Unfortunately, Matt has other plans. “We need to talk,” he says, joining me in the elevator, and directing us to his office instead of mine.
“What’s up?” I ask, once we’re seated. He could’ve called me here for any number of things, and I honestly don’t know which one it is.
“It’s your job to keep the people in this building safe.”
I sit up straighter, because I definitely wasn’t expecting this. I take my job as head of security here very seriously. “I haven’t missed anything.”
“You gave Donnie clearance to enter this building, to walk our halls, even on a limited basis.”
“He isn’t a threat,” I say, relaxing back into the chair.
“He runs with a crowd that is more than dangerous enough to never be allowed past our front doors.”
“We didn’t have an easy life.”
“I know, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior.”
“No, but he’s harmless. I promise.”
“It’s on you if so much as a scratch ends up on anyone here because of him.”
“I take full responsibility for his actions.”
“Good. Reina is supposed to be resting, but she’s keeping an eye on all of this because of Kali. She doesn’t want her hurt by your friend.”
“Kali’s issues are hers alone. She’s going to believe whatever fits with the way she sees things.”
“You don’t really believe that,” he says, looking at me like I’m insane.
“Yeah, I do. It doesn’t matter, anyway, since we’re over.”
“Shit, Theo, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“Why does everyone think it’s my fault? Kali’s no angel.”
“She’s about as close as you can get.”
“I told you about the pictures.”
“And we all told you there’s got to be more to the story.”
“I appreciate the support,” I say, getting to my feet.
“You know we support you, but you haven’t been yourself since Meg got here, and we wouldn’t be your friends if we didn’t bring it up.”
“Maybe this is the real me.”
“If it is, we’re still here for you, but I gotta tell you, I hope it’s not.”
I don’t say anything else, because there’s nothing else to say. I may be different than they’ve seen me before, but I’m still who I’ve always been at the core—a lost boy, looking for love that won’t run from him.
Chapter 5
Kali
“I have an assignment for you,” Stella tells me when I meet with her a few days after saying goodbye to Theo.
“A mission?”
“Not exactly, but it will help us. The Sheriff’s wife is on a committee that puts together a charity fashion show. I’ve been asked to be in charge of it every year, but I decline, because, well, they don’t really want me there. They want my name, and the Corrigan name, but they don’t want a ballsy blonde who takes no fucks while tongue fucking her rock star husband’s mouth in public.”
“You couldn’t blend in?”
“Oh, I could, and if Reina told me to, I would, but so far she’s let me decline their invitation. This year’s a little different because we want to play nice. And who’s nicer than you, Kali?”
“I’m not ready to run an entire fashion show.”
“I’ll be your silent helper, and this will show you’ve finally got a grasp on fashion.”
“I don’t suppose I can decline?”
“You always have to power to decline.”
I know she means it, but I also know I need to ace my fashion class in order to pass my training, and that this is the perfect opportunity for me. I can play nice with society ladies—pun intended.
“I’ll do it.”
“Perfect. The first meeting is on Monday, and I’ll help you get ready over the next few days. I want you to give your input, though, because I think you’ve got an inner fashionista hiding in there somewhere.”
“Thanks. I think.”
“Oh, it’s a compliment. Now, go raid the closet for what you think you should wear to the meeting, and we’ll take a look at it together.”
I give her a salute, and walk past a smiling Kevin to the room that takes up half this floor. Stella’s closet is bigger than some houses, and the contents are worth more than several put together. Even someone like me, who has no real interest in fashion, can appreciate the beauty of it.
I bypass the casual clothes, the club wear, the gowns, and the edgier clothes, making my way to the racks I need. The sign above this area says “Ladies Who Lunch”, which is who I’m trying to impress. Moving through the racks, I find a sleeveless pink dress, with black flowers, or clouds on it. I don’t know which they’re supposed to be, but it’s fashionable, while still being conservative, so I know I chose right.
There’s just one problem when I put on the dress—Theo wasn’t with me when we were last together. I knew he wasn’t, but since I don’t look in the mirror until I’m dressed most days, I didn’t notice the bruises on my collarbone where he sucked on it. I’ve been running on autopilot since I gave him up, no matter how hard I try to pretend everything’s okay.
“What’d you find?” Stella asks, coming up behind me. “Ooh, that’s perfect.”
“Except for the hickeys.”
She waves her hand like it’s nothing. “Not a problem.”
“Do you have a magic makeup that will completely cover them, or something?”
“Something. Let’s pick your accessories, and then I’ll let you in on one of our secrets.”
I walk directly to the black pumps, choosing a pair that’s a little strappy, but not too high. Next, I grab a black watch dotted with jet-colored crystals, along with matching earrings. A black Birkin bag completes the ensemble.
“Well?” I ask her, as she circles around me.
“Just one thing is missing.”
She reaches behind me, picking up a black velvet headband. I stand still, letting her adjust my long bangs, before turning me to the mirror.
