Page 5 of Access

The biggest of them jeered, “Well, well, well ... looks like Supergirl has arrived.” They approached, and one grabbed her forearm. “How ’bout you let a real man show you a good time?” She tried pulling her arm back, but he held it tightly. Then, she yanked back more forcefully. It freed, but hit someone behind her, who caught it.

“What seems to be the problem?” Madison turned abruptly, and even through the blue mirrored Ray Bans, she recognized the ruggedly handsome stranger. Holy crap. It’s Alex Drake. Her arm still against his chest, she started drawing it back, but he wouldn’t release it. Her heart pounded out of her chest as he kept it, then he calmly led her behind him. He’d created a full body block from the three men, and deliberately stepped forward, driving more space between the cluster of men and Madison.

“Hey, we were just showing the lady a good time,” the biggest said, staring up at Alex. Even though Alex had a good inch on him, the stare-down this bastard gave him readied his reflexes and raised his hackles. Whether the back alley or the boardroom, the Hulk in Alex was always ready to materialize. Too ready, which normally posed an occupational hazard. But today, it reinforced him. Alex stepped into him, their noses barely inches apart.

“Well, party’s over. I suggest you and your minions head on out.” Alex’s tone was low and soft, the coil before the strike.

“Hey, no problem.” He backed off just enough to charge a punch. As his fist headed towards Alex’s head, Alex swiftly backed up and leaned right just enough to deflect the blow, using the attacker’s momentum to pull his arm and thrust him hard into the side of the granite building. Full force. Head first. Stunned, his attacker fell to his knees. Alex casually straightened his blazer, staring down the other two who instinctively backed away.

Seeing the commotion from a block down, two of New York’s finest ran up. Fife also rushed over, his pleasant demeanor suddenly dead serious. The two men fled, but their friend just held his head as he tried to rise to his feet. The cops grabbed the guy, but Alex coaxed them off. “Not an issue, gentlemen. My friend just fell. He’s pretty clumsy, so I’m sure he’ll tread lightly the next time he walks by this part of town.” The cops reluctantly let him loose, and defeated, he staggered away.

Determined to make the most of their brisk run over, the cops turned their attention to G.I. Joe. “Hey, buddy, you can’t be here, get going.” Again, Alex diplomatically intervened.

“Gentlemen. Now this guy’s not hurting anyone, and by the tiles he’s lying across, I believe he’s technically on private property. So, unless the owner has an issue, which I don’t, then under the laws of the State of New York he’s free to lounge, eat, unaggressively panhandle, and discretely urinate on the building as long as he doesn’t expose himself. Gotta love New York City laws, right?”

The boys in blue looked at each other, then smirked back at Alex and yielded with nods. “Hey, if you want him here, trust us, he’s yours. He’s a hell of an accessory for your monumental skyscraper.” Their laughs thinly veiled their mild irritation, and Alex hadn’t intended to annoy them. Busting their butts each and every day was often an unappreciated part of doing their jobs. He’d never mock their determination ‘To Protect and Serve.’

“Look, I appreciate it. How about when your shift ends, you’re my guests at the 21 Club?” He handed them his card. “Tonight, or whenever. Just show them this card, and they’ll take care of you.” The cops thanked him, shaking his hand, then tipping their hats to Madison, Fife, and even Joe, before walking back the way they’d come.

“Fife, take Ms. Taylor inside while I chat with this guy.” Alex headed towards Joe, unti Madison stepped between them.

“Mr. Drake, I’m so sorry you had to get involved, but I can help him.” Madison’s concern for Joe bled through in her tone and expression. Alex felt something he rarely experienced when dealing with people, and especially with women. He was intrigued.

Joe, sitting silently, caught Madison’s worried look. “Don’t worry, doll. A.J. will take good care of me.”

Madison and Fife looked at Joe, then Alex, confused by the reference. Alex leaned towards them, chiming in, “Apparently I look like someone he knows.” Still, Madison hadn’t budged an inch, standing her ground firmly between Joe and Alex. By her crossed arms and cemented stance, she didn’t intend to.

“Look, Ms. Taylor, I’m not sure why you’re so concerned, but you needn’t be. He’ll be fine.”

Alex’s little MMA demonstration just moments ago was still fresh in her mind. Knowing his ‘hard-charging, no bullshit’ reputation, she stood firm. “Mr. Drake. He’s a veteran. Please don’t hurt him.”

Alex couldn’t help to smile, though it was a bit patronizing for Madison’s taste. Beauty and balls. Fuck, she’s adorable. He held up his arm solemnly. “I swear to God I won’t hurt him.” Madison backed up slightly, half expecting a lightning bolt to strike him down from the sky. Alex stepped closer to her, looked into her eyes, and laid his hands firmly on her upper arms. The gesture sent a shiver down her spine, yet set her at ease. But his motive was more physically geared. He handed her to Fife, and shot a stern look. “Get her inside.”

Fife placed his arms around her, pulling her back into the building, as she turned back to look at Joe. Joe shouted, “Don’t worry. A.J. and I are gonna catch up.”

Once Fife rounded the corner with Madison, Alex again straightened his suit and readjusted his tie, still watching to ensure Madison didn’t backtrack. “Joe?”

“Yeah, A.J.?”

Alex removed his sunglasses and placed them securely in his blazer pocket. He casually walked over to Joe, pulling up his slacks to squat down, providing an eye-to-eye vantage point.

“You know you can’t piss on my building, right?”

“Right, A.J.!” They both chuckled as Alex reached in his suit. He always kept Marlboro’s in a silver case, although he never smoked. They were ready and waiting for various clients and random women who were so inclined. But, today, he pulled one out and offered it to a grateful Joe, then lit it for him.

“So, how do you know Supergirl?”

“Fife?” Madison said.

“Yes, Ms. Taylor?”

“I was actually on my way out.” She eyed his hands enveloping her shoulders. He promptly removed them.

“Well, I guessed that since you carded out, but Mr. Drake told me to bring you in,” he said with a shrug. He released her, and walked towards his desk. She followed.

“I carded out because I thought you were gone.”

“I just had to do some paperwork,” he said, motioning towards the bathroom.

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