King of Slaves (Jenna's Story) (The Slave Series Book 5) (14 page)

“I’ll see you tonight,” he said to her back. 

CHAPTER 12

Respect

Jenna

“Thank God you called. Did you talk to Dad yet?” Alex exclaimed as soon as she picked up the phone.

“Dad? No… what’s wrong, is he hurt?

“Ohh, shoot, so you haven’t heard?”

“Just tell me, okay, Alex? You’re freaking me out.”

“He’s flying over.”

“Flying where? Oh… wait, no… are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Uh-huh… I spoke with him this morning and he doesn’t like you being over there. He wants to check up on you and I tried to talk him out of it, but you know Dad.”

Jenna released all air in her lungs in a deep breathy “Shiiit!!!”

“I know.”

“I don’t have time for his drama. I’m a grown woman.”

“Well, I don’t think that’s going to stop him.”

“Arghh, did he say when he’s flying over?”

“No, he just said that he was planning to.”

“Why didn’t he just call me?”

Alex chuckled. “Because you would tell him not to come – duh!”

“You’re damn right I would. I bet one of his slimy spin doctors is behind this. They probably told him it would make him look like a protective father and send a strong signal of
family values
to his voters.”

“Uh-huh,” Alex agreed.

“I could just throw up. This isn’t about me at all… as always, it’s about him and his damn voters.”

“Calm down… just meet with him and give him what he needs.”

“You mean a picture of me delighted to see him and him hugging me?”

“Yup, that’s the one. You know he won’t stay long anyway… he never does.”

“I hate it, but you’re right – it’s the fastest way to get him to leave again.”

Alex’s tone became reproachful. “He’s not a monster, you know, and you make it sound like you don’t like your family.”

Jenna sighed. “That’s not true, Alex, you know I love you… and Dad of course… I just hate the fact that we’re only a priority to him if there’s something in it for him.”

“I know, let’s talk about something else. Any new adventures to tell about?”

“Nope… it’s all work. My high light is playing the piano with Kalen. He’s such a gentle soul.”

“That’s good. Have you talked to the king?”

“Why do you keep asking me that? I told you, I’m trying to stay away from him.”

“And is it working?”

“Kinda, although I did see him with a young woman tonight. I’m not sure, but I got the impression that she was either a candidate for his harem or someone he’s considering marrying.”

“Uhh, wow… maybe you met the future queen.”

Jenna laughed. “God, they would suit each other.”

“You didn’t like her?”

“I only met her briefly, but she seemed to have as much personality as a dry piece of toast.”

“Ouch!”

“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t judge her that harshly, but she wasn’t very kind to Kalen, and you know how protective I get around people I care about.”

“Yeah… I remember you taking on some pretty big guys to defend Spencer. Wasn’t that how you broke a tooth once?”

“Yes… I can’t help it. I just have a soft spot, I guess. Anyway… the king is a cold bastard, so they should be very happy together.”

“Will you call me again tomorrow? There’s someone at my door. If I’m lucky, he’s tall, handsome, and into curvy redheads.”

“Wait, are you expecting a man over?”

“I wish, but sadly no… with my luck it’s probably just some Girl Scouts selling cookies.”

“Okay, I love you, sis.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

Jenna put down her phone and frowned. She really didn’t want her dad to show up here.

Maybe sending him an email would be the best way to soothe him, to convince him that she was fine and didn’t need him to come storming in and make waves.
If only he made just a few waves, but the man is a bloody tsunami.

An hour and eight lines later she was ready to scream. Writing her dad was a science and took finesse. She had to be strong, but not standoffish. She had to be firm, but not unkind. She had to specific, but couldn’t tell him what Alex had told her, or she would create drama between Alex and her dad.

She wrote… and deleted… wrote and deleted, until a knock on her door made her look up.

“Who is it?” she called out, but got no answer.

Displeased, she got up to open the door.

A guard handed her a note with an impassive expression on his face.

Ms. Davis,

As mentioned, I wish to see you.

Please come to my office.

K. Kopilus

Jenna looked at the guard, wondering if she could just tell him “no.” It was nine in the evening; she was in her sweat pants and a t-shirt. Meeting the king was about the last thing on her wish list. What she wanted to do, was write her dad and crash to a movie. Not get dressed to meet the king.

Screw this, I’m not changing for him.
With another glance down at her homie clothes, Jenna shrugged. “Lead the way, soldier.”

When she was shown into the king’s office, the smell of leather hung heavy in the air. Like the last time she was here, the king didn’t sit at his desk; he stood in front of it – or to be exact, he sat on the edge with his legs stretched and crossed at the ankles. He looked relaxed in his jeans and shirt and met her with a charming smile.

“Ahh, Jenna, good to see you. Thank you for coming.” His lips jerked up slightly and his eyes ran down her body, but he didn’t comment on her homie outfit.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve called me Jenna.” She arched her brow. “You keep switching between Jenna and Ms. Davis… I’m not really sure how to address you.”

“You can call me Kioni when we are alone. That’s fine.”

“Very well,” she said dryly. “You wanted to see me?”

He nodded and pushed away from his desk. “Follow me.”

“Where to?”

“There’s something I want to show you.”

“What?” she said without moving.

“A private part of the palace that I think you’ll like.”

