by CJ Thomas
“Well, that’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?”
“You don’t know them the way I do,” I said, pushing open the front doors of a small boutique and stepping inside.
The lady standing by the front counter smiled. I acknowledged her and began browsing the many racks of clothes. My skin was still sensitive to the touch and my conversation with Alex was having the opposite effect as I had hoped. Instead of making me feel better, it only made me feel worse. And with it, all my suppressed emotions threatened to surface with just one wrong word.
“I better let you get back to work,” I mumbled.
Alex was reluctant to end our call but I knew she had a desk full of work that needed attending to. “Talk to you later,” she said, ending our conversation just as I was pulling a cute blouse off the rack.
I couldn’t stop myself from thinking that the woman I was today was because of me leaving the family bullshit behind. I didn’t know why my grandparents chose me for the inheritance over the others. I didn’t ask for it and they didn’t tell me it was coming before they were both gone. Maybe they saw something in me that wasn’t seen in anybody else. It wasn’t like I was the only one they could have singled out. My family was large, yet for some reason I was the chosen one.
Checking the price tag, the blouse was more than I wanted to spend.
Who knew where I would have ended up without my grandparents’ money. The inheritance paid for my schooling, allowed me to get out with a degree debt free, and opened up opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had. I wasn’t entirely convinced that any member of my family knew any of that about me but, if they did, I could see how they could be jealous of what I’d worked so hard to achieve.
Slowly, my feet scooted across the floor as I continued browsing the clothes I wished I had but didn’t.
I could only imagine how quickly the money would have disappeared—spending it on worthless shit—if my uncle would have gotten his hands on it.
I trailed my fingers over the assorted colors of cotton and thought how his assumption that any of the money was even left over was a rather bold one to make. Maybe he was just hopeful there was. And as far as my parents were concerned, I wasn’t going to completely disregard the fact that they very well might be in trouble. Anything was possible. I just didn’t want to hear it from him.
I stepped forward and was quickly jerked back when I felt several strong fingers wrap around my elbow.
The hold slowly tightened as my heart raced with fear.
Terror widened my eyes as I snapped around, ready to fight him off.
But as soon as the flat of my hand came into contact with a solid, muscular chest, I blinked and was wrapped into familiar arms. “Jesus, Kelly, what are you doing sneaking up on me like that?”
His hand smoothed over the back of my skull as he kissed the top of my head.
My arms snaked around his waist and I held him tight, closing my eyes, taking a minute to soak it all in. When I finally pulled away, I found myself smiling at his tussled hair. His dark eyes matched his stealth black suit and danced with mine for a silent moment before he said, “You had Maxwell worried.”
His dark gaze raked over me and caused my nipples to harden. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“Courtesy goes a long way, you know.”
His husky deep voice was reassuring as it warmed my insides from the cold fear of having my family know exactly where I was and what I was doing. I could listen to Kelly all day long.
Taking his hand inside of mine I asked, “How did you know where to find me?”
Threading his fingers through mine, he turned me around and led me swiftly through the racks of clothes until we found ourselves standing outside. “Despite you leaving him, he never left you.” Kelly pointed at Maxwell sitting behind the wheel of his tinted windowed black SUV.
I wasn’t sure I liked the thought of Maxwell following me throughout the day. From Alex’s to my lunch with my uncle, all the way here. Maxwell was there, always one step behind. Fighting down a parched swallow, I was afraid that Kelly would discover my secret before I had a chance to tell him myself. I didn’t want that to happen. He had to hear it from me first. “You had him spy on me?”
“You did that to yourself,” he said, spinning me around and pushing me into his car.
He opened the door for me and I didn’t put up any kind of protest to get inside. As long as I was with Kelly I was untouchable. And even though I wasn’t about to admit it, the fact that Maxwell stayed within reach today somehow made me feel better about the dangers that may have been swirling around me.
Kelly glanced at me out of the corner of his eye as soon as he settled in behind the wheel. His head slowly shook and I knew he was disappointed in me. How could he not be? I’d ditched his driver, the one man who would ensure my safety, and tried to sneak off to have a private meeting with someone I didn’t want either of them to know more about than what they already did.
“I didn’t ditch Maxwell,” I said, buckling myself in.
He flashed me an arched look.
Pulling down the mirror, I smoothed out my eyebrows and checked my makeup. “I just didn’t want to bother him with having to wait for me.”
“That’s what I pay him to do.” His voice floated through his lips, firm yet sexy.
“Then you must also know that I had lunch with a man.” My brows raised.
Kelly didn’t respond, only looked on with unwavering eyes and a thin-lipped expression that told me nothing about what he was thinking. He did this often and, still, I didn’t know him well enough to be able to read it any better than before.
“Okay, I’ll take your silence as a yes. And it’s true.” I looked away but only for a second. “I had lunch with another man.”
His chest expanded and there was a mild nostril flare. But other than that he hid his thoughts well.
“You’re pissed. I get it.” Reaching over, I settled my hand over his. “But what are you most pissed about?”
