“I thought we needed sales.”
“We do, Kali. Ignore her.”
“She’s right, though. You have an unfair advantage,” Sasha says, getting up and walking away as well. A few more women follow her out.
“I sure know how to clear a table.”
“You’re young, gorgeous, intelligent, and you get to have Reina Corrigan’s ear on a regular basis,” Melinda reminds me. “They are so jealous, it’s a wonder their skin isn’t green yet.”
“You aren’t bothered by it.”
“No, because not only do I not care about social climbing, but also because I’m friends with the original five women on the Foundation board, and I like to surround myself with intelligent women.”
“I, for one, am grateful for that.”
We call over the last few women who remain, and get to work. Since everyone else left, they don’t get a say in the decisions we’re making. It makes things easier, especially because I want us to branch out, and reach out, to parts of the community they haven’t looked for in the past.
My friend, Quinn, who is an amazing fashion designer, is from a wealthy family, but she’s not rich herself, so she wouldn’t normally be invited. Mallory’s already told me she’s buying her daughter’s ticket, but what about the shoppers at her boutique? I think many of them would enjoy the show, too. We unanimously vote to market to young professionals, and not just the highest of society in Vegas.
We also vote on a few other things everyone else wanted to talk about today, before breaking for the day. I’m feeling very accomplished as I walk out to my car, and it’s because I’m in my own head that I don’t notice Sean, until he’s grabbed me by the arm.
“What are you doing?” I ask him as he pulls me around the building and slams me into the back wall.
I’m even more shocked when he gives my face a light slap. I try to pull away, but he puts a hand to my throat, and holds it there. “You embarrassed my mother.”
Seriously? “I just said I’d sold some tickets.”
“She always wins, Kali. My entire family always wins, and you’re not going to get in the way of that.”
“I’m not sure what you want me to do.”
“Tell your friends they can’t come to the fashion show. Lose the ticket sales.”
“I can’t.”
“You can, and you will.”
He presses harder against my throat, and I have to smother the urge to fight, knowing it will just make things worse. I don’t know how I’m going to tell my friends they can’t come to the show, but I’ll think of something.
“Okay,” I croak out as I begin to see stars.
“Good girl,” he says, slapping me again, but letting me go. I touch my hands to my cheeks, and he laughs. “Don’t worry, I didn’t leave a mark there. Your pretty throat is a little red, though, so you may want to change before going into work.”
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“You need to learn to behave. Now, let me see your arms.”
“My arms?”
“I like to see my handiwork, and it’s probably already fading.”
I want to think he’s not serious, but I can see in his eyes that he is. I slowly push one sleeve up, and watch in horror as he lightly strokes the yellow bruises. It’s a soft touch for something so ugly, and his face as a look of reverence on it.
“I don’t like you doing that.”
“But I like it, and that’s what matters, Kali.”
“I matter.”
“I’m sure you’ve been told that, but it’s just not true. Not yet, at least. You have to earn your worth, my love. Accepting my heavy hand, and embracing your pain, will make you so much better.”
“I’m…I don’t…please don’t do it again.”
I get another laugh, and then a punch to my stomach. I double over in pain, clutching the wall to keep me upright. “You’re going to like it soon.”
“No.”
“Yes. But, since I can see you’re scared, let me tell you a secret. The more you fight it, the more it’s going to happen. Be a good girl, and you might just get a slap.”
“I don’t want to see you anymore.”
He shoves me back into the wall, and his hand is around my throat again. “Yes, you do. You want these pretty dresses, and fancy lunches, and I can give them to you. The thug you were with before can’t.”
I know it’s pointless to fight, and argue, so I just nod. “I do want something different than what I had.” That’s the truth, at least.
“See, that wasn’t so hard. I’ll pick you up for dinner at 7,” he says, releasing me again.
“Dinner?”
“Yes. I made reservations for us.”
“I have plans.”
“With. Who?”
“My friends.”
“Break them.”
“I promised.”
“I’m all you need now, Kali, and they’re going to realize it sooner or later. Better to get it done now, right?”
“Right,” I say, and he walks away with a smile on his face.
I rub my neck, and wonder again what the hell I’ve gotten myself into, and if there’s even a way for me to get out of it.
Theo
“I think you know why we’re here,” Matt says to me as I enter his office.
Nate, Aiden, Jake, and Kendrick are with him, and yeah, I know. I’ve been a dick to most of my staff today, and I threw my phone against the wall an hour ago. It didn’t break, because it’s an Ainsley designed super device, but I’m sure she got an alarm when it hit.
“I’m having an off day.”
“We’ve all had them, and we can sympathize, but we also have to protect the people in this building,” Jake tells me.
“I’m not going to hurt anyone.”
“Even Sean?” Nate asks me.
“I’ve thought about roughing the little punk up a little, but that would only piss Kali off even more, so no, I’m leaving his sorry ass alone.”
“Would it help if you didn’t have to see them?” Aiden asks.
“Are you firing me?” I ask Matt, and I know I sound panicked. I was thinking of leaving a couple weeks ago, but this is my home, and now I finally get it.
