by Grace Risata
“Who the fuck is this?” I snapped, not interested in making any new friends.
Once the person on the other end of the phone identified themselves and began talking, I instantly relaxed and broke into a wide smile.
“Now that is definitely a welcome voice,” I admitted happily. “Don’t tell me you’re actually in town?”
We spoke for a few more minutes and arranged a meeting tonight. The entire time, I gave away no details of the caller’s identity and Angela kept giving me a look of curiosity.
“Who was that?” she asked as soon as I ended the call.
“That was actually a friend that I’d like you to meet. Everything is falling into place. How about we get together at my club tonight and talk about some things in more detail?”
“What kind of things?”
“Hawk.”
“Are you going to listen to his side of the story? I really don’t think it’s fair that he’s being forced to sit on the sidelines.”
“Out of respect for our friendship, your boyfriend is alive and well and walking around on two legs instead of a much worse alternative. You’re welcome.”
She glared at me, unimpressed with my generosity.
“Just meet me tonight at nine, okay? We’ll work through this and figure something out. Come alone and do not bring that asshole.”
With a grunt of disapproval, she stormed out.
Things were definitely taking shape in a major way. Not only did I have one fighter for Friday night, but I might just have two.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Leandra
One of the benefits to owning your own nightclub was the VIP treatment. I currently found myself seated at a plush round booth with a premier view of everything from the bar to the dance floor to the people coming and going.
Sipping a virgin margarita, I patiently waited for the night to unfold. Under normal circumstances, I would have gone heavy on the tequila, but complete sobriety was necessary at the moment. It’s true that I was ‘undercover’ in a wig that transformed me into a sexy redhead, but one could never be too cautious nowadays. Especially since I was alone with no guards this evening.
Sometimes I just liked to have a night to myself without a fucking chaperone. Not all conversations were meant to be overheard, and I hoped to get a few things sorted out tonight. Certain matters required discretion in order to retain the element of surprise.
It was only a matter of minutes before Angela marched up to my table with a chip on her shoulder, something I instantly recognized. Although the woman gave off angry vibes, she was dressed smoking hot.
“New outfit?” I asked, admiring her skintight red and black number that clung to every curve in order to enhance her assets. Honestly, it was about one step above ‘street corner,’ and I didn’t know if that would hurt her chances tonight or help them. There was someone I wanted her to meet, and his taste in women was a mystery.
“Yes. Hawk bought it for me,” she replied, stoking the flames of my simmering rage at the asshole. In other words, he probably paid for it with money stolen from me. Nice. Game on, Angela. You don’t get to lead with that little gem and not suffer the consequences.
“How kind of him. I bought this myself.”
Standing up and spinning around, I flaunted my masterpiece. The plum colored, off the shoulder mini dress was adorned with enough rhinestones to make a gypsy jealous. My favorite part was the flowing sleeves that gave it a touch of class and sophistication. Yet, my ample cleavage was displayed enough to give Samuel’s father a heart attack if he would have seen it.
“Gorgeous,” Angie muttered, clearly impressed with my fashion choice. “But I’m not here to stroke your ego, Lee. My goal is to resolve the issue with Hawk. Let’s discuss business.”
I slowly took a sip of my drink and gave her a chance to think about her words. For a supposed friend, Angela was acting more like Hawk’s best interests were at the forefront of her mind and I could go take a flying fuck.
Obviously this did not please me in the slightest.
“Has Hawk been involved in any underground fighting since I hired him?”
“No,” she replied confidently. “He makes more cash working for you than he ever has in the past. His MMA matches were only once or twice a month. The crowds get bored if they see the same guys over and over again.”
I paid him fifteen hundred bucks a week, yet he still felt the need to steal from me? No wonder he was itching to get back on the payroll if the dumb fuck knew he couldn’t make that kind of money on his own.
“I’ll make him an offer,” I explained, infinitely annoyed I had to deliver the message through her instead of speaking directly to the coward himself. “You tell Hawk that I’m willing to do him a favor and get him into the line-up for Friday’s fight night. If he wins, he’s allowed to come back to work. If not, he never sets foot in one of my businesses again.”
“You’re serious? You would put him in the ring on Friday?”
Angela’s face lit up in excitement. She knew that a very sizable crowd would be in attendance and this was the perfect opportunity for her loverboy to show off his skills.
“Absolutely. It will prove how much he wants his job back. Hawk has to fight for it. I’m not just handing him anything on a silver platter.”
“He’ll win, Lee. I know he will. You don’t know him like I do. The man is passionate about everything. It was a stupid move on your part to fire him in the first place.”
If none of her prior actions had sealed Hawk’s fate, that one little word just hammered the final nail in the coffin. Stupid. She said I made a ‘stupid’ mistake. A person can use many horrible words to describe Leandra Donahue, but ‘stupid’ is certainly not one of them.
Time to put my supposed friend in her place.
“You do realize that I’m not required to employ anyone just because you’re currently fucking them?” I asked coldly, hoping she took notice of my tone and backed down from her pompous attitude.
