“Are you out of your mind? That woman, Sasha Raycroft, she runs with the DT Coyotes, it is their hangout. If she or anyone in that gang finds out who you are…you’ll be dead on sight.”
“I just need to work there long enough to get the info that I need.”
“So, you’re going to become part of the gang and get insider information, be the informant that all of the other members won’t be because they’re scared?” Captain Getty sighed as he summed up my plan. “This is a stupid idea.”
I blinked but didn’t waver.
“I don’t approve of you putting yourself in danger. You’ve suffered through so much these past years. You should let it go, get a college degree, really make something for yourself. I know Jared would want to see you living for something positive.”
“I can do that once I’ve dealt with this first. I can’t live with myself if I just leave this alone.”
“I’m not your father, I can’t tell you what to do,” he finally said in a dismissive way. “Come see me if you need help,” he finally added.
“Thanks. But I probably shouldn’t come here anymore. I mean, if I go through with this plan...” I was going to go through with it.
Captain Getty sighed. “Remember that if you break the law, I’ll still have to arrest you. You have my number. Let me know if you need anything or you need me to knock some sense into you.”
“I will,” I said, standing and tossing my hair over my shoulder. “I will,” I repeated.
Kobe
I groaned as I used every ounce of energy I had to lift the barbell from the gym mat. Struggling and focusing on form, I pushed the weight high above my head and stood in triumph as the men in front of me paused their bicep curls and stared. Few things made me happier than showing off a little.
With a victorious smile, I dropped the weight, and the metal hit the floor with a resounding bang that echoed off the metal walls.
One of the men let out a soft whistle as I shook out my muscles and cracked my neck before grasping the barbell once more. Every time I did this, it got a little bit easier. God knew the first time felt nearly impossible, but after a few months of training, my body became attuned to the physical strain.
I wasn’t always like this, though. After my brother was murdered, I had no other choice. I needed to turn my body into a weapon so that I could protect myself. Whenever I was tired of working out, I pictured their faces, and a second wave of adrenaline coursed through my sore muscles.
I raised my arms and the crossed them and slowly lowered the weight, knowing full well that the other member’s eyes were still on me. I was used to their stares.
Each week I added on a couple more pounds, and the strength came, slowly but surely.
“Hey, Kobe,” my coach called, and I dropped the barbell.
“What’s up?” I asked as I tightened my ponytail and turned to him.“We have a new student, I think that she would be a great sparring partner.” I gave him a dumbfounded look. He wanted me to spar with a noob. “Don’t make that face. The girl has obviously had training. She has a black belt in Taekwondo. Plus, she has an attitude. I think you guys will get along fine.”
I wiped my sweaty hands on my shorts. “Where is she?”
“Over there.” He motioned across the open gym where the brunette was practicing kickboxing with a dummy. “She might even be able to teach you a thing or two.”
“Yo, Ridley,” Coach called as he crossed the worn blue mat.
“Sir,” she replied, not sparing him a glance as she continued to pound the dummy.
“Here’s the girl I told you about.” He turned to me, his blue eyes bright with enthusiasm. “This is Kobe, and she has been looking for a sparring partner. I think you guys will really hit it off.”
A loud clatter reverberated through the gym as Coach whirled around. “Bennett, put that goddamn thing down before you kill yourself.”
I looked over my shoulder as a scrawny teenage boy attempted to lift the barbell from the mat and had no spotter.
Coach was already walking toward the kid, so I turned back to Ridley. She extended a hand.
“Hey, I’m Kobe.” I slipped off one glove, and extended a hand to shake hers.
“Ridley,” she introduced herself.
“So, you’re looking for a sparring partner too?” I asked as I grabbed the extra set of punch mitts on the floor.
“I’m always looking for a sparring partner.” Ridley blew a puff of air to brush bangs from her eyes, her long ponytail swung behind her.
“Always?”
“Yep, I’ve yet to find another girl to spar with and guys...well, they either have some misplaced chivalry that they can’t fight a girl, or they get pissed when I kick their ass and end up refusing to partner with me.”
“Amen.” I laughed as I raised my mitts. “Let’s go.”
I took a careful step toward her as her first punch landed hard against the mitt, jerking my arm back. “Damn,” I said, impressed at the force.
She was fast, and she hit hard, but nothing I couldn’t handle.
“You’re good,” I said as her cheeks flushed from the increase exertion.
“Thanks. Kobe, right? Where do you work?” she asked and hammered into the mitt. I contemplated for a second before I answered her. I didn’t use my real name at work. If she came there and asked for Kobe, it would…well, it would be the end of me.
“If you don’t want to tell me you don’t have to.” She threw a right hook.
“Sasha’s,” I said, my arm straining under the impact. “I don’t use my real name there.”
She paused and lowered her hands. “That place is a dump.”
“Yep, which is why I don’t use my real name.” Her comment was the perfect play I
