The Dirty Dozen: Alpha Edition Read online

  “OK, OK. Just asking,” he says, putting his hands up and stepping away from me.

  I glance back over to see that Camden has chosen a book and is curled up in a ball on a chair reading it. She looks impossibly small for her age. I wonder when she last ate. Something about her makes me want to protect her, to teach her to protect herself. Maybe it’s because I see me in her, or maybe it’s because it looks like no one else gives a shit about this young woman.

  BRIDGET

  The lunch crowd is nonstop today. I don’t even have a moment to think until around three. It’s halfway through my shift. I had gotten Cam up when I left a little before ten, telling her to get the heck out of the house for the day.

  I watched as she walked down Main Street toward the library. She said she had a place to go for the day, so I was glad to see her heading that way.

  “You want an extra shift this week?” my manager asks as I help a busboy reset tables for the dinner rush.

  “Yeah, sure,” I say, wiping my brow with the back of my arm.

  “Bridget, everything OK?” he asks.

  “Yeah, Phil. It’s fine.” Phil is sort of creepy and sort of a loser, but he’s a fair manager and usually leaves me alone to do my job.

  I’m saved when my co-worker, Abby, comes over to ask me to help her. Abby is the closest thing I have to a friend. She’s a twenty-eight-year-old single mom of two. When you’re a foster kid and essentially work a full-time job, you don’t exactly have a blossoming social life. I’d been on a few awkward dates in high school. I had one boyfriend for a few months. And I had a few acquaintances, but I mostly kept to myself.

  Abby knows our situation and always offers to help, only I can’t bring myself to take her up on that. She already struggles to live in a two-bedroom apartment with her two kids. Her ex-husband is an asshole and doesn’t help her much.

  My biggest fear is that Cam and I end up like Abby, in a dead-end job, with a shit ex, and kids who need us to do better. That, or we end up dead.

  I don’t give it much more thought as my job keeps me busy.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  I’m exhausted when I leave work, but unlike so many days, it’s not late. The sun hasn’t even set. I look at my phone and see it’s not quite nine yet. I sigh as I run my finger over the cracked screen that I can’t afford to replace. I head toward the library, hoping Cam decided to stay there.

  I go straight to the back. She loves mystery novels, and I often find her cozied up on an oversized armchair in the adult fiction section, but she’s not there. I wander around the library. It’s not the main branch one, so it’s small. In ten minutes, I’ve checked everywhere including the bathrooms, and there’s no sign of Cam.

  A shiver runs down my spine. I hope she didn’t go home. Brad is likely to be home by now, and he’s probably tossing back his six-pack while watching some ridiculous crime show on television.

  I start back toward home when a sound stops me two blocks from the library. I can hear Cam laughing. Her laugh is so distinct and so uncommon, it has me coming to a complete halt. I look around, confused, until my gaze lands on my sister.

  She’s jumping rope in a gym. I frown. What the fuck is she doing? We can’t afford a gym.

  I briskly walk toward the gym and throw open the door. There’s a jingle from a bell on the door. Cam and a man, who quite frankly looks to be the size of a grizzly bear, turn to look at me.

  Cam’s face goes white, and the man gives me a curious look, well, I think that’s what it is. Otherwise, it might be a look that says, “get the fuck out of here.”

  “Can I help you?” he asks as Cam drops the jump rope. We both turn to look at her.

  “Cam?” he says.

  “I…I…have to go,” she blurts out as she heads toward the door and plows past me.

  I turn on my heels and follow her.

  “Cam!” I call out as I jog to catch up to her. “Cam, stop! Cam, will you slow down, please!”

  She finally slows her pace but doesn’t turn to face me.

  “What are you doing? We can’t afford a gym,” I scold as I come up alongside her.

  “I’m sorry,” she says. I can see the tears on her cheeks.

  “Just…stop, OK? What is going on?” I ask her.

  She stops and slowly turns to me. It takes her a long moment to raise her gaze.

  “I’m learning to defend myself,” she says quietly.

