property to spook or have time to run. When I push through the door leading to the back area, I find a large man nearly my size approaching me.
“Freeze,” I shout.
He stops moving and lifts his hands.
That’s when I recognize him. He was the bouncer who let us into the Sky Lounge the other night and also escorted me to meet with Lazinski.
He recognizes me at the same time and drops his hands like he’s off the hook. He rolls his eyes next. “Why the fuck does the boss man send more than one dude to do a job?”
I don’t lower my gun. I can’t stand that this prick is also looking for Britney. I pray that Cindy didn’t tell him anything. She’s one of the few people alive who knows where Britney is hiding. If she believed this jackass was working with me, she might have told him whatever he wanted.
I specifically told Lazinski I wanted his henchmen called off so that I could do my job. I know from Blade that didn’t happen, but I’m still pissed. This is exactly the sort of thing I had been hoping to avoid. My woman’s life is in danger, and I don’t want anyone fucking finding her.
“You tell me, asshole. I spoke to him yesterday and told him I was working this angle. He didn’t say a word about sending someone else.”
The big guy narrows his gaze at me. “You can stop aiming that gun at me. We’re on the same team.”
“Are we?”
He looks annoyed. “Of course, we are. What the fuck are you talking about?”
I’m pissed, and I need to send a message to Lazinski that when I say no interference, I fucking mean no interference, so, unfortunately, I’m going to have to rough this guy up. He may or may not know much about the job he’s been sent to do, but that isn’t my problem.
I tuck the gun back in my holster, but then casually with no notice, land a right hook straight at the bouncer’s jaw.
He stumbles backward, his body hitting the wall.
I manage to get another punch to his gut in before he comes after me.
We’re evenly matched. I find this out quickly when he body slams me against the door I just came through. “What the fuck?” he seethes. “What’s your goddamn problem?”
“Right now, you are, asshole.” I grab the front of his shirt and then kick a leg out so that he goes down. The moment he drops to his knees, I knee him in the stomach. While he’s trying to catch his breath, I pull my gun again and level it at him. Something isn’t right. I don’t like it. There’s a vibe in the air. My entire special forces team in the Army joked that I had some crazy sixth sense. I can’t explain it, but I can often catch a vibe that makes my hackles rise. I saved my own ass and countless others on more than one occasion.
I back up, holding the gun at him. I need to call Blade. I’m reaching for my phone when the guy holds up a hand.
“Stop.” He’s gasping for breath as he rises to his feet, both hands in the air. “Dude. I’m not working for Lazinski.”
I narrow my gaze. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
He points at his pocket and then watches me carefully as he reaches for his wallet. A moment later, he flips it open and holds up a badge.
“Fuck,” I mutter, glancing up at him, deciding he’s legit. I lower my gun.
“Yeah, fuck is right, because now I have to fucking deal with your sorry ass, and that’s messy.”
I shake my head. “I’m not working for Lazinski either. Not any more than you are.”
The guy takes a step back, eyes wide. He’s rubbing his jaw. “Start talking.”
“I’d rather you go first, but I’m betting that isn’t going to happen.”
“Not a chance.”
I hear the squeal of tires outside. “That’s going to be my backup.”
“You have fucking backup? Who the fuck are you?”
I give him a slight chuckle and motion for him to follow me back to the front. Blade is walking into the building, gun drawn. “It’s okay,” I tell him. “Dude’s undercover.”
Blade lowers his gun and blows out a breath. “Jesus.”
The big guy says, “Great. Now that we all know who I am, ruining my cover, someone please tell me who the fuck you are.” He shows his badge to Blade and then looks at him closer. “You were