“You already checked out her place?” Jackson laughed hysterically, but he was no better.
“At least I didn’t move a woman home with me and keep her and her parents for the last two years.”
Jackson’s laughter immediately stopped and he glared at me. “I’m not keeping them,” he growled. “I’m making sure they’re safe.”
“Which you could have done at a safe house,” I shot back. “We’ve been through this before.”
“So, what did she say when you started playing The Stripper and The Security Stud? Does she have a pole in her place? Does she dance for you? Maybe she makes you dance for her.”
I glared at Gabe. Playacting was his thing. I didn’t need something to entertain me to get off. “I was already there when she got home. That’s how I got the black eye.”
“She didn’t like that, huh? Shocker,” Gabe snorted.
“She didn’t know it was me. I was sitting in the dark, waiting for her, and she thought I was someone else. The woman has some skills.”
Gabe turned to Jackson, tapping his finger on his lip. “Jackson, what’s that thing they call when you let yourself into someone else’s place when they’re not home?”
“Breaking and entering.”
“I didn’t break in. She had a fucking key on the top of her door frame.”
Gabe groaned and plopped down in a chair. “Are you fucking serious? It’s amazing that she hasn’t been raped and murdered yet.”
“That’s what I was saying,” I agreed. “Who puts a fucking key over a door? That’s like setting a potted plant outside the door and hiding a key under it.”
“I take it your lesson to her didn’t go exactly as planned,” Jackson smirked.
“After she stabbed her fucking heel into my foot, she punched me in the face. Then, when she realized it was me, she punched me again. And you know what really chaps my ass? She says she learned it all from Tae-Bo.”
“I love that dude,” Gabe said, wide-eyed and dreamy. “He has the most impressive muscles and his ass is really toned.” Jackson and I stared at Gabe curiously. “What? You know I’m not gay, but I’m man enough to admit when another man has a great body.”
“You’ve never said I have a great ass.” Jackson crossed his arms over his chest, trying his best to appear insulted. Gabe carried on as if Jackson hadn’t said anything.
“Look, all I’m saying is that you should be happy it’s Billy Blanks and not Richard Simmons. Somehow, I don’t think Sweatin’ To The Oldies would have helped her in a situation like that.”
“Dance fighting is becoming very popular,” Jackson said.
“It’s not the dance fighting you have to worry about. Those red and white short shorts and that curly hair that Richard always had are what would really scare people away.”
“You seem to know a lot about him,” I side-eyed Gabe. “Is there something you want to share with us?”
He shrugged lightly. “My mom might have done it when I was a kid.”
“And did you dance with her?” I stifled my laughter, trying not to image Gabe as a kid, dancing along with Richard Simmons.
“Hey, don’t judge. Those were some great songs and the dancing was really catchy.”
“Hang on,” Jackson said, fiddling with his phone. Suddenly, the screen on the wall showed a life-sized version of Richard Simmons. “Show us your moves, Gabe.”
“Fine,” he said, walking toward the center of the room, puffing out his chest as if to show us that he was completely comfortable and confident in doing this. “But you assholes have to do it with me. You’re gonna like it.”
“There’s no fucking way I’m doing that.” I crossed my arms and leaned back against the wall.
“I’m in!” Jackson jumped up and stood next to Gabe.
“Not all exercises are suitable for everyone and may result in injury,” I read from the disclaimer on the tv. “What the fuck is he doing that could result in injury?”
“Damn, look at the way he moves. Take off that sweater!” Jackson yelled.
They were shaking from side to side and doing some crazy chopping thing with their arms. All these other women, and some men, were on the dance floor with him. It was so weird. Who would actually do this?
“What’s with those socks?”
“You have to admit,” Gabe said as he danced along. “He has great calves.”
“He has his socks rolled like a little girl,” I said in astonishment. “He looks like a fucking monkey, swinging his arms like that. Oh, fuck. Are they swimming?”
“This is just the warm-up. Just wait for the next song. You’re gonna love it,” Gabe grinned.
“He’s snapping,” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure that would have helped Shyla last night. Someone attacks and she snaps at them. Any intruder would have backed down right away with that move.”
Gabe and Jackson sizzled along with Richard and the gang, hissing through their teeth. This was embarrassing to watch.
“Did he just say rump bends? Please tell me I did not just see that!”
“Seriously, man. Just chill out and do it with us. I swear, you’ll feel better than you ever have. It really loosens you up and the songs just make you feel so happy and light.”
I couldn’t believe how Gabe was talking about this video, but I had to admit, even Jackson looked like he was having a good time. I even found myself tapping my foot along to the music. I pushed off the wall and very discreetly started dancing behind Jackson and Gabe. I found myself shaking my shoulders and dancing along to It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To. I actually found that it did a great job stretching out my muscles and my heart rate was up. Maybe there was something to this.
“You know, we should really get some shorts to wear when we do this,” Jackson suggested.
“I’m not wearing any short, striped shorts. I draw the line at that.”
“Fuck, I think we should get them just for fun,” Gabe grinned.
“Oh, and I want you Peggy Sue,” Jackson sang.