“It’s not just sex,” she insisted dreamily, getting a dumbass look on her face like Hawk was the be-all, end-all of the world. “I care about him.”
“I’m all warm and fuzzy now, but I’m not going to start making poor business decisions just to guarantee you’ll keep getting laid.”
As could be expected, she froze, blissful expression now completely gone.
“Clearly you’ve been doing exactly that for yourself, Leandra. If it wasn’t for your money, Samuel wouldn’t have stuck around so long. Everyone is talking behind your back about how pathetic you’ve been acting lately. The man is eye candy and that’s all. He’s beneath you. You’re lowering yourself to shamelessly lust after an employee that keeps turning down every lame advance you make. Move on and quit behaving like such a damn fool.”
Wow. I had no clue I was the laughingstock of the world. Unable to speak, I simply sat there in stunned silence. It was very shocking to have someone talk to me so disrespectfully. Especially someone I considered a friend.
As if she hadn’t already gone way too far, Angela made one final callous remark, twisting the knife in my back.
“Just because you can’t have your cake and eat it too, doesn’t mean the rest of us in real relationships have to suffer alongside you.”
I stared at the traitorous women as she walked away, feeling utterly alone and trying to remember the last time I felt so betrayed.
Ah.
That would be the morning after the best night of my life. Exactly four days ago. No wonder I was having a rough week.
“I couldn’t help but overhear most of that conversation,” a deep male voice admitted, snapping me out of my self-reflection. “With friends like that, who needs enemies?”
Turning my attention in his direction, I felt a genuine smile form as I stood up to give the newcomer a giant hug.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I admitted, ending the warm embrace and motioning for the man to take a seat. “Can I get you a drink?”<
br />
He held up a beer and slid into the booth, gazing at my face as if searching for answers.
“Why are you all alone? If I had a lady that looked anything like you, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.”
I paused to take a deep breath, still uncertain as to how I should come clean, when the situation evolved into chaos. My jealous bodyguard appeared out of nowhere and began shouting obscenities.
“What the fuck, Lee? You give me the night off so you can sneak out and meet some guy at your club? It didn’t take you very long to forget about me and the time we shared, did it? I guess I wasn’t so special after all, huh?”
Samuel turned his wrath on the man sharing my table, no doubt intending to beat the guy to a bloody pulp, and then he realized the identity of my companion.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked in confusion, all thoughts of violence rapidly fading. I figured an explanation was in order.
“Samuel, it would be much appreciated if you would remember your manners. This giant beast of a man was kind enough to take me up on my offer of employment. I wouldn’t want you to get off to a bad start with your new co-worker. Although his given name is Gideon Grizzaldo, I think we’ll stick with his nickname. Grizzly is definitely more suitable.”
“What?” my bodyguard repeated, still not fully comprehending my words.
“After he gave us a bit of an assist with Todd and his buddies, I told your friend to look me up if he ever got to New York City. He’s here. I hired him. The end. Is this making sense now?”
Grizzly merely smiled broadly and tipped back the rest of his beer.
“Why do I feel like you two are hiding something from me?” my newest employee pondered aloud.
“Samuel, go get Grizzly another beer while I try and come up with an easy answer.”
“No,” he replied defiantly, sliding into the booth next to me. “I’m not on the clock tonight.”
Great. What part of me thought that tonight would be simple? From dealing with Angela’s pissy attitude, to Samuel’s jealous outburst, and now I’m stuck with Grizzly’s difficult question. Some days, life is just way too problematic.
“Here’s the thing,” I began, feeling somewhat secure in my confession due to the fact that Grizzly passed Bennie’s background check with flying colors. Not only was Bennie my trusted accountant, but he was also a world class computer hacker and could dig up the dirt on anyone.
“We’re not married,” Samuel blurted. “I lied.”
“Thanks for interrupting me,” I growled in annoyance. “I had it covered. Don’t you think it’s more important to explain the job I just hired him for?”
Grizzly leaned back in the booth with an expression of complete amusement.
“You say you’re not hitched, but the two of you sure bicker like an old married couple. As for the job, anything is better than the last place I worked. The factory assembly line gets hot in July with no air conditioning, the hours are long, and my boss didn’t appreciate it when I demanded the overtime pay that he legally owed me. He refused, I knocked out a few teeth, and ultimately found myself unemployed and partially wanted by the police. Here I am!”
I looked at Samuel and nodded my head in appreciation.
“He’s perfect, isn’t he?”
In response, my bodyguard simply shrugged with indifference. I guess it’s solely up to me to act as the welcome wagon around here.
“Grizzly, before I fully agree to hire you…there’s something I need to know.” This was merely a formality, but I wanted to hear the words coming directly from the man himself. “Your background check shows a history of legal issues. From breaking and entering, to grand theft auto, to more physical altercations than I can count. What do you have to say about this?”
