Kingston rang Palmieri up on her cell phone shortly before he arrived, giving her time to have the garage door up so his driver could pull right in. She hit the button to close the door before his big black sedan’s engine stopped, then waited for his driver to get out and open his door for him. So far as she knew, Kingston never drove himself, and while his drivers varied they were always big, burly, hard-eyed men who doubled as bodyguards. She recognized the one who got out this time, but couldn’t recall his name, not that that mattered. The driver opened the passenger door and Kingston got out. He was around forty, a big man himself, over six feet tall with a face that might be described as ruggedly handsome, straight dark hair and calculating dark eyes. Something about him always got Palmieri a little edgy. It was a mixture of vague fear and physical attraction, and she always took pains to hide it.
“Good of you to come,” she smiled.
“This better be worth it,” Kingston rumbled. He had a deep, gravelly voice that made her skin tingle faintly.
“Oh, it is, it is!” Palmieri said a little too quickly. “I wouldn’t have called you out here otherwise.”
“Well, where is she?” Kingston looked around. “I’ve got things to do.”
“Down in the basement,” Palmieri replied. “Here, it’s this way.” She went over to the door and opened it. Kingston was close behind her, followed by his driver. Spooner hung back.
“I don’t see her,” Kingston commented as they entered the basement. He sounded annoyed.
“She’s here,” Palmieri reassured him. “She’s just trying to hide.” She strode quickly over to the right-hand door and banged on it once with her fist.
“Get out here, bitch!” she called out. “Get out here now!” She stepped back as the door slowly opened and Krissy stepped out warily. She froze when she saw the two men, her hand still on the doorknob. For a moment, it looked as if she was going to dart back into the powder room and shut the door behind her, so Palmieri grabbed her by her hair. She yelped, and Palmieri tightened her grip.
“Come over and say hello to the nice gentlemen,” Palmieri sneered. She started to drag Krissy along. The blonde resisted for only a moment, then came along, wincing. Palmieri stopped about three feet from Kingston, let go of the blonde’s hair, and stepped aside.
“What do you think?” she asked.
Kingston didn’t answer. He was looking the blonde up and down so intently that she thought he hadn’t heard her at first and was about to ask again when she thought better of it. Standing in front of Kingston and his driver, the blonde seemed even shorter and younger than she had before.
“What’s your name?” Kingston asked the blonde.
“Krissy,” she answered in a small voice. She began to raise her hands. It looked very much like she wanted to cover herself with her hands but was afraid to. Instead, she patted and smoothed down her hair.
“That your natural hair color?” Kingston cocked his head to one side, frowning.
“Yes,” the blonde answered. Then she quickly added: “Sir.”
“Turn around,” Kingston ordered, gesturing with one hand. The blonde obeyed, turning slowly, looking up towards the ceiling the whole time. She stopped with her back to him.
“Not bad,” Kingston nodded towards Palmieri. “Hot little body, and she’s got a great ass. Tell me more about her.”