He turned his head forward and was clearly thinking how best to respond.
“Me having lunch with another man or me ditching your spying driver?”
Kelly’s jaw ticked and I knew I was pressing his buttons. But I wanted him to explode, tell me that I couldn’t do what I did today, that I was putting myself in danger and that I shouldn’t do anything to jeopardize our relationship. I needed him to say something. I wanted him to tell me all those things but before he had the chance my cell started ringing.
Kelly glanced at my purse but I let it go to voicemail.
Then, when it started ringing again, Kelly demanded I answer it.
“No,” I said as strong as I could.
His eyes flickered across my face.
“Not until you tell me what you’re most angry about.”
The phone continued to ring and we both knew that it would soon go to voicemail if I didn’t answer it. I didn’t care but he seemed to want me to answer it. “Both,” he barked. “I’m angry you did both. Now answer your damn phone,” he growled.
Pulling it out, I glanced at the screen.
“Who is it?” His eyes fell to the screen.
In any other circumstance it wasn’t any of his damn business who was calling but I knew this one was both our business. “The Madam,” I whispered.
“Answer it.” He pointed his finger at the phone securely tucked inside my right hand.
I blinked. Still staring at the screen, I said, “I don’t want to talk to her.”
“Kendra, answer the fucking phone!”
Fire burned in his eyes when I turned to look at him. He wasn’t messing around and I dreaded to learn the reason Madam was calling me now. “Fine,” I conceded.
Kelly watched me lift the device to my ear with dark eyes, and just as I was about to answer my call with the Madam, he snatched it out of my hand. “You may not want to talk to her, but I do.”
33
Kelly
“W
e have a problem.” Kendra’s concerned eyes were fixed on mine.
“Kelly, darling, what a surprise.” Madam laughed. “It’s such a delight to hear your voice when I was expecting Kendra.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said?” I watched Kendra’s hand move to her neck before pinching the skin as she continued to look on with a wrinkled brow.
“I did but you’re not the person I want to be talking with.” Madam’s tone was cordial, always keeping things polite and friendly even in the face of adversity.
Kendra let go of her neck and reached out to take the phone. She mouthed for me to allow her to speak with the Madam, though I refused. “She doesn’t want to speak with you.”
Kendra’s lips parted a second before her eyes went wide. “I do,” she whispered.
Covering the microphone, I lowered my voice and said to Kendra, “That’s not what you said before.”
Kendra tipped her head back and brought her hand to her forehead.
“Then, what is it, Kelly?” Madam sighed.
Keeping my eyes on Kendra’s soft features, I didn’t want to discuss business matters in front of her. She didn’t need to know the ins and outs of what I did, the troubles and stresses I had to deal with, or the complications that came up when I decided to work with the Madam. “I can’t tell you over the phone,” I muttered. “It’s best that we speak in person.”
“Oh, sweetie, this sounds important.”
“It is.”
“Where are you?”
Taking my eyes off Kendra, I said, “Not far.”
“Good. Meet me at the office. And please, doll, don’t make me sit around and wait.”
Killing the call, I tossed Kendra her phone, turned the key, and set the wheels in motion.
Without looking at Kendra I could feel her glaring at me. “What is so important you have to speak to Madam in private?”
My eyes narrowed, and though I didn’t show it, inside I was smirking. Kendra rubbed both hands over her thighs and I purposely stayed silent, letting her think the worst.
“Kelly, look,” she angled her head in my direction but kept her gaze forward, “I’m sorry I ditched Maxwell. I should have told you where I was going.”
Readjusting my grip on the steering wheel, I glared at her.
“You shouldn’t worry. I’m completely committed to you.”
I flicked my gaze in her direction just before I turned onto the street housing Madam’s office.
“The man I was with, it was my uncle, Kelly.”
There was a hint of pain in her voice, and the thought of him hurting her caused my muscles to flex. I didn’t know who this man was or what it was he wanted, but the fact that Kendra seemed to be hiding that he was making visits with her had me concerned.
I parked the car out front and said, “Gather your things.”
Kendra’s eyes watered as she looked to me for some kind of response.
“You’re coming inside with me.”
She leaned forward and set her purse on the floor.
“Bring that with you,” I said, pointing to her purse.
“Why? There is nothing inside that I’ll need it for.”
“Bring it.” I jabbed my finger aggressively at the small bag.
She gave me a questioning look and bit her lip.
“You might not be coming back.”
34
Kelly
“Mr. Black,” Janine greeted me as I tapped my knuckles on her desk.
“Things good?”
She nodded and smiled.
“Staying out of trouble?”
“Haven’t called you, have I?”
I laughed and turned to find Kendra scowling at her. “Well, aren’t you going to say hello?”
“Hey.” Kendra waved at Janine.
“The Madam is expecting you.” Janine’s eyes flickered back to Kendra. “You too.”
I closed my fingers around Kendra’s arm and towed her up the stairs. She winced. “What’s this about, Kelly?”