“Of course not. We do have a proposition for you, though.”
“More of a favor, really.” Aiden adds.
“From you three, I’d rather it be a favor than a proposition,” I answer, drily.
“Aren’t you cute, but not really. Anyway, like I was saying we need a favor—or really, I do.”
“It’s my favor too,” Kenny adds.
“The two of you jointly need something from me? Color me intrigued.”
“Matisse’s brother got himself into a little bit of trouble.”
“Haring?” I ask, looking at Aiden. “He was always a stand-up guy when we hung out with him.
“He’s a proud motherfucker, which is why he borrowed money from the wrong people instead of me.”
“Shit.”
“Yep.”
“Matisse doesn’t know, so this can’t leave the room,” Kenny tells me.
“I thought you learned your lesson about keeping things from her.”
“Apparently, I didn’t. I’ll face her wrath when the time comes, but right now I’m focusing on keeping her brother alive.”
“It’s that bad? He owns a roller rink, right?”
“Yeah, but he wanted it upgraded to have all the new bells and whistles, which I totally would’ve financed, but no, he had to save his pride.”
“The hell with that,” Nate says. “I borrowed money from Matt when I had to, and so did you. You gotta put pride aside sometimes, and ask for help.”
“I would go to you guys, or Reina, in a heartbeat if I needed help, I am not too proud to beg,” Jake admits.
“Maybe Haring doesn’t know he has it like that.”
“He should,” Aiden grumbles.
“Yes, well, Theo’s right that he must not, because he
re we are,” Kenny tells him.
“So what, you need me to take some guys out?”
“No. I’d just ask Rei to send Faith if that was the case,” Matt says. “I want you to go there as a friend, hang out for a week or so, assess things, talk them out, and then, if you need to, take some guys out.”
“You left out the part where I make sure they don’t kill Haring while I’m there.”
“I thought it would be obvious.”
“It is, but usually you’d say it anyway, boss. I think this baby you’re about to have is scrambling your brain.”
“No argument there. I can’t wait to be a dad.”
“You’ll be back in time for the baby shower, so don’t think you’re getting out of it,” Nate tells me.
We all groan, and shake our heads. We’d rather be out drinking beers with Matt, but Reina wants a joint shower, and well, whatever Reina wants, she gets. None of us tease Matt about it, because we’d do the same for our women. Or at least I would’ve if Kali was still mine.
I close my eyes, and will away the images of her in her wedding dress when I told her I’d gotten the call. She was so damn beautiful, and I fucked it all up. I’ve never regretted going, because I saved the man I was sent to save, and I know she meant it when she told me to go, but damn; things would’ve been completely different. We’d be married—or maybe divorced with Meg still in our lives.
The biggest difference is that I probably would’ve never met any of the men in this room if it hadn’t happened. It was on that mission where the different Special Services combined, and three of these men became my brothers. Jake, and Kenny came later, and don’t share what the four of us do, but they’re brothers to us all the same. Yeah, I wish things had gone differently sometimes, but when I’m with my friends, sometimes I don’t. The past is the past, and all I can do is hope the future turns out alright.
Chapter 11
Kali
Sean hasn’t touched me except for a kiss on the cheek, and to hold my hand, for the last few days, and I’m starting to like him even more. He’s funny, and sweet, and…not Theo. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think still think about him, but I’m getting better at being okay. Especially since he left town for parts unknown.
I refuse to ask the Studkateers or Reina where he went, because again, I need to move on. That doesn’t mean I’m not curious, or that I haven’t tried to find out on my own. Sadly—or maybe it’s a good thing—his vacation time request had no details on it.
“Hey, Kali, do you want to ride together, and then we can head over to the restaurant after work?” Rose asks, shaking me out of the thoughts I shouldn’t be thinking, as she joins me to wait for an elevator.
“Tonight?”
“We’re having dinner for Wave’s birthday. Please tell me you didn’t forget.”
I got her a gift, but yeah, I forgot it was today, and since Rose and I aren’t on the same floor as her, there are not decorations to remind me. And, I can’t go.
“Yes, I forgot, and I have plans,” I tell her, noting how defensive I sound.
She narrows her eyes at me. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I’m meeting Sean and his parents for dinner tonight.”
“Cancel on them.”
“I can’t.”
“You can cancel on us, but not them? How many times is this now?”
Three, and yeah, I know they’re counting. “I’ll grab her gift from my apartment, and bring it to work with me.”
“Save it, Kali.”
“That’s not for you to say.”
“Do you want me to round up everyone else so they can say it, too? So they can tell you how you’ve changed, and not for the better?”
“Was I supposed to just go on like I was, trailing after Theo like some lovesick puppy?”
“No, but you weren’t supposed to become a bitch who only cares about the guy she’s fucking.”
“Jealous much?”
“Of you and the creeper? Yeah, no.”
“Because I have someone, and Ares will never settle down with you.” It’s a low blow, but I feel cornered, and I need some space back, so I can feel in control again.
