Chapter19
Kennedy
“Ms. Martin.” One of the office assistants cracked the door to speak. The interruption was jarring.
Kimble had cleaned and returned his knife to his pocket, but the bloody chip was still resting on the corner of my desk. I whisked it into the trashcan before the assistant spied it.
“Yes?”
Kimble barely moved to let the poor girl in.
“There was a delivery for you.” She came forward and revealed a courier package.
I smiled when I saw Knight’s handwriting on the front of the box. My mood changed instantly.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Martin.” The girl hurried out.
“Should I inspect it?” Kimble offered. His voice was gruff.
“No,” I snapped. “You can go. I have work to do.” I was tired of his insinuations. Of the constant distrust that simmered between him and Knight. I didn’t like that he was trying to turn over stones that should be left alone. “Don’t you have a plane to catch?”
He scowled. “Three days. I’ll be back in three days.”
“Just go.”
Kimble paused as if he was going to say something before he left, but decided not to. I was happy for his silence.
As soon as I was alone, I circled my desk. I cut open the end flap of the envelope. A small box fell onto my desk. The small cube was tied with a velvet ribbon. I held my breath as I flipped open the lid. There was a note folded on top.
You left this behind. I thought it was time to Carpe Noctem again.
I lifted the necklace from the cushion. He had kept it. I had been too afraid to ask him after the way I had stormed out of the suite. The diamonds sparkled as the pendant spun in the sunlight. I thought all the days I had worn it. How careful I had been with it. How close it had made me feel to Knight when I had nothing else to hold on to. I fastened it against my neck, feeling the coolness of the engraved side brush just below my throat. The twinge of guilt I had for leaving it behind eased slightly. I wouldn’t leave it again. I’d keep it this time.
I blinked when I looked at the box. There was something poking out from the lining. I lifted the edge. It was a key. I flipped the note over in case I had missed Knight’s explanation for the key, but there wasn’t anything on the other side.
Before I could pick up my phone to text him, it beeped. I saw his name on the screen. I reached for it, reading his message.
Ready for your surprise?
I scowled.
Don’t you know I don’t like surprises?
I could almost hear his laugh at my response. That beautiful rich laugh that stirred something in my belly I couldn’t describe adequately.
Too bad.
I smiled at his answer.
The tiny dots flashed on the screen. I stared at the address that popped up in the text bubble. Where in the hell was that?
I waited for the next message.
Are you already in the car?
I laughed.