Black Escape

by C. J. Thomas

  Madam kept me in suspense, wondering who was on their way.

  I hoped it was Kelly but something told me it wouldn’t be.

  Sitting on the floor, dressed once again, I lost count of the minutes that passed as I waited for the door to open. Madam had left me inside, untethered and free, with images of Fletcher holding a gun to Kelly’s head flashing behind my lids.

  Hanging my head, my stomach was full of nerves.

  Nothing good had come from this plan. We’d been set-up, just as Kelly feared. And now I didn’t know what would happen to him or how I was going to get out of this. I tried to believe that the FBI was nearby, but the longer time went on without anything to show for them, the less I believed I would be saved.

  I thought about how I had been stripped naked.

  Could still hear Madam confess openly to the sins she’d committed.

  It destroyed me to think the FBI had seen that, heard her, and still didn’t make their final move.

  Not wanting to lose hope, I kept hanging onto the thought that Madam still didn’t know about Emmanuel’s arrest. That was about the only good I could conjure up. Other than that, it was all bad. Dark and stormy with the hurricane approaching.

  Suddenly, the heavy metal door opened. I lifted my head with my heart pounding.

  Madam’s silhouette emerged between the doorframe. “Your guest has arrived.”

  I pushed myself up off the floor and held my breath. Is it Kelly? Please let it be Kelly. I need to know that he’s alive.

  The shadowy figure approached behind Madam. I squinted into the light, trying to make out his face but couldn’t. He was too tall, too thin, for it to be Kelly. “Hello, sweetheart.” Oscar lowered his head and stepped out of the shadows, finally revealing his face. “So, we meet again.”

  Taking a step back, I said, “I have nothing to say to you.”

  He strode casually in my direction, burying his hands inside his slacks. “Then maybe you can be gracious enough to listen to what I have to say.”

  My breath hitched as he approached. Everything inside me locked up as I watched his hand lift to my face before taking my hair and inhaling the scent of my shampoo. “I wanted to thank you.”

  “I didn’t do anything special.”

  He released my hair, letting it fall between his fingers. “But you did.” His grin spread to his ears. “By getting that flash drive, you saved my career.”

  “People know what’s on there.” I folded my arms over my chest, not wanting him to notice my curves. “It’s not a secret.”

  “You mean Sylvia?” He stepped around me, trailing his long fingers over the backs of my shoulders.

  “She’s still out there, probably writing up the story of how you’re not the person you say you are.”

  He laughed. “No one will believe her. Her credibility has been destroyed. You, of all people, should know that.” His head popped out on my other side, hitching my breath. “What’s wrong, Bella, do you not like knowing you helped me?”

  “Don’t call me Bella.”

  He snickered. “I’m certain that you’ll come to your senses and realize that sometimes we must do bad things to ensure the good filters to the top.”

  Slanting my brows, I said, “You’re delusional. Who do you think I took that disc from? Kelly knows, too, you imbecile.” I turned to look him directly in his gray eyes. “And, like I told Madam, he’s smart enough to have made a copy.”

  He closed his eyes and inhaled loudly through his nose. Tipping his head back, he smiled. “God, have I told you how hard you make me?”

  I turned away and shook my head.

  “Kelly is on the way to the station and, once he’s there, he will be booked for conspiracy to murder and a half dozen other charges.” His eyes glimmered.

  I spun my head around. “And you’ll be next.”

  He laughed and placed his hand on the small of my back. “As soon as I’m re-elected, this city will be mine to do with as I please. The only missing piece would be to have a beautiful woman by my side.” He paused to lower his mouth closer to my face. “You could be that woman, Kendra. The woman dressed in glamor, attending galas and mingling with people of power.”

  My body shivered. “Not with you. I would never.”

  “Did you not enjoy yourself the other night? I know I did.” He stuffed his hands back inside his pockets and paced around the room.

