Staring at my own reflection, I popped my cherry-red lips, liking my new look.

I’d showered, shaved, and primped myself awake. Now that I was almost ready, Mom didn’t know what I had coming for her. My eyes sparkled behind a thick layer of mascara, and my dark eye shadow matched my black laced bra and garter. My look could kill, and I couldn’t wait to see how Kelly reacted as I put in my dangling earrings that caught the light.

Sliding my little body into the army green camouflage print sheathed dress, I was ready for battle. Mom could call me a little whore—and she might be right about giving me that title—but I was on a mission to find out more about Dad.

Kelly walked past the bathroom door. When he backed up to take a second look at me, he licked his lips and let his eyes travel the length of me.

Sauntering into the en-suite, he wrapped me up inside his arms. “Are you trying to torture me?”

I latched my hands onto his sexy forearms and bit the edge of my lip as I tilted my head to one shoulder. “Isn’t that my job?”

He chuckled as his lips brushed over my neck. “No one should see you like this without me near.” He kissed the soft spot behind my ear, sending flutters scurrying across my stomach. “It’s a sin.”

Melting into his possessive hold, I liked that Kelly seemed jealous. It made me believe that our relationship was real, something more than a contract and payment that had initially brought us together. I knew that a little of what he was feeling was because I was willing to let him do things to me that other women wouldn’t. That was fine because I liked it, too.

“Are you sure I can’t make you stay?” His arms squeezed tighter.

“Not a chance.” I giggled.

“Then let me come with you,” his hot breath begged.

“I have to do this alone,” I said, lifting my eyes to watch our reflection in the mirror. I needed to see for myself if what Giselle suggested about my dad might be true.

Spinning me around, Kelly dropped his forehead to mine. “Then let me at least escort you out of the building.”

I stood on my toes and pressed my lips against his. “I’d love that.”

Strapping on my heels, Kelly tossed a sport coat over his white tee. Holding my hand the entire way outside, Kelly wanted to make sure that any media assholes weren’t waiting to pounce at the sight of either of us. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was bringing me all the way to the exit to avoid anyone hitting on me.

The sounds of the morning commute filled the air around us as Kelly turned his eyes to me and asked, “Why don’t we have Maxwell take us there?”

Stepping toward him, I tipped my head back and raked my fingers down the center of his chest. “Just like how you need to visit Nora’s grave alone, I need to do this alone.”

There was an understanding in his eyes when he nodded.

Pinching the tip of my chin, Kelly lowered his mouth over mine. Sweeping his tongue into my mouth, I gave him a lasting kiss he wouldn’t forget. “I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded,” he murmured, “but Sylvia is still out there somewhere.”

My eyes fell from his handsome face. “I know,” I murmured, clenching tighter to my purse. I felt safer knowing that I was holding onto Kelly’s handgun for protection.

“We’ll be attending Angel’s party tonight.” Kelly’s lips found their way to mine just as I heard my phone chirp with an alert letting me know my Uber had arrived. Pushing him away, I promised to call before I turned up the block and hurried to where I said I would be.

Pushing my way past pedestrians, I could feel Kelly’s eyes watching me from behind. When I saw that it was Lucky picking me up, I was thrilled by the prospect of reuniting with my new friend.

I fell into his backseat with a bounce of optimism curling my lips. “Hey, friend.”

He turned to smile. “It’s your Lucky day.”

I laughed, but there was something in his eyes that let me know something wasn’t right.

“Prepare for take-off,” he said as I buckled in.

I wanted to ask him if he’d learned of what happened to Tonya but didn’t know how to break the ice. He didn’t say anything, and soon I let my thoughts drift as he drove in silence. I thought about how Mom was going to react when she saw the way I was dressed, and I thought about Kelly and how even our relationship was feeling off.

Lucky’s eyes finally found me in the rearview mirror. “How have you been?”

“Not great.” He shook his head.

My brow furrowed. “You heard the news about Tonya?”

His brows drew together in a mixture of anger and sadness. “I can’t believe it.”

I turned my head to the window. “Me neither,” I said under my breath.

“I have been told the funeral arrangements are being made now.” He rubbed his head. “I have also been made aware that I may not have been the only boyfriend.”

“Relationships can be complicated.” I forced a swallow, thinking of my own with Kelly.

His eyes lifted to me with a renewed sparkle. “You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you.” I tugged the hem of my skirt further down my thigh. “Though I don’t think my mother will approve.”

He switched lanes. “That is where we are going, no?”

“It is.” I flicked my eyes to him. “You have a great memory.”

“It is good you reached out to them.”

Lucky was one of the first to encourage me to do so, but now I wasn’t so sure that I should have. “You know, maybe we can get together sometime. You know, as friends. Meet for coffee,” I offered as we pulled into my old neighborhood. “I can be like a sister to you.”

Flashing a closed-lipped smile, he nodded. “I would like that very much.”

I could only imagine how lonely it was having his family so far away. The least I could do was be the friend I already seemed to be.