“Hey, this is the best part,” Gabe said, smacking Jackson on the arm. “It’s time to check your heart rate.”
They put their fingers to their necks and stomped in place along with Richard. When he asked if everyone was alright, they hollered along with the people on the tv.
“Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!”
Our arms were flailing in the air along with the music in a fast rhythm. I was even singing along to the music at this point. They had really chosen some good music to dance to. We were doing the twist and throwing our hands up in the air as we rocked our bodies.
Then we were doing The Pony along to Wipeout, but the best was when they played He’s a Rebel. When we turned to the side and started stomping in place, I noticed Cap, Sinner, Cazzo, Lola, Chris, and Ice standing in the doorway watching us. I stopped for a minute, breathing hard from all the dancing, but then I figured I’d already made an ass of myself and I wanted to finish.
“Fuck it.” I turned back with the guys and finished the dance and went into the last song with Personality.
“I’m not holding your fucking hand,” Cap snapped at Sinner. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Sinner and Ice had joined us and Sinner was trying to pull Cap in also.
“But they’re doing it on the tv,” Sinner griped. “It’s part of the exercise.”
“I don’t give a fuck,” Cap said. “Hold Chris’s hand if you need to hold onto someone.”
Cazzo finally joined in after I waved him over a few times. There were a lot of eye rolls, but after a few minutes, he was awkwardly moving along with the rest of us. Chris was videotaping it all on his phone.
“Do you think we could get Knight to work this into our routine?” Ice asked.
“If not, I know a good strip club you could use,” Lola smirked next to Cap.
“Maybe we could get matching outfits like Richard,” Gabe grinned. “Man, I love this.”
“Feel the burn,” Jackson said as we str
etched out on the floor. “Damn, I think this is the most flexible I’ve ever been.”
“You know, I think this will be really good for my joints,” Cazzo said. “I’ve been really stiff lately.”
“Old age catching up?” Ice asked.
“Shut it. You’re just as old, asshole.”
When the music ended, we all grinned at each other. Sure, it was a little weird, but it had felt good.
“Uh, I know I’m the new guy, but is this something you normally do?” Rocco said from the doorway. “I feel like this is weirder than walking in on Gabe in a thong.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Morgan
SHE’D MAKE A fine example of our product.
Thinking of what Evil Eyes had said at the party made a shiver run down my spine. They were into sex trafficking. That had to be it. I couldn’t wrap my head around how Jeremy could be involved in something like that. He had defended me in that room. It just didn’t make any sense. I wanted to confront him about it, but what would happen to me? Would I end up being trafficked also? I couldn’t let that happen. I had to get my little girl back, and as much as I wanted to help the women that were being sold, my daughter had to come first.
The next few nights in the club were a little more difficult for me. I tried to act like I normally did, but every time a man came close to me, I got all skittish, thinking that one of them was going to try to grope me. Sniper had done a great job of getting the memories of that poker game out of my head that night, but now that he wasn’t here, I could still feel those harsh fingers against my breast and smell the alcohol that had wafted in front of my face. I wasn’t sure that I could do that again and I had to decide what I was going to tell Jeremy. It wouldn’t be too long before there was another poker night and if I decided not to do it, Jeremy would have to find a new girl.
I made my trip to the library to look into my daughter’s case and check out the status of other missing children cases. There was nothing new to note, so I slung my bag over my shoulder and started the long trek home. As I walked down the sidewalk, past the alleys between the old buildings, I started to get the feeling that I was being followed. I tried to discretely look over my shoulder, but I was afraid that I was going to give myself away. I started walking a little faster and when I saw the drugstore up ahead on the corner, I decided to slip inside and try to lose my tail, or at the very least, figure out who was following me.
I stepped inside the store and quickly moved behind a floor display. A man walked past the shop, glancing inside as he moved past the door. He didn’t stop though, which made me wonder if I had made it all up in my head. I waited for a few minutes, but when I couldn’t see him outside, I left the shop and looked both ways as I stepped back onto the sidewalk. No one was around.
I hadn’t made it two steps past the alley when a hand shot out and grabbed me by the hair, dragging me into the alley as a hand clamped over my mouth. I tried to scream, but it didn’t do any good. It had to be a man, based on his scent and his strength. My first thought was that it was Evil Eyes from the poker game, but this was a different scent. It was more like smoke and sex than cigars and brandy.
I was shoved up against the wall, my back to my attacker, when his hoarse voice whispered in my ear.
“You need to stop digging. Unless you want to end up like everyone else, you’ll walk away.”
I couldn’t say anything or even nod. The hand was wrapped so tight around my mouth that I actually thought I would lose oxygen and pass out if he didn’t back up soon. I was starting to hyperventilate and knew it wouldn’t be long before I completely lost it.
“Do you fucking understand me?”
I jerked my head as best I could, trying to signal that I understood. Then next instant, the wall was coming toward my face and then I felt the brick crush my skull. Everything blurred as I fell to the ground in a heap. I could feel the trickle of blood down my face and I vaguely heard running before I passed out.
