by C. J. Thomas
“Famous? Hardly.” I snickered. “Paparazzi. They’re sneaky, hiding in the shadows waiting to take my picture. But I don’t need to tell you how it is with the media; that’s how they are with Nash I’m sure .”
Alex frowned and I wondered what I’d said to make her suddenly feel uncomfortable .
“What is it?” I asked, stroking the inside of her wrist with my thumb .
Her eyes were round and wide and glued to my wrist. My breath caught in my throat when I realized what had stolen her focus .
It wasn’t something I’d said. It was what I’d shown her .
She saw my marks throbbing in unison with my pulse, and it didn’t take me long to notice that she was following the lines—the same lines Kelly traced with his finger only an hour ago—with her eyes .
Releasing her hands, I pulled down my sleeves, feeling ashamed at what I’d allowed Kelly to do to me. Hugging myself, I turned my head to the side, hating the way Alex looked at me like I was the victim when she couldn’t have been further from the truth .
“Kendra?” Alex’s forehead wrinkled. “What is that about ?”
My lips parted but I couldn’t find the words. I wanted to know if this was happening to her, too. If Nash was setting her up like he did Maria. But now it just felt wrong to be accusing her of doing something that I’d asked for—something I was secretly learning to enjoy myself. The last thing I wanted was to be perceived as a hypocrite .
“Is your uncle back ?”
Tucking my hair behind my ear, I ducked my head and murmured, “He never left .”
“Shit, girl. I’m worried about you.” She stole my hand and pulled my sleeve up to my elbow. My cheeks burned as water filled my eyes. “You need to get help .”
Blinking, I realized I had it wrong. Alex wasn’t worried about my sex life, she was concerned that I had inflicted the wounds myself. “I’m fine .”
“You keep saying that, but are you really ?”
“I’m fine.” Reeling in my hand, I wrapped my fingers around the empty shot glass and slurped up what drops remained .
“Then why did you invite me here ?”
“To see how you were doing.” I pushed the glass to the wall. “To see how things were with you and Nash .”
“He’s fine. We’re fine.” She folded her arms over her chest and turned her head. “I guess .”
“And your sex life?” The pitch in my voice shot up an octave .
Alex whipped her head around, crunching her brows into her nose. Her cheeks flamed red. And though she couldn’t find the words to express what it was she was thinking, I could feel her anger directed toward me .
“You remember I told you I was visiting Madam ?”
Alex nodded. “I remember .”
“As I sat in her office, I found myself thinking about the first time you took me there .”
“Okay.” Alex dragged out the word .
“Do you remember what happened that day ?”
“Jerome asked you to undress — ”
My brows raised as I nodded .
“Then he spanked you.” Alex giggled .
“That he did.” I paused, turned my head, and said, “Alex, baby. They were setting us up .”
She reached up to touch her neck, taking a moment to process what it was I was saying. Then she gave me an arched look .
Wishing time would speed up, I whispered, “Madam asked you something that day, something I can’t get out of my head .”
Leaning forward, Alex rested her elbows on top of the table with an inquisitive brow. I could feel her knee bouncing under the table as she perked her ear, ready to hang onto my next word .
“She asked if he has you down at the club.” My insides fluttered, fearful of how she would react .
She grimaced and stopped breathing. Her eyes were dull as she escaped inside her head as if reliving the memory of that day .
“Alex?”
Her eyelids fluttered as I watched her pupils refocus on me .
“Has Nash brought you to Mint ?”
Pulling at her collar, Alex’s eyes darkened. “That’s why you asked me out? So you could accuse Nash of being the monster your boyfriend wants you to believe he is ?”
“It’s not like that .”
“Oh, no? Then what’s it like?” she spat. “I knew I shouldn’t have come. You know, I thought you were different.” She shook her head. “But now I know what Nash was saying about you.” Her tongue clucked. “And to think I told him he was wrong .”
My brows pinched. “What did Nash say about me ?”
Alex gathered her things and scooted herself from out behind the table .
“Alex.” I grabbed her arm. “What did Nash say about me ?”
She leaned close to my face, baring her teeth. “He blames you for being the reason he can’t trust me .”
The air was sucked out of my lungs and I started to hyperventilate. “Alex, you can’t leave. Where are you going?” My eyes swelled, not sure how I’d let things go so wrong. Kelly was going to be pissed. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go .
“He’ll be wondering where I am.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “That is, if he doesn’t already know .”
38
Kelly
“W hat is that smell?”
Madam gave me a quizzical look .
Setting my morning cup of coffee on the corner of her desk, Madam glanced at the fresh flowers. Leaning in, I inhaled the sunny summery scent. “No, that’s not it .”
The colorful arrangement did remind me of Kendra. Without trying, I could still feel how she felt tucked against my hard body throughout the night, beautifully wrapped inside my arms like she needed to hide from the world .
She wasn’t the same after coming home. Shivering in my arms, she was anxious not knowing what to do about her friend. But now at least she knew that I was right—she and I both knew without a doubt Nash had Alex at the club .
And with it came an uncertain and perilous future .
