“Hey, a little liquor loosens the ladyup.” The bartender places two more shots in front of us.
“Something like that.”
“Okay, my turn.” Laura picks up herglass. “To the most amazing friend a girl could ask for. To tattoos, strippersand brides to be!” We both laugh and drink. And then we drink and laugh again.
“Hey, it’s after eleven. Are you ready togo to Nightlifer?” I set my shot glass upside down on the counter.
“Yes. I’m ready to dance.” She laughsshaking her hips. Laura opens the bag and places two stacks of ones on thecounter and points at the bartender, who nods. “You know that seems like a lotof money when you look at it, but really it’s only fifty bucks.”
I look up from the text I sent Keatontelling him we are ready to go. “Really.” I lean in, lowering my voice. “So howcan there be five thousand dollars in there?”
Laura hooks her arm around my neck,whispering. “I found an envelope of hundreds at the bottom of the bag.”
“Very nice.” We walk out of the club armin arm into the city night air. We’re about to turn the corner when I’m blindsidedby something big and blonde. I stumble back, annoyed. “What the hell is withblondes?” I say, more because I’m mad, I’ve been pushed and because I’ve had acouple of drinks.
“Blondes have more fun.” Two very tallwomen are standing in front of us. One blonde, one a redhead, well maybe. I “Itlooks like a wig to me.” I’m pretty sure they aren’t women either.
“Kate,” Laura hisses in my ear.
“What? It does.” Goodbye filter.
“Give us that bag of money. We saw youtwo blowing it in the club. Give it to us and we will let you go unscathed.”
“No way.” I put my hands on my hips.
“Kate.” Laura says. She looks scared.“Let’s just give it to them.”
“NO! I am so sick and tired of peoplethinking they can threaten me, give me roofies, kidnap me, and shoot at me. Thisbag and all its contents are mine and you can’t have it. So keep on walking,blondie; you too red.”
The redhead steps forward with her handsor his hands out. “You heard the lady, keep on walking.” A true man’s voicerings out. I turn around to find Keaton pointing a gun at the two women or men.Morgan is to his right, also with his gun drawn.
“Kate, Laura, in the Escalade, now.”Keaton demands.
You don’t have to tell me twice. I grabLaura’s arm and we run for the SUV that’s idling about fifteen feet away, inthe parking lot. Ten minutes later, Morgan climbs in the driver’s seat and thenKeaton gets in the passenger side.
“Are you two all right?” He looks me andLaura over.
“I’m good. Are you okay?” I glancebetween him and Morgan. They don’t even seem winded.
“We’re fine, just a couple of idiots.”Keaton remarks.
I glance at Laura, who is beinguncharacteristically quiet. “Are you okay Laura?”
“Um—yeah, sure. I just need anotherdrink. Or ten.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
We are headed to Nightlifer. Are youthere?
Hey Cookie, no, but we will leave now.See you in a few. Love you.
Love you.
I sit back in my seat. “Laura, are yousure you’re okay? You look a little pale.”
“Wow. I can’t believe that. You didn’tfreak out. You didn’t scream or run away. You were more freaked out by thestripper than you were those two guys.”
“It’s been that kind of month.” I pat herhand. “Besides, I knew Keaton was lurking around somewhere. That’s his andMorgan’s job.”