  “Wait…that’s the working out you’ve been doing?” I ask her as our conversation from the previous night comes back to me.

  She nods. “And I’m not paying him. Well, not exactly.”

  “What the fuck do you mean ‘not exactly’?” I almost yell.

  She raises a hand, but not before a large hand lands on my shoulder causing me to jump, and it is immediately pulled away.

  “Hey, don’t yell at Cam. It’s not her fault. I should have asked if she had permission,” a deep voice says from behind me. Great, the Jolly Green Giant has decided to join our conversation.

  “I’m cleaning in exchange for lessons,” Cam says quickly. I raise an eyebrow and spin around to meet the gaze of the man who was in the gym.

  “You are cleaning?” I ask her as I glance over to see her blushing. My gaze shoots back to the Hulk.

  “Explain yourself,” I say to him.

  He sighs. “Why don’t we take this little discussion back inside?”

  “Uh, no. I don’t think so,” I reply. “We have to get home.”

  “Cam’s a good student. I was skeptical at first, but I think she could benefit from boxing lessons,” he says firmly, crossing his arms. I can’t lie. I’m oddly drawn to his tattoo-covered biceps that look bigger than my waist.

  I roll my eyes. “Cam,” I start, motioning to my scrawny little bookworm sister, “could benefit from boxing lessons?”

  “Yes.”

  I shake my head. “Listen, I appreciate you humoring her, but she doesn’t need boxing lessons.”

  “What about you?” he asks.

  “What about me?”

  “Would you benefit from boxing lessons?”

  “Me?” I laugh.

  “Uh, no. I don’t think boxing lessons are going to help me. Plus, I don’t have time for that,” I say to him.

  “One lesson then,” he commands.

  “Listen…” I start before realizing that I don’t know his name.

  “Maverick.” He finishes my thought.

  “Listen, Maverick,” I say or really ask because who the fuck has a name like Maverick. “I work, I take online classes, and I take care of Cam. Gym classes are not a luxury I can afford, nor do I have time for something like that.”

  He looks around. “Looks like you have time right now.”

  I groan. This guy is intimidating. He’s also hot as fuck, but I’m not about to let this giant Neanderthal tell me what to do.

  “I should really get Cam home.”

  “It’s not that late, Bridge,” Cam whines. I give her a look that says, “shut the fuck up.”

  “I think you can spare twenty minutes,” he declares. I glare at him. “Come on, Cam. Let’s show her what you’ve learned so far.”

  As he grabs Cam by the shoulder and guides her back toward the gym, I actually stomp my foot in frustration. This man is…arghhh! I follow them only because I know I can’t overpower someone likely three times my size. What type of stupid name is Maverick, anyhow? And why does he think he’s in charge here?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  MAVERICK

  I knew the second Bridget entered my gym that she was Cam’s sister. Cam had mentioned something about her sister during the day. And the resemblance…well, it was uncanny, like looking at a future version of Cam with slightly darker hair and a whole lot more curves.

  Bridget’s need to control things was understandable considering I knew they didn’t exactly come from a good home situation, but that protective vibe I felt ove
r Cam, seemed to grow exponentially when I saw Bridget. These two young women needed help, and damn it if I wasn’t feeling the need to protect them both from whatever evil lurked at home.

  “Cam, let’s show your sister what you’ve been working on.” I grab gloves, and she puts them on, fastening the Velcro with her mouth. Her ease with her newfound skill gives me immense pride. She’s a smart kid and quick on her feet. I’m curious if her and her sister’s similarities go farther than just looks.

  I put on some punching mitts as Cam starts to show off her skills. Jab, cross. Jab, cross. I smile down at her and nod approvingly. She packs a mighty wallop for a little thing.

  “Don’t forget to turn into it. Use your body weight,” I remind her. She nods and keeps going.

  Once she has a nice sheen of sweat on her forehead, I pull back. “Let’s see what you got.” I motion for Bridget to pick up the gloves on the floor.

