Chapter 23
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
NOLA
“Girl, you look fucking fire!” Callie exclaims with a grin as she eyes me up and down.
I cock my head to the side, a smile lifting on my lips. “You know, I’m kind of digging it.” My hands cup my breasts, giving them a squeeze. “They look so perky.”
“I’m so jealous,” she sighs. “I wish my boobs looked like yours.”
It’s Halloween, and Callie insisted we go to a party tonight that’s being held in Baton Rouge. I’ve never been to a Halloween party before. So while I’m kind of nervous, I’m also kind of excited.
“You have nice boobs.” I turn to face her. She’s dressed in a green, skintight Poison Ivy costume. She didn’t want to wear a wig, so she sprayed her hair with red colored hairspray. It’s not as bright and vibrant as the character herself, but Callie still looks hot as hell.
“Aw, thanks, babe.” She winks.
“Are you sure this is right?” I turn to face the mirror again.
I chose to go as Harley Quinn. But specifically the Harley Quinn from the new animated series.
My costume consists of a black and red leather corset top, a pair of black and red leather booty shorts, black and red knee-high socks, and a pair of sneakers.
My hair is up in the signature pigtails with the ends sprayed blue and red.
And my eye makeup matches my hair, just like the character’s.
“Babe, you’re a serial killer. I think you're more than qualified to play a crazy badass bitch.”
“She is a badass.” I spin around, grinning. “Okay, I’m ready. Are you?”
“Fuck yeah!” she cheers with a laugh. “I’m going to let loose and get fucked up tonight.”
“Whoa there,” I laugh. “Don’t go too crazy. I don’t want to have to drag two bodies back to the Jeep.”
Callie overheard that the guys were planning on going to this party too.
Mostly because Callie told them she was going, and while New Orleans is run by the Brotherhood, Baton Rouge is controlled by another secret society-like organization.
I don’t know much about them, just that the guys don’t trust them.
So with us being on their turf, they wanted to make sure we’re safe.
It’s honestly pretty sweet. But they don’t have to worry about me; I can take care of myself.
“Hey now, there might be a chance you won’t have to kill anyone tonight. Maybe they will be too busy keeping an eye on us to hook up with anyone.”
I raise a brow, crossing my arms. “Really, babe?”
“Sorry,” she sighs. “I know. Stupid answer. Can’t you just grab them by the balls and tell them they’re yours? I’d much rather see them with you than being with those dirty bitches.”
“Trust me, so would I. You think I enjoy seeing them touch other women? I hate it. I can’t kill the guys, so the next best thing is getting rid of the girls.”
“They’re starting to grow suspicious,” Callie warns, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“After the last girl they were with hit the news, I don’t think they’ve been messing around with anyone.
At least not in public places. I overheard Sylas bitching about having to sneak around to get his dick sucked at school.
” She rolls her eyes. “Like, gross. I didn’t need that visual. "
“I think I made a mistake,” I sigh. “I shouldn’t have been so flashy about it.
I should have just brought them back to the morgue and burned them, like I did with Scarlett and the girl from the cafe.
They would still be going about their regular old man-whoreish ways, giving me more victims to build my list.” I lean against my desk, crossing my arms. “I was so excited about having the chance to be like my dad, to build a name for myself and have fun, I forgot what the whole point of this was. I started this for them.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re passionate about what you do. Maybe you should lie low for a bit? Make them think it was just some crazy killer who coincidentally offed a few girls they happened to sleep with.”
“Or…” I snap my fingers. “I could kill some random girls. Ones they’ve never slept with before. You know, to throw them off the trail.”
“That could work.” Callie nods her head in agreement. “But who? I’m all for killing the girls who mess with the guys. I understand the morality behind that, but I don’t know how I feel about you killing truly innocent women.”
I snort out a laugh. “No one is truly innocent.” I roll my eyes. “But because I love you, and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, I won’t kill just anyone.” I chew on my lip, thinking about who I could off without it being pointless. Who do I know that would deserve it?
And then it hits me. Of course. The answer was right in front of me all along.
“How about the mean bitches who felt the need to fuck with me for years because I wasn’t what they deemed good enough?” I ask, raising a brow.
A slow smile curls the edges of her lips. “Now that's more like it, something I can totally get on board with.”
“Then that's what I’ll do. I just can’t eliminate anyone that’s too important.” I roll my eyes. “Dad said so. But not everyone I went to school with is connected to the Brotherhood. At least, not any of the higher-ups.”
