Authors: Fiona Palmer
The Recruit
The Recruit
Fiona Palmer
Fiona Palmer
From one of Australia’s Queens of Romance comes the debut in a brand new YA series about secrets, strengths, and what lies beneath the surface
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Jasmine Thomas may not be completely normal, but she’s a pretty typical seventeen-year-old girl. She hates the rich mean kids, loves her best friends, and can’t wait to get out of school each day. Her spare time is spent at The Ring — a boxing gym where she practically grew up — learning karate, boxing and street fighting. So, yeah, Jaz can kick some major butt.
Life seems pretty normal until the day Ryan Fletcher enters her gym…mysterious and hot with heaps of bad boy charm. Sure, she checks him out. Who wouldn’t? But what doesn’t show on his gorgeous abs are secrets and lies that dominate his very grown-up world. Now Jaz has to figure out just how far she is willing to go to know more. Could Ryan really be offering the life-fulfilling life path she’s always dreamed of?
The first in the MTG Agencies series.
Fiona Palmer has been writing rural stories for Penguin for years and is now indulging in her love of YA. It’s not a big change considering she already writes about strong women who fight for what they want. She is a full-time writer and mum from rural Western Australia. Her two kids remind her often that she’s not seventeen anymore but writing at least lets her relive it.
This story wouldn’t have come about without the help and guidance of a very important person. I can’t thank you enough, Jim; for not only teaching me how to run fast as a child but for continuing to teach me new things later in life. You truly are an amazing person, and I’m blessed to have you in my life. Also to my friends and family who read my work and give support, my mum Sue, Tammy Stone, Lea Murray, Brodie Simmons, Jeni Wyatt and Jacinta Holmes, you girls are awesome. To my writing buddies Rachael Johns, Margareta Osborn and Cathryn Hein, such wonderful ladies, thanks for being just an email away. Also thanks to Rebecca South for proofreading and Belinda Holmes for being such a great easygoing editor. And huge thanks to Kate Cuthbert for making my dream a reality. As always, my own little family are so supportive, thank you Darryl, Mackenzie and Blake.
For Jim Jim
Bestselling Titles by Escape Publishing…
‘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.
It was obviously time to try a new tact. ‘I don’t think she has a boyfriend. Minka, are you okay?’ Jaz spoke to the drunken girl. Reaching out a hand, she touched her shoulder.
Minka mumbled something incoherent as her head hung loosely.
‘What should we do?’ asked barbed wire’s skittish mate. He had long, skinny arms like a monkey and looked ready to split.
‘How about I take her home?’ said Jaz.
‘How about you piss off now before I get angry? Unless you want to join us?’ Barbed wire raked his eyes over Jasmine’s body, his smile showing just how much he liked what he saw. Jaz felt nauseous and instantly wanted to take a bath in disinfectant.
‘That’s it. I’ve had enough. Just hand her over and be on your way.’ Jaz held out her arm.
Barbed wire grunted, pushed Minka into his mate and stepped towards Jaz. But Jaz didn’t give him time to touch her. She knew surprise would be her best option. Reaching out she grabbed his wrist, spun him around, pulled his arm up his back, and pushed him up against the wall. ‘Did you not understand what I said?’
‘Bitch,’ he yelled. ‘Do something,’ he growled out to his mate as he tried to shake Jaz off. But she tightened her grip on his arm and yanked it higher.
‘What the hell?’
Jaz almost laughed at his shock. ‘Yeah, I bet you didn’t expect that from little ol’ me, now did you?’
His mate dropped Minka to the ground behind her and stepped towards Jaz. She pushed forward on the guy she held so she could kick out behind with her foot, aiming for the approaching guys crotch.
‘Ooooh.’ Clutching at his groin, monkey arms went down like a sack of spuds.
‘Huh, maybe these shoes aren’t so bad after all,’ she said admiring the points on Anna’s black high heels.
While she was busy admiring her shoes her detainee managed to use his weight to pull from her grip, turning and ready to swing a hit at her face. But she blocked it and landed one on his jaw. And while he was getting over the shock of that, she gave him another one in the kidneys. Had he been a bit bigger she’d probably have to hit him in the groin too, but the kidneys would probably suffice.
‘Do you want to stay and play some more with me? Huh? Like taking advantage of girls, do ya?’ She held her arms up ready and eager for a fight. She watched him thinking and hoped he’d take another swing. She was fired up now, she wanted to make this sicko hurt.
Instead, he backed away down the alley towards the main road holding his bleeding nose, leaving his mate to hobble behind him. Jaz watched them until they had turned the corner before turning back to Minka.
Grabbing her arm, she helped Minka up off the ground. Her legs were dirty and she looked like a beggar. Wonder what Daddy would think of his rich little girl now. Jaz felt the slightest bit of pity. Minka’s dad probably didn’t care, hence she was like she was.
‘Are you okay?’ she asked just as Minka bent over and hurled. Jaz stepped back. ‘Ah, gross. Some thanks,’ she said screwing up her nose.
After she finished Jaz helped guide her back to the main road. The exit door opened and two more girls came out. The hot bouncer was holding the door for them. He paused when he saw Jaz, his eyes flicking to Minka. Without saying anything she could tell he was wondering if she needed help. Jaz gave him a smile to reassure him. Actually, the smile came naturally upon seeing his rippling arms. Man he was fit.
The corner of his lips almost curved up as he begun to shut the door and Jaz had a feeling that if he’d smiled fully it would have softened that hard soldier boy look he was rocking.
On the main street Jaz helped Minka sit against the nightclub wall. She was looking more with it, trying to push her blonde hair away from her face. Her eyes recognised Jaz, slowly realising what had happened but still she said nothing. Jaz pulled her phone from her bra, called for a taxi.
When it arrived she tried to help Minka into the taxi, but she shook her off, offering a glare instead of thanks. Yep, there was the Minka she knew.
‘Jaz!’ She turned to see Taylor jogging towards her. ‘Is everything okay?’
Taylor was perfect. He was the Mr Dreamy of St Christian College with his styled blond hair, gorgeous tan, flawless skin and sexy smile. He was also her best friend.
‘Yeah, just sending Minka home.’ Jaz leaned in and gave the taxi driver Minka’s address as she was too busy staring out the window at Taylor. Jaz wasn’t the only one who found him divine.
‘See ya.’ Jaz shut the door. Minka just shot her another one of her famous glares. Still no offer of thanks. Typical. Did Minka not realise what she’d just been saved from? Did she not care? Maybe she was too busy being angry because it was Jaz who saved her.
‘What happened?’ asked Taylor as he watched Minka’s taxi pull away.
‘Two guys were taking her down the alley for a good time. No matter how mean she is no one deserves that,’ she said with a shrug.
Taylor’s eyes shot open in surprise and then he smiled. Jaz felt like melting in awe.
‘I would ask if you’re okay, but I know better. I’m sure the other guys ended up worse.’ Taylor reached for her hand, inspecting the redness appearing on her knuckles. ‘Looks like you gave them a few?’
‘Yeah, they didn’t want to walk away. I had to convince them.’