by S. J. Bishop
“You did.” The dark-skinned men nodded, leaning forward. “That’s why I’m giving you a second chance.”
I scoffed. “Is that what you’re calling this? If I was smart, I would have high-tailed it out of there.”
“Maybe, but either way, here you are.”
“Tell me, Cruz. What do you really expect from me? We both know I’m nothing more than a crook.”
He shook his head. “I don’t believe that. You helped us for a reason.”
I kicked my foot onto the table, rocking back on my chair. “Well, go on. What are my options? I’m not getting any younger, you know.”
Cruz sighed. “You aren’t going to make this easy for me, are you?”
“Nope.”
He got up, his body towering above mine, trying to assert dominance. I held his gaze, proving that I was not so easily intimidated. “Either we keep you in custody until the authorities decide to process you… Trust me, they won’t be lacking for evidence. They’ll arrest and jail you in a minute.”
“Been there, done that. You’re not very good at making threats, Cruz.”
“Oh, but this time, things will be different. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you go to the worst prison in the country. You’ll be surrounded by murderers, pedophiles, and worse. A cute guy like you? They’ll make you a bitch in no time.”
I growled. “I’d like to see them try.”
“I wouldn’t take any chances if I were you. It’s no playground over there. You could get hurt.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not scared.”
Cruz watched me for a moment before walking toward the other side of the room, picking up a file from the table and flipping through it. “Or I give you the chance to redeem yourself.”
Silence.
“You’ll be pardoned for your crimes so long as you work for VanGuard and abide by all of its rules.”
I laughed. “Why would I ever work for you?”
“Because I know you used to be a SEAL, Emil.” He dropped my file right in front of me. It opened up, revealing a photograph taken while I had been in the service. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed the picture, a sense of nostalgia washing over me.
That was before everything had begun. I’d had such purpose and direction, thinking I would save the world by serving my country. Oh, how wrong I had been. It hadn’t taken long for the nightmares to start and the neurosis to kick in. I’d been discharged for going berserk one night, nearly killing my bunkmate with a switchblade.
I’d been ridiculed for my actions.
So, I’d turned to the streets. They had welcomed me with open arms.
“We need someone with an ‘in’ to the underworld.”
“You want me to become a double-crosser?” I asked, an eyebrow raising in question.
Cruz didn’t bother to answer. He simply sat back down and looked at me with an expectant expression on his face.
I breathed out through my nose, my nostrils flaring. I didn’t want to succumb to his offer, but it was my best option. “Fine.”
He smirked. “I knew you’d see things my way.” Quickly, he gathered up the folder, straightening the documents within. “And I already have the perfect mentor in mind. She’ll make sure to keep you in line. Train you.”
“Train me? For what? I didn’t choose this option just so I could become your bitch,” I snarled.
“Don’t worry.” He laughed. “But if I were you, I’d be careful around Cassandra. She has a fiery temper.”
“Cassandra? You’re making some girl babysit me?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.” I grinned. “It might actually be fun.”
“Don’t get any bright ideas. She doesn’t like any of that bullshit. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. When do I get to meet her?”
“Soon. But first, you’ll have to wear a house arrest anklet just so we can keep track of where you are at all times. We don’t want you running off.”
“You can’t be serious.”
In response, Cruz reached under his chair and pulled out a box. When he took off the lid, I could see the blinking red light of the tracking device.
Great, just great.
Despite this being the “better” option, I was still a goddamn prisoner. I should never have helped. A fat lot of good it was doing me now. If Karma existed, she sure knew how to ignore me.
“You’ll still be able to move around the city.”
“Oh, what a relief,” I snapped sarcastically.
Cruz shot me a reprimanding look before he kneeled, wrapping the device around my ankle. It was heavy and clunky.
“How long do I have to wear this?”
“As long as it takes for you to gain the company’s trust.”
“So…forever?”
“I’m sure you’ll prove yourself before then,” he said, giving my shoulder a firm squeeze. “Anyway, I think it’s about time you meet Cassandra.”
“Oh sure, I’m just dying to see her.”
“I really would hold my tongue around her if I were you.”
“Just bring her in, will you?”
“You asked for it.” Cruz shrugged, heading for the door. He disappeared, leaving me alone in the interrogation room. The key was still on the table. Maybe, if I acted quickly, I could still get out and pretend like none of this had ever happened.
But before I could act, a pixie-like redhead walked into the room. She marched right up to me, snatched the key, dropped it into her bosom, and stared at me with intense green eyes. “I’m Cassandra. Don’t make me mad.”
Oh, this was going to be so much fun.
2
Cassandra
I couldn’t believe I had been tasked with babysitting duty. The last thing I wanted to do was micromanage some beef head. I had plenty of other things I’d rather do, and Cruz knew it too. And yet, here I was.
“I’ll be your mentor.”
“I know,” he answered, his voice smooth and confident. His eyes were dark and impenetrable, like he was incapable of feeling deeper emotion.
