by CJ Thomas
“Look, I don’t have much time, but,” I reached inside my handbag and pulled out the envelope, “here’s the gift from Madam.”
Emmanuel extended his arm across the desk and took the envelope from my hand. He squeezed it and lifted it to his nose, sniffing it. I thought it was a weird gesture but, then again, that was the adjective that defined him—weirdo.
“What’s the money for, anyway?”
He remained silent, keeping his eyes closed as if thinking of all the things he was going to do with whatever amount of money I knew was stuffed inside. Then, one by one, his lids opened and glared at me. “Madam said you might misbehave.”
My jaw dangled on its hinges. “Excuse me?”
“That’s right. I was warned about you.”
My thoughts recoiled back to Madam’s warning about Emmanuel. I didn’t know what kind of game she was playing but, clearly, she was telling two different stories depending on who she was talking to. “That’s funny,” I mused with an arched look.
He quirked a brow and tilted his head.
“She had the same warning about you.”
Emmanuel dropped his chin and shook his head as he chuckled. “Deliver a message to Madam,” he said, lifting his gaze back to mine. “Tell her that if we sit on the eggs any longer, they’ll hatch.”
My eyes narrowed. “What the fuck does that mean?”
He lifted his index finger and wagged it at me. “Language. It’s not attractive on a beautiful lady.”
My brows pinched, wanting to rip off his paternal finger wagging its ugly head at me.
“Just tell her.” He stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, there are things I must be attending to.”
I showed him my palms, stood, and was eager to leave his shitty ass warehouse before I really did break down and begin hyperventilating. I hated it here and was beginning to hate Emmanuel even more.
Sit any longer and the eggs will hatch? What the fuck did that mean? Psychopath.
“What about the perfume?” I asked.
“Next time.” He nudged me back into the chaos.
Dodging more cat calls from his men, I flipped them the bird over my shoulder as Emmanuel escorted me to the exit. Without saying anything else I left, wondering if Madam purposely was trying to create mistrust between her associates or if it was just the feeling I had.
Lucky was standing with his arms folded across his chest, leaning against the hood of his car when I stepped outside. When he saw me coming, I nodded and he slid back behind the wheel, starting the engine. “I was starting to get worried,” he said as soon as I opened the back door.
“About me?”
He turned and smiled, watching me settle into the backseat. “Who else?”
“You’re such a sweetheart but I can take care of myself.”
Lucky tipped his head back and laughed. “I never doubted it.”
The ride back to my apartment went by in a flash. Once again I was oblivious to my surroundings, choosing instead to focus on the thoughts skidding between my ears. I thought about Madam and what exactly the money was for and if it was money earned from girls like me. Despite the dangers that came with knowing too much, I wanted more.
I began to think about the files I’d stolen on her and how maybe I had missed something inside them when I first went digging. Promising myself I’d check as soon as I got home, Lucky tried to make conversation but I mostly just nodded. Once he pulled over, letting me out on the same corner I always instructed him to, he wished me a good day and I did the same, leaving him free to find his next customer.
As I walked to my building, my senses were on overdrive. That same sweet woody scent intoxicated my brain. Faces I passed on the street shared similar features with the man in my nightmares. His smell, his face, and even the way he touched me haunted me like an old ghost who refused to go away.
Mr. Anderson lifted his head as soon as he saw me push through the front entrance to my building.
“Hey, Mr. Anderson, are you staying out of trouble?” I smiled as I passed him.
“I should ask you the same, though I probably wouldn’t want to hear your answer.” He laughed.
The elevator doors opened as soon as I arrived and I took the short lift up, anxiously waiting to research all that I had about Madam. Adrenaline pumped viciously through my veins all the way to my door. Taking my keys out, I unlocked the door, stepped inside, closed the door, and quickly turned the deadbolt back over. Leaning my back against the door, I inhaled a deep calming breath, then rushed to close the curtains.
It was silly to think someone was watching, as if knowing what it was I was going to do. But I didn’t want to take any chances. Pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I pulled out the files I had hidden away and began my search.
Over the next hour, I read, filed, and made notes on everything I thought might get me one step closer to solving who exactly the Madam was and what it was she was involving me in.
There was paperwork on the business entity, tax classifications, forms that legitimized a corporation in the eyes of the state and federal governments, among many other necessary but boring paperwork to make a business legit. Thinking that I had nothing new to go on, I flipped over one more file and that’s when I discovered it.
Peeling it away, I couldn’t believe I had missed it before.
One measly piece of paper was stuck to the back of another. Possibility surged through me as I hung on to hope, thinking that this could be it—my golden ticket to knowing exactly what it was I was doing.
Once free, I quickly scanned the document. It was an IRS audit with personal notes jotted down on the side. Through the chicken scratch I could read, Shell company for illegal escorting service?
Lifting my head, my mind raced.
I knew the Madam’s business probably wasn’t exactly legal, but if she set it up properly—with professional expertise—she could get away with having women like me date men like Kelly for her own profit.
