On the Run - M Zeigler (philippa perry book .txt) 📗

I unscrew the lid and take a swig before speaking again. “Of course, now that Devon is dealt with and Barrette is back to being a big star again. I have no idea what I’m going to do, I don’t think I’m ready to settle down in this big city yet. Instincts tell me I should find the open road, everyone else says I should stay put for a while since I’ve been traveling for three weeks straight.” I offer my confused words to my grandfather.

“Hey, and Barrette wrote a song dedicated to me. I thought was kind of cool anyways, I just hope that Heather doesn’t take it to heart because honestly she shouldn’t. I love Barrette and all but I don’t know that I can settle down, I’ve been trapped for so long in a dull void that I really need the time and space to be free for a while. Which is why I told Barrette off and gave Heather my dress so she could go to the ball at midnight with prince charming.” I say carefully to the photo on the wall, I’m about to open my mouth to say more when my cell phone rings from my back pocket.

I sit to the side at an awkward angle to answer it, looking at the collar ID and see that it’s Heather texting me. After flipping open the phone I start to read the text that has a picture attached, the image is Barrette sitting with his car window open looking out longingly.

He’s been polite but he keeps looking for you, I think that you should come down here and at least dance with him.

-H

I smile at her words as I shoot a reply text. I have nothing to wear except a leather dress. The reply is sent; thirty seconds later I hear footsteps coming up the stairs. I watch the doorway until I see my grandma Louise standing there holding one of her more elegant dresses. It’s a nineteen thirties swinger style dress, all black with those little black strings hanging down all over the place. You know those dresses that the dancers would wear into bars and casinos?

“I heard you needed a dress, I have this. I wore it once back in high school.” My grandmother says with a sweet smile on her face. “Thank you.” I smile at her, she smiles back while reaching forward to hang the dress from my bedroom door knob.

I flip the phone open again and pull up Heather’s number. Change of plans, I have a dress, I’ll be down there in an hour or so.

It took me all of ten minutes to get dressed and put my makeup on before I was flying down the street headed towards Hollywood city. A would be two hour drive only took an hour due to the fact I took surface streets most of the way there.

But finally I made it to the red carpet line up where there is a mile long line of limousines waiting to get dropped at the red carpet. Looking close at the car I see Heather’s head poked out the window of the limo almost at the red carpet. “Okay, guess I’m crashing a red carpet celebration.” I laugh to myself as I throw the door open, the security guard nearest me looks at me dumbfounded. “Park that someone and find Marcus from the Mr. Green’s crew, tell him where I can find the car later.” I say to guard before taking off down to the red carpet just as Barrette and Heather are stepping out.

“Barrette!” I shout out to him over the many screaming fans and chattering interviewers, Barrette’s expression lights up when he spies me running towards him. Heather laughs when I pause to look at her wondering if I should wait to approach, she waves me forward with a huge smile on her face. I continue my jog over now with several people watching me now.

When I’m right in front of Barrette he reaches out and drags me close so that Heather is under one arm and I am under the other. “Sweetie, I think you have the idea of a double date somewhat confused.” Heather says to Barrette who just laughs. “I thought you weren’t going?” Barrette comments then gives Heather a side glance. “Yeah well, a certain new best friend said that I should at least be here for a little while. Beside’s what is the worst that could happen at this point? We’ve already been shot, stabbed and now were walking the red carpet with battle wounds showing.” I reply to Barrette as he is stopped by a reporter who just starts yammering and asking him questions.

“So is this the Bonnie that has been by your side in the last three weeks?” The reporter asks. “I am, but I’m not his date. Heather is, if you’ll excuse me, I will be inside.” I excuse myself when Heather is shoved aside, on my way by her I give a firm nudge forcing her to Barrette’s side again.

“Oh no.” Barrette says dragging me back to his side. “Oh so you’re bringing two princess’s to the ball tonight. A player are you?” The reporter says, Heather looks offended and Barrette just looks furious.