“Well,” he said, sitting up a little straighter and appearing mildly embarrassed, “I don’t go looking for trouble, but I don’t run from it either. I broke in to my ex-girlfriend’s house to get back some of my stuff that she intended to pawn. I stole a car, but only because I did some transmission work on it and the dirtbag owner refused to pay me. As for the assault charges…”
He trailed off, as though not entirely sure how to continue his explanation.
“I’m a big guy, Lee. I get into fights. Sometimes people want to start shit in order to act like they’re tough. You know, like they have something to prove to the world. It will be a cold day in hell before I let anyone get the upper hand with me. I don’t start fights, but I do finish them. Sometimes my opponents don’t walk away. That’s their problem, not mine. I am who I am.”
Perfect.
“Okay, Grizzly. Here’s the thing. My father used to be the head of an Irish crime syndicate. The law finally caught up to him, forcing the man to hand over the reins to his successor. You’re looking at her.”
Grizzly raised an eyebrow, but wisely kept his mouth shut.
“Samuel is not my husband, but really my bodyguard. I run a large operation that could always use another devoted foot soldier. You will be paid handsomely, and in return I demand honesty and loyalty above all else. My orders will be followed immediately and without question. Should you decide to start making your own decisions or try anything funny, punishment will be swift and merciless. Have I made myself clear?”
“What exactly would I be doing?” he asked, mulling over all this new information.
“A pair of ex-employees tried to fuck me over, so I have a few positions currently available. I need an enforcer and someone to handle debt collection.”
Grizzly looked at Samuel questioningly, and asked, “Is she for real?”
“Yes,” he confirmed without hesitation. “She found me at an underground MMA fight about a month after I moved here. I went from living in a ratty motel to wearing Armani suits. When you’re desperately in need of quick cash, your morals have a tendency to fall by the wayside.”
My heart sank as Angela’s words came back to haunt me. Maybe he wouldn’t have stuck around at all if it wasn’t for my money. Maybe Samuel really was using me and I was just fooling myself to hope for anything more.
“I understand why you needed the money, Sam,” Grizzly replied knowingly. “But why did you tell everyone you two were married if you’re not even together like that?”
“It’s complicated,” he grumbled, immediately sliding out of the booth and excusing himself to grab a bottle of water at the bar.
Grizzly held up a finger and waggled it as though he just solved a major mystery.
“A person would have to be blind and deaf to not notice the chemistry between you two. I’ve known Sam since high school, Lee. He’s never been as fully consumed with any woman as he is with you. What’s the real issue here? What will it take for you crazy kids to make a love match?”
I threw up my hands in defeat and shook my head.
“Fuck if I know. We had a moment in Kansas when I thought everything was finally taking a turn in the right direction, but your jackass friend shut it down and has been ignoring me ever since. He’s a stubborn son of a bitch.”
“You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know. Tell me this though, do you honestly think he doesn’t genuinely care for you?”
“Sometimes I wonder…”
“Did you notice the way Sam shook with anger when he stormed up to the table and started yelling at us? He’s afraid to lose you, Lee. And jealous as hell. It was all I could do not to laugh in his face. That man is so far gone, it’s hilarious. I’ve seen him pissed when Betty Jo pulled some shit, but nothing came close to the intense rage when he thought you were here with someone else. He cares, Lee. Trust me. He cares.”
“He has an odd way of showing it,” I snapped, fed up with the whole situation. “If you want something, then go out and claim it before someone else gets the chance. Time waits for no man.”
“Does that mean you’re ready to move on?” Grizzly asked casually.
“What are you now, my fucking shrink?” I complained, full
y appreciating the irony of the situation. I should be having this conversation with my best girlfriend, not some big ass biker dude I’ve only met twice in my life.
“Clearly you two need some help to speed things along. You’re not doing so great on your own.”
“This is none of your fucking business,” Samuel spat in disgust, returning to the table and not enjoying the change in conversation to matters of a personal nature. “Leandra, we’re leaving.”
“Says who?” I asked. I give orders, not take them.
“Me. You’re my ride home, seeing as how my Audi is currently swimming with the fishes. Let’s go.”
My bodyguard held out a hand, giving the impression that he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. In response, my lady bits tingled at his show of alpha male dominance. It honestly took an extreme amount of willpower not to haul him down a dark corridor for a quick fuck.
Since that wasn’t an option, I simply turned to Grizzly and flashed a wicked grin.
“You start work on Thursday. Take a day to rest. You’re in for a bumpy ride.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Samuel
Leandra sat fuming in the passenger seat while I drove back to her apartment, and I couldn’t help but feel the déjà vu of a similar ride home a few weeks ago. Instead of catching my boss being fingered by a douchebag Italian drug dealer, this time I go off half-cocked and look like a moron in front of my best friend.
I can’t catch one single break in this fucking town.
“Would it have killed you to let me know Grizzly contacted you?” I asked in annoyance. “Ever since we’ve been back, I’m consistently kept out of the loop. This has got to stop, Leandra. Quit shutting me out.”
“I was unaware that I needed to run everything by you for prior approval, Samuel,” she replied coldly.