by C. J. Thomas
It could have been any time during these last two weeks, or perhaps the seed that was now bearing fruit may have been planted five or six years ago. Maybe it happened before Nora’s death. Or the time Madam picked me up from my self-destruction when I didn’t know how to approach life without Nora by my side .
Staring into the depths of my dark eyes, I nodded .
If I was certain of anything, it was that Madam skewed my once rock-solid morality in favor of her more business-friendly, money-making ventures. I had been taken along for the ride, indulged in the riches and luxuries it brought. And now I wasn’t sure I could ever go back .
Splashing more cold water on my face, I wanted to wash the feelings of betrayal away and concentrate on only being with Kendra—for she was the light at the end of this dark tunnel. It was up to me to give her the afternoon I’d initially promised .
But I didn’t know who to trust .
When the door opened, I nodded to the other gentleman before drying my face and hands. Then I left, moving through the restaurant to find Kendra staring down at the roses, patiently waiting. “Sorry to keep you waiting .”
When she looked at me, her smile faded into the deep lines of concern that crossed her face. I knew she could see it—see the stress that kept my heartrate irregular. Lifting her hands up from under the table, she placed her palms up and slid her arms to my side of the table. “Take my hand, Kelly .”
I stared at her tiny, feminine hands for several seconds before finally letting my own hands drift down into hers .
“I want to take it away.” Her voice was quiet, sincere .
Nodding, and without saying it, I knew she knew what it was I was feeling. The darkness inside me tearing me apart. And I also knew how she could take my mind off of the problems that consumed my thoughts through what I wanted to do to her .
“I apologize for interrupting,” Wes’s voice said from behind. “Good to see you, Kendra .”
Kendra angled her head up to Wes and smiled. “You too, Wes .”
Wes leaned in and kissed her cheek. Then he said, “Mind if I steal Kelly away? I promise it won’t be more than a few minutes of your time .”
Her shoulders drooped as she reluctantly agreed .
Standing, Wes slapped my back and clamped his fingers around my neck. “Can’t wait to hear what the fuck happened,” he said close to my ear .
He led me to the far corner of the bar where two seats were always waiting. They were his seats. The ones kept in reserve for whatever particular guest he was in need of talking with. Today, it just so happened to be me .
Settling in, the bartender quickly placed a bourbon on rocks in front of Wes. Wes nodded and turned to me, red with anger. “You were fucking arrested ?”
“It’s bogus .”
“Bogus? From what I saw, it didn’t seem bogus.” The pulse in his neck ticked up another degree. “Because of you, our plan to take down Stone is now in jeopardy.” He turned his head and sipped his drink .
“It feels political,” I mumbled straight ahead .
“Then how can you explain Mario? A plea?” His eyes squinted as his jaw ticked. “And what’s next with Stone?” He tipped his head back, staring into me. “If it all falls apart because of your own stupidity, then we’ll be back to square-one with Madam flooding the market and having illegal drugs corrupting our city and destroying our people .”
“Wes,” I leaned forward and dropped my voice, “you’re not listening. I’m convinced this is a set-up.” Slowly, I locked eyes with him as I nodded. “And it might be Madam herself .”
Wes tossed back a healthy gulp as if the gravity of what he just heard was too much. “That’s funny,” he rolled his eyes back to me, “because I could have sworn that you were arrested because of her—” he pointed in Kendra’s direction, “—not Madam .”
“It’s not her,” I assured him as I took my eyes off my woman .
“Oh, no? Because I’m convinced the DA has been gunning for you ever since you stole her away. And if he can get these charges to stick, then he can go after Kendra,” Wes leaned forward, “and take any chances of you representing Stone off the table .”
Staring at Kendra, I could see Wes’s point. Without me being able to tell Oscar that I, too, wanted to see Stone put away, he thought he would have a harder time winning the case if I was to represent him. And he would, if I also wasn’t looking for a way to get him convicted. “So, what do you suggest we do ?”
