“Less than a day.”
“What if he wants more than money? What if he wants the rink?”
“Your sister would love it if you moved to Vegas, and so would Aiden. And yeah, with how profitable it’s been since the upgrades, it’s not going to surprise me if he demands it.”
“So, I just give up my dream?” he asks, sounding bitter, but that’s just too damn bad.
“You gave it up when you took a shady loan instead of asking your friends or family for help.”
“Asking for help isn’t always easy.”
“It’s almost never easy, but it’s smart, and brave.”
“I don’t want to look like a loser, especially not to my sister.”
“Your sister is one badass chick, but she also has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen, so I don’t think she’d ever see you that way.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“It happens. Lately, not so much, but my overall track record is pretty good.”
“You think a place like this would do okay in Vegas?”
“With the men and women of C&C behind you, it’s almost impossible to fail at anything.”
“I was thinking of moving, you know. With Matisse and Aiden on my ass about it all the time, and missing them like I do, it’s always been something I was moving towards.”
“But you still did all this, even when you knew you might be leaving?” I ask, waving my hand around to encompass the rink and everything around it.
“Yeah. The girls who play here, and the kids who skate for fun, deserve the best.”
“You’re a good guy, Haring, and now that you know to ask for help, things are going to be even better for you.”
“Well, they can’t get much worse.”
I don’t argue with him, because what’s going on here is pretty bad. If he didn’t have Aiden’s dad and Matt at his back, there’s no doubt in my mind he’d be in danger of losing more than just this rink. He still might be in danger, but I think his “loan agent” is smart enough to just ask for the business, and maybe some cash. It’s making enough money to make it worth it, and taking it still sends a message to his other clients. Only time will tell, though, but I have plenty of that right now, so it’s all good.
Kali
“Do you like working for Matt and Reina Corrigan, Kalila?” the Sheriff asks me.
I knew it would come up eventually, even though our conversation has been superficial until now. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been nice to me—nicer than his wife, who is obviously still upset about my ticket sales—but he’s also been distant and guarded, too. The beers he’s been downing have apparently loosened him up.
“I work for Reina, so I don’t see Matt much except at home. To answer your question, I’m enjoying my internship with her.”
“Home? You live at their compound?’
“The Corrigan apartment building, yes.”
“I’d love to see it.”
“I’m sure Kali can invite us over,” Sean tells him, placing his hand on my thigh.
“I can ask for permission, but all visitors have to be cleared.”
Sean’s fingers dig into my thigh, and I force myself to keep my face neutral, despite the pain. “My father is the Sheriff, Kali, so I don’t think he needs any other clearance.”
“It’s not up to me, Sean.”
“Rather odd for an apartment building, isn’t it?” Vanessa asks me.
“Matt and Reina value their privacy, and that of the other high-profile people who live there.”
“Living with royalty, and rock stars must be interesting,” Sheriff Phillips says, narrowing his eyes at me, like he’s trying to look into my soul, and see if I’m worthy.
He wants something, and while I’m not sure it’s as bad as Lennon said it is, there’s an undercurrent of danger around him. I’m around law enforcement a lot with the Foundation, and Society, but this is different. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is, but I feel uncomfortable with the way he’s staring, and with what I’m feeling.
“It’s never dull.”
“I’d really love to see it.”
If Sean digs his fingers any harder into my thigh, he’s probably going to draw blood. “She’ll make it happen.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Saying the rest of the night is awkward would be an understatement. I can’t make a promise, when I’m almost positive I can’t keep it, I’m still trying to figure out why this family is setting off my crazy radar, and Sean is starting to scare me more and more. I just have to make sure to not be alone with him, and I’ll be okay. I think.
Chapter 12
Theo
The call comes as Haring and I are having a cup of coffee with Aiden’s dad in the kitchen of his official residence. He may be the VP, but he’s cool as fuck, and working for him as his personal security person was the second-best job I ever had. Nothing’s better than working with my guys, but working for him was close.
“Yes,” I say, answering my phone.
“If you weren’t sitting where you are right now, I might not be making this offer.”
“Understood.”
“Mr. Kingston will sign over his skating rink to me, pay me $100,000, and leave town.”
“He will come back to visit from time to time, but he’s amenable to moving.”
“That’s acceptable.”
“We’ll meet you tomorrow to have the papers notarized, and hand over the money.”
“I’ll be texting you the details of the title transfer.”
“Nice doing business with you.”
“Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Stay away from my friends, and it might not.”
“You’re not invincible, Mr. Jordan.”
“Neither are you.”
He disconnects, and I throw my phone on the counter before blowing out a breath, and rubbing my hands over my beard. “Damn.”
“Problem?” Aiden’s dad asks, sliding a tumbler full of whiskey my way.
“Solved,” I say, taking a healthy drink.
“Thanks,” Haring says. “I know that word’s not enough, but I mean it.”