  “I heard what you said about our time the other night. How I’m dull; a mannequin in bed. Lifeless. Unresponsive.” Just like a rape victim. “The reason why Kelly had given up on me. But guess what? It was all a lie. I’m great at sex. Too bad you will never experience that.”

  Oscar turned and had a knowing expression fill his face.

  “And Kelly hasn’t given up on me.” My eyes narrowed. “He would be here if you hadn’t put your hitman on him.”

  Two strides was all it took for Oscar to have my cheeks pinched between his fingers. I froze, scared stiff, eyes wide. Then he did the unimaginable. Instead of hitting me, he kissed me.

  I cringed as he shoved his tongue into my mouth. I pushed it out, he pushed it in. Finally, when I managed to break free, I spit at his feet.

  “You’re truly one of a kind,” he said, wiping his mouth.

  Shouts echoed in the main warehouse.

  Fear flashed over Oscar’s eyes as he spun around.

  The yelling got louder as heavy boots clacked like an army marching.

  Running to the door, Oscar was met by a raised rifle pointed at his chest. “Put your hands behind your head and get on the ground,” the agent barked.

  Another FBI agent rushed to me saying into his shoulder radio, “We got her. She’s safe.”

  As I watched Oscar get handcuffed and led away, I turned to the agent and asked, “What about Madam? Did you get her, too?”

  “We got both of them,” I heard agent McGurk say from the door. She stepped inside with Agent Smith quick to add, “And Jerome, too.” They both looked around the room as if realizing how out of control today could have spiraled.

  My chest rose and fell as I breathed life back into my constricted lungs. Oxygen cleared my head but all I could think about was Kelly and if he was all right. “They took Kelly. He’s with Detective Fletcher. He was working with Madam. He took Kelly.” I rambled a million words per second.

  McGurk put her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Kendra. We have him, too. He’s a little banged up but he’ll be just fine.”

  55

  Kelly

  I couldn’t sit still.

  Couldn’t get comfortable.

  Too much was at stake and I wasn’t going to believe Kendra was safe until I saw her with my own eyes.

  My knee bounced as FBI agent Tyler Mark drove me to the warehouse where he said Madam and Oscar had been arrested. I was relieved, but all I wanted more than anything else was to have Kendra in my arms.

  By the time we arrived to the same warehouse Madam was using to launch her drug campaign from, the building was swarmed with both FBI and DEA agents along with a handful of local authorities.

  Keeping my nose pressed to the glass I searched through the crowd, hoping to find Kendra. Sweat poured down my back. She wasn’t anywhere I could see.

  “Where is she?” I asked as soon as the car stopped.

  Mark opened my back door. “With Agent McGurk. Inside.”

  I took off running.

  “Kelly,” Mark called after me.

  I slowed to turn my head.

  “Have your time with your woman, but I’ll still have to take you in for questioning.”

  I tossed up my hand, acknowledging my future, and continued jogging to the door. The loud murmur of conversation filled the air. The scene was beginning to be taped off and evidence was being collected. No one bothered or cared to know who I was so I moved and kept searching.

  Searching between rows of boxes and over lifts and pallets, I kept calling out. “Kendra.” No response. Then, on the far side
of the room, I saw her step out from a back room.

  My heart paused.

  We locked eyes.

  Everything went quiet as the room spun around us.

  Feeling my lips tug to my ears, I stepped forward, sprinting as I bounded across the floor. Wrapping her into my arms, she held on as I said, “It’s over. Our nightmare is finally over.”

  Tears poured out of her eyes before she started laughing. Taking my face between her hands, she stood on her toes and pressed her lips to my mouth. “Thank god you’re okay.”

  The heat of electricity zapped my heart as our tongues swiped and swirled across the other’s.

  She clawed and I pulled her closer, welcoming the overwhelming desire I felt to be linked as one.

  When she pulled back, I saw her notice the cut above my eye. As she swiped her thumb over it, I said, “It’s nothing.”