“Every other woman here has a man, and no one has ever said something like that to me before, because they know I’m happy for them. So, thanks for proving my point, Bitch.”
I turn my back on her, going back to my place, and grabbing Waverly’s gift. I feel bad about missing her celebration, but tonight’s special. I’ve met the Sheriff at parties, but I’ve never spent time with him socially. I know Lennon said he’s after Matt and Reina, but even Vanessa begrudgingly says nice things about them, and all Sean complains about is how much work he has to do. I’m not going to just take other people’s word for it, and I guess I’ll see for myself tonight.
When I arrive at today’s weapons classroom, none of the other recruits will look at me. I try to pretend it doesn’t matter to me, but it does. Nevertheless, I walk over to Waverly’s table, and put the present in front of her.
“Happy Birthday.”
“You can keep it,” she says, pushing it back to me.
“I’m sorry I can’t go tonight, Wave.”
“There’s a difference between can’t and won’t, Kali. You don’t seem to know it exists, but it’s still there all the same.”
“Is there a problem?” Faith asks, walking into the room.
“No,” I tell her.
“The tension in here is thick enough to cut with only my sharpest knives.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Oh, it’s something,” Matisse says.
“Well, whatever it is, put it aside until class is over.”
I take my seat, and force myself to focus on what we’re learning today. Everything is important, even if it may not seem that way, and I’m determined to be the best I can be. With or without the women I once thought were my friends.
Theo
When I stepped into the rink three days ago, Haring knew exactly why I was here. His only question was whether Aiden, or Kendrick, had sent me. The relief on his face was my clue that things are just as bad as the guys think they are, and well, I’ve always loved a challenge.
Right now, that means I’m sitting in a swanky restaurant, wearing a custom suit, and drinking top-of-the-line Scotch. While some loan sharks are still stuck in the past—and the dive bars to go along with it—many have evolved, blending into the upper echelons of society, and pretending to be who they most definitely are not. The man I’m looking for is one of the latter, which is honestly a little disappointing. I’m in the mood for a fistfight, and a dive bar would make that much easier to find.
“I hear you’re looking for me, Mr. Jordan,” the man says, sliding onto the bar stool next to me.
I’m not surprised he knows who I am, and I don’t insult either of us by pretending I am.
“Your sources are correct.”
“You’ve come a long way, just to do business with me.”
“This is my hometown.”
“There’s money to be had in Vegas, and nostalgia only goes so far.”
“Haring Kingston.”
“The name sounds familiar.”
“You’re leaning hard on him.”
“I’m not sure where you got your information, but if you think I’m going to incriminate myself, you’re much more naïve than I’ve been led to believe.”
“If you know so much about me, you know who I used to work for, and who I work for now. The full weight of those people is behind Haring.”
“The Vice-President of the United States, and Matthew Corrigan, have an interest in Mr. Kingston?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to enlighten me?”
“No. You either know, or you can find out. Call me when you have an offer to make,” I tell him, handing him a card with only my burner cell number on it.
After throwing a couple of bills on the bar, I stand up and walk away. Nothing more nee
ds to be said for now, and I’ve never been one for small talk. He’ll call me with an offer, or he won’t. Either way, Haring’s walking out of this city alive, and so am I.
Kali
The bruises on my arms are almost gone, but the ones around my neck are still there, so I put on a black dress with a turtleneck top, short sleeves, and a flirty skirt at the bottom. It’s cute, but doesn’t look like I’m trying too hard to impress Sean’s parents. Not that I think I could ever impress Vanessa, but maybe she loves her son enough to try not to hate me so much.
“You look like a schoolteacher,” Sean hisses in my ear when I meet him outside the restaurant.
I know he’s angry I won’t let him pick me up at home, but that would just be way too awkward, especially right now. My friends all have guns, and not even Nev’s afraid to use one anymore.
“I had to hide the bruises you gave me, and try to look classy at the same time.”
“Try harder next time, because you look boring.”
“Maybe don’t leave a mark, and then I can show some skin.”
He stops, and looks at me like I’m crazy. “I already told you I like seeing my marks on you.”
“You did,” I concede, realizing my bravado just now was not the best idea.
“Then you must like it, too, since you’re baiting me.”
“I don’t.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Please, Sean. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“I love begging, too. Did I tell you that?”
“No.”
“Well, I do, and just because you did it so well, if you behave at dinner, I won’t put any other marks on you tonight.”
I already planned on being on my best behavior, but I’ll admit to breathing a sigh of relief that I’ll come out unscathed tonight. What I thought was a fluke is clearly more a way of life for Sean, but at this point, I don’t know how to extricate myself from him, while still protecting myself. I can’t tell my friends, who already don’t like him. Even if I could, I’m not sure I would, because it’s more than a little embarrassing. I got myself into this, and until I can find a way out, I’m stuck.
Theo
“How long do you think it will take before he calls?” Haring asks as we sit and watch one of the roller derby games that are regularly played here at the rink.
Society Girls: Kalila Page 8
