His Wicked Pleasure (13 page)

“Sure. Right this way,” said the smiling hostess.

Kristie slowly followed, struggling across the restaurant. When she finally reached her table, she let out a sigh of relief that she could finally sit down and rest her sore ankle. She couldn’t believe how long it was taking to heal. “Thank you,” she murmured to the hostess.

Kristie drank water as she waited patiently for her sisters and friends to arrive.

“Kristie?” asked Vanessa sitting down at the round table as she stared at her best friend. “I think I like you with dark hair. Very sexy.”

Lorie walked over and started laughing. “You’re too much sister dear. I’m giving this little impromptu gala about an hour before your boyfriend tracks you down.”

“He can’t,” Kristie grinned wickedly as she continued, “I left my phone at home and placed a blonde doll head in my bed with her hair fanned out on my pillow and the covers pretty much covering the face. No one will know.”

“You thought of everything,” Lorie laughed.

“Hey there. Sorry I’m late,” said Daniella looking over at Kristie. “Whose that sexy chic with the dark hair?”

Stacey came rushing over and hugged everyone hello. “Sheesh. I really missed all of you.” Stopping in front of Kristie, she shook her head and laughed. “What’s with the disguise?”

“I didn’t want the paparazzi to see me and take pictures. I’m a little tired of seeing my face everywhere,” she grimaced and felt her mood slip slightly, “Seeing the shooting over and over again...I feel like I will go crazy if I see it again. I mean, seriously, how many angles did they get?”

“I’m sure the crutches gave you away,” said Daniella moving the horrid things out of the way so no one tripped over them.

“Ladies, let’s order some food and drinks. I’m starving and happy to be out without someone following me around,” said Kristie rubbing her hands together with a smirk on her face. She shrugged off the dark thoughts that had threatened her moments before.

“You are in so much trouble when you get home,” said Vanessa looking over at Kristie. “I’m sure that stupid doll head you put in the bed won’t fool your man. There’s no way.”

“I know. Once he walks in talking and there’s no response, the gig is up,” said Lorie rubbing her hands together as though she relished what would happen.

“All right.” Kristie threw up her hands in defeat, “He might be upset but he’ll get over it... I think.” Kristie wasn’t a hundred percent sure that he would but she would do her best to squash possible problems.

The girls ordered their drinks and food before they launched into their conversation. Before they knew it, they were laughing and Kristie had completely forgotten about the shooting...it was exactly what she needed. Kristie cleared her throat and said, “I’ve been thinking.”

“That’s scary,” Lorie laughed as she leaned away from her sister’s swat. When Kristie laughed with her, she moved closer to hear what her sister had to say.

“This is serious.”

All the girls moved closer, anxiously waiting for Kristie to speak.

“I was watching television the other day and something Steve Harvey said has been ringing in my mind and I want to share it with all of you.”

“Really?” asked Vanessa moving her drink out of the way to get a little closer to the table.

“In hindsight, Steve Harvey is a man, and knows exactly what he’s talking about,” said Kristie in an optimistic voice.

“Go on, tell us,” Daniella practically danced with impatience.

“He calls it the ninety day rule and explains that, as an auto worker, he had to wait ninety days to receive benefits from his job. During those ninety days, the company checked him out, determined if he was easy to work with, if he got along well with others, if he showed up when he was supposed to and more importantly, if he was worthy for the job offered. He feels that this ninety-day period should apply to dating. We as women hold the greatest benefit, the cookie. So there is no reason to give it away until you know your man deserves it. He tells us to slow down.”

Staring at her sister as if she’s lost her mind, Lorie inched closer and moved a strand of hair from her eyes. In a cracked voice, she asked, “You’re kidding right?”

“No. I’m serious. Think about it for a moment. No one say a word, just think about how much sense that makes.”

They all went silent...lost in their own thoughts. After five minutes, Vanessa looked up and said in a crisp voice, “Oh my god. It makes total sense. The power of the cookie!”

Nodding her head, Daniella said, “The power of the cookie.”

Looking at her sisters and then Vanessa, Lorie sucked in air and whispered, “Ugh. This is going to be the most difficult ninety days of my life. Have you seen my man?”

“Um, have you seen mine?” asked Vanessa with a straight face, which caused Kristie, Daniella and Lorie to gag. Since she was dating their brother Billy, the last thing they wanted to do was exchange notes on their lovers.

“So, officially, I started my ninety days three weeks ago,” said Kristie in a soft purr.

“Really?” asked Lorie while tilting her head to the side. Taking a moment to marinate the thought, Lorie lifted up her glass, “I propose a toast.”

~*~*~*~

              Declan sat downstairs on the couch with Paul and Billy as they went over a list of the employees at Rossi Co.

