Chapter 16
Flynn
I dug into the kick panel of the Malibu, cursing under my breath when tiny wires slipped out of my fingers for the third time.
“Fucking shit,” I muttered, straining to contort my too-large hand in a too-small space. I balanced in an awkward sprawl half-in and half-out of the driver’s seat, which was making my thighs and back ache.
When my phone vibrated in my back pocket, I gratefully staggered upright and arched my back with a groan. I pulled it out and checked the notifications.
Bailey.
A smile tugged at my lips. We’d been texting regularly since he went back to school, and each word set off a tiny flutter in my stomach.
Bailey:
This pizza at the dorm caf is awful. They don’t even have Hawaiian.
Flynn:
Most people don’t like pineapple on their pizza
Bailey:
I’ve heard there are some benefits to eating pineapple…
My face heated, and I glanced around the garage to make sure I was alone before I typed a response.
Flynn:
I probably shouldn’t think about that at work. With your brothers.
Bailey sent a string of emojis that made me feel old. What the hell was he saying?
There was an eggplant, a pineapple, a drooly face, water drops, a head blowing its top, and several laughing emojis, followed by a demon emoji.
Actually, I thought I got the picture.
Bailey:
I’ll let you get back to work.
Flynn:
Actually, do you have any tips on how to get this black box out of the kick panel with giant hands…
Bailey:
Sorry, man. My experience with large hands is limited. Perhaps you can give me some more this weekend ;)
“I thought you were taking a lunch break?”
Holden’s voice made me jump. He’d closed himself into his office an hour ago to work on billing. I hadn’t heard him come out.
I glanced at the clock. Almost 1:00 p.m. Shit.
“Lost track of time, I guess.” I hid my phone in my pocket and gestured to the Malibu. Thanks to other jobs, it’d been on the back burner for a few days. “I was just trying to finish this alarm system disconnect that Bailey diagnosed.”
My heart jumped when I said Bailey’s name—as if Holden would guess from the sound alone that I’d put my hands all over his baby brother.
Thankfully, Holden wasn’t a mind reader, so he didn’t know all the dirty things I’d done with Bailey or all the naughty texts we’d exchanged since then.
My phone burned in my back pocket, evidence of my crime.
Holden chuckled. “He wasn’t lying about it being a bitch, huh?”
“No, but I’ll get it done.”
“Finish it later. You’ve been hard at it all morning.” Holden shook his head. “Gray is out with Emory. Axel is god knows where. You shouldn’t be working harder than the owners.”
The owners didn’t have to prove themselves. The owners didn’t have to earn their place here every day.
But I couldn’t explain that to Holden. I didn’t want to complain about the temporary nature of my position because it really was a great opportunity, even if it stressed me the fuck out.
I also didn’t want to ask him about my future, because what if it put him in an awkward position?
He might not be ready to tell me what I wanted to hear.
No, I just had to put in the work and hope that it would speak for itself.
“I’ll take a break in a few minutes,” I promised.
He looked as if he would insist I take it now when a rusted-out junker rolled into the parking lot, drawing our attention. Its muffler was loud as fuck, and for a minute, I assumed they were probably here for a repair.
Then Snake got out. Shit. What was he doing here?
He came into the open garage bay. “Hey there.”
“Hi,” Holden said. “How can we help you?”
Snake flashed an irritatingly perfect grin that put folks at ease and strode toward Holden, hand out.
Holden’s whole body went tense, but he didn’t move away. He had to deal with touchy customers from time to time. He could handle it when necessary.
But the idea of Snake putting a hand on Holden turned my stomach.
I intercepted him.
“Hey, man!” I grabbed his shoulder, leaning in as if I was happy to see him. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Oh, you know. I wanted to see where all the magic happens.” He pulled away and turned toward Holden. “You all have a great operation here. You own the junkyard too, right?”
“Yeah, we do. You looking for a part?”
“Nah, I just came by to say hi to my old friend here and see if he wanted to grab lunch.” He raised his hands. “But hey, if he’s busy, I’ll clear out. I don’t want to get him in trouble at work.”
