Desperate Measures(44)

 

Kiki came into the kitchen. “I have half the boxes in. I don’t have room for all of it in one trip.” She gestured to the box Aimee was in the middle of packing. “We’ll take that one and come back later for the rest.”

 

“I’m just worried that if Jack sees I’m in the process of leaving, he’ll make it impossible for me to get back in.”

 

“I’ll handle him, don’t you worry. Grab that box and let’s go.”

 

Aimee didn’t argue. She completely trusted Kiki when she said she’d handle Jack. She pitied him, actually. She could tell that Kiki could be a very determined person when she wanted to be. Aimee was jealous of that particular trait.

 

Aimee dropped the box on the back seat of Kiki’s car and went around to get in the passenger side. She looked over the dashboard as she buckled her seatbelt and Kiki climbed in. “I’ve never been in a car like this.”

 

“What? A Camaro?”

 

“Is this a Camaro? Cool. No, I meant like, a guy’s car.”

 

Kiki rolled her eyes. “This is no guy’s car. This is a badass bitch’s car.” She looked over at Aimee and lifted an eyebrow. “And don’t you forget it.”

 

Aimee laughed. “Yes, ma’am!”

 

“That’s better,” said Kiki. “Now hold onto your bobby socks. I’m about to show you how a badass bitch’s car rolls.” She looked up pointedly at the strap on the ceiling near Aimee’s door. “You may want to grab that oh-shit handle up there.”

 

“The what handle?” asked Aimee, following Kiki’s gaze. “Oh. I get it.” She put her hand through the loop and gripped it. “Ready to roll.”

 

Kiki turned the engine over and gave the car a little gas.

 

Aimee could feel the rumbling make its way up through her legs and butt to reach her chest. “Whoa. How fast does this thing go?”

 

“You don’t want to know,” said Kiki, backing out of the driveway and shifting the car into drive. She pressed on the accelerator, laying rubber in the road outside of Aimee’s house with a roar and a squeal.

 

Aimee twisted around to see the black trails on the asphalt and the smoke of burned rubber behind them. She looked over at Kiki with a huge grin on her face. “Jack is going to hate that.”

 

Kiki smiled, keeping her eyes on the road. “That’s what I figured.”

 

They laughed most of the way to O’Malleys.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 14

 

 

 

 

 

KIKI PARKED THE CAMARO JUST outside the front entrance of the bar. She knew it would get plenty of admirers, making it impossible for someone to break into it with so many people around. She had a pretty good car alarm on it and a GPS tracking device too in case someone got stupid and tried to steal it. But she was more concerned right now with the cookbook bank that Aimee had in one of the boxes. If her guess was right, that was where the golf club money had gone. The pieces of Aimee’s puzzle were slowly falling into place. Kiki felt really good about giving her a place to stay. She planned to set the rent very low so Aimee’s money would last long enough, at least until she got a job and could stand on her own two feet. Kiki wasn’t going to let her friend wallow in her sad circumstances for long. She hated negative vibes.

 

“I haven’t been out for drinks in ages,” said Aimee, getting out of the car and meeting Kiki on the sidewalk.

 

“I haven’t been to this place in ages,” said Kiki, ignoring the many admiring looks she was already getting.

 

“Everyone’s staring at you,” whispered Aimee.

 

“They’re staring at you, too. Just ignore them.”

 

“I can’t,” she giggled. “I’m not used to people looking at me like that. It’s girls too, not just the guys.”

 

“Yeah. Try not to take it personal when they look like they want to scratch your eyes out.”

 

“Oh. Okay. Good advice.”

 

Kiki noticed Aimee moved a little closer to her side, eyeing the women warily although trying valiantly to look like she didn’t care.

 

“Look, there’s Elizabeth at the bar,” said Kiki.

 

“Elizabeth!” squealed Aimee, running over on her tiptoes to get to her.

 

Kiki watched as Elizabeth’s face lit up and her arms opened for the inevitable hug. It was either that or get mauled. Aimee’s intentions were clear, since she had her arms up and open wide before she was even halfway there. Kiki was jealous of Aimee’s easy joy. Even her dick of an ex-husband hadn’t gotten her down for long. Kiki hated to think what she’d do to a guy who tried to control her like that turd was obviously controlling Aimee. It was now her personal mission to break Jack’s hold over her. Maybe she could get Elizabeth to help. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders – smart and serious with good business sense.