Madam cocked her head to the side as I folded one arm over my chest. Bending my elbow, I pinched my bottom lip with my opposite hand and moved methodically through her spacious office. Madam followed me with her eyes, patiently amused by my sleuthing .
“That’s it.” I snapped my fingers, turning around to face her. “It smells like him .”
Her eyes flickered like candles as she sat perched behind her desk. “Who?” Madam hooted like an owl as she folded her hands on her desk .
Her face was perfectly done and I wondered how early she had to rise to ensure such perfection. “Oscar Buchanan .”
Madam cackled. “I’m impressed, Kelly.” Her white gloved hands clapped proudly out in front of her face .
Rooting my knuckles into her hardwood desk, I leaned over her with narrowed slits for eyes. “You think I wouldn’t have found out ?”
She patted my hand. “Down boy. It’s early. And you know I’m not a morning person .”
“You had him here with Mario .”
“Sit.” She directed me with her eyes to the chair behind me .
My nostrils flared .
She raised her brows. “Sweetheart, have a seat before you give yourself a heart attack .”
Giving in, I stepped to the side and pulled out a chair facing her desk. Falling into it, heat spread across my chest with my heart thrashing between my ears .
“Darling, are you angry with me ?”
Dipping my chin into my chest, I glared up at her beneath my brow .
With her lips pressed tightly together, she flashed me a bitter smile. “You know how disappointed I was when learning you wouldn’t be able to get the information I was after .”
“I needed more time .”
“See, sweetie, that’s just it. We were running out of time.” She nodded. “Besides, I told you I would find someone who could speed up the process .”
“You gave up on me.” I felt lightheaded .
“Honey,”
she pulled her spine to the ceiling, “I haven’t given up on you.” Her tone was maternal. “Don’t forget, I am the only one who believed in you after Nora died .”
Closing my eyes, the agony of Nora’s passing strangled my heart. I didn’t know how to ask what she’d said to Kendra—how Madam made Kendra believe it was my fault Nora died .
“I don’t blame you, Kelly. I blame her.” She nodded once. “Nora is the reason you’re broken, and with the anniversary of her passing — ”
Shaking my head, I said, “Then why didn’t you wait for me to finish my job ?”
She turned her head and I could tell she was choosing her words carefully. “Oscar was able to bring me face-to-face with Mario.” Her eyes rolled back to me. “You know I don’t care about his plea deal or what he gave up in return. Or who was going to make him speak. I just needed to know what he knew .”
Fatigue ached in my bones and I had never felt more alone than I did now .
“Opportunities like that don’t happen every day.” Her brows raised as she cast her gaze to her hands. “I saw my chance and I took it.” She gave a crisp nod .
I knew she was right. Opportunities on this scale were rare and I would have done the same if in her position. But my thoughts swirled to guess what she offered Oscar in return .
“And what did he say?” I asked. “Will it be enough to bring down Stone like you thought it would ?”
Madam smirked. “I’m afraid that is between me and him .”
Glancing at my watch, I wasn’t a fool. I knew what was said. Mario told her everything, and in exchange the DA smeared extra icing on his cake in order to get him to talk. Now the question remained, was it enough of a guarantee to move Madam’s operation full speed ahead ?
“And what about sharing those details with the attorney you hired to represent Stone?” I fixed my eyes on hers. “Don’t you think it would be beneficial for me to know, too ?
“Last I heard,” she smoothed out the imaginary crinkles of her dress, “Stone is heading into his preliminary hearing without any representation, whatsoever .”
My stomach clenched as I watched her dark lashes bat above her smug grin. “Then I guess you don’t need me anymore .”
“Honey, don’t take this personally. I’ve already moved on, and you should, too .”
“You used me,” I said, thinking how Oscar fooled me into believing Stone had approved my name to his visitor list. My blood pressure was already through the roof and now I had to deal with this .
“We used each other,” Madam said firmly. “That’s how relationships work .”
“Is that what you told Parker? That that’s how relationships with you work.” My ribs squeezed the air out of my lungs. “Because it’s becoming clearer to me what is actually happening here .”
“Tell me, darling.” Madam cocked her head to the side. “What is it you think is happening here ?”
“I know about the DA pressuring Parker into bringing charges against me. You orchestrated that from the start, didn’t you?” But I didn’t give her time to respond. I kept going with my accusations. “An easy way to rid me from the equation. Make friends with the enemy .”
Madam cackled. “No, that was entirely on Oscar. Though, if I would have known about it, I would have stopped it,” she said firmly. “I don’t need you handicapped any more than you have been lately .”
I found that hard to believe. Madam had her finger on everything. Passing the blame to Oscar was the easy way out. And with the kind of relationship I had with him, she could sell it, eventually making me believe she was telling the truth .
“He was threatened by you, Kelly, scared he would lose. That’s why he convinced Timothy Parker to press charges. To get rid of you. I had nothing to do with it .”
“And I suppose you didn’t mention anything about your desire to find a way to ensure Stone’s conviction, either ?”
“Didn’t have to. Oscar knows I want Stone put away for life. Honey, he wants the same .”
“But you don’t believe he’s capable of a conviction ?”
“You know me, I like a sure win.” She winked .