Finishing his drink, he stood. “Wait here .”
“Where are you going ?”
“I need to speak with your lady.” Wes straightened his jacket .
“What about?” My heartrate spiked, not liking the idea of Wes ruining what was supposed to be a romantic afternoon with Kendra .
“Hear what she has to say about Timothy Parker.” He smiled, then turned his back and headed her way .
6
Kendra
W es stood, leaving me alone at the table, wondering if I’d said something wrong .
There was nothing to hide. It was what it was. And I often heard Kelly saying there was only one way to go, and that was forward .
Letting out a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and was transported back to the night Kelly blindsided me by hitting Timothy Parker. I could still hear Madam’s words inside my head. The strict instructions floating between my ears that left me feeling like I was nothing more than a washed-up whore. This one I want you to fuck .
I dropped my head inside my hands and looked out the corner of my eye. Wes strode back to his seat at the bar with a straight spine and shoulders rolled back, patting Kelly on his shoulder as they passed .
Kelly focused his attention on me. Taking off his jacket, he swung it over one shoulder as he walked, undoing each of his cufflinks before rolling up his sleeves .
Naturally, my eyes fell to his arms. He had the most amazing arms. Thick ropes of muscles that stretched between his wrist and elbow that would make any woman swoon. His dark arm hair wasn’t too thick; just right. And as I got lost in studying his arms—the way they moved with each step he took toward me—I wondered why Wes wanted to know more about my night with Timothy Parker .
Closing my eyes, it was still a mystery to me. But no matter how much Wes wanted to keep me in the dark about what it was that was actually going on, I couldn’t escape the feelings that I was the reason for Kelly’s arrest .
Suddenly, Mojito was the last place I wanted to be .
If I had never allowed my date to go so far with Timothy, none of this would have happened. A familiar hand came to rest on my shoulder and I knew whose it was .
Lifting my head up, I found Kelly’s grey eyes searching mine for answers .
My belly knotted with regret and I could see the look on Kelly’s face as he hovered over me .
He was unhappy and, despite what he’d told me in the car ride here, I knew the truth behind the look on his face .
His gaze was unwavering as he locked it on me. We stared into the depths of each other’s souls and time ceased to exist. Only when he removed his hand from my shoulder could I breathe again .
Kelly stepped away and moved to sit in the empty chair opposite me. Taking a rose stem between his fingers, he held it in front of his face, stroking the flower petals between his fingers as he silently wrestled with his own thoughts .
An awkward silence fell between us as I didn’t know what to say, where to begin. I could sit here and speculate on what he and Wes were discussing at the bar, but assumptions were only good at bringing more trouble. And that was the last thing either of us needed now—more concern .
“Kelly, I want to make this right.” My thoughts flew out of my mouth faster than my tongue could keep up with. “I was only following orders. Obviously, I didn’t know at the time how involved you and I would be. If I had known, I would have never gone out with Parker .”
Kelly only stared down at his hands, stroking the deep blood-red petal between his thumb and index finger like a vi
olinist playing a sad song. “I don’t regret what I did,” he whispered .
The waiter slowly approached the table. Kelly didn’t seem to notice him coming so I waved him over, not wanting our problems to transfer over to him .
“Good afternoon. I’m here with your salads .”
Folding my hands in my lap, I nodded and gave him my best smile .
“House special.” He grinned at me as he put down two plates. “Your steak and lobster will be out shortly .”
“Thank you,” I softly said .
Picking up my fork, I wondered if Kelly had even noticed the starter salad had been served. He never acknowledged the man, nor seemed to react to the plate set in front of his hands .
I felt bad for him. Hated that no matter what we did we couldn’t seem to get over this hump. Sure, this was a different problem—a new challenge than what we’d just gone through with me learning about Nora and him finding out my uncle had raped me—but it was still a barrier that needed to be overcome .