My eyes dropped back to the form and I read more of the lawyer’s notes stating how the Madam’s business was a dating agency and set up as such, NOT an illegal escorting operation.
Okay, I nodded.
I went on reading, scanning to the very bottom, and my heart stopped when I saw the signed name—Kelly B.
Dropping the paper in my lap I leaned back, wondering what more the Madam was having Kelly do to make her operation look legit. And more importantly, what was in it for Kelly? My eyes closed as exhaustion took over and all I could hear was Kelly telling me, “It’s not what happens that matters. It’s how the story is told.”
21
Kelly
As I approached my office building, I searched for Giselle’s car on the curb.
When I found it parked in front of a large silver pickup truck, I couldn’t decide if I was happy she beat me to the office or sad that she didn’t take an extra half-hour to mend her relationship teetering on the edge of collapse. Though, in the end, it wasn’t my call to make and her dedication to my firm was admirable.
Springing up the steps, I reached for the door handle just as a car honked behind me. I turned to see who it was and immediately recognized Madam’s limo slowing to a stop.
I frowned, wondering what it was she was doing here. It wasn’t like her to visit unannounced. I figured it must be important.
A second later, Jerome stepped out wearing a royal blue three-piece suit with a bright fire-truck red tie. “Kelly, the Madam would like to have a word with you.”
Looking up and down the street, I knew that I had no choice but to see what it was she wanted. Our business relationship wasn’t top-secret or anything like that but, still, I didn’t like risking being seen with her, especially at my office.
“Madam dress you?” I said, tugging on Jerome’s suit as I passed him before stepping inside the limo.
Jerome didn’t comment and when I ducked my head inside, I found Madam sitting in the corner bench with her white-gloved hands folded i
n her lap. “What’s wrong with the way Jerome is dressed?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
I took the empty space across from Madam, leaned back, spread my knees wide, and watched Jerome struggle his way back inside. He shut the door and I felt the vehicle begin to move. “Nothing.” I snickered, suddenly realizing they matched better than I’d originally thought. Madam’s interview dress was the same red color as Jerome’s tie, and her blue jacket was identical to the color of Jerome’s suit. “You two look cute.”
They glanced at each other as if noticing for the first time that they matched. Then Madam turned her attention back to me and cocked her head. “Was Kendra with you last night?”
My brows pinched. “No, why?”
Jerome smoothed his flat palms over his thick thighs.
“Is she okay?”
Madam glanced at Jerome who continued staring at me. “Relax, Kelly.” A smug smile filled her face. “I’m sure she’s just fine.”
I knew I should have called Kendra last night—checked in to make sure she was okay. I’d debated it and then tossed and turned throughout the night, regretting my decision not to.
But I also didn’t want to push her into having to think that she needed to see me again so soon after her complete meltdown. I wanted to give her time to heal, to be alone, to get her thoughts straight before I took her out again. When it was just us we were fine. But if I was to continue bringing her to important dinners where people of influence attended, I couldn’t continue to risk my career because she refused to let me in on whatever the hell was going on with her. “Then why are you here?”
“You’re right.” Madam dropped her gaze to her hands, but only for a second. “I’m wasting your valuable time.”
I moved my eyes over to Jerome. He remained silent with a stoic look stamped across his face.
“Kendra stopped by my office yesterday,” Madam said with a sigh.
“Yes, I remember the text you sent me.” I rolled my eyes back to the Madam. “What did she want?”
“Kelly,” her tongue darted out of her mouth and wet her lip, “Kendra isn’t like the other women I employ.”
I arched a brow, thinking that I already knew that. Kendra was better than those women. Way better.
“She’s…” Madam shared a quick glance in Jerome’s direction before turning back to me, “How do I put this without it coming out wrong?”
My lips pursed as I waited for her to continue with a fluttery, empty stomach.
“Kendra, well…” her eyes looked up and to the left, “…she’s broken.”
Madam locked gazes with me as I replayed how the events from the other night unfolded inside my mind. It was something I was still reeling with myself, and could only hope that it was an anomaly to how she generally was. Because it broke my heart to see her crying, feeling her frozen stiff inside my arms as I hugged her tight against my chest in the steaming hot bathtub. “Broken.” I swallowed. “I don’t see it.”
Madam’s eyes darted over my face before she said, “She was asking lots of questions about you.”
A pang of worry twisted my gut as I couldn’t help but wonder if Kendra’s visit with the Madam was because she was having regrets about being with me. I wasn’t a fool. I recognized the pattern, saw that I may very well be the cause of Kendra’s anguish she was fighting through. Though, worst case scenario, I hoped she was only testing the waters to see how difficult it would be for her to break free from the agreement she’d made with the Madam—which I knew wasn’t ever going to happen until Madam squeezed her to the last drop.
“Have you told her anything that might get her curious?” Madam’s lids hooded over and she pressed her lips flat.
“Curious about what?” I twisted my watch on my wrist, pulling up my sleeve to check the time.
“Your past.”
I shook my head.
“Why it is we work together?”
Again, I shook my head, feeling my heart slow to a pitter-patter.