“I meeean…” Callie’s tone turns mischievous. “The only ones who know the Butterfly Killer’s identity are you, me, and your dad. Everyone else thinks it’s some crazy man who’s killing hot, young girls.”
“They’re not all hot,” I grumble.
“What I mean,” she continues with a laugh. “Who cares who you kill if the blame is being put on the Butterfly Killer and not you?”
“I don’t know,” I reply, unsure. “I don’t want to disappoint my dad. He’s been so supportive, you know.”
“You do whatever feels right,” Callie says, getting up and grabbing my shoulders. “For now, let's go party.”
“I feel like we’re in the Halloween party scene of Mean Girls.” As we step foot inside the massive mansion, I’m starting to regret coming.
There are at least twenty times more people here than at any of the parties I’ve observed.
“What?” Callie asks, looking around. “Why?”
“Because of all the bunny costumes.” My eyes scan the room, finding at least seven. “If they’re going for Regina George, they nailed it.”
“Babe, we’re dressed in slutty costumes, too,” she points out.
“Huh?” I blink. “Point taken.”
“Ignore them. They don’t matter. I’m here for the music and free alcohol.
” Something seems a little off with Callie, but I can’t put my finger on it.
I did ask her about it, but she promised she’s okay.
I’m not sure if I should push for an answer or not.
This whole best friend thing is new to me, and I don’t want to do something wrong and possibly lose her.
The music is loud, everyone already drinking and dancing.
There are a lot of people here, but this place is so big that it doesn’t feel too crowded.
We find the drinks quickly.
“A drink for the ladies,” the guy standing behind the table of drinks offers, holding out two red glasses with a big grin on his face.
“Thanks,” Callie says, taking them from the guy.
She’s about to take a sip when the cup is snatched out of her hand.
“Hey!” Callie protests. “What the fuck!?”
We both look up at the culprit, a tall guy dressed in a Batman costume. “Don’t you know you should never take an unopened drink from someone you don’t know or trust? At a party like this, I can almost guarantee it’s laced with something.”
“Gary?” Callie growls. “You have got to be fucking kidding me? What the hell are you doing here?” she demands. “And mind your own business. I can take care of myself.”
She goes to take the cup back from him, but he holds it up higher.
“Sorry, Poppy, but there's no way in hell I’m letting my girl get roofied. I’d have to kill whoever did it, and as fun as that would be, it wasn’t on my schedule for tonight.”
“I’m not your girl.” She scowls up at him, narrowing her eyes. “And the name is Callie. Fuck off, Gary.”
I bite my lip, trying not to giggle at how adorable these two are. That man is head over heels for her, but Callie doesn’t seem to care. I’d say she’s playing hard to get, but I wouldn’t know the first thing about that. If I thought throwing myself at the guys would work, I’d have done it already.
Garrett takes the glasses and tosses them into the sink.
He turns to the guy who gave Callie the cups.
“Stay the fuck away from these two, understand? Even look their way, and I’ll snap your fucking neck like a twig.
” His voice comes out in a low, dangerous growl, making him sound just as menacing as the character he’s dressed up as.
“Yeah, man. I don’t want any trouble.” The guy holds up his hands, fear in his eyes.
“That’s a smart man.” Garrett grins, patting him on his shoulder, his demeanor changing like a light switch being flicked off. “Now off you go. Shoo shoo.” He waves his hands, sending the guy away.
The guy takes off, leaving us alone.
“Now, where were we?” Garrett turns to us.
“You were just about to leave, Gary,” Callie huffs. “Bye.”
“You must have me confused, Miss Ivy.” He lowers his voice to sound like Batman. “I’m Batman.”
I can’t help it, I burst out laughing. What? I like this guy. He’s funny.
Garrett grins, shooting me a look while my best friend glares at me.
“Don’t entertain his stupidity. It only encourages him,” Callie chastises.
“Isn’t she adorable when she’s all angry? Like a feisty little Kitten.” Garrett grins over at me.
“I’m right here!” Callie shouts. “Come on, Lola, let’s go dance.”
“Bye, my love!” Garrett calls after us. “Until we meet again.”
“God, I hate him so much!” Callie growls.
“I like him. He’s fun.” I giggle as Callie pulls me onto the dance floor.
“Traitor! You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am,” I laugh. “Come on, Callie, he’s harmless. And he seems to really like you.”
“It’s all a big joke, a show to him.” Callie rolls her eyes. “He’s not serious about anything that doesn’t involve getting his dick wet. And seeing how I’m saving myself for literally anyone but him, he has no chance in hell.”