“Naw, I’m not fucking with it. How do you know that he isn’t trying to get you alone so that he can hurt you? I don’t like any of this.” Kyon expressed.
“I understand your feelings, and they are valid, but this is the safest place for me to be. There are staff and security everywhere. Plus, you and your brother are close, so if I needed you, it wouldn’t take long for you to get to me.”
Kyon stared at me for a moment longer before he finally responded again.
“What is your plan? I need to know exactly what’s supposed to happen before I agree to this.”
“It’s simple. I’m gonna go back to the room and talk to him. We’re supposed to meet with his boss in a few hours, and he wanted me to be introduced to his boss’s wife. There’s a big opportunity on the table, and he believes that I can help him secure a promotion with the company by showing his wife a good time.
“All I have to do is go to dinner tonight and then hang out with his boss’s wife tomorrow. By the end of the trip, he should know whether or not he secured the deal.”
“I have a meeting later tonight as well. I’m still not all the way sold on this idea, but I’m going to trust you. Please understand this, Laikyn. If I even get an inkling that you’re in danger, I’m tearing this motherfucking ship up, and I’m going to jail. Call me the minute something feels off, and I’m coming to get you,” Kyonwarned. The passion in his tone turned me on, even though it wasn’t the right time. It felt good to know that he was willing to do anything to protect me.
“I promise I’ll call you.” I leaned down to kiss his lips and then put my plan in motion.
Chapter
Six
Kyon Shoulders
Day Two
“Did you hear what I said?” My manager, Freedman, nudged me while we sat at the dinner table. I must have zoned out because I had no idea what he was talking about.
“My bad, Free. I’m a little distracted this evening,” I admitted. I hadn’t heard from Laikyn since she left my room with China this morning. She gave me her new number before she left, but she had been radio silent ever since. No text. No updates at all. It was taking everything in me not to go looking for her.
“Well, I need your head in the game. If all goes well, you’ll be a few million dollars richer and the new face of Boors Athletics.”
“I got you. I promise, I’m good,” I assured him.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I’m Aaron Peterson. I’ve been in touch with your manager, Freedman, to arrange this meeting with you. I hope you’re enjoying yourself on the cruise and thatthe accommodations are to your liking.” Aaron gave a cheesy grin as he held his hand out for me to shake.
“Thank you for having us. We have enjoyed ourselves thus far. We’re looking forward to seeing what else you have to offer.” Freedman spoke up.
“What he said. Everything was great. Thank you for having us,” I responded.
“Well, I’m going to do my intros, and we can get this dinner started. I booked this private room with a chef, so we wouldn’t have to wait too long to eat. This is my lovely wife, Roxanne, and my assistant, Janice. She’ll be helping with my children tonight, so unfortunately, she won’t be able to sit in on the meeting.”
I peeped the look between ol’ boy and his assistant, but it was none of my business. At the end of the day, whatever he had going on in his personal life had nothing to do with our business.
“It’s nice to meet you both.”
We all took our seats and engaged in small talk. I sent Laikyn a message to see if she was okay, but it only showed that she had read it. My nerves were unsettled, and I told myself I would stay long enough to hear what they were offering, then I would excuse myself to find my baby.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Destiny, and I’ll be one of your servers. The chef will be out to greet you momentarily, and then we’ll start bringing your courses out. There will be a total of five courses with your meal. If you look under your silverware, you will find a complete menu breakdown along with the ingredients.
“We were given your allergy forms when the dinner was initially requested, but if any of you have any allergies you may have forgotten, please let us know now. We want everyone to have a pleasant and safe dining experience. Are you ready for me to take your drink orders?”
“We’re waiting on two more people. They seem to be running a little behind. Would you mind starting us all off with water, and then we can add additional drinks if necessary?” Aaron requested. I would have called him Mr. Peterson, but he didn’t look much older than me.
“Sure thing. I’ll be back with your drinks.”
The waitress scurried off, and the conversations resumed. Freedman and Aaron talked amongst themselves as his wife sat next to him looking out of place and uncomfortable. She excused herself to go to the bathroom, and I wondered if she had peeped the same thing I noticed earlier.
After ten more minutes had passed, a skinny black man walked up to the table and whispered something to Aaron before he addressed the table.
“My apologies for my tardiness. My fiancée was having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction and needed a little assistance. I’m Kalvin Holmes, and it is a pleasure to have you joining us, Mr. Shoulders. I’m a huge fan of yours.” He held his hand out anxiously while I stared at it as if it was covered in shit. My attention was on the beautiful, visibly flustered woman who walked in a few seconds after him.