Stopping at the exact spot we’d first met, I turned to face her. Her beautiful green eyes pleaded with me to tell her what was going on. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Why do I have the feeling that I’m in some kind of trouble?” She breathed hard and her skin was hot against my touch. “Like I did something wrong?”
Raking her gorgeous—and irresistible—body over with my eyes, I thought to myself how I should have seen how difficult she would become. I should have known the problems she would present. But I didn’t. And now it might be too late. “Because maybe you did.”
She skirted around me and marched up the rest of the stairs. Jerome was waiting outside the office as usual, and as I passed I patted him on his shoulder. “Keep an eye on her, will you?”
Jerome shifted his eyes over to Kendra and nodded.
“I thought you said I was coming with you?” Kendra crossed her arms and cocked out her hip as she pleaded with her eyes to come along.
“I said you’re coming inside. Now we’re inside and you will stay with Jerome so I can meet with the Madam alone.”
Kendra pursed her lips and turned her head away.
Stepping close to Jerome’s ear, I whispered, “Don’t let her go far.”
Jerome agreed as I stepped through the door into Madam’s office. I found her sitting behind her desk. She lifted her head when I shut the door behind me. “You’re a minute late.”
I moved to the wall and took a seat on the small couch. Stretching my arms over the back, I smiled at the Madam. “Kendra stopped me on the stairs up.”
“Why did you bring her?” Her eyes blinked quickly.
I flipped my palms to the ceiling and shrugged. “Where should I begin?”
“You’re not having your doubts, are you?”
I inhaled a deep breath through my nose as I thought about her question.
“Because I told you from the beginning that she could be problematic for you.”
Without hesitating, I said, “She’s not the problem.”
“If not her,” Madam set her pen down and folded her hands on top of her desk, “then what is?”
I couldn’t help but notice the paperwork and images she had open on her desk. “Are those files on the Maria Greer case?” I asked, leaning forward and peering down at her desk.
Without looking, she nodded.
Pushing off the couch, I lunged one foot forward and jabbed my finger down hard on an image of Maria. “That’s the problem.”
Madam’s spine straightened as she cocked her head to the side. Question marks flashed across her eyes and it was clear to me that she hadn’t heard the news.
“Mario has refused Cobbs’s counsel.”
“Cobbs?” Her brows pinched, searching to recall who he was as her head titled further on her shoulders.
“The man I chose to oversee Mario’s defense.” I fell back into the couch and draped one arm over the back, settling in once again.
Madam cast her gaze to her desk, clearly thinking of the consequences of us losing control of Mario. “I thought you had this under control, Kelly?”
“Believe me, I thought so, too.”
She leaned back, threaded her fingers together, and rested them over her stomach. Licking her lips, I watched her eyes move back and forth like she was deciding which option was the better choice on how to proceed.
“Anyway, I thought I would let you know.” I sighed. “I wanted you to hear it from me first.”
She nodded, still staring at the paperwork that covered her desk. “I’ve been going over the files—”
“And?” I arched a brow.
Her eyes flicked up to me. “I’m convinced Mario knows the details of Stone’s operations.”
My stomach dropped. It wasn’t about getting justice for Maria. It never was. The Madam only saw dollar signs and Maria’s murder was her way of getting at what Mario knew about Stone and the drug operation he was conducting.
“Logistics, d
rop off points, points of entry,” Madam’s voice grew with excitement with each point she listed off, “even the businesses used to launder money.” She lifted her eyes and fixed them on me. They sparkled like diamonds—like the riches she was after.
Turning my head to the window, I ran my hand through my hair.
“Kelly, are you listening?”
I rolled my eyes back to her.
“We have to get Mario to talk.”
“What do you suggest we do?”
“Convince him that Blake Stone murdered Maria.” She stood and stepped in front of the mirror. “It will work as long as the story is told properly.”
My face drooped as I frowned.
“What is it?” she asked, looking at me in the mirror’s reflection. “Kelly, darling,” she turned to glance over her shoulder, “you don’t look too sure of yourself.”
“It’s not going to work.” My voice was flat and barely audible.
Her body twisted fully around, the lines on her face tying themselves into knots with the questions swirling between her ears.
“I can’t toss the case on purpose.” I glanced at her from beneath a sunken brow.
“You’re not thinking of backing out now, are you?”
Madam’s eyes hardened and I recognized the look she was giving me. I couldn’t say it outright, but she could see it on my face. “I don’t like our plan, there has to be another way.”
“Kelly,” she took two steps forward and hovered over me, “I’m afraid if you leave me out to dry on Stone’s case, I’ll be forced to use my wild card.”
Swallowing down the stone in my throat, I resented her for threatening to reveal my secret to the world. It would destroy me—my career—if it was ever revealed, and she knew it. Without saying anything more, we both knew that wouldn’t be necessary. “You know I wouldn’t do that.”
“Good.” She cheered up and spun around, taking her desk phone into her hand. Her fingers dialed a number. She turned around and rested her tailbone against the edge of her desk and kept her eyes on me when she finally got through. “Oscar, darling.” She winked at me. “How are you? It’s Maddy.”