“It’s enough.”
“About the money.”
“Aiden’s already transferred more than he asked for into one of my accounts.”
“I hate this.”
“I think you’d hate being dead more than being in debt to your friend.”
“Yeah.”
We hang out for a little longer, and then Haring heads to the rink to let his staff and clients know he’s leaving, and I head to my favorite restaurant, because I can. When I walk in the door, nostalgia hits me square in the face, and it’s more than just the place that does it. Kali’s parents are here, and it’s too late for me to avoid them.
Kali’s family is super-rich and I should’ve known I’d run into them in this area, since they live here, too. They’re good people, and although they’ve always wanted the best for their daughter, they accepted me. They were wary, but once I won them over, they pulled me all the way into their family, and then I let them all down.
“Theo!” Mrs. Jackson exclaims, jumping up to greet me. I meet her halfway, and hug her tight.
This woman was once like the mother I never had, and it’s haunted me to know I hurt her as well as Kali with my actions. Yet, here she is, hugging me like it doesn’t matter. God, I love her.
“It’s so good to see you,” I tell her, honestly.
“You too, Theo. Come sit down.”
She takes my hand in hers, and walks me over to her table, pointedly ignoring the glare her husband gives me. He’s never forgiven me for hurting his little girl, and I don’t blame him one bit. Hell, I respect him even more for holding me accountable, because I am.
“Theo.”
“Sir.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Helping a friend.”
“Sit down, Theo.”
“Sorry, Mrs. J,
but I don’t sit where I’m not welcome.”
“You are welcome,” she says, glaring at her husband, who rolls his eyes before nodding at the chair I’ve got my hands on.
“Normally loyalty to friends is a quality I admire, but with you, it’s not a good thing.”
“I had the wrong friends for too long.”
“A little too late to be realizing that, don’t you think?”
“Yes.”
He looks startled that I’m admitting it, but I’m done hiding from the people who I loved and lost. I’d hoped to have Kali back before seeing her parents, but it is what it is. And I am who I am, warts and all.
The same waitress who’s been serving us all for years takes my order, giving me a little reprieve to try and gather my thoughts. I have so much to say, but I don’t know what Kali’s told them, so I’m not sure where to start. Mrs. J takes care of that for me once the waitress leaves.
“Kali said you were re-building your relationship, but when I talked to her the other day, she mentioned dating someone new.”
“I really was a little too late.”
“You’re giving up, soldier?”
“No sir, but sometimes you have to retreat before launching a full-scale attack.”
“Do you know this man she’s seeing?”
“He works in our building, but we aren’t friends.”
“Does he treat her right?”
“She was smiling with him the other day, but that’s all I know.”
“She loves you,” her mother tells me, jumping back into the conversation.
“It may not be enough, but I’m not giving up.”
“Good.”
“Can we talk about the wedding now that we’re getting along?”
Even though Kali and I were kind of together until recently, I haven’t seen them in years, because she was being cautious about what was going on between us. I sent them a check for the wedding, since everything was paid before I left for the desert, but they sent it back. They could definitely afford the lost money, but as it was on me, I wanted to settle my debt back then, and I still want to do that now.
“You just pay for the next one, and we’ll call it even,” Mr. J tells me.
“Deal,” I say, smiling, because having them in my corner is never a bad thing.
Lunch is over too soon, and I have to meet with Haring again. I insist on paying for our meal, before hugging them both. Talking to them has made some of the weight on my heart lighten, because I missed having them in my life, and now they’re back. Going home can sometimes be just what a person needs to have a renewed sense of purpose, and now I have mine.
Kali
I’ve avoided my friends for the last two days, because I don’t want to hear about the fun they had for Waverly’s birthday, and also because I sent them all an email telling them they can’t come to the fashion show. The responses were not exactly happy—or friendly. Sometimes, self-preservation can really suck.
I had classes with them, but no one talked to me, and the mentors didn’t ask, so I’m sure I’m the talk of the Society. Oh well, I’m doing my job and not complaining about anything—or anyone—so there’s nothing anyone can say to me about being a little bitchy right now.
I’ve also managed to put Sean off, although that’s been harder. After dinner the other night, he tried to get me to go back to his place, and he wasn’t happy when I refused. I felt like my head was breaking open when he slammed me into the parking garage wall, but the physical pain was fleeting. Emotionally, I’m not doing as well, but no one else needs to know that.
When I enter the cafeteria, the girls are there and so is Sean, making me want to turn and run. I don’t, because I’m made of stronger stuff than that, even if I don’t always show it. I calmly walk to the burger bar, and grab my favorite, along with fries and a shake. As I’m turning, the tray is pulled from my hands, and Sean is in front of me.
“Sit with me.”
It’s not a question, and I want it to be, but causing a scene will just make things worse, so I follow him back to his table. He holds out my chair, and acts like the perfect, attentive date for the next ten minutes, while I remain silent.
