Chapter 6
Marv was right.We arrived in a much smaller neighborhood not too long after stopping to pick him up. The houses were not as ornate as the stilt mansions, but they were no less beautiful.Bellamy drove through the streets as I pressed my face against the glass, watching the new sights go by. Without regular transportation, I wasn't as familiar with my own town or the cities surrounding it as most people.The car turned again as Bellamy navigated the streets of the well-kept neighborhood. It felt as though we were caught in a never-ending circle until the car finally pulled into a back section near an outdoor pool with a few people sunbathing on personal foldout chairs. The smell of grilled food reminded me that I hadn't eaten anything since lunch and now that it was nearing 6 pm, I washungry.
Bellamy parked the BMW in a spot next to an equally elegant silver Impala. Marv slid out of the backseat, opening my door before I could even reach for the handle. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I stepped out between the two vehicles and followed Marv and Bellamy towards the upscale condominium building. A large, square-faced clock pointed outward high above the front doors as they led me around the side and through a glasspatio.
"Back elevator is quicker," Marvsaid.
I nodded as we stepped through the doors into the cool, modern interior. The building was even more beautiful from the patio. The lobby was only a few yards to our left with two silver-doored elevators behind a large countertop manned by a young woman with her hair twisted back into a severe braid. I winced a little at how it made her already bony features even more prominent. She watched us with hawk eyes, but said nothing as I followed Bellamy and Marv towards a completely different set of elevators, my shoes squeaking on the white tile. I could feel the heat of her glare on my back, and thought I probably looked like a homeless straggler compared to the guys. They seemed more than appropriately attired, in their professional suits, to be coming home to a place like this. I glanced down at my ripped jeans and t-shirt with asigh.
A large man, wearing a pair of white, paint-splattered jeans and a dark-gray polo with an "MP Condos" logo over the left side of his chest stepped out when the elevator signaled itsarrival.
"Mr. Woodstone, Mr. Carter. So good to see you." The manbeamed.
"Hey, Rodney, how's your little girl?" Bellamy grinned as he clasped the man on theshoulder.
Marv put his hand out and wrapped one arm around my shoulders, squeezing me closer to him as he adjusted us into the smaller space of the elevator. Bellamy propped the doors open with hisarm.
"Oh, she's good, thanks so much for asking, Mr. Woodstone! Well, I'll be letting you all go now. Good seeing you again!" The man waved as Bellamy joined us and the doors slidshut.
"Do you think he paid her any attention?" Marv asked. I glanced up between him andBellamy.
"No, he's a good guy. He doesn't askquestions."
My head twisted in Bellamy's direction as he looked down at me with a smile. Even though I wanted answers, I kept quiet. I'd save my questions for later. Marv slapped a hand on the button for the ninthfloor.
"So high," I whispered, staring at the glowingbutton.
I didn't realize that I had spoken out loud until Bellamy and Marv each looked down at me. In the enclosed space, they felt even larger than before. Though, in reality, Bellamy certainly was the bulkierpresence.
"Scared of heights?" I saw the way Marv's lips quirked, one corner tilting up inamusement.
I frowned at him. "No."
"Uh huh," he said. He didn't press me though. Instead, the one hand he kept on my arm ran up and down, warming the exposed skin there. It wassoothing.
We reached the ninth floor and stepped out into a short, L-shaped hallway. "This way," Marvannounced.
His hand fell away and I trailed behind them as Bellamy pulled out a set of keys. He ended up not needing them though because as soon as we were close, the door swung inward and Knix stepped out. He was dressed impeccably in a pair of blue-jeans, tight around the thighs and a navy V-neck t-shirt. The clothes molded to his massive frame like a second skin. I tried not todrool.
"Hey, Harlow." He smiled with sharp, happy eyes. "Glad you could make it." He gestured inside. "Welcome." I looked up at him, unable to help the smirk on mylips.
"Fancy meeting you here," I saiddrolly.
Though no one had said anything, I wasn't the least bit surprised to see him. I stepped through the door and into a tidy apartment that smelled like the ocean breeze. Their condo was masculine in its décor, a Foosball table to the side of the living room, an Xbox under the massive flat screen TV, and wood toned coloring. Despite the manly decorations and furniture, it was all neat and orderly. I walked towards the windows on the far sidewall.
"Why don't you have a seat?" Knixoffered.
I sighed and nodded before turning back to thecouch.
"Alright," I started, "you brought me here, so what do youwant?"
"Are you hungry?" Knix asked. He moved towards the kitchen as Marv and Bellamy disappeared down ahallway.
"For answers," I replied. "Where are theygoing?"
"Bellamy probably wants to change. He doesn't care for suits too much. Marv is probably on his way to torture poor Texas – he likes the suits, Marv I mean. He won'tchange."
"Hmm." I stared towards thehallway.