BXBX NOVEL Chapter 69: Prodding the Beast
"Who knows?" Olivia shrugged.
"Ready to stir things up?" Gen asked, a smirk playing on her lips.
Olivia nodded, her expression calm. "Let's do this."
They stepped out of the car, the cool night air brushing against their skin. Gen could already feel the vitality coursing through her veins surging in excitement. This was her element. Direct, confrontational, and unapologetically bold.
Inside, the gym was a hive of activity. The sounds of clanking weights and grunts of exertion filled the air. Men of various builds and sizes worked out with intense focus, their muscles straining under the effort.
As Gen and Olivia made their way to the registration desk, the eyes of several men followed them, curiosity and lust plain on their faces.
Gen slapped her ID on the counter, grinning at the receptionist. "Two memberships. We're here to train."
The receptionist, a young woman with a ponytail and a harried look, glanced up and nodded. "Sure thing. Just fill out these forms."
Gen scribbled her information quickly before handing the form back. Olivia followed suit. The receptionist processed their memberships, quickly handing them their key cards.
"Welcome to Ironclad Gym," she said, barely glancing at them as she returned to her computer.
"Thanks," Gen replied, already turning towards the gym floor. She could feel the stares of the male patrons on her body, but she paid them no mind. This wasn't about them.
As they entered the main area, a burly man with a clipboard approached them. His muscles bulged under his tank top, and he sported a broad, confident smile. "Hey there, ladies. First time here? Need any help getting started?"
Gen snorted, her eyes flashing with amusement. "Thanks, but no thanks. We know what we're doing."
The man's smile faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Come on." He flexed a muscle. "I'm a trainer. I'm sure I can be of help."
Gen's currently blue eyes flashed. "I said. Thanks. But no thanks."
The man held up his hands in surrender. "Alright! Alright! Just let me know if you need anything."
"Sure thing," Gen said, already moving past him towards the weight racks. Olivia followed, the hint of a smile on her face.
They began their workout, moving through a series of exercises with ease. The men around them continued to watch, some openly staring, others sneaking glances between sets. Gen ignored them, thinking on what moves she'll have to try out against Sarah.
Time passed, the gym's atmosphere grew thick with exertion and the scent of sweat. Eventually, the men went back to their workouts.
It wasn't long before their target arrived. Sarah, the woman they had come to provoke, walked through the gym doors. Her red hair was instantly recognizable. Her eyes swept the room, narrowing slightly when they landed on Gen and Olivia.
Gen grinned, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Showtime."
Sarah approached them, her expression uncharacteristically cool and slightly disdainful. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone sharp.
Gen mimed wiping the sweat from her brow, not bothering to hide her smirk. "Same as you, Sarah. Working out. Got a problem with that?"
Sarah's eyes flicked to Olivia, who remained silent. "You shouldn't be here." She gritted her teeth as her fists clenched by her side.
Do it! Gen urged. Throw that punch. You know you want to. Gen laughed loudly, a loud and boisterous sound that drew more eyes their way. "Oh, really?
And who's going to make us leave? You?"
The tension between them spiked. Sarah's jaw tightened, but she didn't back down. "Just stay out of my way," she said, turning to walk towards the treadmills.
Gen's frowned before grinning. "That was out of character." She paused, before her grin widened as she watched Sarah go. "This is going to be fun."
Olivia finally spoke, her voice calm. "Stick to the plan, Gen. We need her to react, but don't push too hard too fast."
Gen nodded, her eyes still on Sarah. "Don't worry, I've got this."
They resumed their training, but now there was tension in the air. Gen could feel the eyes of the gym patrons shifting between them and Sarah, the anticipation building.
After a while of minding their own business, Gen and Olivia exchanged a glance. It was time to provoke Sarah and force her hand. Gen's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she approached Sarah, who was now on the treadmill, maintaining a steady pace.
Gen stepped closer, leaning casually on the treadmill next to Sarah's. "You know, I heard some interesting things about you. Shame what happened to your dead leader. Don't you think it's quite sad that I killed her before you could apologize?"
Sarah's eyes flickered towards Gen, a spark of anger flashing briefly before she looked away. "You're wasting your breath," she said calmly, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders. "I'm not biting."
"Really?" Gen taunted, her grin widening. "Because it sure looks like you're getting worked up. I mean, killing your coven leader's human family? That's some cold-blooded stuff. Bet Macmillan wasn't too happy about that. How's he dealing with having a backstabber in his ranks?"
Sarah's hands tightened on the treadmill rails, the steel creaking. She took a deep breath, visibly struggling to maintain her composure. "You think you can provoke me into helping you?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper but laced with fury. "Think again."
Gen laughed loudly. "Oh, come on, Sarah. You can't seriously think you can just walk away from what you did. Macmillan has got to be looking over his shoulder every second, wondering if you're going to stick a knife in his back too."
Sarah stopped the treadmill abruptly, stepping off with fluid grace. She turned to face Gen and Olivia, her eyes blazing with controlled anger. "You won't get the reaction you're looking for," she said coldly. "I'm not stupid enough to fall for your tricks."
"I'll kill you later Genesis. But I won't give you what you want. "Sarah shook her head, a bitter smile on her lips. "A peaceful resolution, right? Macmillan has too much to lose. He won't go for it, and you know it.
You're wasting your time and mine."
Gen's grin faded slightly, but she refused to back down. "We'll see about that. But just remember, Sarah."
Sarah's eyes narrowed dangerously, her composure slipping for just a moment. "Stay out of my way," she warned, her voice low and dangerous. "This is the last time I'm going to say it."
With that, she turned and walked away, her steps deliberate and controlled. The tension in the gym lessened slightly, but the stares from the other patrons continued. Gen watched her go, a mixture of frustration and admiration in her eyes.
"Well, that could have gone better. Much, much, better."