11. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
AJ
W hen Jay relieved me at five, I pulled out of the parking spot where I had a view of the front door and driveway so he could park. He rolled down his window as I walked over. “It’s been quiet, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down.”
“I know how to do my job,” he responded. Jaden Sheppard was nothing like his two older brothers. I’d expected him to be easygoing and maybe a bit of a wild child, given all the stories I’d heard. But he had a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. Three weeks in and he was already earning a ‘doesn’t play well with others’ reputation around the office.
“Right. Anyway, call if anything comes up.” I trusted him to do his job. He was a former Marine Raider, and from what I heard, a damn good one, but I didn’t feel comfortable with Blake’s safety in anyone’s hands but my own.
And doesn’t that realization just fucking suck? It did, because I wasn’t a warm and fuzzy, relationship-having kind of guy.
“Thanks.” Sarcasm, thick as molasses, coated his reply.
“Good night.”
“Night.” He saluted with his shiny new SSI travel mug.
I walked away wondering what had happened to turn a special operations team guy into a lone wolf.
Those of us who were available met at the office gym for our monthly team workout and sparring session. I was the reigning champ, but didn’t think I’d hold the title for long.
“I’ve got a twenty on you taking Doug down tonight,” Jack said as we walked to the gym.
“Who bet on Doug?”
“Meg and Jamie.” He laughed and clapped me on the back. “Don’t let me down.”
“I’ll do my best.” I never gave anything less in the ring.
I opened the door and held it for him. “Who will you pick when I go against Jay?” I was a Brazilian Ju Jitsu black belt, but so was Jay. A fight between us would be an epic battle.
“Jaden. He’s younger and fresh off the battlefield,” Jack said. “Sorry, Bro.”
I laughed. He was right. Plus, he was full of anger and constantly itching for a fight. And he’s watching over Blake. How will he react if she wants to go out? Will he remain professional or take the bait when she stirs the pot?
I fought the urge to call, focusing on the training ahead instead of checking on him.
We started with a thirty-minute workout. Jamie and Jack hit the free weights, spotting for each other. They weren’t worried about winning on the mat. They could hold their own in any street fight, and always gave it their all in the ring, but neither was a match for Doug or me.
Doug hopped on the treadmill next to me and smiled. He had the same idea I did—reserving strength for the fight.
John pulled a name from a hat, Doug. No one challenged him, so John picked again: Jamie.
Doug won. When Jack looked at me; I lifted an eyebrow and grinned. This was his chance to choose his opponent. Sensing my pent up frustration, Jack challenged Doug.
Smart move. He lasted longer than Jamie, but in the end, he tapped out.
My turn . I stretched my neck and cracked my knuckles before putting on my padded gear. The mat was the perfect place to release my energy. And remove the image of Blake and her sexy anger flushed cheeks from my mind.
Doug and I faced off. He was three inches taller and just as solid. We were evenly matched despite different disciplines, and I always enjoyed sparring with him.
I started out fine, but when I took Doug to a knee; the image of doing the same earlier to protect Blake flashed through my mind. The two second distraction was all Doug needed. I barely had time to snap back to the present before I was flat on my back with a grinning red head straddling me, pinning my arms.
I’m so fucked .
In the locker room, Jack asked me what happened.
“I lost. It’s not the first time.”
“No, but it’s the first time you’ve had a weird grin on your face half a second before getting your ass kicked.”
Fucking Jack. He was too observant for his own good.
“What are you talking about?”
“You saw it, right Jamie?” Jack asked.
“What, the weird look on AJ’s face right before Doug kicked his ass? Nah, I missed it.” He raised his eyebrows like Groucho Marx and laughed.
Fucking Jamie.
“If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t see it,” Doug said as he walked up behind me. He turned towards Jack and asked, “Think the cameras captured it?”
He moved out of the way just in time to avoid my elbow hitting his ribs. “You’re getting slow, Janerek,” he said, laughing.
Fucking Sharpe.
“I need a beer. Anyone interested?” They weren’t. They all had women waiting at home.
Sometimes, I envied them.
I’d sworn myself to a life of bachelorhood, knowing I couldn’t, wouldn’t, risk getting married. I was just like my father, who’d ruled his house with anger and violence. Just like his father before him. They’d destroyed the lives of the people they claimed to love and I’d rather be alone than end up like them.