by C. J. Thomas
“Sure, make yourself at home,” a man’s voice called from behind me.
I jumped around with my hand on my chest, saying, “Holy shit. You scared me, dude.”
He showed me his palms and took my wrist. I watched as he inhaled the scent of the perfume, closing his eyes as he did. “Beautiful.”
Not wanting him to get the wrong idea, I yanked my arm free, frowning. He said beautiful but what I heard was Bella. And just like that, Kelly was there with me.
“Can I help you?” He gave me a full-tooth smile that made my skin crawl.
“Are you expecting a delivery?” I asked, looking him up and down.
He was decently dressed in a two-piece suit but his hair looked greasy and he could use a shave.
“Depends who is asking.” He winked.
“I’m asking.” He reached for my hand again but I took a step back, retreating.
“Watch it!” I said through gritted teeth, swatting his nasty fingers away.
He frowned. “Easy. If you wear my product, then I’d like to know what you think of it.”
“I guess you’re not expecting a delivery.” I hurried past him, thinking that maybe I had the wrong place.
“I’ll take it,” he said from behind.
My heels dug in and came to a screeching halt. Slowly, I turned and said, “Take what?”
“The package.” He stepped toward me and held out his hand, describing the envelope and its size perfectly.
That was enough to convince me he was my man. Reaching inside my tote, I pulled the thick envelope out and handed it over. He smiled when he took it and then said, “Stay awhile. We can get to know each other.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
He gave me an arched look.
“Tootle-oo.” I waved my fingers at him as I turned and left, thinking that I needed to demand more money from the Madam if she wanted to have me keep making deliveries for her. I could do dates because the men were classy, but this, this was pushing my limits.
My Uber driver was still waiting, as I’d asked of him. He had his arm out the open window and was listening to soft rock when I opened the door. “Everything good?” he asked as I got into the back.
“Everything is good,” I said. “You can take me back to where you picked me up.”
He nodded, took the vehicle out of park, and put the wheels in motion as I put in a quick message to Kelly.
Hey. Tonight is too far away. Want to meet me now?
When he didn’t respond, I knew that if I wanted to get him to talk, I would just have to surprise him with a visit myself.
33
Kelly
With tabloid reporter Sylvia Neil wanting our connection to remain a secret, it was better that I took this one alone. Besides, Giselle could make some follow-up calls while I got to the bottom of this.
Maxwell dropped me in front of the hotel and I headed straight for reception, passing patrons conversing in the front lobby without so much as making eye contact.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Black,” the woman behind the desk greeted me.
“There is a woman who will be visiting,” I said, then went on to describe Sylvia Neil. “When she arrives, would you mind sending her up?”
“Of course. Not a problem.” She nodded and smiled.
I tapped my knuckles on the wooden counter, turned, and headed to the elevators, thinking that this was the only truly safe place I had available. I knew what Sylvia was risking when meeting with me, disclosing the information she worked tirelessly around the clock to uncover. It was important I reassured her that our meeting would be done in, and kept, private.
Reaching inside my pocket, I pulled out my keycard and swiped it in front of the elevator doors, causing them to immediately open. Stepping inside with furrowed brows, I couldn’t stop thinking of all the power moves being played out around me. Something big was about to go down. I could feel it.
When the lift stopped on the top floor, I stepped into the hallway, making my way to my penthouse with memories of the first time I’d brought Kendra here. I still remembered the flower petals that trailed over the floor. Remembered the excitement in her eyes, the kind of bubbly spirit that still brought a smile to my face.
Tonight, Kendra. Tonight, you will see that I’m the man you’ve been waiting for, I said to myself, unlocking the door to my place.
As soon as I stepped inside, I could smell her. It was like she had been here this morning. All fruit and flowers. As my eyes traveled the length of each wall—into the living room and past the kitchen—I could easily see her there, floating on her feet as she made herself at home.
I flicked my wrist and glanced at the time.
Sylvia was running late and I wondered what was keeping her from me. Pacing impatiently, I moved to my bedroom, trailing my fingers over the bed where, again, all I could think about was Kendra.
God. I was getting hard just thinking of the last time we were here, rolling between the sheets. It was an incredible night. The way her moans grew louder as she drew closer to orgasm. How her needy body hungrily writhed beneath mine as I thrust in and out of her, growling into her ear as I came.
A chuckle escaped my lips as I cracked my knuckles.
We were made for each other. The hard-headedness found in both of us was a recipe that made for great, feisty sex. Now, if only she would sign the contract, then I could take our already great sex and turn it into even hotter sex.
A knock on the door took me out of my thoughts and away from my Bella, Kendra. I hustled to let Sylvia inside. “Any problems getting access to the elevators?”
“Easy as pie.” She smiled.
I invited her inside and watched her take in the grandeur that defined my place, soaking up the rich, luxurious details with her eyes. She had her hair pulled up in a messy bun, and with jeans and a loose-fitting blouse she looked like a reporter who had spent all morning typing away behind her desk. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Water would be great,” she said, stopping at the bookcase.
