Kisses Behind the Spotlight

Prologue

Khaleesi Williams

SIX YEARS AGO

An entire month had passed since I laid eyes on my auntie.

We didn’t have the typical auntie-and-niece relationship because we were only twelve years apart.

She was more like my best friend; even if we didn’t have time to see each other in person, we always FaceTimed.

That was until she abruptly abandoned her apartment and the feed store while pregnant by a man who, I’d learned, was two fries short of a happy meal.

The fact that she wouldn’t let me come see her only solidified my growing suspicion that something wasn’t right; I didn’t care how many times she told me everything was fine.

Plus, I was the baby daddy up until that point and went to every doctor’s appointment.

I was up all night thinking about it. The dark bags underneath my eyes could attest to that.

Over the bullshit, I exited my condo. I headed down the hallway to have a conversation with Q.

It was his fault his crazy ass uncle was ever in our orbit, and he needed to make things right if he wanted me to continue with my role as his creative director.

I didn’t give a damn how promising his rap career looked, or how much money I stood to lose.

When I reached Q’s unit, I knocked gently and stood with my arms folded across my chest to make my disposition clear.

Jameera and her massive bushel of curly hair opened the door with a bright smile on her face.

She was Q’s high school sweetheart and the daughter of James Clayton, one of the most sought-after production designers in the industry.

Her father connected me with Q and helped open doors for both of us in the music industry.

Jameera was more than just a rapper’s hippie ass girlfriend. She was building a name for herself in the fashion world as Q’s stylist, while co-owning an athleisure clothing brand with her best friend, Amill. Their line was perfectly titled, Moon I had no idea Q lived in that building when I moved to the area, but it definitely made working together a breeze.

Our close proximity mixed with Amill and Jameera’s warm, welcoming nature helped us form a bond that went beyond work.

We were like family, which is why I hated that it had come to this.

“Is everything okay?” Jameera pried, her smile slipping into a face of concern once she saw my demeanor.

“I don’t know yet. I need to speak with Q, and he told me to stop by,” I replied.

“We were just getting ready to head out.” She stepped to the side, allowing me to enter.

Every time I entered their unit, I could tell Jameera had her way when it was time to decorate.

The decor was a perfect blend of hippie and Afrocentric pieces.

Earthy textures, handcrafted African sculptures, and paintings that Q probably spent more than my net worth on filled the space.

However, the most impressive decor would always be the plants.

Lush, thriving plants were placed throughout the common areas; their glossy and vibrant leaves told me that Jameera had a true green thumb.

I remember the first time I entered their home; the statuesque flowers were the first thing that caught my eye.

I thought they were artificial. One day, when I got into plants, Jameera would have to be my mentor.

“Hey, Khaleesi,” Amill greeted me with a bright smile.

She was wearing a one-shoulder, cut-out Versace monokini that left the blinding diamond dangling from her belly ring on full display.

Amill pulled water bottles from the refrigerator and placed them in a cooler.

I quickly surmised they were about to go to the beach or pool because Jameera also wore a green bikini with her gold waist beads fully exposed.

That was fine. I planned to keep my visit brief and would be out of their hair before you knew it.

“Hey, Amill.”

“Wassup, Khaleesi?” Q greeted me, coming from the owner’s suite, dressed in a pair of green swim trunks that matched Jameera’s.

“We need to speak in private. It’s about my Aunt Anila who modeled in your last music video,” I announced.

“Oh, we can go into the office.” He gestured towards the hallway to his left.

I followed his motion and strutted down that hallway until we were inside.

“Well, what happened to your auntie? And what do I have to do with it?” He questioned.

“Anila is pregnant by your uncle, and she’s been missing for an entire month now. I know my auntie. She wouldn’t take off without saying anything. He forced her wherever she went. Where did he take her?”

“Huh? Ion know nothing about Anila or my uncle, but Ion think he would do no shit like that,” Q retorted.

“Well, I know he would, and I’m telling you he did. Until I can lay eyes on my auntie, I’m not working with you. When I took this job, I wasn’t expecting to get thrust into the crosshairs of mafia men,” I whispered the last word.

“Khaleesi, stop playing. We have a lot of shit coming up,” he laughed like he heard the funniest joke. Placing both of my hands on my hips, I never joined the laughter, and Q finally took me seriously.

“I’mma see what I can find out. But your aunt going missing has nothing to do with me, my family, or anything like that.”

“I beg to differ, so I’m out.” I chucked the deuces before strutting out of his office.

“Khaleesi!” Q called, running behind me.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I belted, heading straight for the door.

Rushing down the hallway, I slipped into my own apartment before he could catch up with me. When I made it to my bedroom, Montell was in our closet, packing for his flight.

“Damn, I jumped in the shower, and you ran off?” Montell stated once I entered the room.

“I went to talk to Q real quick.”

“You walked down the hall to talk to Q? What was so important that you couldn’t talk to him about it on the phone?” Montell interrogated, in an accusatory tone.

I rolled my eyes and pulled my shirt over my head. “Montell, I work for Q.”

“Yeah, you work for him. Dropped all of your other clients to focus on him,” he tossed out.

“I dropped all of my other clients because Q increased my salary and job responsibilities. I’m working smarter, not harder, and to be honest, I’m not liking the energy you’re throwing out there.

It’s like ever since you found out I had sex with another man in the industry before we even met, you can’t let it go.

I don’t bring up, nor do I care who you were dealing with before me.

Montell, if this is what it’s going to be every time you get in your feelings, then this is going to be the end of the road for us.

I don’t have time to be dealing with no insecure ass nigga. ”

“And you think I got time to be wifing a hoe?” Montell spat, flinging the handful of clothes into the suitcase near his feet.

My eyes seared into Montell, but my mouth remained silent. A low chuckle escaped me as I kicked my pants off. “Fuck, baby, I’m sorry.” Montell darted out of the closet, shoulders slumped.

“Don’t touch me. Don’t baby me. The only reason I’m not clawing your fucking eyes out for calling me a hoe is because I’m exhausted and you’re about to leave.

” I pushed Montell away and gathered my clothes to toss in the hamper.

“I’m glad you’re going to visit your family for the week. We need some time apart.”