Biting the inside of my cheek, I watched his stormy eyes remain fixed on the rose petal. I wondered what was going on inside his head .
Extending my arm across the table, I grabbed his forearm. His muscles jumped at my touch and I liked how strong he felt—liked the memories of his hands roaming over my skin, controlling my body, making it his own. “Baby, are you not hungry ?”
His eyes narrowed to tiny slits and, despite my initial resistance to not guess what he and Wes had discussed, I couldn’t help myself. Then, he lifted his head slowly, fixing his dark gaze on me .
My jaw clenched. My heartbeat slowed to a crawl. And I froze, stiff with the fear of what he was going to say next. With my head spinning like a top, I waited .
“Did you enjoy his company?” Kelly’s voice was heavy as it cracked the air like a whip between us .
Shifting in my seat, I glanced in the direction of where I’d last seen Wes. Then I turned back and said, “It’s Wes. Of course I enjoyed his company. I’m not going to bite the hand who feeds me.” I snickered, but it came out sounding forced .
Kelly dropped his shaking head, then lifted his gaze back to mine. “No, Timothy Parker’s.” His neck stretched and I watched his Adam’s apple slide up and down his throat before he asked, “Did you enjoy your night with him ?”
My palms were slick with sweat as I cast my gaze down to my plate of salad. It looked delicious. Then I lifted my eyes and said, “Are you asking because you really want to know? Or are you speculating about why Wes wanted to talk to me about Mr. Parker ?”
Leaning back, Kelly kept one hand on top of the table as he turned to look toward the bar .
“Because if you want to hear the truth, I can tell you the truth .”
He turned his attention back to me .
“But also know that you’ll get it straight from me. There won’t be any sugarcoating my side of the story .”
His face tightened and I knew he was debating his response. “I want to know if I didn’t do what I did,” he turned to face me, “would you have gone out with him again ?”
I quirked a brow. “You do know that Madam was the one to set us up ?”
His chest rose as he inhaled a deep breath .
“Just like she set us up.” My wrist swung back and forth as I pointed my finger at each of us .
“Forget her.” His nostrils flared .
“Then we should forget this,” I spat .
“Tell me, Kendra.” The pulse in his neck thickened. “Regardless of how you were connected with Parker, did you enjoy your time with him ?”
“Yes!” I shouted .
Disappointment crinkled his eyes .
But that didn’t make me feel any better about admitting how I felt the night I was with Timothy. Yes, I could have lied to Kelly, but I didn’t want to. It wasn’t worth the possible repercussions. I needed Kelly’s full commitment going forward. It wasn’t like my future was any less certain than his own .
Looking around, I feared that I had drawn unwanted attention to our table. Luckily, it seemed as if no one had noticed, or maybe they didn’t care .
My voice came out nearly as a whisper when I said, “Yes. Timothy was a very handsome and charming man. But there is no reason you should get jealous. You won, Kelly.” Pulling back from the table ledge, I firmed up my voice. “You won. Now, please, let’s just move on .”
He couldn’t blame me for the charges being brought against him. I was only doing what I was told to do. What I was paid to do. It was part of the job description. Only I could blame myself for the position he was in now .
“Is that what Wes wanted to know ?”
Blowing out a breath and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, my eyes widened, somewhat surprised he was admitting that even he didn’t know what Wes came over to talk to me about. “You don’t know ?”
He wagged his head and diverted his gaze. “There are things I can’t tell you .”
“Then let me speak for you.” Bringing my hands to the table, the corners of my eyes twitched with heated passion. “Madam told me to fuck him. She did this, Kelly .”
His eyes danced across my face. And the more I said, the wilder they got .
“Listen close, because I’m only going to say this once.” Lowering my voice so that no one else could hear but him, I continued, “She’s the one who set both of us up .”
His body suddenly stiffened as his lips parted in revelation. “What do you mean ?”
“I mean exactly what I just said .”