“Are you going to pout all day?”
“I’m not pouting.”
“Well what would you call it?”
“I’m having lunch with someone I don’t like very much right now, so I’m choosing to keep quiet.”
“We’ve been on enough dates for me to expect more than a peck on the cheek, Kali.”
“I don’t believe in set times or number of dates for sex.”
“You’re right,” he says, running a hand through his short hair. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. Not about sex, and not into a wall because I wouldn’t have sex with you.”
“We’ve discussed this already, and frankly, it’s getting boring to have to keep talking about it. I wouldn’t be getting physical with you if you were behaving appropriately.”
I open my mouth to speak, but I’m stopped by the sight of my parents walking towards me. I stand as they approach, and I know the smile on my face could light up the entire room.
“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?”
“We were missing you, and after seeing Theo the other day, we decided to fly out for a visit,” my mom says, pulling me into her warm embrace.
“Theo?” Sean asks, and I can hear the sneer in his voice.
My father ignores him, speaking to me instead. “We had a wonderful lunch with him.”
“I didn’t know he was in D.C. Or that he was visiting you.”
“He didn’t come to see us, but we ran into him at our favorite place,” my mom tells me.
“You should’ve ignored him,” Sean says, and we all turn to him. “Kali’s with me now.”
“I don’t care who you think you are to my daughter, son, but Theo is like family to us, and we look forward to seeing him again while we’re here.”
“With all due respect, sir, that would be a mistake.”
“Theo has more respect in his little finger than you’re showing us right now in your whole body,” my mom tells him.
“Kali, are you going to say something?”
“Sean, my parents can spend time with whomever they choose.”
“I’ve lost my appetite,” he says, grabbing his tray, and storming off.
“He’s lovely.”
“He’s jealous of Theo, Mom. Give him a break.”
“I’ll give him a break on that smug face of his.”
“Dad.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Well, I do.” Not really, but it’s too embarrassing to say I don’t, after all I’ve let him do to me.
“We’ll give him another chance to make a good impression, but that’s it” my mom tells me.
“Thanks.”
I want to catch up with them, but it’s almost time for me to head to my next class. Jade comes over, and offers to take them back to the apartments, and we all thank her for that. They’ll be staying in one of the guest apartments, and I know they won’t want for anything while they’re here.
My classes pass in a blur, and I almost forget Sean leaving in a huff earlier, until I walk out of the Foundation lobby to find him leaning against an open elevator door.
“Get in.”
“I’m not in the mood to fight with you right now, Sean.”
“Get in the fucking elevator, Kali, or I’m going to make a scene. We both know you don’t want that.”
I hate that he knows one of my weaknesses, and that I walk into that elevator, because he’s right. I’m surprised when we get off on his floor, and he leads me by the elbow to his office. Once inside, he closes the blinds, locks the door, and takes a small device from his desk.
“That will block any video and audio surveillance of this room.”
Not all, but if no one’s monitoring him, they won’t see what happens in here, and he’s not supp
osed to know that anyway, so I play along.
“Did your father give you that?”
“Yeah. I don’t need Corrigan spying on me.”
“Why are we here?”
“You should’ve defended me to your parents.”
“You were being rude.”
He reaches for his belt, and I back up into his desk. “I’m going to enjoy this, and I think, in the end, you will, too.”
“No,” I say, as he pulls it free of his belt loops and snaps it like a whip. “Please.”
“Turn around, and hold onto the desk.”
“Please.”
“You’re only going to make it worse on yourself by defying me. Maybe that’s what you want.”
It’s not what I want, so I do as he says. I grip the desk tight, and ready myself to feel the sting of his belt on my buttocks. When the leather hits my thighs instead, my legs buckle, and I nearly fall. He pushes me further forward, and shoves my skirt up to the top of my thighs. I chose to dress up today instead of wearing jeans, and I’m regretting that choice now.
By the third slap of the belt on my skin, I feel it start to split, but by the sixth I’m feeling nothing but the blood dripping down my legs. This isn’t going to kill me, but what he’s doing to me is slowly killing my spirit, and that’s something I’m afraid I may never get back.
Chapter 13
Kali
I know Sean likes seeing his handiwork, but I couldn’t leave my skin broken open like that, so I grabbed some of Stella’s special skin packets, and stole some of the salve Audrey and Caleb have been testing in the lab. It closed up my wounds immediately, but I don’t know if there will be any side effects. It can’t be any worse than what I’ve already been forced to endure, and I’ll deal with whatever happens later. Right now, I need to be able to walk.
Heading down to the apartment building lobby, I start to shake a little, knowing Sean’s waiting for me. Reina and Matt are throwing a barbeque for my parents, and I was given permission to invite Sean. In fact, it was Reina who suggested it. I force myself to pull it together, and put a smile on my face as the doors open.
Society Girls: Kalila Page 9