I prepared two lemon ice waters and went to her, handing her a glass.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft and she didn’t hesitate to steal a quick sip while she slid her finger down several book spines, reading the titles.
“It’s a small collection I’ve been working on,” I said, rocking on my heels, my hands buried in my pockets.
“I didn’t know you read fiction.” She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.
“Hardly have the time it seems these days.” I smiled. “But even defense attorneys need a little excitement in their lives.”
She plucked a novel from the shelf and said, “Ever think you’ll pen one yourself? I’m sure you have some fascinating stories from cases you’ve worked.”
I tipped my head back and laughed. “Not my thing. What about you?”
She glanced at me. Her eyes were a hazelnut brown that lit up under her dark lashes. “Write a novel?”
“A writer like you, it must have crossed your mind a couple of times?”
Her eyes moved back to the novel as she shrugged. “I’ve thought about it,” she said, sliding the book back in its place.
“And?”
“Huh.” Her brows squished together as she inched closer, peering over the top. It was an orchid flower on top of the bookcase that stole her attention and I watched as she picked it up, bringing it to her nose for a smell. Her eyes closed when she inhaled in an attempt to catch any remaining scent that may be left over from before it was plucked. “Where’s the rest of it?”
“Left over from the other night.” I turned and moved to the couch. “Come. Let’s sit.”
She followed me to the living room, choosing to sit in the chair across from the sectional I sat in. We were separated by a glass-topped coffee table, and it was there we both chose to set down our sweaty glasses of water.
“Mind if I keep this?” she asked, holding up the flower.
“All you
rs.” I nodded, not thinking anything of it. “So, Sylvia, anything new on the Maria Greer murder?”
She leaned back, crossing her legs at the knee. “That’s funny, I was going to ask you the same. That’s why you asked me to come today, isn’t it?”
“I want to get to the bottom of it, just like everyone else.”
“What have you been doing to get there?” She quirked a brow.
“Beginning here.” I lifted my hand and pointed my finger down to the floor. “With you.”
“Sorry, Kelly.” She frowned.
My brows drew together, wondering what it was she was sorry about.
“I thought you heard.”
“Heard what?”
“I want to uncover the truth about Maria’s murder as much as you do, but I’m no longer working the story.”
My spine peeled off the back of the couch as I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “And why is that?”
She let out a heavy sigh before bending over and digging through her bag. “This just came to my attention this morning.” She handed me a one-page manuscript.
I took it between my fingers as a grave expression moved over my face. Then I read it line by line. “Who sent this?”
She shrugged as she leaned back, wrapping herself inside her arms. “It’s the first death threat I’ve ever received and it has me scared shitless.”
My head lifted to terrified eyes staring back at me. “Any idea who is making the threats?”
She shook her head, dropping her gaze to her feet. “It’s coming through in email, but the message was encrypted so there’s no way to track who’s sending it.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
“Look, Kelly. I love my job, but it’s not worth dying over. Someone is clearly pissed with me digging into their lives and I know it has something to do with the Maria Greer case.”
“What makes you say that?” I dropped my eyes back to the typed-up threat Sylvia had printed off, trying to piece together the connection between Maria and what Sylvia already knew.
Sylvia told me the same story Alex shared with Giselle and me this morning. How Blake Stone had stashed away a large sum of money in a studio and that the cartel who gave him the loan wanted it back after he got arrested on distribution with intent to sell charges.
“Does anybody else know about this?” The paper flapped between my fingers when I held it up.
She bit the inside of her cheek as her shoulders shrugged. “And, Kelly, that’s not all. I received a call this morning—”
“From the same people who are threatening you?”
She nodded. “I assume. Whoever it was made a similar kind of threat.”
“Do you think it could be the cartel behind the threats?”
“I’m not going to make any guesses.” She played reporter, always protecting her stories and sources, but with Mario and Stone both behind bars, I wondered who was behind the threats. “If I step away, I’m willing to bet that the death threats. Will stop”
“Shit,” I said, shoving my hand through my hair. “You need to report this.”
Her head snapped up and she lurched forward. “No, Kelly. I don’t want anybody to know about this. Promise me you won’t tell.”
I stared at the email, running through my options. Sylvia was an asset I couldn’t afford to lose. Sure, I could turn to Hollywood Stars reporter Julia Mabel instead of Sylvia, but Sylvia was the one to first bring Maria to my attention.
“I went to see Nash Brooks today,” I said.
Her leg stopped swinging and I swore she held her breath as she stared at me with big round eyes. “He knows about Maria,” she blurted out. “I showed him the photos of her death before I handed them over to you.”
I gave her a slight nod. “He wasn’t there.”
Her chest rose, then fell, with easy breaths.
“What do you know about him?”
“Besides that he’s a billionaire film director?”
I nodded once.
“Maria Greer was also an intern of his.”
My brows knitted. “Really?”
