by C. J. Thomas
He hesitated for longer than I liked. “You mean, my feeling that Oscar Buchanan is somehow involved?”
“The more you can share with me, the better.” I needed to know if he was telling the truth or had an angle of his own. Though his reputation was upstanding, this last month had caused me to lose trust in nearly everyone I crossed.
Bending over, he opened a desk drawer. When he came up, he slapped the news article on the center of the desk. “Is that the real reason you’re here?” His eyes glanced to the story Madam had written—the news cycle that seemed never ending.
I stroked my chin, reminding myself of the details.
Sylvia was at fault for Maria’s murder. Mario was set up to take the fall. Sylvia should be charged with his murder, as well.
I understood the predicament the mayor was in. It was a fine balance between effectively policing the city without losing the trust of its citizens. And closing cases was a surefire way to keep the public’s trust. If this argument—this lie—didn’t die soon, public opinion would only put more pressure on the city to press charges. The momentum against Sylvia was building.
Staring at the article, my heart beat for Kendra. “Do you believe it?”
“Does it matter what I believe?” He leaned back, keeping one hand on top of his desk. “Look, Kelly, I wish I had the evidence to confirm my suspicions about Oscar, but the medical examiner’s reports came back and confirmed suicide.”
My brows slanted. I turned my gaze out the window and thought. “Besides wanting to get her on murder one for Maria Greer, is there another investigation into Sylvia Neil?”
Mayor Bentley stood and turned to the window with hands in his pockets. “Is there more to Sylvia’s story than what you’re saying?” When I didn’t respond, he glanced over his shoulder. “Because, now I’m wondering if Oscar wasn’t right after all. Should I instruct the police chief to increase its manpower in finding Sylvia and question her on the Tonya Craig murder as well?”
Sylvia couldn’t run from what she’d done to Maria, but I knew for a fact she had nothing to do with Tonya. Except I couldn’t mention Angelina Davis’s name without jeopardizing my relationship with Stone.
“Oscar is building a strong case against her.”
My stomach clenched at his words as I hung on to each one. I knew Oscar was behind the spin the mayor was putting on the story. They both needed a political win, especially when the stakes were as high as they were. I could feel their stress, their need to stay in power.
The mayor stared as I grinded my teeth, wishing I could tell him about the evidence I’d acquired from Sylvia’s apartment. I had it all there—proof that Oscar was the corrupt one, that he was the one we should all be chasing down. But, in doing so, I would only be incriminating myself.
“The district attorney’s office works on facts, Kelly. And this office isn’t any different.”
Needing to present the mayor with an angle of my own, I sat upright and said, “I have solid information—testimony from a protected CI that could be used in court—that Oscar may have planted a killer inside with specific instruction to kill Mario.”
The mayor slowly turned around. Crossing his arms, he said, “I’m listening.”
Over the next several minutes, I told him the details of what Stone told me only an hour earlier. I finished by saying, “Oscar has the ability to make such an opportunity arise. But I need the name—we both need the name. It should be on record, but if you requested it yourself we’d save ourselves from having to jump through hoops.”
He tipped his head back and stared.
“It’s important we get to this fast. If word gets around that I’m looking for this, Oscar will wipe the slate clean.” I could see his thoughts churning before nodding in agreement. I stood and shook his hand. “Thank you, Mayor.”
The next words out of the mayor’s mouth surprised the hell out of me. “Kelly, what are the odds Oscar has been bought by an outside influence?”
Madam’s cackle filled my ear as images of her eyes flashed behind my lids. “Why do you ask?”
“Like you said, it’s election season and I need to be certain I know where his loyalties lie.” He paused. “Nobody wins by running on ethical behavior alone. This city is corrupt. You and I both know it. I can only hope that I’m hedging my bets when telling you all this, that you won’t later stab me in the back.”
