by C. J. Thomas
Relieved to have it all to myself, I watched the doors close and braced myself to be lifted to the top. Closing my eyes, I breathed in calmness, not thinking about anything that was about to happen. Seconds later, I felt the car slow to a stop. Once the doors opened I stepped out onto the silent floor .
Perking my ears, I appreciated the stillness in the air. Like the calm before the storm, I imagined the residents tucked away inside the comfort of their apartments, leading the normal boring lives I sometimes wished I lived myself .
Floating down the hallway, I remembered the way Kendra felt in my arms the last time we visited. Her body was stiff, her head down. And I could only hope that her visit with Alex tonight would heal their broken relationship. It hadn’t been the same since I confronted Nash, and without having to vocalize it I knew it was because of me .
Jabbing my finger at the doorbell, I heard it ring behind the closed door .
Turning my back, I glanced to the elevators, thinking Kendra was in for a tough night of her own. I could only hope that the marks she asked me to give her would be enough to break the thick ice that had settled between them .
Hearing the lock on the door click over, I turned to find a pair of eyes peeking through the crack. “How did you know where to find me ?”
My lips tugged at the corners, rounding into a knowing smirk .
“Or are you hear to speak with my girlfriend?” Nash asked. “Because she’s not here. Just stepped out .”
I know. The crinkles around my eyes deepened. “Do you have a minute ?”
“Should I call my lawyer?” His tone was serious .
“I am a lawyer.” I winked in an attempt to lighten the dark mood I could feel radiating out of the apartment .
Nash huffed out a disbelieving chuckle. “Ironic, isn’t it? You being a criminal defense lawyer, but acting more like a prosecuting attorney .”
“I suppose it is.” My shoulders shrugged and my hand dove inside my suit jacket pocket. “No matter the title you give me,” I said, pulling out the images of Sylvia, “can you explain these ?”
I watched Nash’s eyes fall to the glossy image on top. His face drooped as he sighed. Glancing down the hallway, he opened the door to Alex’s apartment and waved me inside .
Soft jazz music played from the speakers. Smells of lamb and rice filled the air. Candles were freshly burnt on the dining table and it wasn’t hard for me to imagine the romantic dinner he’d had with Alex a short while ago. Just the two of them. No worries or concerns creeping in from the outside world. Then I could picture their faces when Alex received the call from Kendra setting up my ambush on Nash .
“You drink?” Nash held up an expensive bottle of rum .
Shaking my head, I politely declined .
Nash stood behind the wet bar with a variety of bottles of liquor behind him on the wall. All of them expensive, aged, and imported. He poured his drink straight and when he was finished, he said, “Take a seat. Make yourself at home .”
Moving past the large flat-screen TV mounted to the wall, I fell into the soft leather La-Z-Boy, crossing one leg over the other .
“So,” Nash dropped into the corner of the couch opposite me, “did you look into Sylvia like I asked ?”
Leaning back in my chair with a light chest, my eyes narrowed as I zeroed in on him. I nodded once. “Sylvia believes you stopped attending Mint after Maria’s death .”
Nash stared at me and grinned before lifting his glass to his mouth. Laughing into his drink, he said, “I told you that one is crazy .”
Flicking my brows, I let my head swivel on my shoulders. Tonight was more relaxed without the women present and I could take in the apartment. “Nice place .”
“That it is.” Nash followed my eyes as they zig-zagged over the walls. “The best unit in the building .”
“The building. It’s yours, isn’t it?” My gaze fixed on his .
Nash’s lips parted as he smiled, showing off his perfectly straight teeth. “It is .”
The amenities were over the top. The place had all the latest and greatest in state of the art technologies and conveniences one would expect in a luxurious apartment such as this. It also had a feminine touch to it—Alex’s touch .
“So, which is it?” My foot swung. “Before or after ?”
Nash poked his cheek with his tongue and rolled his eyes. “How about we get on with talking about those images you so carelessly pulled out in the hallway ?”
Nodding, I uncrossed my leg and moved to the couch. With Nash watching me intently, I began lining up the images of Sylvia on top of the glass coffee table .
Nash was quiet. His body still. And with his drink still in his hand, I let him take a minute to soak in the implications of why it was I was here .
“She says you did it.” My voice was soft but it sliced through the silent room like a chef’s knife through butter .
Nash’s eyelids hooded just before he tossed back his drink, emptying the glass. Without saying a word, he got up and went to pour himself another. With another shot of rum in his system he said, “Look, my sex life is eccentric .”
I stood, hovering over the images with my hands buried inside my pant pockets .
“If you’re asking about my involvement in Mint, then you know what my tastes are .”
“I’m aware,” I said, wondering if he knew that I, too, had the same dark desires .
Nash set his glass down and splayed his fingers over the top of the bar. “But, like I told you yesterday, I left Mint before Maria was found dead .”
My eyes narrowed, carefully studying his body language for truth .
“My story won’t change, Kelly.” His eyes flickered up to mine. “It’s true. Down to the last detail. You can even read the transcript from when I was first brought in for questioning. I’m sure you can get your hands on the police report .”
I nodded, knowing Giselle had already read the report .
