Chapter 29
Kennedy
I smile and wave at my mom as I enter Buona Sera, the Italian restaurant my mother owns. Years ago, my father gave it to her as an anniversary present. It’s where they apparently had one of their first dates.
“Hey, baby,” my mom greets, pulling me into a hug. As usual, she lets the hug linger, and I soak it all in. My mom’s hugs are the absolute best.
“Hey, Riley.” I give my sister-in-law a hug also. “I’m sorry for being late,” I tell them.
Riley waves a dismissive hand. “It’s not a real weekly lunch if one of us isn’t late.”
All three of us laugh because it’s true.
“Was it work that had you tied up?” my mom asks.
At the same time, our host brings us a menu and asks for our drink orders.
My mother orders her usual Aperol spritz, and it looks so good that I opt for the same.
“Sparkling water for me,” Riley tells the waiter.
“Yes,” I answer the question my mom asked before our drink order. “I was able to get a lead.”
I’m almost bursting at the seams to say more, but I can’t. Yet, the information Nicole gave me a few days ago over lunch could be huge. I spoke with James about it, and he even says it’s viable information and must be investigated thoroughly.
Then there’s the thumb drive Dae gave me. I spoke with some of the names in the file, and they all seem legitimate. Though the information he gave me isn’t related to Erika Dalton’s death, it still demonstrates Blackmon’s shady business practices.
“The pieces are coming together on this one,” I tell them.
My mom grins brightly. “Good.”
“If you ever need help, you can call me,” Riley adds.
“Thanks, sis.”
“Oh, and Eve can’t stop talking about horseback riding now.” She laughs. “She wants to take lessons.”
“Really?” That thrills me. “She has to take them with my former trainer, right, Mom?” I turn to my mom.
“I’ve already given her his information,” Mom says proudly.
“She’s going to love it.”
Riley grins. “The only reason she hasn’t started is because it took some convincing with Kyle.”
“Seriously?” I ask.
Riley nods and rolls her eyes as she recounts how overprotective my brother became at the thought of Eve regularly riding horses.
“He even told Eve about the time you broke your collarbone from falling off a horse.”
“He didn’t,” my mom and I both gasp at the same time.
“He did. Scared my Ladybug for two whole days.” She shakes her head.
“When I told him he was being ridiculous and reminded him that we’d already gone horseback riding and she loved it, he said it’s still a risk and that she needs to keep her head in the books.”
“Wait,” I interrupt. “Is that why he sent me that long text about filling Eve’s head up with dangerous endeavors or whatever he said?”
“Yes,” Riley says, laughing. “He was ridiculous.”
“Not surprising. Kennedy’s father lost it after she fell off that horse.”
I groan. “Don’t remind me. He hovered over me for weeks, and when I told everyone I wanted to continue riding, he was adamant that it was a no. I begged for days for him to let up. He finally did once my arm was out of that cast.”
My mom snorts. “You think he changed his mind because you asked him?”
I cock my head to the side.
She shakes her head. “Let’s just say it took a lot of convincing. I was scared to let you ride after that, but I knew you needed to confront your fears.”
“I don’t want to think of what you did to convince him,” I mumble.
“Convince who of what?” a deep, booming voice asks from behind me.
I recognize it immediately.
“How did I know you would eventually end up here?” my mother asks with a soft smile on her face as she looks up at my father.
He bends down and presses a kiss to my mom’s lips. His gaze lingers on her for a few seconds, and even from his profile, I can see how his face softens. As a kid, I couldn’t figure out why I loved watching my parents interact with one another so much.
As a teen, I was embarrassed by how openly affectionate they were with one another. Especially when it’s evident that my father doesn’t like many other people. But in our presence, he becomes someone else.
“Sweetness,” he finally says, using the pet name he always calls her. And I immediately recognize the tone. Not from years of hearing him say it to her.
It reminds me of the way someone else uses a unique nickname.
Little warrior.
I dip my head when I recall Dae using that name with me. The way his voice sounds is just like …
“Are you ignoring me?”
I glance up to see my father staring down at me.
“Sorry, Daddy.” I rise and welcome his open arms. “I could never ignore you.”
“Damn straight,” he agrees, hugging me tighter.