She nodded, a slight curl pulling at the corners of her mouth.
“News to me.” I clasped my hands and hung my head. “Anyways, doesn’t really matter. The police are convinced Mario is the killer.”
Sylvia flopped back in her chair.
“What do you think?” I asked, lifting my head to meet her gaze.
“I think what I know. The evidence points to him.”
“I’m not so convinced.”
She blinked rapidly as her fingers gripped the sides of the chair with enough force to make her knuckles go white. “Do you think it could be Nash? I mean she was his intern.”
“I don’t know.” I frowned.
I watched as Sylvia reached into her bag to pull out a pen and paper. “Visit this man.” Her hand scribbled a name and address.
I read the name. “Wesley Reid?”
“Good. You know who he is.” She tapped the pen against the paper.
“What’s Wes have to do with any of this?”
Her mouth spread and curved into a smile. “Wes knows more about Nash and Maria than anybody else. Go talk to him. And after he talks, come find me. We’ll compare notes.”
34
Kendra
“Can I help you?” The woman behind the desk lifted her head when I walked in.
Readjusting my grip on my tote, I slid my thumb through the shoulder strap and froze at the sight of her dazzling eyes. She was lovely in her professional suit that brought out her slim, perfect hour-glassed figure. There was no way she could be a defense attorney, I thought to myself. Her beauty caught me by surprise, as I wasn’t expecting to be walking into someone like her when trying to track down Kelly.
Her makeup was applied to perfection and her long lashes highlighted her soft gaze. But there was also a hidden intensity in her eyes that I only noticed after staring deep inside them for longer than a second. A pang of jealousy hit my gut, causing me to clench at my side, realizing now just who Kelly worked with.
The woman straightened her spine and raised her brows when I didn’t respond.
“Uh, yeah. I’m looking for Kelly. Is he in?”
I dragged my feet as I moved cautiously into the office. My head swiveled on my shoulders as I looked around, curious to learn more about Kelly and his firm. There was a palm in the corner, stretching to the ceiling, and a few spider plants whose limbs reached to the windows. It created a fresh ambience to what would otherwise feel like a stuffy office environment—an environment I was all too familiar with. Awards and diplomas lined the walls, and when my eyes landed on her desk, I read her nameplate – Giselle Archer.
“Mr. Black isn’t in right now.” She stepped around her desk, extending her hand in my direction. “Kendra, right?”
She took me in a surprisingly firm grip and I shook her hand, nodding, feeling slightly awkward being in Kelly’s office uninvited and without warning. Now I didn’t know what to say or what I’d do next. But something inside me told me that he wouldn’t be happy to learn that I was stalking him. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”
There was a hint of concern in her eye when she looked at me, but she remained strong and unassuming as she folded her arms over her chest. “What brings you in today?”
“It’s nothing.” I dropped my gaze to the floor, tucking a loose bang behind my ear. “I’ll just come back when Kelly is here.”
“If you leave your number I’ll tell him you stopped by.”
“Forget it. I’ll talk to him some other time,” I said, turning on a heel and pushing my way through the glass doors. Giselle never did pursue me, and I was thankful for that. I didn’t need to bring her into my relationship with Kelly or my own personal drama. And though we had met before, I was happy to assume she had forgotten who I was.
My waiting Uber was exactly where he said he would be. Hurrying to get back inside, I opened th
e door and sank deep into the backseat, letting out a heavy sigh.
“Where to now, miss?”
I stared out the window as I thought about it. There was only one other place I could think of where Kelly might be. It was also the one place I didn’t really want to go without first being invited.
But I’d come this far already and knew that I might as well keep on going until I found him. I had nothing to lose, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the allegations against him. I had a burning desire to get to the truth and see what he had to say for himself.
“You got it,” my driver said after I barked off the name of the building, giving the names of the general cross-streets to go along with it.
He started the engine just as I swiped my phone alive. My thumbs typed up a quick text to the Madam.
Your delivery is done.
She responded almost immediately.
Well done, dear.
Keeping the Madam happy was essential to keeping my schedule open for the day. The last thing I needed was Madam to surprise me with a date tonight, especially since I’d already reserved tonight for Kelly—whether she knew about it or not.
My brows pinched.
Maybe they were the ones to conspire for his invitation and gift to appear in my apartment. It was proving tough to keep up with all the secrets that surrounded him. He’d seemed like a fairly easy nut to crack in the beginning, but I’d also known there was more to him after that first initial impression.
The driver made a right-hand turn into the park. Instantly, we were shaded by tall trees that flickered sunlight between the cracks like a disco ball spinning on the dancefloor.
It was then I wondered why Kelly failed to mention he worked with such a bombshell like Giselle. I couldn’t get over how gorgeous she was. She stopped me in my tracks. I knew what a woman like her could do to a man with strong desires—desires like I knew Kelly had. It wasn’t a good combination and could easily escalate into something more. I wanted to know how they came to be working together and if there was a history—a past beyond professionalism—that I should know about.