The Recruit

Chapter 1


‘Bloody Hell, I knew I shouldn’t have come,’ mumbled Jaz as the sweaty, skimpily-clothed bodies danced around her.

For one, she was under-aged and wasn’t technically allowed in the nightclub. Two, she couldn’t find her best friend, Taylor; he’d gone to get drinks and probably got lost in the smoky, strobe-lit room. Three, she’d noticed a very drunk girl, one she knew but didn’t like, getting carted off towards the exit door by two creepy-looking blokes. And four, she could have been back at Anna’s house in her pjs eating popcorn, watching a movie and minding her own business.

If only she could mind her own business now! But Jasmine Thomas had the problem of smelling foul play. How she had the ability to sniff out trouble, she wasn’t sure. Her best friend Anna would say it was because she created most of it herself. Sadly, she was probably right.

Putting her hands on her hips and shifting her sore feet, her mind whirled. Sure, she could keep dancing. But the conspirator glint and creepy smirks that those two guys shared kept haunting her. She knew what they planned to do with that girl. Regardless of the fact that Minka treated Jaz like scum while she pranced around with her dad’s silver spoon in her mouth, she still didn’t deserve what she was about to get. No woman did.

With a shake of her head, Jaz pushed her way through the crowd as she tried to follow the direction the guys took Minka. Instantly she hit a hard chest and looked up ready to apologise but her words caught in her mouth. A very hot and sexy bouncer wearing a tight black t-shirt that showed every muscle had rendered her speechless. His eyes stayed on her, she couldn’t tell their colour because of the lights in the club but they seemed dark. He didn’t smile but the way he studied her was nice. At least someone appreciated her slinky black dress even if it wasn’t Taylor Stewart. Hot bouncer guy placed his strong hands on her arms and shuffled her to the side so he could continue past. He left a lasting imprint on her skin as he dissolved into the crowd. It wasn’t that he’d been rough but more that she could feel his strength. Jaz shook her head slightly, remembering that she was on a mission before the hot guy had stolen her thoughts.

She flexed her fingers and rolled her shoulders. Things were about to get ugly. ‘I knew I should have worn my boots,’ she mumbled again. But Anna had said her commando boots didn’t go with her little black dress. Jaz begged to differ. Her boots went with everything and they were wonderfully durable and comfortable.

As she broke free of the dancing crowd, she pushed through the exit door. Another bouncer in a black shirt stood nearby. He didn’t even glance at her, he was probably asleep with his eyes open. She couldn’t blame him, there were probably blokes carrying girls out of this nightclub all the time, why would he suspect foul play? It probably wasn’t in his job description to care unless someone was punching someone inside the bar.

Outside was a narrow alleyway; to the left took you back to the main street, to the right went deeper and darker. The light above the exit door illuminated the alleyway six metres either side.

Jaz shuddered as she thought of what might happen if she tried to stop this and for half a second she wondered if she should have got a bouncer to help.

Minka’s whimpers caught her attention and she automatically followed the sound. ‘Minka Schubach, you had better thank me,’ she whispered to herself as she saw them just on the edge of the light.

Jaz could hear the dragging of Minka’s feet along the pavement.

‘Come on, sweetheart, we’ll make your night,’ said one of the guys as he held her face and began to kiss her.

Minka groaned again. She was hanging limply in their arms but trying to move her head away from him.

‘You hold her first,’ said the guy who had tried to kiss her. He sounded too excited and Jaz instantly felt shivers up her spine. Stepping towards them quickly, she spoke up.

‘Hey, is she okay?’ Jaz tried to sound like a concerned bystander.

She saw one of the guys panic, his eyes widening. But the other one turned to her and smiled. He was older, maybe twenty-seven, which made preying on a seventeen-year-old much worse. He had tattoos of barbed wire twisting around his neck and was quite solid but she was still sure she could take him if she had to.

‘Yeah, she’s okay. Just too much to drink. We’ll look after her,’ said barbed wire guy.

‘Here, I’ll help.’ Jaz stepped closer, wondering how this was going to play out. Would she spook them enough to dump and run or would they fight for their prey?

‘No. She’s my girlfriend. I can handle it,’ said barbed wire with more grit. There was something nasty in his eyes and Jaz wondered if he was high on something.