“I wasn’t expecting you.” I pull back. “I probably should have, though,” I amend as he greets Riley before sitting beside my mom. He moves close enough to place a possessive arm around her shoulder. When she leans into his embrace, my father kisses the top of her head.
“It’s been a couple of months since you’ve crashed our ladies’ lunch,” I tell him.
He doesn’t even bother looking guilty as he responds, “It was Kyle’s turn last week.”
Riley snorts. “The only reason he’s not here today is because he has that meeting with the RD team.”
My father nods as if knowing she’s right.
The waitress delivers our drinks, and I take a sip of the delicious Aperol. After our around-the-world trip, it became one of my mom’s favorite drinks. Once we returned to the States, she added it to the Buona Sera menu.
Our waitress takes our orders.
“I thought you loved the salmon, Riley?” my mom asks, noting that Riley ordered one of the baked chicken dishes.
“Right,” Riley says, looking between the three of us.
I don’t miss the way her hand goes to her belly. A smile crests on my face.
“It’s, uh, not sitting well with me lately.”
My mom leans forward, her attention on Riley. My father doesn’t release her from his hold even though he clearly keeps his attention on his daughter-in-law.
Riley bites her bottom lip.
“Any reason in particular why not?” Mom asks.
Riley looks between the three of us. The nervousness etched on her face is evident. My sister-in-law doesn’t get nervous.
“Well,” she begins, “it’s because for a while it was making me nauseous. And now, a certain person, is frightened of the mercury levels. Despite clearance from my doctors.”
“Wait, doctors? Mercury levels? Are you finally telling us …” my mom asks.
Riley nods. “I’m pregnant.”
My mom cheers and rises to her feet. She pulls Riley in for a hug, followed by my father.
“I’m sorry. Kyle wanted to be here today so we could tell you together, but that meeting …”
“It’s about time,” my mom and I say together after I finish hugging Riley.
“About time?” she asks, looking confused.
My mom and I exchange a glance at one another and then burst into laughter.
“You weren’t super obvious, but there were clues,” I finally say. “Like your chocolate cravings a while back, even though you don’t like chocolate much. And every time we’ve had lunch for the past two months, you’ve turned down any and all alcohol.”
She groans. “We wanted to wait until after the first trimester.”
My mom hugs her again. “You weren’t too obvious,” she assures. “But when you’ve had five kids, you pick up on some things.”
“Kyle and I had cigars in my office earlier this morning,” my dad tells us.
“He told you before me?” my mom blurts out.
My dad palms the back of her neck before kissing her. “He wanted me to be here when you two found out. I was already coming,” he assures. “Like you, sweetness, I know what pregnancy symptoms look like.”
“This is amazing,” I say. “Does Eve know? Is she freaking out?”
“She’s ecstatic. We only told her last night because, well, you guys know, Ladybug can’t keep a secret for anything.
“Kyle went out and bought her a ridiculous amount of video games and new math material that I don’t even understand, and he came this close to buying her a pony.”
She pinches her thumb and forefinger together as she holds her hand up.
“He was terrified that she’d feel left out.” Shaking her head, she laughs while her eyes mist over.
My father plucks one of the cloth napkins off the table and hands it to her.
“This baby is making me so emotional already,” Riley says as she dabs at her eyes.
We spend the next few minutes until our meals arrive discussing all things babies. Riley just had her twelve-week check-up last week, and everything is going well with the pregnancy. Kyle is determined to find out the gender before the baby’s born, but Riley wants to wait.
I’m sure my hardheaded brother will get his way one way or another. We talk for a while longer before my father has to head out for a work meeting of his own.
“I had to share the news before the gala in a few weeks, anyway,” Riley says. “It’s like last week. As soon as I hit week twelve, my belly popped. I’ll probably have to alter the dress I chose for the children’s gala to make room for my expanding belly.”
My mom squeals in happiness. “Our second grandbaby is coming,” she says. “We’ll be there, too,” my mom adds about the children’s gala. “Kennedy, are you coming?”
“I’ll be there,” I say hesitantly as I look between my mother and sister-in-law. “With a date.”
Riley immediately raises her eyebrows. “We’re finally going to meet him?”
“Him?” My mom smiles as she looks at me. “Are you finally sharing with us today, too?”
My eyes widen, then narrow. “You knew?”