“Or the cases you’re currently working on now?”
I rubbed my mouth inside my hand, thinking she was now digging for clues. “I don’t see how any of this is relevant.”
Madam’s cackle was as light as the feather dangling from her ears. “You know how I don’t appreciate someone trying to dig up dirt on stuff they don’t know anything about.”
I waved my hand through the air. “You’re overthinking it. Kendra is doing just fine.”
Madam gave me a skeptical look.
“You don’t believe me?”
She dropped her chin and looked up at me from under her brow. “Let’s face it, we may be looking at the same woman, but trust me when I say that we are not seeing the same thing.”
“So, what would you like me to do about it?” My shoulders shrugged.
“Well,” she sighed, “she is yours for a month.”
The right side of my face smiled.
“Since she’s your problem—”
“—No problem,” I interrupted her. “Kendra is just fine.”
“See it as you will, but,” Madam lifted her face, “I would like to see you break her into complete submission.”
I turned my head to the front, seeing that we were rounding back to my office. “What do you think I’m working on?”
Madam laughed. “Then what is taking you so long? Are you rusty?”
I turned my head and glared at her.
“After all, it’s been a while since you’ve played the Dom role.”
The limo pulled to the side and slowed to a stop.
“Make it happen soon, Kelly.”
Madam’s focus drifted to something behind me, and when I turned to see what it was, I caught sight of Kaycee making her way down the sidewalk on her way to my office. I cleared my throat and frowned, pissed at her for showing up like this without first waiting to hear back from me. Cracking my knuckles, I thought how Kaycee was seriously testing my patience and I had to make sure she knew it wasn’t cool for her to just show up like this.
“I’d hate for Kendra to discover something that would make her question our arrangement.”
I turned back to find Madam’s disapproving eyes traveling across my face. The stuffy air inside the limo was sucked out the moment Jerome reached across my lap for the door handle. Opening it, I heard Kaycee’s footsteps stutter to a stop. “Kelly?”
I turned and smiled. “I’ll be right in.”
She nodded, seeing that I was busy with the Madam.
“Naughty boy, Kelly.” Madam cackled. “Perhaps I understand Kendra’s concern about you not being loyal to only her.” She glanced at Kaycee walking up the stairs. “Though I must say, you have a particular taste in women.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled as I stepped one foot out onto the pavement.
“They all look the same.” Madam reached over and touched Jerome’s thigh.
Jerome snickered.
“I’ll be in touch about the Stone case,” I said, leaving her limo.
“Yes, honey. I know you will.” She laughed. “And Kelly,” I dipped my head back inside, “if it’s Kendra who is not fulfilling your own desire,” she leaned forward as if to emphasize her point, “you can always give her back to me.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” I grinned.
“Then don’t let her find out about her.” Madam nodded to Kaycee as I shut the door, not in the mood to hear anymore of her concerns. Turning back to face Kaycee, I knew that I had enough problems on my plate already.
22
Kendra
Stretching my hands above my head, I yawned.
After spending my night digging through the files I had on the Madam, exhaustion finally took over and blessed me with the best sleep I’d had since one of the first times Kelly sexed me up real good.
Rolling on my side and tucking an arm under my head, I glanced at the clock and couldn’t believe it was almost noon already. That was something to smile about. Reaching to the nightstand, I turned my
phone on and after a minute of it booting up, my doorman app dinged me with a message. A package was waiting for me in the lobby.
Placing the phone back on the stand, I rolled onto my back thinking it had to be from Kelly.
I stared at the ceiling for another minute before tossing my covers and rubbing my face. My feet hit the floor and I quickly stepped into a pair of shorts lying next to the bed before finding a tee and pulling it over my head.
I had my hair tied up into a messy bun on top of my head and one glance in the mirror was enough to tell me that I looked good enough to retrieve the package but not hot enough to go any further than that. After all, it was only Mr. Anderson I was going to have to actually converse with so what I was wearing was perfectly fine.
Snatching my keys off the kitchen counter, I locked the front door behind me, paranoid that if I kept it unlocked something bad would happen. I didn’t have to wait long for an elevator and once inside, I tried not to think too much into Madam’s deliveries to Emmanuel. The less I knew the better. However, that still didn’t ease my mind with what I already assumed was going on. The money I was making with each delivery was outstanding, and that was on top of the weekly checks being deposited into my bank account for escorting for Madam. Yet, still, my stomach remained unsettled.
Lowering my head, I pinched the bridge of my nose thinking there had to be a way to convince Madam I wasn’t her best option.
It wasn’t rocket science and another girl could easily pick up where I left off. Because my heart told me that I needed to find a way out. If there was even a possibility of doing that, I needed to find it fast.
Lifting my head, I folded my arms over my chest and leaned back against the wall.
But like most things in life, discussing the theory behind something was the easy part. Presenting it to her, and making a convincing case to leave, was something entirely different. I didn’t know how best to go about it. After all, it was my decision to take on Alex’s contract and fulfill the obligation she’d promised Madam, not the other way around.