“No trouble,” Holden said. “Go catch up with your friend, Flynn. You work too hard.”
“Wow, great boss,” Snake said with a laugh. “You all hiring?”
“They’re not,” I said before Holden could answer.
He shot me a look but didn’t argue with my assertion.
“Too bad,” Snake said. “I’m no mechanic, but I’m a real hard worker. Maybe out at the junkyard—”
“Matteo decides your placement,” I cut in. “That’s how the program works.”
“Hey, I’m a self-starter,” Snake said with a shrug. “We’ve got to make our own opportunities in the world, right?”
I clamped a hand on his shoulder and steered him toward the door. “Come on. Let’s go grab a bite and let Holden get back to work.”
“Sure, sure,” he said easily, letting me guide him out of the garage.
As soon as we were outside, I yanked my hand away. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Exactly what I said. I need a job. Thought you could put in a good word for me. You’re tight with Matteo, and you work out here. You could pull some strings.”
I crossed my arms. “Why would I do that?”
“We’re in this Redemption shit together, right?” When I didn’t answer, he narrowed his eyes. “But I could give you another reason.”
“That a threat?”
Snake broke into a laugh. “Nah, man. Look at you. You’d break me in half.”
“I could,” I agreed tersely.
My size hadn’t stopped him from fucking me over in prison. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t stop him out here. He was smart enough not to threaten me when there were no witnesses to save his ass, though.
“Why don’t you give me a tour?” Snake suggested. “We could walk over to the junkyard. You could introduce me to the guy who works out there. He’s a different brother, right? Axel?”
“You’ve done your homework,” I said cautiously.
“Making opportunities. Just like I said.”
It wouldn’t have been hard to find out about the brothers. Some casual small talk at the pool hall would get Snake the inside scoop. Riverton was a small town, and most folks weren’t too shy with their information if it seemed harmless.
Snake was very good at seeming harmless. But I knew he had venom in his veins.
“I’m not going to help you case the joint.”
“Whoa, someone’s suspicious,” Snake said.
“Of you? Always.”
“Fuck you, man. All I’m asking for is a chance to work an honest job.”
“There are lots of jobs out there. Why are you so interested in this one?”
He was silent just long enough for it to click.
“You’re working some kind of angle,” I said.
“Maybe I am,” he said. “You could get a piece of the pie if you play along. It’s easy money.”
“Are you out of your mind?” I hissed. “We’re supposed to be getting our lives back on track.”
“That’s what I’m doing. I want to make some dough so I can get a decent place. I’m not busting my ass for shit wages the rest of my goddamned life.”
I shook my head. “I can’t help you. I’ve got a good thing here.”
He stepped in close. “Yeah, you do. We wouldn’t want anything to fuck that up.”
That was definitely a threat. Damn it.
He backed off, all smiles again. “It’s just a job, man. Nothing illegal about helping a guy out.”
My jaw clenched. “Stay the fuck away from this place, Snake.”
“Just remember how I got the nickname,” he said. “If I need to be a snake to get what I need, I sure as fuck can.”
He got into his old beater and peeled out.
I stood there, seething so hard my fucking hands trembled. I never wanted to hurt anyone again, but Snake tempted me in ways no one else did.
Gray rode into the lot on his bike, back from lunch in town with Emory. He passed Snake’s car on the road, gravel kicking up in a dust cloud, and came to a stop in front of the garage.
He tugged off his helmet. “Hey, man.”
“Hey.”
He paused, watching me. “Are you…going somewhere?”
Right. Standing in the parking lot, staring off into space, was probably a little weird.
I shook my head. “No, uh, I need to talk to you guys, actually.”
My stomach growled.
“You need to eat,” Gray countered. “Have you not taken a break yet?”
“I’ve got a sandwich in the fridge inside.”
“Well, let’s get it,” Gray said. “You can tell me what’s got you looking all squirrely over a beer.”
Fuck. I really hated bringing my con bullshit into my workplace. What if they decided I was more trouble than I was worth?
But there was no alternative. I couldn’t let them get taken in by Snake. That dude was no good. He’d rob them blind or run some sort of illegal operation on their property.