My mom gives me a deadpan expression. “A few weeks ago, when you were over for dinner and couldn’t stop smiling at your phone.” She lifts an eyebrow. “You think I didn’t notice?”
Riley laughs. “Caught that, too, huh?”
I glare at my sister-in-law, which makes her laugh harder.
Then I clear my throat. “Yes, I’m seeing someone. He’s the owner of the Black Opal.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to say it’s not that serious but my mouth can’t form the lie.
“Does he have a name?”
“Dae Kim. I don’t think you know him.” I glance over at Riley. “Riley met him when we went horseback riding.”
Riley grins. “He’s gorgeous, Patience. You should’ve seen how good he was with the children. And with Kennedy.” She wiggles her eyebrows as she looks between the two of us.
“Riley,” I say.
“What?” She looks at me with innocence. “You asked me not to say anything before, but now the cat’s out of the bag, right? Besides, Kyle will probably meet him before then since we’ll be at the Black Opal next Thursday night, and you agreed to be there, too. As clingy as he was during horseback riding, I’m betting he won’t let you out of his sight.”
“I forgot about that,” I whisper. Kyle’s having a work event at the Black Opal next week.
“You didn’t want us to know?” Mom asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“What? No, it’s not that. I just wanted to keep it to myself for a while.”
“Then we’ll get to meet him at the gala?”
I swallow, knowing not only will my dad and brother be there but also my grandfather and a few uncles. And Uncle Brutus, whom Dae’s already met.
“I’m going as his date,” I tell my mom and sister-in-law. “He does some charity work, and the organization he helps run is being honored.”
“That’s wonderful,” my mom says but doesn’t go into a bevy of questions as I expect her to.
“In the group chat, send me some suggestions for next week’s lunch spot,” my mom says as we exit the restaurant. “Your Aunt Kayla and grandmother might be able to make it next week, too.”
“Good. I’ll look forward to it,” I tell her once we separate from our hug.
“I love you, baby.” She cups my face. “I’m happy you’re finally seeing someone who puts a smile on your face.”
“I barely said more than a couple of sentences about him.”
She laughs. “The same way I knew Riley was pregnant weeks ago. Words aren’t the only way to communicate. The look on your face when you say his name says a lot.”
I groan. “Your husband is going to ask all types of questions.”
“Your father will be overprotective, yes,” she admits. “But what he wants, what we both want, is your happiness. That’s all.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I don’t need to say much more. My dad will do what he does. But I’m not a child, it’s not like he can forbid me from seeing someone. I slowly start to admit that I haven’t brought home anyone to meet my family recently because none of the guys were interesting enough.
“Love you, Mom.”
As I start the fifteen-minute walk back to my office, I make a mental list of all the work tasks I need to complete before I head out for the day when my phone buzzes with a text.
It’s my burner phone. I’ve kept it on my lately in case Nicole or another source needs to contact me.
Nicole: Next Thursday night, I can take you to the hotel where they keep the kids.
My heartbeat speeds up from excitement. That feeling of exhilaration every time I find another important piece of this puzzle I’m trying to put together overcomes me.
I don’t even think about it as I type:
Kennedy: What time?
Nicole: 9 o’clock. The drop-off and pick-up usually happens around that time.
A lump forms in my throat. According to Nicole, this is what Sebastian Blackmon is hiding. He’s smuggling adolescents into forced labor. To work for his multiple chain restaurants. Not just here in Williamsport but in other cities as well.
And he’s using his church connections from his home state to do it.
She told me about it the week before over lunch. She was once one of those adolescents who was pushed into a troubled teen program in the church. They told her they were sending her to a boot camp, where she was forced into working twelve-hour shifts, off-the-books at several restaurants.
When I told her I needed more evidence, she told me about her boyfriend. He was one of the drivers in this smuggling ring who was willing to talk.
Me: I’ll be there.
I head back to my office feeling like I’ve just gotten close to cracking this investigation wide open. A million thoughts run through my head as I make my way to the fifth floor of the building.
“Kennedy,” the receptionist calls out. “You have a visitor.”
I frown, not expecting anyone. “Who is it?”
She stretches out her hand, but a male voice interrupts before she can answer.
“The one and only Sebastian Blackmon.”
I spin on my heels and come face-to-face with him.
He smiles openly, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I hear you’ve been looking for me.”