The sky was a purplish-pink, as the sun set over the city. It was Friday night in a busy California city, Los Angeles. It was like any other Friday night, people rushing to get to where they�re going and no one slowing down for anyone. Those were the nights the police were on extra duty and watching everyone.
Jenai Richardson walked from her house and closed the door. She looked around and started walking the few blocks to Club Z where she worked five days a week, as a dancer. She got to the crosswalk, looked for any oncoming vehicles, and went to cross, as a hand touched her shoulder. She turned around and grinned at the guy behind her.
�Sergeant Richardson, what can I do for you this beautiful evening?� Jenai asked smiling.
�I told ya many times before, Jenai,� Sgt. Richardson began, �don�t walk alone on Friday nights.�
�I�m a big girl, Kevin; I can take care of myself.�
�Your sister and her friend said the same thing and where are they now?�
�I�m stronger than they were. I�ve been studying martial arts since I was five and know all about defense.� He just looked at her. �I wish ya didn�t have to remind me about my sister�s death every damn time. I was 15, she was beaten and murdered, blah, blah, blah. I know the story, because it�s my life. She and my brother were the only blood relatives I had after being dropped on your doorstep.�
�JJ, I�m only looking out for you.�
�I can take care of myself.� She smiled. �I�m going to be late so excuse me.�
�Will you please be careful? That�s all I ask.�
�I�ll be fine so don�t worry and don�t wait up.� She started crossing the street.
�It�s what I do best.� She turned and smiled at him, as she got to the other side.
�I love ya, Kevy.� She blew him a kiss and started walking.
�Kevy?� a young blonde man said smiling and Kevin looked at him.
�Not another word, Carter,� Kevin said.
�You�re the Sarge, Sarge,� Carter said handing him his coffee. �Who is she?� Kevin looked at him. �You�re married and checking out girls like that.�
�She�s just a friend of Kristin�s.� They walked to the car.
�Uh-huh.� Kevin looked at him. �I won�t tell.�
�There�s nothing to tell.� They got in the car. �Do you have any sisters, Nick?�
�Four.�
�Younger or older?�
�One older and three younger. You?�
�Just one; she�s like ten years younger than me.�
�My age; that�s interesting.�
�What is?� Kevin glared at him.
�Nothing.�
�She�s a young, beautiful, talented girl yet she manages to get into trouble. Before I was promoted to sergeant I arrested her ten times. She hated me, but I was just trying to straighten her ass out.�
�Did it work?�
�No; she still finds trouble in the most non-trouble places.�
�She�s young, Kevin, and she�ll get bored before ya know it.�
�I just want her to make something of herself.�
�Does she have any talents?�
�Dancing; she�s been doing it since she was a little girl and got great offers, but declined all of them. She dances though, but the kind of dancing I don�t approve of.� Nickolas looked at him.
�Topless?�
�Exotic. At the club they don�t get completely naked, they only do that in private shows.�
�Does your sister?�
�As far as I know she doesn�t. I didn�t even know what she was doing until I showed up there one day after I got a call and there she was.�
�I bet you were pissed.�
�Totally. She seems happy though. All she wants to do is dance.�
�411 in progress at Kid�s Deli,� came over the radio. �Unit requesting back-up.�
�We�re only a few blocks away,� Kevin said, as Nickolas picked up the radio.
�This is 328,� Nickolas said into the radio. �We�re just a few blocks away; we�ll be there in five minutes.� Kevin sped off.
�Three.�
�Make that three.� Kevin smiled and Nickolas shook his head.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�JJ, you�re late,� the guard out front said. �Alex is going to be angry, because Callen is late also.�
�Haven�t seen her,� Jenai said. �I had a run in with the Sarge.�
�Police, sheesh.�
�What can I say, Howie? I�m irresistible.� They laughed and she went inside.
�JJ, it�s about time,� a young tattooed man said.
�Sorry,� Jenai said. �Kevin stopped me.� She looked at the girl on stage dancing to Christina Aguilera�s �Dirrty�.
�It�s alright. Listen, we�re packed tonight as you can tell. Dannika, Octavia, Laken, and Nikita have been going non-stop the past hour. Emilie called in sick, Kendall�s stuck at the airport in Ohio, Callen still ain�t here, Summer�s still in Hawaii with Aaron, and Shay just broke her ankle during the opening number.�
�Everything�s under control, Alex. I�ll do a couple numbers and give the girls a rest.�
�You�re a lifesaver.� He pinched her ass.
�What kind?�
�My favorite�cherry.� He slapped her ass this time.
�Alright.� She smiled and walked away. �Hey, Josette.�
�Hey,� the tall redhead waitress said.
�Busy?�
�Totally.�
�Money, money, money.� They laughed and Jenai walked to the back. She went to the dressing area and saw three girls sitting there. �So who wants a break?�
�Me,� the three girls said.
�That�s what I thought,� Jenai said.
�Dani just went out and I�m up next,� a not too tall blonde said.
�Alright,� Jenai said. �Laken, you do your thing while I get ready and I�ll be after you.�
�Sounds good,� Laken said.
�Niki, your honey was grabbing my ass again.�
�Did you use some of that Kung Fu shit on him?� Nikita asked.
�Its martial arts,� Jenai said. �And no, because I probably would�ve gotten fired. Where else would I find a job where I get almost $1,000 a night.� She smiled.
�Shut up and change,� a blonde with an English accent said.
�Sorry, Miss Fisher,� Jenai said sarcastically. �One day, Octavia, I�m going to kick your ass.�
�Bring it,� Octavia said challenging her.
�I will,� Jenai said. �I�m going to go to the potty quick.� She started walking to the bathroom. �Where�s Callen? She�s never late.�
�I don�t know,� Octavia said. �I haven�t seen her since last night.� The others nodded in agreement. �I�m a little worried actually.�
�Same here,� Nikita said.
�It�s probably nothing though,� Laken said.
�Yeah,� Jenai said faintly walking to the bathroom.
�JJ, will probably tell her brother and he�ll be questioning all of us,� Laken said shaking her head.
�It�s what she does,� Octavia said. �We got Josette back didn�t we?� Laken nodded. �Alright then. Leave it go, Laken.�
�Ahhhhh!� came a scream from the bathroom and they looked.
�JJ!� the three girls yelled and ran.
CHAPTER 2
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