I swallowed hard and followed Gray into the garage.
“Hey, Holden!” Gray bellowed. “Beer break.”
Holden came out of the office, looking perplexed. “You just fucking went on break,” he said. “And Flynn, you’re not supposed to be back at work yet. Christ. I’ve got a slacker and a workaholic.”
Gray flipped him off. “I’m not slacking. Flynn has something that’s bothering him, so we’re gonna chill over a beer and work it out.”
“A problem with the job?” Holden asked, forehead creased. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were unhappy about anything.”
“I didn’t say that,” I cut in quickly. “This is a great job.”
“Oh, well—” Holden broke off to catch the can of beer Gray tossed his way. “Beer break, it is, then.”
Gray grinned. “Knew you’d see it my way.” He handed me my lunch bag, along with a cold beer. “Come on. Let’s go sit.”
I followed the brothers into Holden’s office and took one of the visitor’s chairs across from Holden’s desk. Gray sat down beside me, already cracking open his beer.
“So, what’s going on?” Holden asked.
I set my beer on the desk and dug into my sack lunch so I wouldn’t have to make eye contact. “It’s about that guy who was here.”
“Your friend?”
“He’s not my friend,” I said sharply.
Holden looked taken aback.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. “He’s just trouble, is all.”
“Okay,” Gray said. “He’s not your friend. So, what’s his deal?”
I set the sandwich aside and opened the beer. I took a gulp.
“We did time together. You probably guessed that much, Holden. He’s in the Redemption program.”
Holden nodded. “I kind of figured.”
“He wants a job out here, but he’s up to something. He might convince Matteo to place him out at the junkyard. He can be very persuasive. But you need to say no.”
“You don’t think he deserves a second chance?” Gray asked.
I picked up my sandwich, but I’d lost my appetite. I went for another sip of beer instead.
“Matteo thinks he does,” I admitted. “But he doesn’t know Snake like I do.”
“A name like Snake is hardly encouraging,” Holden murmured.
“Prison nickname. A fitting one,” I said.
“Did you have a nickname?” Gray asked.
“Yeah.” I grimaced. “Dozer.”
“Dozer? As in…”
“Bulldozer, because I’m fucking huge.”
“Oh. That tracks.”
I hated that nickname. I became Dozer in prison because it kept people from fucking with me. Mostly, anyway. But out here, I didn’t want to be that guy.
“I prefer Flynn,” I said quietly.
“Of course,” Holden said. “Whatever you prefer.”
“Snake’s real name is Shane,” I said. “That’s what Matteo will call him.”
“You said Matteo didn’t know him like you did?”
“No. He got out of prison before Snake—Shane—transferred to our cellblock. The guy plays games. He’s manipulative.
He’s all smiles until he stabs you in the back.
He’s working some angle that can’t be good.
I don’t know his plans. I don’t want to know.
Maybe it makes me a snitch, but it didn’t feel right not saying anything to you guys.
If you hire him, he’ll bring trouble with him. ”
“Okay,” Gray said. “Thanks for telling us.”
“We appreciate you being straight with us,” Holden said. “It’s sure as hell not snitching. It’s trust and loyalty. You just showed me you’ve got our backs, and that means a lot.”
Gray slapped my back. “Hell yes. You’re an honorary brother today. Good lookin’ out, Flynn.”
“He probably wouldn’t have even come here if not for me,” I said, uncomfortable with their praise.
“No, you did good,” Holden said. “You were honest. That’s all I ask.”
I hadn’t been honest about being with Bailey, though. I couldn’t be. Not without breaking Bailey’s trust.
He wanted to tell his brothers when he was ready. That was fair. We’d hardly started this relationship, and for all I knew, it could fall apart tomorrow.
But working with them every day, while flirting with Bailey on the phone every night, was doing my head in.
This Snake shit was just compounding it even more. I was starting to wonder if I’d be better off if Holden did fire me. At least then I could date Bailey with a clear conscience.
I liked Holden, Gray, and Axel too damn much to walk out, though. I liked the work too. They’d given me a great opportunity.
I just hoped they didn’t come to regret it.