I wasn’t sure how long I had been out, but the light wasn’t as bright any more. I lifted my hand and looked at the watch on my wrist. I was going to be late for work if I didn’t get my ass off the ground. I realized belatedly that I was laying in some kind of puddle and would have to take a shower so that I didn’t smell for work.
I got to my feet, a little irritated that I wasn’t that far inside the alley and no one had stopped to check on me. We weren’t in an isolated part of town, but I had noticed over the past few months that people over here didn’t really get involved in other people’s business. A woman lying on the ground was just that and really none of their business.
I swiped at my face, feeling the dried blood, and headed home. I kept checking over my shoulder as I practically ran back to my apartment. I kept getting dizzy, but pushed on, not wanting to be outside any longer than I had to after what happened. I had only a few minutes to take a shower and get ready for work before I had to leave. Washing my hair was out of the question since I didn’t have time to dry it.
The lump on my head was easily covered by my hair and the gash wasn’t nearly as bad as I first thought it was. I could cover it up without anyone noticing in the dark of the club. Luckily, when I got to work, most of the girls were already out on the floor or on stage, so I had the dressing room to myself to pull my shit together before I went on. I couldn’t afford to lose this job, but I also had to be careful now. Someone knew that I was digging and it was only a matter of time before I ended up dead.
CHAPTER NINE
Sniper
I HEADED UP to Cap’s office for our meeting with Chief. He had called Cap the other day and had reluctantly agreed to a meeting. That only confirmed my suspicions. Still, we had to hear him out first. I saw him waiting in the lobby and put on a smile so that he didn’t realize I was wary of working with him.
“Sniper, my man.” Chief held out his hand and slapped me on the back as he shook my hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And without the naked women walking around.”
“I don’t think I ever heard you complain about naked women when we were overseas.”
“I was young and stupid. Now I just want someone that’s not going to send me to the doctor for medication for my dick. Come on, let’s go see my boss.”
He nodded and followed me to Cap’s office. After knocking, Cap waved us in and walked around his desk to meet Chief.
“Sebastian Reed. Chance told me he used to serve with you.”
Cap was direct and to the point. No fucking around with him. He didn’t waste time shaking hands and getting to know someone. This was business and that left no room for error.
“Jeremy Wick. I was Master Chief in the Navy, serving with the same SEAL team as Sniper.”
Cap nodded, his eyes reading every line of Chief’s face. “He said that you need some help on a job. Why don’t we get right down to it.”
Cap walked back around his desk and sat down. Chief and I sat down across from Cap and my stomach turned as I thought about what it would implicate if Chief still wouldn’t talk to us.
“So, what’s the job?”
“I have some merchandise coming in that I need guarded during transport and handoff. It’s a very sensitive situation and I need the best.”
“What’s the merchandise?”
Chief chuckled. “Sniper told me that you would want to know that little detail.”
“I don’t do business unless I know exactly what I’m dealing with. It’s all access or nothing.”
“Yeah, I figured you’d say that.” He shifted uncomfortably, like what he was about to say was something he couldn’t even fathom saying out loud, which fucking scared me. “Can we close the door?”
Cap hit the button for the door to close and the locks to engage. “The room is secure now. The cameras are off and there’s no audio.”
That wasn’t entirely true. Whenever the locks were engaged for a meeting, there was always someone on the other end of the feed watching just in cas
e. Especially when someone outside of Reed Security was in the room. So, even though the cameras weren’t recording, there was still someone aware of what was going on.
“I started a strip club after I got out of the military. I actually asked Sniper to go in on it with me, but he wanted more action. A few years ago, one of the alphabet agencies approached me. They wanted me to help them out with a case they’d been working on. After going over all the information with them, I agreed to help in any way I could.”
“Why did they go to you? Surely there are more strip clubs in Pittsburg.”
“It was because of my Navy record. They did a hell of an investigation into me before they ever approached me. I was given a handler and together, we’ve been working this case and trying to gather enough evidence on the big players.”
“That’s all very vague and still doesn’t tell me what I need to know,” Cap said.
“It’s a sex trafficking ring. From the research I’ve done, your company has been involved in a couple takedowns. That’s why I contacted Sniper. I need men that are familiar with this type of situation and can stay calm under pressure. I can’t go to just anyone for this. There’s a lot of shit that’s pretty ugly, stuff that I don’t want to do, but I have to in order to gain intel. My job is to get to the men that are running this, and I’m close to getting the evidence I need, but things are starting to get dicey and I need someone to have my back.”
“You want us to help you traffic women so that you can get the big fish,” Cap said in disgust.
“I know, it’s a sick part of the job. Every time it happens, I’m so close to saying ‘screw it’ and killing all the assholes that are there. But I have to remember the bigger picture. If I were to start taking out those men, they’d ghost and all the hard work we’ve put in would be for nothing. This is the biggest ring in the country and if we don’t take them down, soon we won’t be able to. These men have connections that are almost impossible to ever come in contact with, but I have. I’ve been acting as the middle man. The club is one of the places we get our women from, and I know that sucks, but most of those women are drug addicts or whores.”
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