My gaze traveled the length of his red tie. I couldn’t help but think maybe the mayor was simply stating the irony of how a man like me—working with people like Madam and Blake Stone—could want to seek justice for any other reason than for personal gain. “I guess you’ll have to trust me, just as I did in telling you about the possibility of Oscar putting out a hit on Mario.”
The mayor sighed and nodded.
“Find out the name of that perp who was collared and you’ll know whose side I’m on.” The mayor’s glimmer made me believe he would. “Tread carefully with Oscar. He’s not who you might think he is.”
I turned to leave as the mayor said, “I’ll call in a few favors, but only because I need to save my own ass.”
Glancing over my shoulder I stared into his eyes, wondering if he believed Oscar was trying to unseat him. Then I turned into the lobby, wishing his secretary a good day. I headed for the stairs. Once at the bottom, my cell started ringing. It was Alex.
My heart raced as I picked up. “Alex, did you find Kendra?”
“I just spoke with her.”
I closed my eyes, tipped my head back, and whispered a quick word of thanks to the sky. “Where is she? Is she all right?”
“She sounded normal but, knowing her, that doesn’t mean a thing.” Alex paused as we both knew it was impossible to read what was really going on inside Kendra’s head. “Kelly, she asked for me to pick her up, but I think it’s best that you be the one to do it.”
I stiff-armed the glass double doors and exited the building. Asking Alex where, she gave me the cross streets. “I’m on my way now.”
“Be careful, Kelly. We don’t know what happened to her.”
“I will.” I hurried for my car. “And, Alex—thank you.”
18
Kendra
I kept the pain I was in hidden from Lucky.
He didn’t ask. I didn’t tell. And as I watched him drive away, I was left feeling unsettled by how the ride ended.
Our goodbye was weak. It wasn’t our style, and I knew it was because of how I tossed each question like sharp darts of accusations—accusing him of being someone he wasn’t.
My brow twitched and furrowed with sudden regret.
He was always the first to offer a hand, and the fact that he didn’t do it today only had me feeling lonelier than before.
I’d pushed too hard. Lucky only closed up when I persisted in asking what he knew about Madam, if anything. It wasn’t fair of me to put him on trial. He was only trying to make an honest wage and, just like the rest of us, I assumed Madam had made him believe she was the only ticket to freedom from whatever misery he was in. And, besides, it didn’t help that I was asking to be taken from the exact place the last girl was dropped.
I shivered in the breeze.
The day was unusually cold, the sky grey overhead.
Wrapping myself in the shawl Madam provided, I wished I’d never put a 911 message into Alex. Stepping to the wall, I was so close to home. Two short blocks and I was there. And when I thought about the quiet escape home would provide, the idea of disappearing without telling a soul sounded like bliss.
A man quickly passed by.
I turned away and stared at my building rising tall above all the others.
My stomach quivered in fear of what I might find if I did go inside.
Smoothing my hand over my tender ribs, there was no doubt the game had changed.
I’d been put on notice. I needed help—and maybe this time I might actually agree to therapy. But, mostly, I just wanted to get Madam what she wanted from Kelly so that
I could get on with my life.
Checking the time on my phone, the minutes dragged.
My toes tapped on the concrete and I kept my body tightly wrapped inside my arms.
Alex couldn’t get here soon enough. But when I heard the low recognizable rumble of Kelly’s Audi, my heart went into a sudden panic.
This wasn’t the plan.
I didn’t know what I would say to him.
Madam made sure I was cleaned up before I left her care, but Kelly would see.
“Alex, why did you do this to me?” I muttered to myself as Kelly slammed on his brakes only feet away. Flinging his door open, he ran to me. Wrapping me in his big arms, I winced as his hands gripped the secret beneath. Feeling my body tense, he pulled back with concern deepening his brow.
I stared into his gorgeous eyes, chocking on the stone lodged in my throat.
A slew of mixed emotions prickled my skin and made me weak in the knees. I was happy to see him, pissed at Alex, and wanted to kill Madam, Oscar, and Jerome. Then I saw pain and regret and anger twitch in the corner of his eye and my heart nearly broke.
