I startle from the unfamiliar voice behind me. As I turn around, though, I recognize the driver from a few nights ago. I can’t help how my gaze scans the street around us, searching for him.
My eyes land on the black town car parked a few yards away. However, no one gets out of the vehicle.
“I’m glad I caught you on your way out,” the smiling driver announces, drawing my attention back to him.
“W-Were you waiting for me?”
He nods. “Yes. These are for you.” He holds out his arm. Another bouquet, but this time they’re white roses mixed with lavender columbines.
I can’t take my eyes off how beautiful the bouquet is.
I take the flowers. “Thank you.” There’s no card, however.
“This is also for you.”
I glance at him and see him holding out a cell phone. I lift an eyebrow.
“Mr. Kim would like to speak with you.”
With the slightest bit of reluctance, I take the phone.
“Hello?”
“I hope you like the flowers. If not, I can pick out a different bouquet.”
My eyes move to the flowers in my arm. I start to tell him they’re beautiful but stop. “Did you honestly have your driver wait outside of my sister-in-law’s office just to give me flowers?”
“No,” his reply is quick. “I had him wait outside to give you the flowers so I could hear your voice.”
A lump in my throat forms. I hate that his response makes me feel things I never gave my body permission to feel.
“Wait,” I say with a shake of my head. “How did you even know where I was? Are you following me?”
I turn and do a visual sweep up and down the busy street.
“Lucky guess,” he responds.
“I already told you I’m not about to—” I peer over at his driver, who’s only a foot away from me. I take a few steps away, distancing myself. “Sell myself for a few answers that you may or may not give,” I lower my voice and say harshly into the phone.
“From what I recall, you said you wouldn’t sell your pussy for a few answers.”
A tremble moves through my body. That word coming from his mouth sets something off in the pit of my stomach.
“But I’m not offering to buy your pussy, Kennedy.”
My eyelids flutter closed. Dammit, how does he have this effect on me? Meanwhile his voice sounds as calm and steady as if conducting a business meeting.
“What are you offering, then?” As soon as the question is out of my mouth, I regret it. I just gave him an opening. One I’m not sure I was ready to give.
“Have you been able to get any answers to your questions about Blackmon?”
He already knows the answer to his question. I know he does.
“Maybe,” I hedge.
A chuckle ripples through the phone. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“What game are you playing, Mr. Kim?”