  She licked her lips and brought her hand over my heart. “She did it, Kelly. Madam admitted to killing your family.”

  “I know.” My hands kept a firm grip on her hips. “I was briefed on my ride here.” Her lids fell over her eyes. Hooking her chin with my finger, I brought them back to me. “Their case against Madam and Oscar is solid, Kendra. They will be locked away for a very long time.”

  She nodded. After a moment of reflection, Kendra asked what happened to Fletcher. I told her everything that happened after Jerome took her away.

  “If it isn’t our two heroes.”

  Both Kendra and I turned our heads at the same time. Mayor Bentley strolled up to us, extending his hand in a peace offering. “I’m happy that you two are okay.”

  Firming up my grip on his hand, I still felt betrayed by him. “Sylvia was always acting alone,” I said, looking into his eyes.

  He snapped his mouth shut and nodded. “I know, Kelly.”

  My brows pulled together.

  “I’m sorry that I couldn’t have shared that piece with you sooner, but I had to play the game in order to build a stronger case against Oscar.”

  My pulse ticked hard in my neck.

  “Shortly after our meeting, I learned Sylvia was in custody.”

  I swallowed down the feelings of shock. “Then you knew about Fletcher, too?”

  The mayor’s eyes flicked from Kendra back to me. “The perp admitted to killing Mario.”

  I shoved a hand through my hair and sighed. “Oh, thank god.”

  “And, as for O’Brien, you really made an impression, Counselor. Because of you, he’s now working with IA to shed light on how far back Fletcher’s bad behavior goes.”

  Kendra slid her arm around my waist, giving me a look of approval. “And what about the search warrant for Kelly’s office?” Kendra asked.

  “First, let me personally apologize for your apartment being ransacked. I’ll find a way for the city to help cover the costs.” Mayor Bentley stuffed his lame hand into his pants pocket. “But, Kelly, the search warrant at your office, it was legit.”

  I nodded, knowing that no good deed went unpunished.

  “Though it helped us make the arrests today, so I’ve put in a good word for you.” He patted my shoulder and wished me luck.

  Caging Kendra into my arms, I could feel her worries tangling inside of her. “Are they going to arrest you?”

  “I don’t know.” When I lifted my gaze, I caught sight of Drake Goodman—or whatever the hell his name was. “There are still some questions that I need to answer before anything is definite.”

  Kendra’s head nodded against my chest. Drake stared and I knew that I needed to speak with him.

  “Go.” I lowered my eyes to Bella. “Get some water. I need to speak with someone alone.”

  Kendra turned to look behind her. Seeing Drake walking toward us, she turned back to me and said, “Kelly, please keep it civil. He was only doing his job.”

  I leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll do my best.”

  56

  Kendra

  With a cold bottle of water in my hand, I watched Kelly speak to Drake.

  Kelly was as calm and collected as when I’d first met him. He had every right to be pissed at Drake’s deception. He’d infiltrated Kelly’s office, learned trade secrets that only he and Giselle knew, and he was the reason Kelly’s future was still left in limbo. But, instead of showing anger, Kelly extended his hand in compassion.

  They talked for longer than I would have expected. Soon I grew bored and turned my attention outward.

  Seeing so many familiar faces of people I’d once thought were friends, and some enemies, brought a strange sense of closure over me. In a way, they were looking out for me. It was weird to think of it like that but, in a sense, it was true. Because of them, I was alive and the two faces on their Most Wanted list were now in custody.

  I exhaled a deep, calming breath.

  I had lived my life in suspense for longer than was healthy. Though I didn’t have to worry about Madam finding ways to have her hand in my life, there was still more I needed to do before fully relaxing.

  I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life. Money still wasn’t an issue, but the civil suit to challenge the inheritance lingered overhead. I still hated my parents; wanted to kill Marvin. And I wasn’t sure how I was ever going to have a normal sex life again.

