At the gym, I walked straight over to the weights, like I always did. After finishing my second set of bicep curls, I was approached by the burly man from the ring, Buddha, and some other guy that I recognized but hadn’t been introduced to. I balanced the weights on my thighs and paused my music. I raised an eyebrow when they didn’t say anything.
“Can I help you gentlemen with something?” I asked cooly, slightly annoyed that they were interrupting my workout.
“You’re Romano’s friend, right?” the blond man asked.
I placed the weights onto the padded floor and stood up. It was never a good sign when someone asked if I was “friends with Romano.” Usually, it led to bar fights, verbal altercations, or business matters that I didn’t want to get involved with.
“What’s it to you?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest. No way would I be intimidated by these fuckers. They had no idea who they were messing with.
“Do us a favor and leave Badger alone,” the blond man responded.
I took a predatory step toward them with my hands in fists at my sides. “And who the fuck are you to tell me or her what to do? Last time I checked, I can do whatever the fuck I want.”
He took a step forward before being cut off by Buddha's outstretched arm. “For fuck’s sake, Arrow. Leave him be. The only reason I came over here with you was so you didn’t get killed.”
My eyebrow arched as I took in Arrow’s reddened face. He was shorter than Buddha and me, and leaner, but still looked like he could hold his own.
“I see you’ve heard of my reputation,” I said.
“Yes, hence why you need to back the fuck off!” Arrow spat. “The Mob has already fucked with her life enough!”
As soon as his words were out, I noticed her. Storming toward us, Badger looked furious and was glaring daggers at Arrow. Arrow noticed her, and stepped back with his hands out.
“Shit, Jess, I didn’t mean?—”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” she yelled. Before either of the two men could speak, she continued. “Both of you.” She pointed at Arrow and then to Buddha. “Office, right fucking now! And you…” She turned to me, some of the anger dissipating as she tried to figure out what to say to me. “There’s no point in telling you to leave, so… as you were, Pliers.”
“Jess has a nice ring to it. Though I still think Bunny is better,” I teased with a sly smirk, a thrill racing up my spine at knowing her real name. Jess, probably short for Jessica. I liked it. It fit her.
Instead of responding with words, Badger growled before pushing both men toward the back office. I couldn’t help but watch the way her hips moved as she stormed to the other side of the gym. I had learned two very important things about her today: she was connected to the Mafia, and her name was Jess. Now I needed to find out more.
ELEVEN
BADGER
I slammed the door to Chief’s office just as Buddha and Arrow sat down. Chief slowly took off his glasses and placed them down on his desk when he saw the fury in my eyes. Before he could speak, I began to yell at the boys for their stupidity.
“First of all, who the fuck do you think you are disclosing my personal information, like my past and my name, to someone?”
Both men avoided my gaze before Aaron opened his mouth to speak. I cut him off, shaking a finger in his face while I yelled.
“No, I’m not finished yet! Second, how about we don’t piss off the Mob while I’mundercover?” I took a short breath and held my clenched fists at my sides. “And three! I know you are just looking out for me, but if youeverdo that shit again, I will rip your dicks off with my bare hands and shove them up your asses with no lube! Have I made myself clear?”
Both men looked at me sheepishly before saying, in unison, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Now, before I change my mind about ripping your dicks off, get the fuck out of here.”
I had never seen them move so fast as they ran out of the office and closed the door.
Behind me, I heard a whistle. “Well, that was, um, interesting.”
I rolled my eyes and sat in the chair across from Chief, running my hands through my hair. Today was not the day that I needed this to happen. Not when it was the anniversary of my sister’s kidnapping.
“Chief, I’m not in the mood.”
Chief regarded me with a somber expression. He knew what today was—three years, to the day, since Lily was kidnapped, and we were no closer to finding her than we’d been in the beginning.
“I was actually just about to come find you. Are you okay? I know today is not an easy day for you, being the anniversary?—”
