  “How is that going?”

  “The first ones were tough, because they weren’t expecting the change. Word’s been getting out, so the managers at the last few locations already knew what I was going to tell them. They’ll miss their kickbacks from Klas, but I’ve assured them there will be generous bonuses for keeping the hotels safe and clear of any illegal behavior.”

  “How many presents have you bought me so far?”

  I laugh, because she knows me well. I’ve been buying her little things when visiting different locations for years now, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop. I even brought her a few things back from D.C. “A few.”

  “How many have you bought Matisse?”

  “We’re not together, Wave. Why would I buy her things?”

  “I’ll take that to mean there’s a lot coming home for her.” There is. I can’t help it. I see things everywhere that I think she would like, and I keep buying them.

  “I may have had to buy an extra suitcase,” I admit.

  “Good thing you have no luggage restrictions on the C&C jet.”

  “Yes. All of our things will be traveling back with me as well.”

  “Thank you for bringing me my things. I was worried they’d thrown them out.”

  “No. Our rooms were just as we’d left them. It was obvious they were being cleaned regularly, but everything was there. They always expected us to come back and marry.”

  “Even after we ran?”

  “Yes. You know my parents. They thought they ruled the world, or at least most of Africa. I don’t think they ever thought I’d completely defy them, or their good friend, Klas.”

  “I wish I’d stayed behind and helped kill him.”

  “No, you don’t. You have enough demons, and I needed you at the hospital that night.”

  “All I did was wait in the hall for you.”

  “You know your presence meant more to me than that. You were there for me, just like always.”

  “I’ll always be here for you.”

  “Even when you’re a super-spy?”

  “Even then. Just like you’ll be there for me, even when you’re having sex twenty-four hours a day with your hot woman.”

  “My stamina is pretty awesome, but I need some breaks in between. I’ll call you then.”

  “Ew! Why did you tell me that? Now I’ll be grossed out every time you call me, wondering if you’d just been…you know.”

  “Oh, I definitely know, and I honestly can’t wait until you do, too. Sex is amazing, and I’m looking forward to the day when you get to realize that.”

  “Did you hear what you just said?”

  I think about it, and yuck. “Okay, yeah. Forget what I said. You know what I meant, though. I want you to find someone, and experience life.”

  “And sex. You want me to have lots of sex.”

  “I’m going to go throw up now.”

  “You started this, and I’ve had to hear about you sexing up Matisse. We’re not even close to being even.”

  “I don’t talk about Matisse with you like that.”

  “Girls talk to each other, Ken.”

  “She talks to you about that?”

  “No, because she knows it grosses me out. She did let a few things slip last time we were all together, though.”

  “Like what? Did she say it was good? Did she tell everyone I have a large penis?”

  “I just did throw up a little in my mouth, and I’m hanging up now because I hate you a little at the moment.”

  “Sorry,” I tell her with a laugh. “I just wanted to know what she thought.”

  “Ask her when you get back. Bye Ken.”

  “Bye, Wave.”

  I have lots of things to ask Matisse about when I get back, but my dick isn’t one of them. She’s been very vocal about her love for it, so I was just messing with my friend. I really want her to be comfortable with sex one day. What she was forced to see as a child and teen scared her, and sex is not something she should be afraid of. I know she’ll realize that when the right guy comes along, and although I want absolutely no details, I was being honest when I said I can’t wait for that to happen.

  * * *

  Matisse

  My first two sessions with my new doctor have gone well, the pain in my arm is now only a dull ache, and because of what I did when I was kidnapped, I’ve automatically passed a few of my classes early. I’m feeling good about everything, until I see Stella waiting for me when I walk out of Tegan’s room with my friends.

  “Hey Stell, what’s up?”

  “He’s back,” she says, and I don’t need her to tell me who she’s talking about. “He’s up with Reina right now, but I thought you should know.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m supposed to ask you if you want him kept from you. Ainsley’s team can do that you know. They’ll divert him if he’s going to get off on a floor you’re on, and send you phone alerts if he’s near.”

  “No. I want to see him. We need to talk.”

  “He’s a good man. I wasn’t in the room while everything was going on with his parents and that man, but I heard it all, and I’ve watched the video.”

