Chapter Five
Bryce made his way to the security firm’s building and immediately headed to the exercise room. His boss Reed Allen had spared no expense in making sure that any man who worked for him could maintain their fitness without ever leaving work.
Bryce wasn't surprised to see several of the men there working out mid-day on a Sunday. They often came in on their days off to finish work or just utilize the training area. If anything, he’d been counting on it and was glad to find Ryan positioned at the weights where Bryce had hoped he’d be.
Being about the same age, he’d always felt a connection to the slightly rougher man. It was clear that Ryan had led a tough life prior to his job with the Allens, but everyone respected the man’s skills. He was also known to be a guy who knew his way around the rougher people they sometimes had to work with, which was why Bryce needed his help.
Bryce sat down on the bench near where Ryan was pressing nearly 250 pounds. After a few more reps, he set the massive weight on the bar above him and sat up to wipe the sweat off his brow.
"She's all yours," Ryan said.
Bryce shook his head. "Thanks, but I'm actually here to talk to you."
Ryan grabbed his bottle of water from the floor and nodded for Bryce to follow him. They stopped at the treadmills.
"Let's talk while I run," he said.
Bryce leaned against the wall as Ryan started up the machine. "You been following the changes with the Los Malos?"
Ryan nodded as he jogged on the machine. "Got some new guy in leading them now, a guy they worked with before when they targeted some of the people connected with people here at the firm. A real son of a bitch from what I understand," he said. "Reed mentioned the guy’s brother would be joining us with a few of his men. Apparently, lots of bad blood.”
Bryce nodded. He’d heard the same. Blitz’s brother, Havoc, had called it quits with the gang lifestyle and had recently been running a bike shop. From what they’d heard, the man was still a bit rough, but had mostly gone legit.
The plan was to move the shop to town in order to help keep his brother in check. Bryce still wasn’t sure why the other man thought it was his duty to manage his brother, but none of them were going to look a gift horse in the mouth. They needed manpower, and Havoc would offer that.
"Apparently this guy, the new leader, Blitz, is trying to make a name for himself," Ryan said. "I heard from a cop I know that he's already made a few friends in the department.”
Bryce frowned. It seemed like Dalton was right, and if that were the case, it meant that both the Russians and Los Malos had local authorities interested in their success.
"That could cause some real problems," Ryan said. "All these groups vying for the top dog position. This creates a whole shit ton of problems. Shit, even the Irish guys who were starting to go legit now have brought in bruisers and are killing people. Damn powder keg waiting to explode.”
That was exactly what Bryce had been thinking as well. It might be why Reed felt it necessary to bring in more people. They weren’t the cops, but they did have clients who needed them to deal with all the chaos.
"This cop I know has a lead on some guns coming in," Bryce said. “Seems like this guy Blitz set this up.”
“A cop?” Ryan picked up the pace on the treadmill. "Didn’t the cops fuck you over before?"
Bryce moved away from the wall and leaned forward toward the machine. "They did, which is why I'm not doing anything unless it's checked out," he said. "I know you've got feelers in some of these areas. I just want to make sure this weapon thing checks out before I agree to do it."
Ryan nodded. "I got no problem checking that out, but you sure you want to do this? Shouldn’t this be something the police handle on their own?”
Bryce sighed. He’d been mulling this over himself. The fact was, everyone knew the department was corrupt. There were too many cops on the take and not nearly enough doing the right thing. Maybe if he could nail this, they might be able to help clean up the law in town.
"Somebody's got to make sure this shit doesn't go south, and I suppose that's me."
Ryan gave a laugh. "Who knew that would be something you could put down on a resume? 'Making sure shit doesn't go south.'"
Bryce laughed at the strangeness of the idea in general. "Thanks, man. Hit my cell when you find something out."
He made his way over to the door but stopped when Reece made his way out of the meeting room.
"Hang on a second," Reece called out to him.
For a moment Bryce worried that maybe his friend had caught on to his feelings for his sister. Not exactly the conversation he wanted to be having right then.
Reece clamored down the stairs over to where Bryce was at near the door. He leaned in close. "Not seriously going to take that job are you?"
Bryce shrugged. "I've got Ryan keeping an ear out for me, but I don't really see I have much a choice. Dalton wouldn't have come to me if he didn't think I was the person he needed."
He watched as Reece ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Look, I know the shit that happened wasn't right, and I get you wanting to help out because maybe you're hoping to get your job back, but just be cautious. I don't trust anything that has to do with that corrupt department. If you make a move, I’m coming with you. No questions."
The thought of getting his police job back had crossed Bryce’s mind more than a time or two. He wasn't certain how he wanted to deal with things if they did come out in his favor, but he knew either way he needed to make sure the Los Malos didn't control the guns in their area.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'm going into this whole thing with both eyes wide open. No way in hell is anyone getting the drop on me again. Especially with you watching my back."
Reece nodded. “Good."
Bryce glanced at his watch and despite himself felt his heart kick up a few beats. Unfortunately, his excitement wasn't lost on his friend.
"Got a hair appointment with Tanya today?" Reece said.
Bryce grunted. Non-committal seemed like the best choice.
The other man laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck," he said. "Dealing with my sister should come with some sort of warning."
Bryce laughed. Tanya would probably get a kick out of people offering a warning before dealing with her.
"Your sister is something else," he said. "I meet with Dalton after. I'll give you a call and let you know what he says."
Reece nodded. "Sounds good. You better get to that appointment, or my sister will somehow find you being late as my fault."
Bryce laughed as he made his way to his car and started the engine.
Reece and Tanya were so close in age they were nearly like twins at times. For all their bickering with one another, Bryce knew there was a connection between them. They both cared what happened to the other and watched out for one another.
In truth, he envied their family. It wasn't something he'd grown up with. Despite having both his parents in his life, Bryce felt like he never really knew them. Even now, although they were states away, he next to never saw them. That close bond just wasn't something that they had ever had or ever would.
Part of him worried that the attraction he felt to Tanya was her family. Or maybe that's what he wanted to believe. Maybe it was easier to think that he was attracted to her because of her family rather than for who she was. Because it was easier to deny himself the family but harder to deny himself the woman.
Bryce shook his head. These were not the sort of thoughts he wanted to have going into getting a haircut with her. It was already hard enough having her so damn close to him.
Cold showers. That's what he needed to think about: cold showers.