              Billy ran through the list again before he put the paper down. Turning his attention towards Declan, he said in a matter of fact voice, “Daniella and Kristie did most of the interviewing for Rossi Co. Some of the names I know, but most of them, I am not too familiar with. I might have said hello now and then when I was there, but I was never there enough to get a feel of each person. Perhaps you should speak to my sisters.”

              “We will,” said Declan as he blew out a breath. “It’s been several frustrating weeks between work and searching for a potential killer.”

              Billy stood up from the plush couch he was sitting on and stretched. “I’m going to send a message to Daniella now. I know we have a picture of each and every single employee that works for Rossi Co. in a database. Will that help?”

              “Yes. That would help more than you know,” said Declan feeling slightly optimistic for a change. “Where’s the little Barbie Doll? I’m surprised she’s not driving you crazy yet.”

              Billy laughed at her nickname and rolled his eyes in agreement. “She probably exhausted herself after all the yelling that went on today between her and the physical therapist. She’s probably passed out sleeping.”

              Paul’s stomach growled causing both Declan and Billy to laugh. Looking embarrassed, Paul said in a groggy voice, “Excuse me. I can’t seem to remember the last time I actually ate something decent.”

              Billy nodded and sent a text to Vanessa, his girlfriend,
‘Hey there. Why haven’t I heard from you?’

              Paul checked his watch and realized it’d been hours since he’d heard a word from Lorie. Scratching his head, he looked at Billy with a raised brow, “Is Lorie home from work yet?”

              “Lorie took a half day today,” said Billy as he walked into the kitchen. “Said something about cramps and chocolate.”

              “Oh,” said Paul shrugging his shoulders. “That’s different.”

              “Nah, that’s my sister. Come into the kitchen,” said Billy as he leaned into the refrigerator and rummaged through a bunch of different containers. “I can’t have my guests starving. My sisters would have my head.”

              “My stomach thanks you,” said Paul checking his phone again.

              Jason and Benny walked in as Billy was laying the containers on the counter. It was clear that they were not happy at all. Turning to Billy, Jason said in an angry, deep voice, “Where is Daniella? I’ve been trying to reach her all day. She never turned in the employee report I asked for two days ago.”

              “Shit. You think your dealing with the annoying sister,” said Benny walking over to the refrigerator and pulling out a few beers. “I needed Lorie to pick me up. I was stranded at Rossi Co. for over an hour.”

              Declan took the beer Benny offered, opened it and took a long swig. Once the cold beverage went down, he had a thought. “Do you think what I’m thinking?”

              “I don’t know man,” said Benny sitting down with the sandwich Billy had made for him. “What are you thinking?”

              “Don’t you find it odd that the girls aren’t home and Kristie isn’t down here on the couch watching television?” said Declan as he glanced at his watch. “Her favorite show is on right now and she’s not in her favorite spot.”

              Billy handed Paul and Declan, their sandwiches before he made one for himself and Jason. Walking towards the kitchen table, he looked towards the staircase and yelled, “Kristie. Are you hungry?”

              Dead silence.

              “There’s no way Kristie could have left the house,” Billy mumbled between bites of his sandwich. “Check and see if her car’s in the driveway.”

              “She can’t drive,” said Declan looking around the table. “It’s her right ankle that’s sprained. She’s still on crutches.”

              “Go check on her,” Benny said around a mouthful of food. “I don’t put anything past her.”

              “I’ll go check on her. What if she fell or something?” called Jason while he took the stairs two at a time. Knocking on Kristie’s bedroom door, he slowly opened it and saw her sleeping in bed. Not wanting to disturb her, he closed the door and walked downstairs. “She’s sleeping. You all got worked up over nothing.”

              “Sleeping? Our sister?” asked Benny standing up and walking into the kitchen with his plate. Placing it in the dishwasher, he asked, “So where is Lorie and Daniella? Why haven’t they returned any of our calls or replied to our messages?”

              “You’re Sean’s best friend, call him and see if Daniella’s with him,” said Jason picking up everyone’s empty plates and walking them over to the dishwasher. “Now I’m curious as to what the girls are up to.”

              “Do you mind if I check on your sister?” asked Declan. While he trusted Jason to check on her, he felt a tremor of fear run through him. Something was going on and he needed to find out what.             

“No, go ahead. She needs to get up anyway. I have some paperwork she needs to go over and sign,” said Jason. He walked into the living room and snagged the remote before he settled into the oversized couch.

              Declan quietly opened Kristie’s bedroom door and walked over to the sleeping form. The moment he sat down on the edge of the bed, the blonde head rolled off the pillow, causing him to jump back. “Son of a bitch!”

Chapter Twelve

              Kristie hobbled to the back of the house and slipped inside the backdoor. She cocked her head to the side and listened...the house was dark and quiet...she’d made it. Carefully closing the door behind her, she quietly climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She slowly opened her bedroom door and winced when it creaked slightly...she froze, her breath catching in her throat as she listened. Hearing nothing, she stepped through and closed the door behind her.