Unable to tear myself away, I knew he knew. I could see it in the way he was looking at me. My vision blurred as my eyes drowned in a flood of emotion.
“Oh, thank god you’re alive,” he said, pressing his lips to my crown.
I closed my eyes and swallowed. Feeling his hand snake around my waist, he gently guided me to the front seat of his car. Opening the door, I slid inside, hiding the searing pain I felt when sitting down.
Kelly hurried around the front and settled behind the wheel. The engine was still on when he glanced over his shoulder and quickly darted into traffic.
Afraid of who might be watching, I didn’t ask how he knew where to find me or where we were going. I liked his sense of urgency to flee. Staring straight ahead, I kept my hands tucked into my belly.
My thoughts zig-zagged. I was confused why Alex wasn’t the one to pick me up. She’d convinced me that she was okay, that we could discuss why the DEA had visited her. But now I couldn’t stop myself from thinking that maybe Madam’s threat was real and Alex had to hide herself.
Kelly’s strong masculine scent nearly fooled me into feeling a false sense of protection. I kept checking the mirrors, looking over my shoulder with feelings that we were being followed. When we stopped at a red light, my gaze darted to the windows as I searched for Madam’s people in the many faces staring back.
I flinched when Kelly’s hand landed on my thigh. “You’re safe now,” he kept reminding me.
Holding my breath, I stared into his strong, unwavering gaze. I was frightened he could see the truth of what lay beneath my angelic robe. The choice of color Madam gave me was no coincidence. Her message was clear. She’d led me to Echo in black and sent me away baptized in white.
“About yesterday…” I said as the light turned green.
Kelly took his hand off my thigh and gripped the shifter. “I should have shot back.”
A stone caught in my throat as I fought back the tears that threatened to spill. The car lurched forward. “I’m sorry.”
Kelly sighed.
Gripping the wheel tight, we both fell silent.
He weaved confidently through traffic and, before I knew it, he was dipping the hood into the parking garage below his penthouse. Turning off the engine, we sat there for a long pause, staring straight ahead at the concrete wall with thoughts weighing heavily on our shoulders.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted.
“Me, neither.” He rolled his head to me and smiled. “I’m just glad to have you back.”
I forced myself to smile. “When you talked with Alex, did she sound like herself?”
Drawing his brows together, he said, “Why are you asking? Did Madam threaten her?”
Feeling my lips dry, I wet them with a quick flick of my tongue. Shaking my head, no, I wanted to come clean, tell him everything. But I didn’t know where to start. Madam was one step ahead of me—of us. She’d done everything she could to break me. Now, even Kelly couldn’t be the escape I’d once counted on.
That was what kept me paralyzed, strangled from revealing the truth of what really happened to me. He would be devastated—and I wouldn’t blame him—if he decided to move on. I was ruined.
“We can stay here,” he murmured.
Lowering my gaze to my lap, I nodded.
“Giselle and I are working on a plan.”
I didn’t know exactly what he meant, but I didn’t need him to explain, either. I trusted him fully. When he turned to look at me, it nearly split my heart. Lifting his hand, he tucked a loose strand behind my ear. I flinched when his finger grazed over my skin. A painful look lined his face but he didn’t ask questions, knowing the time would come soon enough.
Retreating to his side of the car, I watched him step out.
Closing my eyes, I searched for the confidence I needed to get past this seemingly awkward stage.
Kelly opened the door and offered me his hand. I took him up on his offer, knowing what I needed most was just to be held. Time would heal these fresh wounds—just as it always did. I would get through this—if the darkness didn’t get to me first.
Kelly kept a gentle hand on me at all times as we entered the building. I walked slowly, feeling lucky to leave the battlefield alive. Together, we got whisked up to his floor in an elevator we shared only with ourselves. I was thankful for that. What I wanted more than anything was to disappear out of sight for as long as it took.
Kelly kept stroking his hand up and down my arm.