“Good. So I expect you to be on your best behavior.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he mocked, the corner of his lips twitching with amusement.
“You better whip that smirk off your face before I do it for you.”
“I think I’d like that. Come on, sugar, show me what you’re made of,” he taunted, turning his head and exposing his cheek in my direction.
Suddenly, I grabbed him by the hair, straddling his lap so that our faces were but inches apart. “I’m not here to play around with you.”
He chuckled. “Then what are you doing on my lap? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you couldn’t resist me.” His smirk deepened.
I pulled his hair harder, my teeth bared in frustration. Apparently, I was babysitting a brat. “Shut up.”
“Make me.”
Without hesitation, I grabbed his earlobe between my fingers, twitching it hard.
“Ow!” He bucked his hips, throwing me off of his lap.
Effortlessly, I landed on my feet, picking up his file and browsing through it.
“Was that really necessary?” he griped, rubbing his ear. “Also, think you could take off these cuffs? You already have me in an ankle bracelet. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. Despite what you all think of me, I’m not stupid.”
I looked at him, my eyes narrowing in suspicion, trying to gauge whether this was a trick or not. In the end, I relented, undoing his cuffs.
He rolled his wrists before placing his hands on his jeans.
“So, you were discharged from the SEALs.”
“I don’t know why you’re asking me when the answer is right in front of you. Trying to harass me isn’t going to help you, honey.”
“It wasn’t a question,” I responded, my voice icy. “Says here that you nearly killed your bunkmate, going crazy one night. What happened?” I jumped onto
the table, sitting with my legs on either side of him and staring into his dark eyes.
I was surprised. Most men would be ogling by now, but he seemed cool and collected – like he couldn’t be phased by anything in the world.
“I don’t talk about it.”
“I’m not giving you a choice. You’re going to tell me,” I hissed, grabbing him by the shirt.
“Oh, I’m so scared.”
“You should be. I’ll be your worst nightmare if that’s what it comes down to.”
“Trust me, baby, I’ve faced much more than you.”
I smirked. “You’re in for a rude awakening.”
“I’m sure.” He rolled his eyes.
His attitude was going to drive me insane. I couldn’t take much of this childish behavior. I had my four-year-old for that.
“Says here you were shot in the thigh.”
“Yep. Very observant. I’m so glad you can read.”
“Shut it.”
“Am I making you mad?” he asked, his voice innocent.
“How’d you get shot?” I continued with my questioning, knowing that it would only make things worse if I showed that he was getting under my skin. But really, I didn’t have time for this shit.
“By a gun.”
I ground my teeth, my temper already rising. If he kept at it, he wouldn’t make it out of this interrogation room.
“Do you want to see the scar? Because if you wanted me to drop my pants, all you had to do was ask.” He winked, his hands moving to his fly.
Before he could do anything, I kicked him so hard that he doubled over, crumbling to the ground and holding his stomach. I got down and stood before him. “Not so tough now, are you?”
“That was… a… low… blow…” he gasped, his eyes scrunched shut. “You coward.”
“You do what you must to survive,” I said. “Now, the way I see it, you’re nothing more than a scared kid. You went to war, and you shat your pants. You got shot, and you were scared. So scared that you started to break down. War neurosis set in, making you fear everything around you until even your comrades turned into enemies.”
“You don’t know what it’s like,” he spat out, sitting up, one eye still forced shut.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I was a SEAL myself.” I squatted down beside him. “Didn’t they ever teach you that old saying? Never judge a book by its cover? I may be small, but that doesn’t mean I’m weak.”
“I never said you were. But that was still a low blow.”
I ignored his comment, getting back up and waiting for him to join me.
When he rose to his full height, he towered above me, his body strong and rippling with muscles. I knew that if it came down to it, he could probably overpower me, but I wasn’t going to let that happen.
I was the one in control of this situation.
“So, what now?” Emil asked, his voice husky.
To my surprise, it sent a shiver through my spine. Goosebumps formed on my skin like I had heard the sound of a lover. I shook away the feeling, dismissing it as a hiccup in my arousal. I couldn’t possibly be attracted to a criminal like him, could I?
Even the thought was preposterous. Of course I wasn’t.
“We start your training.”
“Training, huh?” He smirked. “What are you going to do? Transform me into your perfect little boy toy? Because I might just like that.”
“You wish,” I growled, instantly turned off by his lewd nature. It was obvious he only had one thing on his mind, and I didn’t have the time for such nonsense.
3
Emil
Without another word, she headed for the door.
I followed close behind. “You know, you have a killer ass.”
“Must you be such a pig?” she asked, looking back at me and glaring harshly.
I shrugged. “Guess it’s just in my nature.”
“No wonder Stacey hates you.”