Jenna stiffened. “If by private you mean your bedroom, then I’m not interested.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m not taking you to my bedroom, Jenna. Relax.”

“Then tell me where you’re taking me… or I won’t go with you.”

He stood quietly for a moment, observing her closely. “You don’t trust me.” he stated in a low voice.

“Of course I don’t trust you. You had me thrown in a cell the first time I saw you. I’m not following you blindly somewhere.”

Kioni raised both palms and gave her a disarming smile. “Do you like art?”

“Yes.”

“Good, then come with me.”

She sighed and followed him as he strolled past her out of the office and to the elevator.

“Are you going to show me your art?” she asked but received no answer. When he pushed number five, she shot him a suspicious glance.
That’s the same floor as his private chambers… he better not try anything funny.

Two minutes later they stood outside an iron door with an electronic keypad. Kioni tapped in a code and pressed his thumb against a small display to open the door. Whatever was inside that room had to be very valuable. When the door slid open, he held out his hand. “Please go ahead.”

Jenna gave him a curious look and moved into the room, which was about twice the size of her suite.

In the middle stood two large brown chesterfield leather couches back to back, and on every wall hung fine art.

He closed the door behind him and casually strolled to the first couch. “I figured that an architect probably values art, and I wanted to show you our private collection.”

Jenna started moving around the room, taking in the names of the artists. Rembrandt, Claude Monet, Picasso, Dali, Renoir… and others less famous that she didn’t know. There were at least fifty paintings in different sizes in the room, and they had to be worth millions. Jenna forgot about Kioni and went from one painting to the next taking in the brilliance of these artists.

“This is amazing,” she muttered.

“Take your time. I sometimes come here to relax and recharge.”

Jenna did take her time; she took at least forty minutes to walk around the room in her own little bubble of awe, and all the time Kioni didn’t disturb her. Finally, she turned to face him. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

He sat in the couch, looking directly at her with one arm resting on the top of the sofa and his right ankle resting above his left knee. He oozed control and power and waited for her to come closer before he spoke.

“Sit, Jenna.”

Resistance to being ordered around made Jenna fold her arms and keep her position.

“I prefer to stand,” she muttered.

He pushed up from the couch and for a moment she thought he was going to grab her, but he only passed her closely and opened a cabinet in the corner.

“Would you like something to drink?” He took out a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a drink.

“Do you have a Coke?” she asked.

“Yes, would you like ice?”

“Is it warm?”

He shook his head.

“No ice then.”

He returned with two glasses in hand and stopped right in front of her. “Please take a seat,” he said in a deep low voice.

Jenna accepted the Coke and plunked down on the couch, deliberately choosing the far end of the three-person sofa, tucking her legs underneath her and facing him.

He smiled. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“Thanks.”

“I wanted to thank you for being so kind to my brother.” His words surprised her.

“Of course,” she answered.

“I’m afraid Kalen can be a bit overwhelming to most people, but you act very relaxed around him.”

“Kalen is the nicest person I’ve met here at the palace,” Jenna said honestly.

The king looked down, and she could see his forehead was wrinkled. “It’s hard to compete with someone as pure as Kalen,” he murmured.

“Does he do concerts?” Jenna asked.

“No.”

“Why not? He’s the best piano player I’ve ever heard.”

“That’s because he’s a savant.”

“I thought so, but I wasn’t completely sure. How old was he when he learned how to play?”

“Three or four, but he never really learned, he just did…”

“Fascinating. Did you ever watch
Rain Man
with Dustin Hoffman?”

“No.”

“He played a savant too, but his gift was numbers. I once read that there are only about fifty living savants in the world.”

Kioni shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”

“How much do you know about Kalen’s condition?”

“I know that he likes routines and that he’s like a child and has problems controlling his temper sometimes. His skills are extraordinary, and he is the happiest when he’s playing his piano.”

Jenna nodded. “But you have to agree that he’s also very social and loves to share his music with others. I think he would enjoy doing a concert.”

“He’s a prince, Jenna… he can’t be a paid artist.”

“Why not? Aren’t royals allowed to have skills that they share with the world?”

“I didn’t ask you here to discuss my brother’s having a concert.”

“What did you want to discuss with me?”

His expression softened. “Are you well?”

Again his polite question surprised Jenna. “Yes, I’m well. How about you?”

He lifted the corner of his mouth. “Thank you for asking, I have no complaints… I just feel like we got off on the wrong foot and that we should talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“Getting to know each other.”

Jenna took a sip of her Coke, confused about his intentions. “Why?”

“Because I don’t like how you scowl at me like I’m some sort of monster, and I would like for you to show me the respect I deserve, especially when others are around.”

Jenna sat up straight.

“Today in the music room, you challenged me,” he said.

“Oh, come on, seriously?”

He gave her a hard expression.

“I’m sorry,
Your Majesty
, but this is starting to get ridiculous. You want me to bow my head and look down when you talk?”

“No, I understand that you are not like Spirimian women. But I do want you to exhibit basic manners and show respect to your betters.”

“My betters?”

“Yes. I am a king.”

“So you are better than me because you are a king?”

He didn’t answer but gave her another grim stare.  “Miss Tahita is the daughter of a very prominent man and also deserves basic respect, like excusing yourself before you leave the room.”