  “Can I watch it?” I ask. I’ve been wanting to ask for the last week, but I didn’t know how.

  “Yes. We’ve been waiting to s
ee if you wanted to.”

  “I do. I think I need to see it.”

  “I think you do, too. Do you want to do it now?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “You can come, too, if Matisse wants you there,” she tells my friends, who stayed close enough to eavesdrop.

  “Everyone can watch,” I say, knowing it’ll be easier for them to watch than for me to explain it to them later.

  We follow Stella to her office, and sit on the stools and couches facing the large screen that drops from the ceiling. She dims the lights a little as the video starts. I’m not sure what to expect, but when it’s done, I’m crying. Again. It’s really becoming a problem, but at least this time, they’re happy tears.

  I just watched Kendrick defend Waverly and basically do everything in his power to save her once more. That choked me up a little, but the tears are from what happened next. I saw him begin to torture a man because he had taken me. Kendrick completely lost control, and I have no doubt he would’ve hurt him even more if Reina hadn’t said I was safe.

  My heart broke for him when he gave Faith the okay to kill his parents, even though I know there was no choice. He left that room to go to me, and now I know why he had blood on his shirt when he was in my hospital room. I’ve already forgiven him for what he had to do, but knowing he came to me, that I was his priority now that Waverly was safe, means more to me than anything he could’ve said to try and convince me he still loves me. I know it now, and I need him to know I feel the same way.

  “Damn, I didn’t know he had it in him,” Rose says as Stella turns the lights back up.

  “When you love someone, you’ll do anything to save them,” Stella says.

  “Do you think I can go up and see him now?”

  “No. I messaged Reina while the video was playing, and she said they’ve still got a bunch of things to go over. He didn’t just lie to you, Matisse. I don’t know what’s going to happen, and while I’m pretty sure he won’t be fired, Matt and Reina aren’t happy with him right now.”

  “He saved Matt when only Reina believed he could survive. That will count for a lot,” Nev reminds her.

  “Yes, but there have to be consequences for the danger he put us all in.”

  “No. I’m going up there. Tell Reina I’m coming.”

  “She’s expecting you.”

  “You said I couldn’t go.”

  “We both knew you would anyway. Good luck.”

  I grab my bag and go for the elevators. I don’t even stop to greet Alex this time as I run down the hall and into the doors that open for me on approach. I’m out of breath as Reina, Matt, Aiden, Nate, Theo, and Kendrick turn to me.

  “You didn’t need to run, Matisse. No one’s going anywhere,” Reina tells me.

  “I have something to say.”

  “I’m sure you do. Go ahead.”

  “Stella said there will be consequences for Kendrick because he put us in danger, but that’s not fair. You’re letting Waverly join us, with no punishment, so why is it different for him, just because he’s a man?”

  Reina narrows her eyes at me, and I force myself to stand my ground. “Kendrick’s punishment has nothing to do with his gender. I try to be as transparent as possible with all of you, but I cannot let you know everything. I will tell you that Waverly has her own set of consequences. Whether she chooses to share them with you or not is up to her. The same goes for our doctor friend here.”

  “Oh.”

  “Is there anything else you’d like to say to any of us right now, or can we get back to business?”

  “I’m good. Thanks for listening to me. I’ll see you all later, I guess.”

  “Do you need me to drive you to the tattoo shop later?” Nate asks, knowing I’m freaking out about driving myself there later.

  “Can you?”

  “Of course. I’ll meet you in the lobby, and you can call me tonight to pick you up.”

  “Thanks.”

  I walk out before I make an even bigger fool of myself. I can’t believe I just accused Reina of being sexist. Kendrick didn’t even look at me, probably because I was making things worse. I can only hope he’ll be willing to talk to me once everything with the Society is straightened out for him.

  Chapter 24

  Kendrick

  “Well, that’s one less thing you have to worry about,” Matt tells me with a laugh. “That girl definitely loves you.”

  “I love her, too.”

  “I almost killed you, you know.” Aiden tells me in a calm voice.

  What am I supposed to say to that? “Thanks for sharing, and um, letting me live.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Let’s get back to the matter at hand,” Reina says, trying to hide her smile. “You know you should’ve told us sooner, but you’ve helped us liberate close to a thousand women and children, and you’re making a large contribution to helping us care for them. I’m a little at a loss about what to do next. You don’t need money, so docking your pay is a little ridiculous.”