“Oh wow. I look like a country club lady. With hickeys.”
“Let’s take care of those.”
I watch as she opens a tall cabinet, and pulls out a draw filled with gel packs. Sifting through sizes, she picks one that’s long and thin, before turning to me with a smile. “You’ll have to drop your top for me, Kali.”
A couple years ago, I would’ve been self-conscious, but now I just do it without thought. The shy nerd who was embarrassed of her body has been hiding out after being surrounded by a group of women who are comfortable walking around in bras and thongs. I’m still not going to walk around in my undies, but I’m okay with letting them see me in them when we get dressed together, or when Stella needs me to.
I watch in fascination as she presses the pack in her hand to my collarbone, seeming to rub it into my skin. It’s hot for a moment, and then just warm. As I observe it doing its job, it disappears over the bruises, and they disappear along with it. I reach out my hand to touch it, but stop since I’m not sure I can.
“You can touch it, move it around if it’s not right.”
It’s there when I touch it, but if I didn’t know, I wouldn’t see it. The mirror before me sees nothing but bare skin. “How?”
“You’re the scientist, so you’d understand it better than me. I just know I asked for something to cover tats, and bruises. This is what Aud and Caleb gave me.”
“I’m definitely asking them, but for now, I’m just going to keep being in awe.”
“It is pretty cool.”
“It’s science, so of course it is.”
“Nerd,” she says with a smile, bumping my shoulder.
“Damn straight.”
“You’ve got this, Kali. All of it.”
“So Jade tells me, and I mostly believe it. I’m still not sure sometimes, but I’ve never felt like I’ve belonged somewhere as much as I feel it with all of you.”
“Not even in a l
ab?”
“No,” I reply honestly. “Not even there.”
“Good. We love you, and we’ve always got your back.”
“I know.”
“Now, back to work. Do you want to pick out some other outfits, since you’ll be meeting weekly?”
It’s a trick question, and thankfully, I’ve done enough fashion homework to know it. “No. I think I should wait until I see what they’re all wearing at the first meeting. I’d rather scope them out, instead of doing the work twice.”
“Ha! Good job, rookie.”
“I’m trying. I should get changed though. What do I do about this?” I ask, fingering my collarbone.
“You can leave it, or take it off now. It isn’t affected by the elements, or water, or really, anything. It won’t stop any pain you feel, but it will cover anything that happens to your skin. So, Theo can mark you up all he wants.”
“Not happening with Theo, but good to know.”
“I haven’t seen the two of you together, but I thought he was just busy with his friend being here.”
“She’s a big part of everything, but it’s ultimately him I have problems with.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Me, too. I better get going,” I tell her, not wanting to talk about it any longer.
Not now, and honestly, not ever. I just want to be done with him, and move on. It’s going to be hard with us working together, but I have to do it.
Theo
“There’s still nothing, Theo,” Tegan tells me, when we meet to go over things with Meg later in the week, and I know she’s right.
“I couldn’t find anything, either. This is such a mess.”
“What are you going to do about it? You need to confront her,” Darcy says. Out of all the girls, I’m closest to her, which means she also knows me the best.
“I have, and she just gets defensive. She thinks no one’s really looking because of Kali.”
“Bullshit,” Tegan says. “We’ll side with Kali every time, but we always do our best, no matter who we’re investigating.”
“You don’t have to tell me that.”
“I know, but it pisses me off. She’s pisses me off. I need to go cool off. I’m sorry, Theo, but I’m going to recommend we stop this farce; we have people who really need our help.”
I can only nod as she walks out in a huff. This whole situation sucks, and I know people need her, and everyone else who’s been working on this for me.
“How are things with Kali?” Darcy asks.
“She won’t even look at me,” I admit. “She’s completely cut me out of her life.”
“And you’re just going to let her go?”
“The past…it’s bad, and now it’s spilled over into the present.”
“Get rid of Meg.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Brayden gave up a fucking kingdom for me, so yeah, it’s that easy.”
“Meg and Donnie were once all I had. I can’t just turn my back on them because Kali has her issues.”
“I haven’t talked to Kali about you, but with the lies Meg told us about everything else, don’t you think there’s a chance she’s not overreacting?”
Yes. I’m starting to be really afraid Kali’s not just projecting, and it’s freaking me out.
“I don’t know. They never got along, but they seemed to try for me. Things that happened while I was deployed are so hard to wrap my head around, and I thought I was over them. Now, I just don’t know.”
“Nate said you told him you’re leaving with Meg.”
“I can’t stay here and see Kali every day.”
“Then fight for her, dammit.”
“I’m fighting for me for once, Darce. Yeah, I had to fight when I was younger, but then…then I fought for my friends, my girl, and my country. And now, I fight for all of you, and the people you protect. I’m not complaining, but then again, maybe I am. I just want to take care of me.”
“Kali didn’t put you first when you were together?”