“I have no reason to lie. But Sylvia,” his brows raised, “certainly does .”
Dropping my head, I stared at the coffee table, trying to decide who I should believe. “Then maybe you can explain this.” My hand pulled out Maria’s photos, the same images I’d showed Nash last time .
Nash stepped around the bar and moved closer. “Ahh …” He nodded. “Because they both have similar injuries, I must be guilty ?”
“Or maybe you just got rough with Sylvia?” I said, giving Nash the benefit of the doubt .
It wasn’t worth having him lose what little trust he had in me, or having him think that I had already made up my mind about him like Giselle had. It was important he saw me as a friend—perhaps the only friend he had in all this. I wasn’t out for blood. I wanted answers, justice for Maria. That was it .
Nash lifted both of his hands to his head and pulled back his hair. “This is unbelievable. I knew that she was a mistake. But this,” he pointed down to the coffee table, “I never would have expected her to take it this far .”
“Tell me.” My brow pinched. “What happened between you two ?”
He glared at me out of the corner of his eye. Then, in a low voice, he said, “She was specific in her requests .”
My head pulled to the ceiling as excitement pumped through my veins .
“She knew exactly what she wanted.” His eyes were fixed on Sylvia as he told his story. “Telling me how to do it and what she wanted to have done .”
Taking a step closer to the table, I asked, “And she did all this on the first night you were together ?”
Nash turned his head and found me staring. “The only night we were together .”
Letting my eyes roll back to the images of Sylvia and Maria, I stood there knowing that Nash’s story never changed. Not once since his name came up the first time. And if what he was telling me now was also true, I found it hard to believe someone would know what they wanted done to them when supposedly a BDSM virgin—like Sylvia said she was .
As if reading my m
ind, Nash said, “Kelly, you know how it is. That enjoyment doesn’t happen overnight .”
Bending over, I picked up a glossy image of each woman .
“This lifestyle is a skill, a responsibility to not be taken lightly .”
“What are you saying, Nash ?”
“What I’m saying is that Sylvia knew that I was into this lifestyle .”
“It’s not something that you keep secret,” I reminded him .
“If I would have known how crazy obsessive she would get after that night, I wouldn’t have fucked her in the first place .”
“But you did .”
Falling into the couch, Nash sat quietly stewing his thoughts. “You should have seen her when I said that it was over.” He looked up at me from under a sunken brow. “When I told her to stop calling me. That I wasn’t interested. She was beyond livid .”
Pinching the corner of the picture, I looked Sylvia in the eye and said, “Pissed enough to kill someone ?”
“I hate to say it, but, yeah.” He sighed. “What more do you need from me to prove to you that I didn’t kill Maria ?”
Gathering the images into my hands, I said, “Link Sylvia to the night Maria was killed — ”
“And then ?”
Rolling back my shoulders, I stepped forward and hovered over Nash. “I’ll shift my investigation over to her .”
37
Kendra
I hit send and set my phone down on the table .
Men. They were everywhere. And as I sat there tucked away in the corner of Mojito, I wondered where all the women were tonight. I didn’t need any more testosterone swirling around me. I had enough of it when I was with Kelly. And, besides, men were the reason I was here, needing to rekindle my relationship with my best girl .
Hunched over with my elbows spread on the table, I picked up my phone and checked the time again. One minute had passed since the last time I’d looked and I couldn’t wait to have my chance to speak with Alex .
My knee bounced restlessly .
Kelly hadn’t let me down, ever, and I could only hope that I wouldn’t regret his plan tonight. The questions he needed answers to were now the very same questions burning a hole inside my own head. I needed to make sure that Alex was safe—that she wasn’t unknowingly walking into her own grave .
Fiddling with my sleeve cuffs, I lifted my shirt and moved the silver bangles to the side to inspect the marks given to me by Kelly. A feeling of possessiveness washed over me as the corners of my lips curled into a smile .
Squeezing my thighs tighter together, my eyes fluttered shut as I felt the heat begin to spread .
“You have to tell me what’s on your mind .”
I opened my eyes to find a friendly face smiling down on me. His head was shaved and he smelled of expensive cologne. “Nothing that I want to share .”
He silently asked with a wave of his hand if he could take a seat on the bench opposite me. I nodded and said, “Slim pickings tonight, huh ?”
He held his gaze on mine, a glimmer of hope lighting up his eyes. “A fisherman only needs to catch one to make it a good day .”
“And what makes you think that I want to be caught ?”
Leaning forward, he folded his arms on top of the table and smiled. “That smirk threatening to burst into laughter .”
I shook my head and let my bangs swish over my forehead. “You think I’m here to play ?”
“I think you’re here because you want to play .”
He was confident and cocky and dressed extremely well. If I wasn’t already drunk on Kelly, then perhaps in another life I would have been more interested .
Smoothing my hand over the table, I said, “Don’t you want to offer me a drink ?”
He bit his bottom lip and snickered .
“I tend to open up when I’m tipsy .”
His dark eyes held my gaze for a minute before he scooted out from the booth. “What will it be then ?”
My eyes fell to his crotch. “Something hard .”