  That’s what’s happening to Waverly. She’s being sent on an official mission, guarding someone, but the one million dollars she’d normally receive is instead going back into the Foundation. She doesn’t mind one bit, but I’m not about to tell Reina that.

  “I have an idea,” Nate says suddenly. “He should have to take all of our babysitting shifts for a month.”

  “What?” I ask, horrified.

  Nate barely survived his shift with the babies last week. He was the first one to do it since he drew the short straw. We all want our friends to have nights out, so we agreed to this, but none of us are looking forward to watching two babies at once.

  “I like it,” Reina says.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “We’ll have to work it around his nights at the hospital, but I’m sure Audrey and Tegan can come up with a schedule.”

  “That will leave me maybe two nights a week for other things.”

  “That’s a small price to pay for putting us all in danger, don’t you think.”

  Well, when she puts it that way. “Yes.”

  “Great. I’m glad that’s all settled and we can get back to work now. Bye guys.”

  “I hate you,” I mutter to Nate as we walk out. “What happened to the Bro Code?”

  “You broke it when you lied to us,” Matt tells me.

  “And Matisse,” Aiden adds.

  “She’s not part of the Code, dude,” Theo says.

  “She’s like a sister to me.”

  “And Waverly is like a sister to me,” I remind them.

  “We would’ve protected you both if you’d just told us what was going on,” Matt reminds me.

  “I’m sorry. I was so scared for her. I did a lot of things wrong.”

  “Yeah, you did, but so did all of us at one time or another,” Nate says. “Theo’s going to be the next one of us we have to help, so just be ready.”

  Theo flips him off as we all laugh. I’m sorry I lied to them, but grateful we can all move past it. Having friends is pretty damn great. Having my girl will be even better. When she came in to defend me, it took all the strength I could muster not to jump out of my chair and pull her into my arms. I held back then, but I’m going for her now. I know just what I need to do, and I just have to prepare myself both mentally and physically to do it.

  I check in with Liz, who says everything’s been quiet while I’ve been gone. I review the files for the upcoming missions, making notes on the group document so my team can start getting things ready. I check in with Audrey, making sure her team is still getting help from my new CEO in my absence, and finally, I head home to take care of the rest of my checklist for today.

  My hand shakes a little when I pull out my razor, but this has to be done. After taking care of business, I shower and change into a t-shirt and basketball shorts. I put on my Chucks instead of my sandals, because I haven’t ridden my motorcycle in a long time, and I don’t want to burn m
y feet.

  Once I’m in the garage, I pull the cover off my bike, looking it over to make sure everything’s okay. I start it up every few weeks when no one’s around, but I haven’t actually taken it out in a while. I check for the extra helmet I put in the storage compartment when I started tutoring Matisse. I knew even then that I’d let her see this side of me.

  Everyone thinks I’m so straight-laced, but I’m really an adrenaline junkie. I’ve jumped out of airplanes, and when I was younger, off of cliffs. I hid my motorcycle, because it didn’t fit with the persona I’d created, but now it’s time to be myself again. I’ve let Matisse see pieces of me, and now I’m ready to show her everything.

  I pull up outside the tattoo shop, parking my bike on the sidewalk with the other ones there. Zane sees me through the window and his eyebrows shoot up. “Nice ride,” he says as I walk in.

  “Thanks.”

  “New?”

  “Nope. I’ve had it for a few years now.”

  “Really?”

  “Surprising, I know, but yes.”

  “What’s surprising?” Matisse asks from behind me.

  “My bike,” I say, gesturing outside.

  “That’s yours? I’ve seen it in the garage, but I thought it was just another of Matt’s.”

  “You saw it? It was covered up.”

  “I took a peek, okay?”

  “Yes, it is okay.”

  “Are you here to see me?”

  “I am. It’s time for that tattoo.”

  “You’re getting a tattoo?”

  “You asked me in D.C. if I’d get one if you needed me to prove myself to you. I’m here to do just that.”

  “I saw the video, Doc. I know you love me.”

  “I do, and I’m ready to prove it.”

  “You don’t have to.”