Keeping our thoughts to ourselves, I stayed latched to him. Pressing my ear against his chest I listened to his heart beat, and fell into the rhythm of his breath. By the time the doors chimed open, I turned with a natural tendency to look for the path of flower petals that once led the way.
I felt my lips curl with past memories of hope.
Inside my head, I could still see them. They were beautiful. Colorful and bright.
We walked with excitement growing inside of me.
Kelly released my hand and fished his door keys out from his pocket. Excited to fall into his bed and drift off to sleep, Kelly opened the door and took a quick step back.
My heart stalled as I peeked over his shoulder.
I knew something wasn’t right based on Kelly’s reaction, but I couldn’t have prepared myself for what I saw next.
19
Kendra
Kelly reached under his arm and drew his weapon.
My eyes widened and I threw my palms out. “What are you doing?”
Kelly gave me a hard, disbelieving glance.
The sight of his gun sent my pulse racing. Pellets of sweat formed on my brow and hurried down my spine. Panic fell over me in a flash. All I could hear was the pop from Jerome’s gun still ringing in my ears from yesterday.
Kelly barely looked at me as he adjusted his grip on the gun’s handle.
Turning my head, I took a quick inventory of the mess scattered over Kelly’s apartment floor. Furniture was turned over. Chairs upside-down. The closet items spilled and scattered across the floor. Dishes emptied and glass shattered. The place was an absolute mess and I couldn’t help but expect a dark figure of an intruder to reveal himself—if they were still inside.
Kelly lifted his heel, stepped around me, and entered.
I lunged for his arm and pulled him back. “Don’t go in there,” I protested.
“I have to.” He snapped his arm at the elbow and headed back inside.
Spinning around, I fell into the hallway wall. I blew out deep calming breaths. My mind raced. The hallway was empty. No one was around. But I had a bad feeling this was Madam’s doing. This was the pressure she’d warned me about. She was sending a message, knowing I would go straight to Kelly after leaving her.
A loud bang made me cringe.
Not wanting to look, my chest tightened as I sucked back as much air as my lungs would allow
.
I heard Kelly sweeping the rooms. Another door slammed. Then, suddenly, it stopped.
My veins opened wide as adrenaline rushed through my body. Slowly, I turned and peeked around the doorframe just as Kelly tossed a broken dining room chair against the wall while cursing.
I flipped back around and pressed my shoulders harder into the wall.
Breathing heavily, I heard him make a quick call. “Hey, it’s me,” he said. “The penthouse was trashed. I don’t know who did this but stay vigilant. Oscar knows we’re on to him.” Kelly paused. “They were looking for what we have. I’m sure of it.” Then I heard Kelly say, “Yes. She’s with me now.”
I swallowed and knew I needed to tell Kelly that this message was meant for me, not him. Madam was reminding me to obey, to submit to her will, and to follow through with her one request that would save us all—including her.
Kelly came out of nowhere and surprised me.
My hand flew over my heart as I breathed.
“C’mon,” he said. “I need you to take whatever essentials you still have here and leave the rest.” Reaching for my wrist, he pulled me inside the apartment.
Stepping over the mess, I couldn’t believe the destruction. Valuables destroyed. Expensive furniture ruined. Nothing could be salvaged based on first impression. “This is my fault,” I muttered.
Kelly tucked his phone away. Taking my other wrist, he lowered his chin and whispered, “No, Bella.” He turned his head, his eyes skirting the floor. “Whoever did this was clearly coming for me.”
I didn’t have the energy, nor the desire, to pick a fight. But I knew he was wrong. I’d heard what he said on the phone. His conversation revealed it all. I was after the same thing. Madam just got here first.
“Now, c’mon.” He angled his body to the side. Quick to notice I hadn’t moved, he pulled me back into his arms. Wrapping my arms around his tight waist I clung to him, willing my heart to slow. “It’s okay. I’ll protect you.” His large palm gripped the back of my skull. “But we need to gather our things and leave. Can you do that for me, Bella?”