#Chapter 64 – A Queen’s Gambit

It’s almost dark that evening when I pull up to the gates to Kent’s estate. I spent the day with Janeen, planning my next steps, letting the sound of her laugher and warm advice wash over me like a healing balm. I also let her curl my hair into sexy waves and exchange my slouchy sweater and leggings for a pair of tight jeans and a turtleneck, all black. She spent some time doing my makeup too, transforming me into the smokey-eyed femme fatale I felt I needed to be to take this next step. The gates slide open without hesitation and I pull the car through. Instead of heading around the back of the house to the garages, though, I curve around the driveway and park directly before the front door. I take a moment to steel myself and then step out, looking towards the guard I know will be standing by the door at the top of the steps. I don’t let my surprise register when I see that it’s Jerome standing there. Instead, I keep my face blank as I walk slowly up to the door and calmly hand hi