Justice Girl: Trophy Hunter (Chapter 4) (Patreon)

Chapter 4

Nicole stepped out of the bathroom. Bright blue eyes scanned the room in a flash, saw no danger, and she continued toward the foot of the king-sized bed. The bedspread was white, with pink bows. The furnishings were all lacquered shiny white, with gold details. The floor a light hardwood. The walls were a very pale salmon. All very girlie, but she didn’t have a boyfriend.

Her outfit for drinks with the girls was laid out. The sleeveless wrap dress was black, with an asymmetric skirt. There was a bold white line down her right side and all around the lower hemline. She accessorized with white stiletto pumps, big gold hoops, and gold and silver bangles.

She stepped before the full-length mirror to check and adjust her clothes. The dress was quite low-cut, revealing a lot more boob and cleavage than she intended. Still, she hadn’t had a real date in eight months, so when else was she going to wear that expensive designer dress?

Nicole fiddled with her hair a few minutes, and finally left it to hang loose down to her butt. She kind of wanted to put it up, but she’d already curled it. Finally, and satisfied as she’d ever get, the twenty-five year old blonde headed for the two-car garage. She walked past her beloved Kawasaki Ninja, a hand reaching out to stroke it.

Her silver BMW X5 SUV still had that new car smell. She breathed it in, and then pressed the remote to open the garage door. Once open, she started the BMW and backed out to the street.

“Another beautiful day in California,” she said softly in her Georgia accent. “I do not miss Savannah’s humidity. Not at all.”

The meeting place was a restaurant just five miles due south of her place. So she didn’t have to drive into the setting sun. Traffic was a little heavy, due to rush hour, but she reached her destination quickly. She discovered the Papi’s Place parking lot packed for the Friday Night Happy Hour, but she found a spot and hurried in to meet with her friends.

The hostess was off taking a couple to a table, so Nicole just headed straight into the bar. She found Ashley, Felicity, and Courtney already there with drinks in hand. Like her, they were all dressed to impress in dresses and heels. Ashley wore a bright blue minidress appropriate for an Assistant DA. Feminine, yet professional. Felicity wore a little black cocktail dress. And English ex-pat Courtney came over in red.

No one would know just by looking at them that Ashley, Felicity, and Courtney were the super heroines Night Stalker, Platinum Angel, and Lady. Officially, they weren’t supposed to know each other’s secret identities, much less go out and socialize together. But they’d all been captured and unmasked together so knew. And they really liked each other.

“Hey, now, the party is finally here,” Nicole called, and started dancing toward her friends. She caught the eye of the bartender, “Chardonnay, please.”

“Wine?” Felicity asked. “Get something stronger. You’re a big girl now.”

“I don’t like hard liquor, and beer doesn’t seem appropriate tonight,” she said. “And who doesn’t love wine?”

“Here here,” Courtney said, lifting her usual Prosecco sparkling wine up in acknowledgment.

Felicity rolled her eyes, while Ashley lifted her bourbon and water in salute. Nicole looked around at the hustle and bustle. The Happy Hour crowd was always animated and loud at Papi’s Place.

“Have Barbi and Sydney arrived yet?”

“No,” Courtney said. “Those two are always fashionably late.”

“Speaking of the devil,” Felicity said, pointing at the door as Sydney entered.

Damn, she looked so young and fresh, even in that sexy outfit — white halter, black yoga pants, and stiletto ankle boots. And out of costume, she was the sweetest girl Nicole had ever met. The dark-haired beauty spotted her friends and hurried over. Nicole moved to hug her first.

“How are you doing?”

“Thank you so much for asking. I’m doing wonderfully,” Sydney said, the biggest smile on her lovely face. Then she hugged the other three before turning to the bar. “Can I get a coke, please?”

Nicole grinned. The other three women looked away. Poor Sydney, like Barbi, was just nineteen. So wasn’t allowed to drink. While Barbi longed for the day she could legally order alcohol, she didn’t think Sydney would ever drink. It just seemed out of character for her.

“I’m going to go snag us a table out in the courtyard,” Ashley said. “You guys can stay here in the AC and wait for Barbi.”

“I’ll go with you,” Sydney said.

Barbi came striding in at that time. Nicole did a double-take on her former protégé.

“Dayum,” Sydney whispered.

Barbi pulled every male eye in the house to her. She wasn’t just dressed to impress, but to slay. Her long brown hair shown in the light, curled and bouncy. She wore minimal silver jewelry, but her outfit. All pink and skin tight. The halter was perfectly designed to display that woman’s big boobs, while the matching miniskirt came dangerously close to just being a belt. Nicole didn’t think she could sit without flashing her undies. And her stiletto pumps were hot pink like her lips and nails.

“She’s a Barbie Girl, in a Barbie World,” Felicity sang.

Barbi laughed. “Well, my name is Barbi…”

“Barbi Bangs! Weather bunny extraordinaire!” some guy shouted.

Nicole cringed for her friend. Barbi hated being called a “weather bunny.” Probably because she literally was that. She got that job straight out of high school because of her youth, beauty, but mostly her spectacular body. The station manager wanted an Americanized Mexican weather girl. He got Barbi Bangs.

Barbi smiled and waved, but she never looked at the man. Instead, she went straight to the bar and got a Sprite. Ashley then led them out of the bar and out onto the walled off courtyard. Only a few patrons were out there, it still being too early and warm. They found their favorite table in the far corner, away from other tables, and under the massive live oak. The colored lights were already lit up throughout the canopy. At night it was magical.

“I love this place,” Sydney said wistfully, staring up at the twinkling Christmas lights.

“You are so precious,” Felicity said. “I’ll bring you a present to unwrap next time.”

Sydney smiled at her. “I like diamonds.”

“Oh my god, our little Sydney is growing up,” Ashley laughed.

“I know,” the brunette said. “Next time I might even order root beer.”

“Don’t go crazy,” Nicole said as they all settled into their seats. She looked around, ensuring no one was close enough to overhear. “Has anyone learned anything new about our evil Alpha Metas?”

Courtney nodded. “I learned that their gang is moving operations closer to the university.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow night,” she said. “A very reliable source, too.”

“Any specific location?” Nicole asked.

“No, my source said they would prowl the area between the nearby club district and the university,” the beautiful Englishwoman said. “And grab drunk girls staggering home.”

“God, I hate human traffickers,” Nicole said, a disgusted expression spreading across her face. “Such vile, wicked people. They have no problem destroying young women’s lives for profit.”

“It’s doubly offensive when women are human traffickers,” Felicity said. “And even more so when those women are Alpha Metas. They could’ve used their powers for good.”

“I think we are all in agreement,” Nicole said. “Let’s suit up and gather on the campus mall at sundown tomorrow. We’ll patrol the area and ensure everyone makes it home safe. And maybe, if we are lucky, we’ll capture two very evil Amazons and send them to prison for the rest of their lives.”