I tensed up at the sound of my ex-girlfriend’s name. I had ended things as soon as she was knocked up, thinking I’d be a horrible father. What child wanted a criminal as a dad? She was better off without me. At least, that’s what I’d told myself.
In silence, we walked to her car, a sleek, black BMW.
“Nice ride.”
She didn’t respond, instead disappearing into the driver’s seat. If I’d wanted to, I could have made a break for it – if it wasn’t for the damn ankle bracelet. I would need to figure out a way to get it off. I had a friend who could help, but with Cassandra riding my ass, it would be nearly impossible for me to give her the slip.
Sighing and with no other choice, I got in.
As soon as I closed my door, she was off, driving with one hand on the wheel and the other on the shifter. There was a serious expression on her face.
In all honesty, she was pretty damn cute. Fairy-like features, flawless skin, and this hidden innocence that was driving me wild. Left to my own devices, I had no doubt that I could make this woman sing. Oh, there were so many things that I wanted to do to her. She’d become my little vixen.
“What are you staring at?” she snapped.
“What? Is it a crime to look at a beautiful woman? Damn. Who stuck a stick up your ass?”
Her jaw tensed.
I seemed to have struck a nerve. I smirked to myself, easing into my seat and enjoying the silence, knowing that I had won this time around.
After a thirty minute drive, she pulled into a parking lot. “A shooting range?” I asked, looking up at the sign. “What are we doing here?”
“First part of your training is to figure out how good of a shot you are.”
“I bet I’m better than you,” I challenged. “I was the best in my squad.”
“So was I,” she returned. “But talk is cheap. I want to see you put your money where your mouth is.”
“Alright,” I smirked. Together, we got out of the car and headed for the building. As I walked a few steps behind her, I drank in the sight of her sexy little body. Even though she was petite, she had curves to spare. All I wanted to do was place my hands on her hips and take a bite. I bet she tasted sweet.
Inside, the man behind the counter seemed to recognize her, tipping his head in her direction. “Miss Cassandra.”
“Carl.”
He turned his gaze in my direction.
“Fresh meat?”
“Yup,” she answered. “How long do you think this one is going to last?”
He studied me for a moment. “A month. Tops.”
“You two know I’m standing right here, right?”
“Yup.” Cassandra grinned, throwing her red locks over her shoulder before she grabbed the needed equipment from Carl. “Come on.”
The last thing I wanted to do was take orders from a little girl, but it wasn’t like I had a choice. I was VanGuard’s prisoner now. I had chosen my fate, all to help an ex-girlfriend who didn’t give two shits about me.
“Fifty yards. Aim for the bull’s eye,” she said, thrusting the gun into my chest.
“I’ve already told you I’m not stupid, so stop treating me like I’m some fucking five-year-old,” I growled.
“Then stop acting like one.” She held her ground, holding my gaze.
In the end, I was the one to look away first, angrily placing the ear muffs on my head, causing the world to grow silent. I then lifted the gun, steadying it in my hand. With one eye closed, I took aim, the cool metal feeling good against my fingers. I tightened my grip on the trigger, my heart quickening in anticipation. It had been so long since I had fired a gun.
Bang!
The recoil slithered up my arm, making it tingle.
“Close but no cigar,” Cassandra taunted, shoving me out of the way.
Effortlessly, she took aim and fired.
Bang!
Her bullet tore through the middle of the paper. Dead center. She really was a good shot. In shame, I noted just how far I had missed the target. Had I lost my touch?
<
br /> “So, what were you saying about being better than me?” she asked with a smirk, pulling her muffs around her neck. “Let that be a lesson for you – cockiness isn’t going to get you anything with me.”
“Oh no?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, taking a step closer to her, and pushing her against the wall, the space between us almost nonexistent. I could feel the heat rolling off of her body. “Well, there goes all the fun…” I whispered, leaning down like I was about to kiss her.
In a flash, the butt of her gun came crashing down on my head.
“Ow! Fuck! That really hurt!” I shouted, stumbling back and holding my head.
“Well, you should have thought about that before you acted like a pervert. I don’t have time for your little games.”
“There’s nothing about me that’s little, baby.”
She growled. “One more smart-aleck remark from you, and I’m going to make you swallow your tongue.”
“Are you sure you want to do that? Then how I am supposed to eat you out?”
She grumbled something under her breath that I couldn’t quite catch. Her cheeks had turned red, and she looked slightly flustered.
I smirked.
“You know, you’re pretty cute when you pout like that.”
She turned and glared at me. If looks could kill, hell, I’d be dead ten – no, a hundred – maybe even a thousand – times over.
4
Cassandra
This guy was really starting to get on my nerves. He seemed bent on turning everything into a sexualized joke. It was so juvenile.
But the thing that really pissed me off the most was that deep down, I kind of liked it. I enjoyed the way he checked me out. I wanted him to think of me in those ways.
Fuck, what was wrong with me?
Why would I want a creep like him to be interested in me?
Maybe because he was sexy as hell.