“Bonnie, you have no qualms with telling rich people off.” Barrette offers me the opportunity to take over the interview. “Ya know what? It’s none of your damn business why he has two women here with him tonight. So take that Microphone and shove it straight up your-

“Okay! Let’s go inside now Bonnie, I just seen Alden head in.” Barrette suddenly interrupts, both him and Heather drag me away from the reporter before I take that microphone and beat her with it. “You are definitely not good on the red carpet.” Barrette chuckles once were inside the party lounge, this is the only ritzy party I’ve been to that actually looks fun and not a complete drag.

“Dance with me?” Barrette asks Heather, she shakes her head no and nods to me. “Go for it, I’m actually quite thirsty.” Heather says dismissing herself; Barrette looks at me then to the dance floor. “Still can’t dance?”

“Actually I was just using that as a cover story.” I reply as I shimmy out onto the dance floor, Barrette looks at me with a mix between shock and anger written on his face. One of my favorite Aerosmith songs walk this way is blasting over the speakers enough to actually somewhat tremor the floor. A few people who know Barrette and know me from watching the news step aside as I wave Barrette towards me.

“I knew it, all women can dance.” Barrette says to me as he takes my hand and spins me out to the center of the dance floor. There’s a howl from some of the patrons here that know our story, others are just amazed that a white trash, death metal woman can dance better than they can.

The swing dance keeps at a perfect pace, the two of us moving to every beat, and lyrical word to the song. “Are you happy now?” I ask Barrette when the song is coming close to an end. “No, actually, I’m not.” Barrette says suddenly stopping; I see the alarmed look in his eyes and focus my sights in the same direction as him. Standing across the room is none other than Devon holding a flute glass filled with some expensive wine no doubt.

Barrette lowers my feet to the floor just as Heather is walking back this way. “Hey so-

“Heather, you need to go find Alden and stay with him. Do not leave his side; let him know that Devon is not as locked up as we thought.” Barrette says releasing me to look Heather in the eyes, her eyes widen fearfully because the last time she was this close to Devon she was nearly shot to death.

I kick off my stilettos and run after Devon who casually sets his glass on a table before strolling out the same door he entered from, an emergency exit.

Barrette is right behind me second later and handing over one of his guns to me. “You really think I go anywhere unarmed?” I ask as we bust through the emergency exit door out to a hidden parking lot, ahead of me is the camero and leaving the lot is Devon in an old orange Chevy Nova. “Let’s go, take my phone and call Rodney on the way.” I say shoving my cell phone at Barrette as we head for the Camero. “Why are you driving this time?” Barrette argues. “Because, this is my neck of the woods. I know these streets better than the road workers.” I reply as we jump into the car, thankfully that idiot security guard left the keys here for me to find.

I start the car without defect and tear off in the direction Devon went, it really isn’t hard to find a neon orange Chevy Nova driving around at this time of the day but it is difficult to keep up with when the awards are going on and traffic is horrible.

“Bonnie, give it up. He’s gone, he just wanted to see if we made it out of being arrested.” Barrette says when a big rig pulls out in front of us. I slam the steering wheel as I throw the Camero in reverse only to fish tail around and head back towards the party.

This day just went from wonderful to terrible in a matter of two hours, how is Devon not behind bars?

On the run chapter 14

FBI

Bonnie’s perspective

“Bonnie you have people!” I hear Anna call up to our bedroom, her voice is much too loud for me this morning. I roll over out of bed with the worst hangover I’ve had in years, my head throbs, my body is weak, and my mouth is dryer than the Sahara Desert. Last night Heather, me, and Alden had a drinking contest; Barrette chose not to partake in this event because of reasons. I’m proud of him for being man enough to know he can’t get dramatically wasted without having an issue, he could have been arrogant and drank with us but he didn’t. That is really shows something about his character, something that even I can admire, I’m aware that I have a problem but I also don’t care to remedy the issue.

Barrette is definitely a really special kind of man, one that there aren’t many of left in this world, although after being in Georgia I have to say that chivalry isn’t dead, it’s just moved to Georgia! In the short time that I was residing there I didn’t cross one man who lacked in the manners department. Every man young and old that I met was very respectful and not at all rude like the many I’ve met here in California.

In any case, I drank Heather under the table and then Alden drank me under the table, by the end of the night Barrette had to drive me home because I couldn’t even tell you what my car was driving or how I wound up at the awards to begin with. I’m not