“Who’s this?” Camille asked in a sharp tone while giving Velvet a scrutinizing look over.

“My name’s Velvet but you can call me Karma,” she quipped as if sensing Rebar’s unease. “I’ll be hanging out with Rebar.”

“Oh really. And what degree in nursing do you hold?” Camille asked with a spirited snap of her head.

“I don’t want to humiliate you in front of the guys by comparing degrees. That said, I’m highly skilled in TLC,” Velvet countered.

Shook had trouble holding his laughter.

Camille shot Rebar a pointed look. “Didn’t take you long to replace me. What’d ya do? Have her moved in already?”

Rebar appeared visibly flustered. He shrugged with an impish grin. “She just arrived.”

Velvet stepped between him and Camille. “Your shift is over, honey. I know all about your unscrupulous endeavors. Just scurry on back home.” She walked her fingers through the air emulating a crawling bug. “And take that man in the black Mustang with you, the one who thinks nobody knows he’s lurking. We don’t need your type around.”

“Just who the hell do you think you are?” Camille fired back. “Flaunting yourself like you’re all that.”

Velvet took a stance with one hand planted on her cocked hip. “I am all that, girlfriend. And don’t you forget it. You won’t be able to mess with me like you did Halo, so don’t even try, bitch.”

Camille’s eyes seethed with jealousy. She’d just lost her foothold on any future schemes against Rebar, and she obviously knew it. For a brief instant, Shook thought Camille might try to throw a punch but after sizing up Velvet she backed off.

“You do realize Rebar’s in love with Cameo, don’t you? Maybe you’d do better to cast your line for Shook,” Camille taunted.