He flicked his brows and tipped back his bottle of craft brew before pivoting on a heel and disappearing to the bar on the other side of the room .
Laughing, I picked up my phone remembering the night I was here with Alex—the night I dragged her out of the house to celebrate her new internship in Hollywood, the one hosted by Nash Brooks .
Hearing two men on the opposite side of the room argue over sports, I thought how these men were too easily manipulated when it came to booze and women. I had no intention of taking it any further with Baldy, but getting a free drink out of him wasn’t a sin. So, why the hell not ?
Rolling my eyes back to my cell, it chirped with a message from one of my social media accounts. I quickly checked it before letting my thoughts drift back to Kelly .
I hoped his meeting with Nash was going better than my night. I hadn’t heard from Alex since she said she would meet me. And now that I was left waiting, I wondered if she had changed her mind, deciding I wasn’t worth her effort .
Turning my head, I watched the boys battle it out .
I couldn’t help but think that maybe tonight’s plan was Kelly’s way to avoid sleep. After the way he woke up this morning, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of witnessing another night terror myself. It was awful—scared the shit out of me—and he still hadn’t given me any answers to what really happened between him and Nora .
As soon as I lifted my gaze from my phone, I caught sight of Alex standing at the bottom of the stairs .
Smiling, I hated that I’d ever doubted her. Alex was true to her word. Always had been. And that was a huge part of the reason I loved her so much .
Standing, I waved my arms through the air, getting her attention. Her eyes brightened when she saw me and I watched her weave through the maze of tables and chairs with hands buried inside her jean pockets .
She looked gorgeous with her hair down, her shoulders covered with a hooded cardigan over a cotton tee. Alex always was best at looking casual yet sophisticated .
Once she was within reach, I spread my arms wide and embraced her in a warm hug. “Hey .”
Pulling back, my eyes racked her over, looking for visual signs that Nash might have her at the club. She was covered well, leaving little skin for me to see .
“Hey.” Her voice was soft, apologetic .
“Thanks for seeing me.” I ironed my hands down her arms. Not once did she flinch, making me believe there weren’t any hidden bruises beneath .
“I’m glad you called.” A corner of her mouth grinned. “I thought maybe after this morning you’d find a way to replace me .”
“Never.” I wrapped her up in another hug before we fell into our seats .
Alex set her clutch and phone off to the side as I watched silently, thinking how great it was to see her. Though there was still a sense of insecurity buzzing between us, neither one of us knowing what to say, I still loved her more than anything else .
Before the stillness made it any more awkward, I said, “How’s Nash ?”
“Things are getting better.” She sighed .
“That’s good .”
“But there is still an edge to him .”
My gaze hardened with concern .
“I’m helping him through it .”
I speculated to what she meant, not pressing the issue. Letting her decide where she wanted to take it, I was here to listen with an open mind. It wasn’t like us to hide things, to not be direct in our thoughts, knowing that the words would eventually come. And as I sat there staring into the face of my friend, I wondered what had happened to us .
But before Alex could say anything else, Baldy was back with a shot of something clear. “Something hard for the lady .”
Alex’s eyes flickered at the innuendo and resisted the urge to burst out laughing .
“What is it?” I asked .
“Tequila.” He winked .
Pinching the shot glass between my fingers I lifted it to my mou
th and shot it back, feeling the hot burn warm my insides as my face puckered .
“I think I’m in love,” he said. “Though I didn’t realize you had company.” His eyes shifted to Alex .
“I have company,” I said .
Alex covered her mouth and snickered .
Baldy glanced to the bar where his friend was sitting alone, watching. Peeking around his shoulder, I watched his friend stand and, realizing what was happening, I quickly said, “Thank you for the drink. But you better leave before my boyfriend sees you harassing us .”
His lips parted as he stammered with confusion .
Alex nodded. “He’ll kick your ass if he sees you here. Believe me .”
Baldy held up his hands and retreated too easily. We both burst out laughing .
“Did you see his face? Oh, dear God, he clearly has never met a woman like you.” Alex rolled through a fit of laughter .
Leaning forward, I said, “Hey, you remember the night we ran into Wes and Nash over there.” I jutted my chin across the room .
Alex glanced toward the booth they were sitting at that night. “No. But I do remember how you went home with that long-haired greaser .”
Sinking back into my seat, my brows pinched. “To be fair, he played a wicked good guitar .”
“That’s all he was good at,” she reminded me .
Alex’s face was bright and I knew she was back—we were back. It was fun to be reminded of just how far we had both come since that night. Everything had changed once I stepped into Kelly’s world and I knew the same could be said about her and Nash .
“You know,” Alex’s voice sang, “that was also the night Nash first laid his hands on me .”
My stomach did somersaults with the way she phrased her words. It was like she knew what I was after, tossing me the hook, requesting I bait myself so she wouldn’t have to do the dirty work of pulling me to shore. But I would have known if she’d been into this submissive sex thing—wouldn’t I ?
Reaching across the table, I offered her my hands. “It’s really great to see you .”
“You too.” She smiled, settling her hands into mine, looking around as more men poured into the area. “Why are you hiding in the corner? Too good, now that you’re famous ?”