  “Oh, I don’t…” she starts. I place the mitts down and walk over, picking up the gloves and taking her wrist in my hand. It’s so slim that my fingers wrap around it and curl down to meet my palm. I place a glove on one hand and then repeat the process. She stares at me wide-eyed.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m getting you ready,” I reply as I Velcro the strap and put the mitts back on my hands. I motion to Cam.

  “Like this,” Cam says and shows Bridget the motion.

  I expect Bridget to argue that she doesn’t want to do this, but I see something in her eyes, determination and maybe a little competitiveness. She practices her jab and cross in the air for a few moments. Cam and I give her pointers.

  “Ready?” I ask.

  She shrugs. “I guess so.”

  I put up the mitts. Her glove impacts the mitt, and I feel it in my wrist. She’s stronger than I suspected she was. She keeps it up, and I turn making her follow me.

  I can see beads of sweat form on her forehead and her cheeks flush. It takes all my self-control to keep from being turned on by that, wondering what the rest of her would look like flushed. I’m probably a good five years older than her. I shouldn’t be thinking like that, but it’s hard not to.

  “That’s good,” I encourage. The bell chimes over the door. I look away and manage to see Z for a second before I feel a hit to my jaw.

  “Oh my god! I’m so sorry!” Bridget squeals. “Are you OK? I didn’t…you turned your head…I…”

  I hold up a hand to stop her. “I’m fine.”

  “Don’t worry about him, little lady. That one’s got a head of steel,” Z says as he walks toward us. I groan. Z will ask questions, and I don’t have answers.

  But he surprises me when he stops and holds out a hand to Cam first. “I’m Mr. Zeek.”

  Cam grins. “I’m Cam. This is my sister, Bridget,” she says.

  “Nice to meet you, ladies,” Zeek says. He might be an old man, but he’s also charming as fuck. Both girls smile at him warmly. Smooth motherfucker.

  “Don’t want to interrupt your lesson, Mav,” he says. “Just stopping in on my walk. Looks like everything here is good. You all have a good night.”

  “Bye, Mr. Zeek,” Cam says, waving her hand wildly at him as he walks to the door. Cam and Bridget turn back as I look over at Zeek. He gives me a stern "be careful there" look before he walks out and heads down the street.

  “He’s nice,” Cam says to me.

  “Yeah, he’s a good guy.” I hold the mitts back up for Bridget.

  “I…I think maybe that’s enough for tonight,” she says shyly as she looks at my jaw.

  “Come on, knockout. Don’t quit on me now,” I say to her. Her eyes find mine, and she looks mildly annoyed.

  “Knockout?” she repeats.

  I laugh. “I mean it in the boxing way.”

  She rolls her eyes but gets back into the stance I taught her earlier.

  After a few more minutes of practice, I lower the mitts, and she stops.

  “I think that’s good for tonight. Same time tomorrow?” I ask.

  She frowns. “I usually work at night. Today was…unusual.”

  “Mornings then,” I state.

  “Uh, I…uh, I’m taking online classes and need to study. Plus, I can’t pay you anyhow,” she explains.

  “Oh, no need. Cam is helping me clean, so the classes are free.”

  “Listen…Mav, I really appreciate you trying to help us, I do. But I truly don’t have time for boxing lessons. It’s just not in the cards for me,” she says, glancing down at the floor, her cheeks heated in shame.

  I walk over to her in two strides and lift her chin. Her eyes fly to mine.

  “Listen, knockout. I get it, but I think this can help you, and I’m willing to make time, if you are.”

  Her eyes glisten for just a moment. She closes them and then opens them again, the emotion quelled.

  “I could do it at six in the morning.”

  “Can I come too?” Cam asks.

  Bridget shakes her head vigorously and turns to her sister. She removes her gloves and places a hand on Cam’s shoulder.

  “Cam, I think you should stick to your schedule for the break, OK? You need your sleep.” Cam nods through her disappointment which is written all over her face.

  “OK?” Bridget asks as she turns back to me.

  “Good. I’ll see you at six tomorrow then.”

  She nods and Cam takes the equipment and puts it away as Bridget collects the bag that she had laid on the floor.

