“I’ll handle it. You’ll get your pipeline.” The organization had made millions. I didn’t agree with trafficking more drugs under the city, but my father rarely turned away easy money. The Vieux Carre flooded and was reconstructed during prohibition. There were tunnels beneath the hotel that lead from the docks to the trucking warehouses. It was the perfect pathway for any future business operation he planned.
My father smiled. “I trust you will, son.”
I left my father’s office not accomplishing what I wanted. Instead, I had a new problem on my hands. I had to hope that it would lead Kennedy back to me and not push her farther in her cell.
5
Kennedy
Someone was blocking my sun. I peered over my sunglasses. It was Kimble. I couldn’t tell if he was eyeing my new bikini. His shades were dark. His face expressionless.
“Yes?” I prompted. “What’s wrong?” I stretched one leg along the other. My skin glistened in the sunlight. I hadn’t had a say in the house my father choose, but I did like the pool. It felt as if I was in a French courtyard somewhere in the south of France on the coast.
“We need to talk about last night.”
I sighed. “I knew you would tell my father.” I picked up the book I was reading. “I’m not surprised.”
“Actually, I haven’t mentioned it.”
I sat forward. He had my attention. “Why not?” I asked.
“Didn’t you notice?”
“Notice what?”
“Your father hasn’t left his rooms today.”
I held my breath, expecting him to elaborate. “Okay. And your point?”
“It’s almost one o’clock. He’s not well. I don’t want to add to his stress. I’m supposed to keep the Martins safe. I take that seriously.”
I groaned. “It’s just bronchitis. He gets it all the time.” Of all the people to fuss over my father, I didn’t expect it to be Kimble.
“Whether he does or not, I thought I’d give you a pass for last night. For his sake at least.”
“A pass?” I reached for my water bottle.
I saw the sweat trickle down his neck. He was wearing a suit, equipped with body armor and weapons.
“Yes. A pass. If he knew you had skirted my detail, we’d both be in trouble.”
I laughed. “So, this is about you saving your job. It’s not really because you’re worried about his health.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m trying to do a favor for you too. He won’t be happy if he knows you spent the evening with Knight Corban.”
“That’s crazy because he sent me to Seraphina Corban’s engagement party,” I argued. “He wanted me to represent him, and that means I have to socialize with everyone. Even Knight Corban.” My argument was foolproof.
“You were there because of the Castilles, not to sneak off with Knight Corban.”
How did Kimble know what my father’s intentions were? “What are you talking about?”
“Trust me. Stay away from Knight Corban. I won’t keep your secret next time.”
I spun, placing my feet on the hot concrete. I rose slowly. I was certain I saw Kimble’s eyes drag over my body.
“Why even tell me that?” I pressed.
“I probably shouldn’t have.”
But he did. “Thanks.” I slinked past him, hauling my pool bag with me. “What’s the other guy’s name? The other one who is on my detail?”
“Joseph?”
“Yeah. Him. Does he know I got past you last night?” I was curious.
Kimble didn’t answer.
I giggled. “I guess I’ll keep that to myself then.”
As I wandered through the house, I passed my father’s room. The door was closed. I leaned in slightly, but it was quiet. I hesitated. I could knock, but something stopped me. I decided I’d check on him after my shower. I didn’t need a lecture on my bikini. Or how I wasted precious time sitting by the pool.
When I turned, I spotted the oil portrait of my mother hanging across the hall from his door. He said he liked to see her every morning when he left for work and when he returned at the end of the day.
I stared at her expression. I wondered what was behind it. Was it love? Admiration? Resentment? I knew very little about her. Most of the stories I created about my mother’s life revolved around this single portrait. It was the only display of her in the house.
What would she say now? Would she support my father? Those were questions I had asked a thousand times. Did she agree with how he used me? Did she think my value was tied to what family he could position me with? I walked away from her gaze, knowing I’d never have the answers.
It was another two days before I saw my father. He had turned me away every time I knocked on the door. This time, I took reinforcements.
Kimble used the key he had been given for emergencies and let me in my father’s bedroom.
“Dad?” I tiptoed, then hurried next to him. He was hunched over, coughing.
He pushed my arm away. “How did you get in?”
Kimble was standing in the doorway. His hulking figure loomed behind us.
“We were worried. I haven’t seen you. You aren’t taking calls or meetings.” The fact that it was the weekend, didn’t have any bearing on whether my father continued business as usual.
I glanced at the rows of pill bottles lined up on his nightstand. “What’s all this?” I asked.
He shook his head. “It’s for the cough. So, I sleep at night.”
It was the first time I felt a buzz in the back of my head. An alarm bell. Something was wrong. It wasn’t bronchitis. I nodded at Kimble to step out of the room.
“Dad, I think I need to get you in to see your doctor,” I urged.
“No,” he snapped. “Kennedy, I’m fine.” He wobbled to his feet, and I moved out of his way. I didn’t say a word when he grabbed the doorframe to the bathroom to steady himself.
“What are you doing? Where are you going?”
“I have a meeting. I’m going
