“Bob Bennett,” he said, and ignored the offered hand. “My girlfriend and I were waiting for this plane, so step aside, asshole, and I won’t have to get you fired.” Bob glared at Steve and his companions. The sound of the landing helicopter drowned out any further comments.
After they were on the ground, Simon stepped down as soon as the blades slowed. She motioned for Remi to stay put.
“While you’re busy guarding me, I’m going to run in and get something for my mother,” Remi told her.
Simon looked over at the standoff by the jet to see if a walkover was necessary. But when Steve made eye contact with her and waved her off, Remi stepped down from the helicopter.
Simon removed the Glock she kept in a shoulder holster and checked the clip. “If you can help it, try to stay out of trouble. And see if you can find Juno and the other girls. We’ve got to get going.”
“Try not to shoot anyone, Simon. Just think of the paperwork involved, not to mention ruining Steve’s great hat if there’s any spray.”
Getting to the main building, Remi headed toward the only gift shop in the Key West Airport. After she spotted a wall full of gorillas carved out of coconuts, she was removing the tackiest one from the rack when she heard the screaming.
Stepping out of the store, Remi looked at Simon, who was in the middle of the melee, because of the guy who was at the moment pitted against Steve, Dwayne, and Doug. Standing next to the screamer, though, was Dallas Montgomery, costar of the latest Gemini Studio’s action adventure movie,
“Bob, cool it before we become front-page news for the tabloids,” Dallas said as Remi neared. “If you don’t stop, that’s what’s going to happen, and I can’t afford the publicity right now.”
Remi ignored the angry tableau for the moment and extended her hand. “Ms. Montgomery, what a pleasant surprise. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m—”
Bob pushed between them. “Back off, dyke. My girlfriend may be the wet-dream fantasy of a lifetime, but she ain’t gay. She just plays a lesbian on the big screen, or so people like you want to think,” Bob said, glaring at Remi. The group behind Bob stiffened.
In her thirty-four years Remi had grown accustomed to the bigotry of others but not to stupidity, and this guy was no doubt an idiot of biblical proportions. At an even six feet, Remi had to look down at him, finding pleasure when he took a step back as she clenched her fists. A lifetime of training and pushing herself to the limit had given her the confidence to know she could do some serious damage to his looks without any help. The thought had never seemed so appealing.
“We can—” Doug stopped when Remi raised her hand.
“What’s the problem?” Remi asked, never taking her eyes off Bob.
“Mr. Bennett thinks we’re his ride this morning. I tried explaining that he was wrong, and he threatened to report me to my superior.”
“That does sound like something that would end up in your personnel file,” she said as she curled her lips into more of a snarl than a smile. “Why would you assume the plane is yours?” Remi asked Bob.
“You’re telling me you’re not with the studio?” Bob shot back. “If you’re new at this, don’t start your job fucking with someone like me as your first move.”
“Sage advice indeed,” Remi said, then turned to Doug. “Why not avoid the chance of us both getting written up and give him what he wants? I’m sure your superior won’t mind, don’t you agree?” Remi pinned everyone in her group with a look that almost dared anyone to speak.
“You bet. We should be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
Bob first looked at Remi, then at Doug, holding his hands out as if waiting for someone to start explaining. When no one said anything, he asked, “Who are you, anyway?”
Remi decided to liven up the upcoming flight to New Orleans by having a little fun. “That isn’t of importance now, Mr. Bennett. Is everyone ready to go?”
As Remi headed out of the terminal, Dallas fell in step with her, almost skipping to keep up with the much longer strides. “I want to apologize for Bob’s comments, Ms?”
“Did you ask him to act that way?”
“Ah, no.”
“Then you have nothing to apologize for, ma’am,” Remi said, feeling more relaxed now. “As I tried to say before I was interrupted, I enjoyed your last picture with Jenny Tibbs. I seldom see such strong female characters in action films. You gave a great performance.”
“It was a great role.”
“You made it a great role. In most action films, the women are there to fill out the bikinis, not really act. That’s not to say that you didn’t look good in the bikini scene. Keep up the good work.” Remi kept smiling down at Dallas, enjoying the blush creeping up her neck.
“Thank you,” Dallas replied softly.
Once the group was outside, Remi walked ahead and got onto the plane. She stepped into the cockpit and watched for a moment as the pilots finished their preparations. Doug smiled. “What can I do for you, boss?”
“Please, call me the big dyke. It’s all the rage.” She smiled through the exchange, wanting them to know it would take much more on Bob’s part to rattle her cage. “Could you call New Orleans and arrange for a car for our guests. I’d offer, but I have a meeting at Papi’s as soon as we land.”
“Belt up, everyone. We’re ready for takeoff,” Remi said, returning to the plush office on the plane.
“Aren’t you going to go over the safety features and exit locations, good-looking?” Steve asked.
