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 in 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.