Bad Boys

f i f t y o n e ~ Bloody and Bruised

Someone knocks lightly on the frame of my door. I glance up from my spot on the bed, knowing it's not Kayla. Jax stands in my doorway.

"We have a job," he states. I lace up the rest of my boot before straightening up.

"When?" I sigh. I'm the best fighter, but it's been long enough that I almost forgot what I signed up for.

"Today." I drag a hand down the side of my face then push my hair back.

"Kayla, is she....?" I leave the words hanging.

"Bash took her out."

"Okay," I answer.

"We should go now." I nod a stand up. I sling off my long sleeve shirt and trade it for a white t-shirt. Then I move to the other side of the bed and kneel down, tugging out the worn shoe boxes. I dig to the bottom, sifting through the cash and drugs, and pull out my rings. I slide each of them on my fingers, decorating both hands, then stand up. I kick the shoe boxes back underneath the bed, moving them back to avoid risking Kayla finding them. I look back to my door and nod at Jax who turns and heads down the hallway. I move after him, leaving my phone plugged in behind me.

Dominic looks up as we come out, but drops his gaze back to the take out box in his hands almost instantly. Ryder nods once at Jax who nods back. But nobody says anything as we walk out the door. The two of us leave the apartment and walk down the stairs. We leave through the backdoor, but leave the car in the lot.

"Where is it?" I ask as we turn the first corner.

"Movie theater," Jax answers, already still. I nod once and we walk the rest of the way in silence. Jax leans against the side of the building and I roll out my neck before joining him. The smell of pot fills the air and I shoot a glance to my right. Jax has a joint in his mouth. He must want to get busted, or he's just trying to chill out before our target shows. Either way I can't judge him. His hand moves in front of me and I glance down. There's a clean joint, but I shake my head. For once, I need my head. I know nothing about this guy. No name, no patterns, no reason, just how it usually is. But I haven't hit a person in a few too many weeks. The most action I've got is at the punching bag, teaching Kayla or letting her watch. Neither option helps me much, but I know we're gonna win anyways.

Next to me, Jax drops the joint and crushes it beneath his shoe. I push myself off the wall and follow his gaze to find a decently tall guy with light hair. Ink snakes up his right arm and I recognize the spiked wheel on his shoulder, visible only because he's torn the sleeves of the black t-shirt off. Cobalt. I glance at Jax again as he steps forward the guy doesn't turn to look behind him. So we follow him until he turns a corner and catches sight of the two of us. He turns his head back casually but makes a quick sharps turn. I flex my knuckles and follow. Beneath my skin, my blood thrums with adrenaline. He makes a turn sliding into an alley. He knows. I stalk forward, outpacing Jax who slows half a step.

"Kyle," Jax mutters, but he stops talking as I step into the alley. The Cobalt guy stands there, arms crossed casually, but ready.

"You boys lookin' for a fight?" he asks, jerking his chin forward. I grin, wildly, ferally.

"Hell yes," I answer. And then we move, the two of us advancing on the lone wolf already in a corner. His fists move up. I swing the first punch, the breath leaving my lungs right on time. He blocks my shot and tries to get one of his own in. I counter it easily. Jax comes at him from the side, throwing a fist into the side of his face. It lands and the guy stumbles half a step before recovering and turning to Jax.

He barrels forward and Jax catches him easily. I ram my fist into his gut as Jax brings a knee up into his face before shoving him back. I launch myself forward, laying into him before he has a chance to recover. His fist collides with my jaw and my head whips back. I lose sight of him for and instant long enough for Jax to step in and drive him back further into the alley.