Nodding I looked around, weighing my options. “So, now that you got what you wanted, what happens to me? Timothy is still pressing charges .”
Pulling her desk drawer open, she pulled out a yellow manila envelope. Setting it square on her desk, she slid it over to me .
“What’s this?” I asked .
“Open it.” Her lips curled at the corners .
Slowly, my hand lifted to the desk as I leaned forward. Taking the folder between my fingers, I rolled my eyes up to the Madam .
Her eyes sparkled with confidence and I got an uneasy feeling about what waited for me inside. Directing me to proceed with her eyes, I finally opened it. Dropping my gaze to the glossy images, I couldn’t believe my eyes .
“That’s your way out.” Madam grinned. “Show him what you have. Tell him to drop the charges or you’ll release these to the media .”
“You want me to blackmail him ?”
Madam’s brows flickered. “Let Timothy know you have the video, too .”
Rubbing my forehead, I knew this was my way out .
“Madam will make it right.” Her neck stretched like a giraffe before standing. Leaning over to pat my cheek, she added, “She always does .”
39
Kendra
I caught his reflection over my shoulder .
His stealth black three-piece suit shined, reflecting the soft light like body armor. Without taking my eye off of him, I watched him stride over to me with his dark and dangerous eyes zeroing in on his target. A second later I was wrapped inside his big arms, grinning from ear to ear .
“You look amazing.” Kelly’s voice was strong and confident as he kissed the soft spot behind my ear .
My body purred, holding onto him for comfort and direction .
“I thought you would have wanted me in black.” My gaze drifted down my front, my eyes bouncing over the cherry red, off the shoulder fishtail masquerade gown Kelly had chosen for me to wear tonight .
He raked his fingers down my neck, leaving hot trails of desire in their wake. Lifting the black diamond necklace off my chest, Kelly took a minute to study it before moving on to the Tanzanite earrings I had chosen to go with the gown .
“Not on your first night.” His voice was hot and steamy as it swirled in my ear .
When I caught my reflection in the mirror hanging in front of us, it was easy to see that my pupils appeared dilated. With the necklace from Kelly and the earrings a gift from Madam, there was no denying that I was bought, sold, and owned by the both of them. First I was doing this for Alex, but now I was doing it for me .
Tonight would be my first time visiting Mint, stepping inside the exclusive walls that sparked rumors bigger than Hollywood. My muscles twitched against Kelly and I was nervous as a virgin. I didn’t know what to expect. Didn’t know how it would change me—change us. All I knew was that it was owned by Wesley Reid, highly sought after by the elite, and Wes had invited Kelly—which meant that he had inadvertently invited me, too .
Twisting my spine around to face him, I tipped my head back and met his seductive gaze with hooded lids. “Tell me, Counselor, what can I expect to find tonight ?”
His eyes crinkled at the corners as a spark of fire lit in the darkest shadows of his eyes. Dipping his head, Kelly peppered hot open-mouthed kisses down my neck and over my collarbone. “Expect the least expected .”
Moaning, my breath hitched. He had me heating up and I wondered how he would be able to control his urges once we left the privacy of his penthouse suite. “Let me guess, the rest will be a surprise ?”
He reached under my dress, letting his rough hand smooth up my inner thigh. “You got it .”
When his fingers began stroking my moist cleft over my cotton underwear I mewed, “I can take them off if you prefer .”
Tapping my clit with his finger, Kell
y pressed his lips firmly against mine. My mouth parted and I thrust my tongue against his. “Tonight, I want you to keep them on,” he said .
I pulled his mouth over mine, sucking his tongue deep into my mouth. He kissed me softly but passionately. After a minute he pulled away, along with his hand under my dress .
“Maxwell is waiting .”
“Then we should go,” I said, fanning my face .
Kelly threaded his fingers through mine and didn’t let go until we were outside the hotel. Maxwell had the car ready and greeted us both as soon as we were within earshot. He opened the door to the back, and Kelly assisted me inside first before following close behind. As soon as the door was shut, he pulled me against his solid chest. “I have something for you .”
Snuggling against him, I kneaded my nails on his chest like the claws of a cat. He smelled wonderful. Masculine and shaven, the man looked absolutely incredible. And if it wasn’t for the way he held onto me—the way he kissed me inside only minutes ago—I was sure jealousy would find a way to surface tonight. I didn’t want to have to share him. Didn’t want to have other gorgeous women even think about what it would be like to have him. He was mine, and though our attire would fool anyone into believing this was a night of socializing and fun, we both knew it was the exact opposite. Tonight was work, a meeting with Wes in the hopes of being joined by Nash .
“I don’t need any more gifts.” My voice was soft as I played with his buttons .
Kelly leaned forward and pressed a hidden black switch wired to the car. The partition separating us from the front slowly rolled down, allowing Kelly to tap Maxwell on the shoulder. Keeping one hand on the wheel, Maxwell reached over to the passenger seat and handed Kelly a gift bag. Retreating back into his seat, Kelly rolled the partition up as I started wondering what kind of surprises he had waiting for me inside .
Setting it on his thigh, Kelly relaxed. “Any guesses ?”
“About a million.” I smiled. “But really, I already have everything I need .”