  Kelly shook Drake’s hand, then turned back to me.

  He lowered his gaze and smiled.

  Stroking his strong jaw, a confident strut bounced his step.

  My thighs clenched and a wave of heat moved up my spine.

  Thinking about a future with Kelly was all I cared about. It was the only thing I wanted. With him, I could be at my worst but he would still see my best.

  Setting my water down on a nearby table, I turned to him. He took my hands and we stared and smiled without needing to say anything about how we felt. I had done my part to get us where we were today. Now it was Kelly’s turn to ensure we could begin living our lives together. “Everything okay?” I asked.

  Kelly turned his head and glanced to Drake. “Yeah. I think so.”

  “You had every right to be angry with him.”

  “He’s only doing his job.” He winked.

  “Who are you? And what did you do with Mr. Black?”

  Kelly’s deep chuckle sent vibrations down his arms. Kissing me, he said, “I told him any crimes Giselle may have committed, she did unknowingly.”

  Tucking my chin into my neck, I felt my brows pinch.

  “She’ll still be questioned, but Drake admitted to liking her and wished they had met under different circumstances.” Kelly flicked his wrist. “I better get this interview over with.”

  “Can I come with you?”

  “You know they won’t allow that.” His eyes flickered like a candle in the night. “But you can walk with me.”

  Kelly threaded his fingers through my hand, lifting my knuckles to his lips. “You’re still wearing it?” He sounded surprised when seeing the promise ring he had given me.

  “Would have died protecting it.” We both laughed before my mood turned somber. “Kelly,” I hung my head as we walked to the entrance, “I’m not sure what to do while I wait. What if they don’t let you go?”

  He stopped, looked me directly in the eye, and said, “Go home. Call Alex. This is all over, Kendra. You can stop worrying about me now.”

  “It’s far from over. They have Madam, Oscar, and Jerome, but not Marvin.”

  “He’s not going to hurt you.” His lips pressed against the center of my forehead. “It will be all right, Bella. Giselle will know everything that is happening to me.”

  We stepped outside to a sea of cars. Weaving our way through, Kelly knew exactly where he was going. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  He stopped at the back door of a dark sedan. “You won’t.”

  I jumped into his arms, squeezing him tight. Closing my eyes, I was afraid to let him go. He held me for a lingering pause before insisting he had to go. Kissing him one last time, he opened the back
door and lowered himself inside. “This isn’t a farewell. It’s only temporary.”

  Bending at the waist, I held his gaze. “I’ll be waiting. For however long it takes, I’ll be waiting for you.”

  He squeezed my hand and kissed my knuckles. Then he turned to the driver and said, “Let’s get out of here, Agent Mark.”

  I flicked my eyes to the front. An FBI agent locked his gaze on me, not as surprised to see me as I was to see him. My hand flung over my mouth as I gasped. “You, too?”

  Lucky winked and drove away.

  Thank you for reading Black Escape. If you enjoyed the book, and would like to see the dramatic conclusion, Black Surrender, soon, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Even a few words would be appreciated and will help persuade what book I will write for you next.

  Afterword

  Never miss a release. Sign up to my newsletter and stay in the know. Visit me at www.CJThomasBooks.com

  Also by CJ Thomas

  City by the Bay series

  Ruin Me

  Promise Me

  Save Me

  Take Me

  Control Me

  Tempt Me

  Hollywood Dreams series

  Big Willy Box Set

  Beyond Tonight Box Set

  On My Knees Box Set

  Capture Me

  Heat

  Hard

  A Kelly Black Affair

  Black Desire

  Black Demands

  Black Obsession

  Black Regrets

  Black Promises

  Black Surrender

  High Stakes Billionaires

  This is Love

  Accidentally in Love

  Acknowledgment

  I want to thank all of my readers for being supportive with each new story I write. It’s because of you and your willingness to WANT to read my stories that make this all possible. Mwah!