I can’t lie, even though part of me wants to. “She did. She always did.”
“And you put her first?”
“No,” I tell her, shaking my head. “I put her even with Meg, because I refused to pick sides. I can’t choose between two people who mean so much to me.”
“And she was still going to marry you?”
“She said she was.”
“I love you, Theo, but you are an asshole. An idiot, and a bastard asshole motherfucker.”
“Wow. Don’t hold back.”
“I never do.”
“You don’t understand.”
“You’re right; I don’t. And on that note, I’m going to walk away right now, because I’m pissed on behalf of Kali, but you’re my family, and I just can’t be here right now.”
I understand where she’s coming from, because I don’t want to be in this situation, either. She hugs me tight before she leaves, but I can feel her disappointment. I know I’m right, but I don’t want to fight my friends about it, especially since I’m probably leaving them soon. It doesn’t feel right to leave, but I simply can’t stay.
Chapter 6
Kali
The meeting with the fashion show ladies went better than I expected. Melinda Brown was especially nice to me, helping me navigate the land mines some of the women threw my way. I can tell they resent me, even though they love having C&C finally involved, because they wanted Stella or Reina, and they got me instead. Honestly, I’d be disappointed, too.
“Kalila, do you have a moment?”
I turn to see the Sheriff’s wife walking towards me with a fake smile on her face. She was one of the ones who I could tell didn’t want me here, but I’m determined to be civil.
“Sure.”
“My son, Sean, works at Corrigan & Co. as an accountant. Do you know him, by any chance?”
“Actually, I believe we’ve run into each other in the cafeteria a few times.”
I know exactly who she’s talking about, and he’s always been nice—and flirty—when I’ve seen him. I had no clue he was the Sheriff’s son, and I wonder if Reina and Matt know. The Sheriff let Camari’s boyfriend, Lennon, know he’s after them, but with the background checks even “normal” C&C employees go through, there’s no way they don’t know. This is all a little much, and I’m not sure how I’m supposed to react.
“Small world, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
She walks off, and Melinda steps forward. She and her husband are well-known around town, since he was once the publisher of the local newspaper, and now runs Opportunity Village. She is involved with the charity, as well as many others, and I can tell she’s a genuinely nice woman.
“You did a great job today.”
“Thank you.”
“I know some of the women weren’t exactly welcoming, but they’ll come around.”
“They’d prefer my bosses, but I’m determined to do a good job.”
“I’m sure you will, and I’m here if you want to grab lunch, or need help with anything.”
“I appreciate it,” I tell her, meaning it. Having an ally is a good thing, especially with Vanessa Phillips putting me on her radar now.
I call Reina as soon as I’m in my car. “Hey Kali, how was your meeting?”
“I survived it, but I also found something out.”
“What?”
“Sheriff Phillips has a son who works at C&C.”
“Sean.”
“I figured you had to know.”
“When we hired him, his father hadn’t been elected—or going after us—yet. Now, we just watch him closely.”
“He’s always nice when I see him in the cafeteria.”
There’s silence for a moment, and then Reina speaks again. “Charm can be deceiving, Kali. Don’t get complacent around him.”
“Um, okay.”
“We’ll talk more if we need to. For now, tell me all about your meeting.”
> I ask if we can conference Stella and Jade in, so I don’t have to repeat myself three times, and she agrees. It feels good when they all tell me it sounds like I nailed it. They’ve all believed in me since the beginning, even though I wasn’t sure I’d ever know a Givenchy from a Valentino. Now that I’m actually doing it, and doing it well, I can’t help but smile.
I’m still smiling when I get back to C&C, swapping my designer dress for my exercise wear. I’m hoping to find Nate to spar with, but the “fight” room is empty right now. Knowing I’ll probably see someone sooner rather than later, I do some reps on the speed bag, losing track of time.
“Looking good, Kali.”
I turn to see Meg’s brother, Donnie, walking over to me. He’s got the same swagger in his step as he’s always had, but I’ve never had any interest in what he’s offered me. I never told Theo about how he used to hit on me, because they’re like family, and I can take care of myself. Especially now.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to work out, so Theo got me permission to make my muscles sing.”
Sing? Ugh. Does he think that saying things like that is sexy, because it’s not. Time for me to leave.
“I was just finishing up.”
“Don’t leave on my account,” he says, walking over to the water cooler.
He has his back to me as he pours a glass, and I’m tempted to just get out. I don’t know what it is about him, but he’s always made me uncomfortable, even though I’ve held my own with him for years.
When he turns, and holds the cup out to me, I take it, because I want to prove to myself that I can be strong and confident with everyone I meet. “Thanks.”
I drink the whole thing, then place the cup on the floor. Time to get back to work.
“Do you like working here?”
I like my solitude, but I answer him anyway. “Yes.”
“I know you don’t like me, but you could at least be civil.”
Society Girls: Kalila Page 5