Lucky slowed to a stop and I stared at Mom’s front door, suddenly dealing with a fit of anxiety. He must have seen the blood drain from my face because he turned to me and offered to wait.

Meeting his gaze, I smiled. “That would be wonderful.”

When he nodded, I knew he was back. Lucky was a rare character in this town, and I liked that we had found each other. Promising him I wouldn’t be long, I marched up to Mom’s front door and rapped my closed fist against it.

Mom opened a second later, her eyes quickly glancing over my shoulder. “Move on. There’s nothing to see here!”

Feeling my brows crease, I knew she was yelling at Lucky. “Mom. Easy. He’s with me.”

Her heels fell back to solid ground when she pulled her chin into her neck.

“He’s my Uber driver.”

“You’re not staying long then?” Mom looked confused.

I shook my head, pulling my thick braid over the front of my shoulder.

Pulling me inside before the neighbors could get a better look at me, Mom mentioned being stalked by men with big cameras. When I gave a skeptical look, she said with conviction, “I’ve seen them parked outside our house at all hours of the day.”

“Lucky is not one of them, Mom.” I glanced at the closed door to the back bedroom. “I promise.”

“You know this is all your fault.”

I rolled my eyes and cocked my jaw until it hurt.

“If it wasn’t for your need to be famous, I wouldn’t have to deal with this new inconvenience.”

Plopping down at the kitchen table, I said, “Mom, I didn’t ask for any of this, either.”

Mom waved her hand dismissively through the air as she marched into the kitchen.

“They haven’t come to the door, have they?” I asked, knowing how reporters knew no limits to invading people’s privacy. Mostly, I was afraid that Mom might say something that wasn’t true and I would find myself having to tread in even hotter water than I was already swimming in.

“I won’t let them near,” she barked. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re here so soon after storming out the other day, either.”

“Mom, what do you expect? You’re threatening to take everything I have.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “I don’t want the family to lose what is ours.”

My skin crawled, even if I wanted to believe that there was a small chance Mom was referring to the note she’d received. I closed my eyes, remembering what it said.

Your daughter is in grave danger. The monies she received in the inheritance will be gone if you don’t get control of it first. Act fast, Ms. Williams. You don’t have much time.

I wasn’t surprised when Mom failed to mention anything about me being in danger. “Mom, how did Marvin get his hands on Grandma’s will?”

She shook her head and busied herself at the sink.

Turning my head to the back bedroom again, I thought about Dad. It was his parents who passed it on to me and I wondered if there was resentment because of it. After all, with my dream last night reminding me he was the one to allow Marvin into my bedroom as a child, I wouldn’t put it past him to coordinate this stunt. “I want to see him.”

Mom turned to see me staring at the closed back bedroom door. “Now is not a good time.”

I stood and met Mom in the kitchen. “I don’t know why I came back. You don’t even care that I’m living in LA—have always been living close to you.”

Mom turned to face me with hardened eyes. “You want to know why I won’t let you see your father?”

“I do.”

Tossing the hand towel down on the counter, she said, “You’re too angry. You’re holding a grudge against us and are unable to forgive him for something he did to you all those years ago—”

Through a shaky voice, I said, “I can’t. Not until he admits what he has done is wrong.” Mom held my intense stare. “You know what I wonder? If Dad isn’t the one telling you to come after the money his parents gave to me.” I pointed at my chest to knock my point home.

“How can you think that?” Mom’s nostrils flared.

“I know about Marvin’s gambling debt, and the timing of your civil suit seems awfully suspicious.”

Mom’s eyes drifted over my front as if finally noticing what I was wearing. “Your father would never allow you to see him dressed like that.”

“What are you saying, Mom?”

Stepping closer, she bared her teeth. “I showed him the articles written about you. I told him what you’re doing to make money. The devil will welcome you in the fiery pits of hell if you don’t change your ways and repent.”

I threw my hands down to my sides as I laughed. “I’m an angel compared to what he did.” Feeling sick to my stomach, I clenched my sides. “Dad was responsible for what happened to me. If it weren’t for him, your brother would have never raped me.”

“Quit it with the lies!” Mom barked. “Move on. Let go of the past.”

My chest tightened as I was on the edge of shedding tears. “What’s in it for you?”

Mom couldn’t even look me in the eye.

Stomping to the kitchen table, I swooped my purse off the top. “You won’t have a chance with getting my money. Not until I get to see Dad.”

“That will never happen as long as your attitude is as rotten as it is now.”

Pinching my lips together, my throat closed as I couldn’t get my hands to stop shaking. Feeling hopeless, I left without saying goodbye. Lucky was still waiting for me and as soon as I fell into his backseat, I buried my face inside my hand.

Lucky allowed me to be upset. He didn’t need to know why I was crying. I appreciated him for it, but it didn’t take long before my next challenge presented itself.

“Sorry to bother you, Ms. Kendra, but there is a limo behind us flashing their lights.”

Lifting my head, I turned around to look. My stomach dropped when I saw that it was Madam on our tail. “It’s okay. You can pull over for them. I know who it is.” But I wished that I didn’t.