We were interrupted when the waiter came out with our steaming hot plates of food. A heady mixture of pasture and ocean wafted through the air as I barely took notice of what I was being served. The waiter asked us a question but it didn’t register. At least not with me. Kelly took care of it and as soon as we were alone again, Kelly asked, “How did Madam set us up ?”
“Are you kidding? She’s the most manipulative woman I’ve ever met .”
“Bella , do you know if she was behind my arrest ?”
“What?!” My face scrunched my nose. “No .”
He turned his head, swiped his hand over his face, and sighed .
“I want out, Kelly .”
His head whipped around faster than I thought was possible .
“I’m sick of having our relationship dictated by the Madam.” My eyes softened as they pleaded with him. “I want it to be just us .”
He nodded but didn’t say anything .
I knew he knew what I meant—what I wanted. But it was easier said than done. Breaking free from Madam’s grasp was damn near impossible. But I wanted it. Wanted it so bad .
Reaching out, I took Kelly’s hand into mine. My insides warmed and my heartbeat relaxed to a more normal rhythm. “I heard what those reporters were saying .”
“Don’t listen to them.” Kelly stared down at his plate of food. “They’re vultures. Especially the ones working for tabloid magazines .”
I didn’t disagree with him. “I connected the dots, Kelly .”
His head cocked as he furrowed his brows .
“Or did you forget?” I paused to wet my lips. “I’m best friends with the woman who found Stone’s missing money .”
“Shit, Kendra.” He shook his head. “I never wanted to drag you into my business. It’s not your place. What I do is dangerous and nothing I want you to be a part of .”
Squeezing his hand, I murmured, “I don’t care who you represent. I know your heart is good. I don’t need to be convinced. I already know .”
He stretched his other arm out and invited my hand inside it. His eyes swayed with mine as his thumbs stroked over my wrists .
“You have me convinced, Kelly. You’re a good one and I don’t intend to let you go .”
“No matter what happens, Bella ,” he said sincerely, “I will protect you and keep you safe .”
“That’s not what keeps me awake at night.” A chill worked its way up my spine .
Kelly squeezed my h
ands. “Tell me, Bella, what keeps you awake then ?”
Staring down at my hands, I hated how this was happening after last week’s drama, but I couldn’t let it go. Nora’s face, the story of how she died, Kaycee, and everything I’d learned about Kelly’s past stayed on my mind like glue. “Why? Why did she do it ?”
There was recognition in his eyes. Our meals sat untouched between us, a look of longing in his eyes. Whether for the food or to move past our current obstacles, I couldn’t tell. “We better eat before it gets cold .”
“Really?” I huffed. “That’s how you’re going to play it?” I reeled my hands back to my side. This wasn’t what I’d envisioned our romantic lunch to be. “Maybe this was a bad idea. You have too much on your mind .”
Kelly dropped his fork and knife to the table and looked up from beneath sunken brows. “You’re the only thing that makes me forget the challenges I’m facing .”
“Then why can’t you tell me why Nora killed herself ?”
I could see his mind racing a million miles per hour. I’d blindsided him. That wasn’t my intention, but I had, and I didn’t regret asking. It was important I knew what happened. And not just part of the story—I needed to know the full story about why she took her own life .
“Slow down a minute.” He showed me his right palm .
“Kelly, I want to know. I need to .”
“When the time is right,” he glanced at the bar, then back to me, “I’ll tell you everything .”
7
Kendra
A s soon as I stepped inside Kelly’s penthouse apartment, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders .
Kicking off my heels, I moved to the kitchen and set my purse—along with the roses Kelly had given me—on top of the counter. My stomach was still working to digest the amazing meal we’d just shared. The heated conversation that had started our lunch had naturally moved into something more relaxing and much more romantic. All thanks to Kelly. He took charge—as he did all things in his life—and good thing, because I wasn’t sure how we were going to get past that. But we did, and now we were here .