  “Thank you,” she whispers, stealing a glance over at Cam before she turns to me again.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Bye, Mav! I’ll see you tomorrow!” Cam squeals as she launches herself into my arms and squeezes. It takes me aback for a long moment, and I don’t move at first, but slowly I wrap my giant arms around the little twig of a girl that is clenching my midsection.

  She looks up at me and grins. “Bet I can do three hundred jumping jacks tomorrow!” she says excitedly as she releases me and runs to the door. “Come on, Bridget! We should probably go.”

  I note that she doesn’t say “get home,” because I’m guessing their house isn’t a home.

  Bridget turns to me again. “I really do appreciate everything you are doing for Cam,” she says quietly before she heads out the door to join her sister.

  I stare at them as they walk away. I want to tell them they can stay here, not go back to whatever hell awaits them, but my voice catches in my throat and the words die on my lips as the door closes.

  CHAPTER SIX

  BRIDGET

  I can feel him watching us as we walk out and down the street. My body shivers but not from fear. There’s something about him. I should be afraid of him. He’s foreboding in his larger-than-life stature and rippling muscles. And he’s overbearing in his dominance. But I also feel safe with him, like he would take down anyone who tried to hurt Cam and me. I’ve never felt that before, never felt safe. I can see why Cam is drawn to spending her time there. And clearly, she’s learning a valuable skill.

  “Soooo?” Cam says as she bumps my shoulder.

  “Yes, you can go back.”

  She squeals and claps her hands. “He’s great, isn’t he? I love it there. All the guys are so nice and there are even a few women who come in, too. Plus, he has books. Did you see the books?” Her words run together as she talks excitedly, her hands waving in the air as we walk down the street and turn the corner toward the dilapidated house where we currently reside. The neighborhood here was once nice but now it’s filled with people on opioids. Kids play alone in the street without any adult supervision. Paint peels off the houses mirroring the life that seems to slip away from the neighborhood day after day. Our house is dark, which means either Brad is asleep or passed out on the couch. I take us around back, so we can avoid the front room in case he’s in there.

  “Yeah, I saw the books,” I whisper as I open the unlocked door to the kitchen. I
can see the glow of the TV in the front room. I usher Cam down the back hallway to our bedroom, when I hear Brad.

  “Get your ass in here!” he yells. Shit.

  Cam looks up at me, her eyes wide with fear.

  “It’s OK. He probably just wants some money. Go get in bed,” I say to her. She hesitates, and I push her down the hallway.

  “Bridget!” he yells again. I walk into the front room.

  He looks over at me. He is a mess. He’s wearing nothing but a tank top that’s got some sort of stain on the front, and a pair of boxers. His hand is down the front of them, and his other hand holds a beer. I glance over to see porn on the TV, and I cringe. It’s not the first time I’ve been summonsed when he’s watching porn. Normally, this happens when he’s so fucked up that he can’t see straight. I always manage to sneak off to the bathroom to change and by the time I get back he’s passed out.

  “You’re late,” he grunts as he strokes his cock under his underwear.

  “I’m sorry. I have the money now. I just got paid,” I say to him as I pull a wad of cash from my tips out of my purse and toss it on the table.

  “Not good enough.”

  “It’s all I got, Brad.”

  “Well, I think you’re old enough to work it off in other ways now,” he says as he looks up at me, zeroing in on my breasts. I grimace. Please, not now, I think. I only need to save for two or three more weeks and then we’ll have enough for a small one-bedroom apartment I found over a shop on Main Street.

  “Let me go change, then. I smell like the restaurant,” I say quickly as I go to step away, hoping my usual routine works. He reaches out and grabs my hand.

  “Can’t you see I need servicing now?” he growls as he pulls his half-limp cock out of his boxers. I have to swallow to keep the bile from coming out of my mouth.

  “Brad, I c-can’t…you’re drunk,” I stammer.

  “Get on your knees, whore. I know you like it. You’re just like your momma.”

  “Brad!” I yell as he yanks me down between his legs. My hand whips out to steady myself as I scream. I hear Cam running toward us.