Recluse Protection

Chapter 26

I glare at the large cinder block building; its grey walls taunt me. After my meeting with Susan, I didn't fall asleep, instead I paced more and picked up the papers Bear gave me. The contract made little sense; the amount of loopholes I found for the other side astounds me. Was I really worth that much to him? Especially in the beginning, I don't understand why he would go through with the contract for me. It makes little sense to make Bear lead runs for either MC; I want to say he was making runs for the Devil's Dozen. At one point, they were sister chapters.

It could be possible that the Devil's Dozen used Bear as a bargaining chip to get in with the Devoted Buzzards. I close my eyes and let my head rest against the headrest; I don't want to go in and pander to Hunter's small man syndrome. This gym session will test me on more than one level. I shake my head and force myself to get out, to move into the gym. The hour-long session will be dragged on painfully. The simple watch on my wrist is already wired with a mic and an alert button. Cobra and Kado are parked across the street in a workers' van; not suspicious at all.

There's been no construction in the area for the past two weeks. The closest restaurant is a block away; the only thing they have benefiting them is the coffee shop two doors down. If they blow this operation, I'll hurt them. I was never supposed to be brought in for undercover work; just to create identities. Look how well that turned out. Adjusting the strap on my gym bag, I head inside, pulling open the glass doors a cool blast of air streams around me. A chill darts down my spine and I shiver; this is going to suck.

"Can I help you?" A strong male voice breaks my train of thought and I offer him a timid smile. I step up to the desk wringing my fingers; I'm still not used to playing this fragile being again.

"I'm here for a training session, with Hunter. It's at five; am I too early?" I glance at the clock, it's ten minutes before five; if it's too early, I don't know what else to say.

"He's just finishing up; go sit down in the waiting area." I nod and smile at the man turning to walk towards the waiting area. The tight spandex clothes make me want to growl; the light pink floral outfit makes me crazy. I feel dainty in the outfit; with my hair pulled back into braided buns, per Susan's request. I hate it. I know it fits my desired look, but it makes me feel disgusting; like I'm piggybacking off of my younger self's pain. It's a trend I despise. My eyes scan over the gym, taking in each person, the three men that continue to work out by themselves.

I'm not sure how many people are here; how many people I have to keep tabs on. Plain walls are accompanied by dark carpeting; the atmosphere is clean, put together, bland almost. Gym equipment sits in organized rows, sectioned into their own organized madness. The small collection of equipment only adds to the ring; I'm positive this place has a secondary income after hours. I'm sure this is the type of gym members come to for after hour fights. Hunter moves into my line of sight; a sideways grin covers his features as he slaps a sweating man on the shoulder.

He tilts his head back in a laugh as he shakes his head. This is for Timothy. The reminder makes me release a slow sigh; what's going to be so hard is not swinging back. Out of habit I'll want to cock back my arm and nail him, take his ego down just a peg; or eighty. He's a bad man who hasn't been nailed by the cops; that's going to change, even if he fights it. Hunter walks to the front desk leaning against it and talks with the man behind it. His client moves out of sight, probably headed towards the locker rooms.

I stare at my lap and rest my elbows on my knees, distracting myself by tracing the floral pattern. I can't get out of this outfit soon enough, it's suffocating me, suffocating my patience, anyway. "Casey, it's good to see you again; I'm glad you showed up early. Good to see that you listen." I pick my head up and stand, offering a timid smile.