Chapter Two
Naya walked into the automotive garage where she worked. The owner, Mark Landry, was already in his office, which was in a room off the front waiting area.
He glanced up from his computer when she came to his door. “Good morning, Naya. There are a bunch of invoices that need to be typed into the computer.”
“Good morning. I’ll get right on that.”
He nodded and returned to his work.
Naya went back into the small lobby and slid her purse into the bottom shelf of the tall counter she worked at. Her main job was to prepare invoices for customers who came in and to collect their payment upon completion. She got to work.
The bell over the door chimed, gaining her attention.
Her heart stopped when the three huge bikers strolled through the door.
The men had been in several times since she started working for Mark.
They had terrified her at first, but she’d slowly relaxed when she got to know them better, and the fact that her boss had known them a long time and trusted them, helped ease her fear.
The first and biggest one stopped in front of her and grinned.
“Hey, babe.”
She cleared her throat. “Hi, Dutch.”
Dutch tilted his head to the side and studied her. “You look thinner and more tired than you did just a few days ago.”
Naya looked away.
“Babe. Look at me,” Dutch said.
Her head jerked toward him, and she could feel the heat of a blush cover her face.
“Fuck,” he swore. “I’ve never seen someone blush as much as you do.”
“I’m sorry.”
He scowled. “Nothing to be sorry about. It’s just that you’re, what ... twenty-one?”
“Twenty-two,” she told him.
“Hell. I can’t remember ever seeing a child blush as much as you.”
Her mouth opened and closed.
“Yo, Dutch,” Mark called from his office.
“I’m coming,” Dutch said. “I’ll be seeing you,” he said to her.
She nodded.
The three men walked into Mark’s office and closed the door. She heard the murmur of voices but couldn’t make out the words. She wasn’t sure what business Mark and Dutch had, but she guessed it was illegal, given how secretive they always were.
She’d also seen evidence of it on the computer.
She wasn’t an accountant, but some things didn’t make sense.
She’d never have the guts to ask or even investigate, so she’d thought of getting another job.
But the garage was only seven blocks from her apartment, and she didn’t have far to walk, and she made decent enough money—more than she would have anywhere else.
Naya was so absorbed in the computer that she missed the door to the automotive area opening and closing. It was when she felt the heat of a body pressed against her back that she realized she wasn’t alone. She knew right away who it was by the scent of stale sweat, gasoline, and nicotine.
“Wyatt,” she said as she jerked away from him. She jumped from the stool and backed away when he grinned. “I’ve asked you to stop touching me.”
His grin spread. “But, darling, you haven’t given me a chance yet.”
This man, the garage manager, was someone she had disliked from the very beginning, and her dislike for him had only deepened, and her fear of him had grown.
“And I’ve told you it will never happen.”
His head tilted to the side. “And I’ve told you I’m not giving up.”
The tilt of his head looked conniving on this man, whereas when Dutch did it, it somehow looked ... sexy.
“You have to because I’m not changing my mind,” she said, trying to sound stern, but she knew she failed because she couldn’t help the tremor that shook her words.
Wyatt took another slow step toward her but stopped suddenly when the office door opened, and Dutch walked out. He looked back and forth, must have seen the fear on her face, and scowled, turning to face Wyatt.
“Do you have a fucking problem?” he asked.
Naya was pleased to see Wyatt stiffen and fear darken his eyes.
Wyatt raised his hands. “No, man. I just came in for some paperwork.”
Dutch turned to her. “Is he bothering you, babe?”
The words got stuck in her throat when a furious light flashed in Wyatt’s eyes. She knew if she said anything, she could very well lose her job. She swallowed and shook her head. “No, everything’s good.”
Dutch looked skeptical but didn’t say another word. He pinched her chin. “I’ll be seeing you, babe.”
Naya just nodded, returned to her seat, and concentrated on the computer, aware that Wyatt hadn’t left the room yet.
Her shoulders drooped when she caught him leaving the office, and she was thankful he hadn’t continued their conversation.
Maybe it had to do with the fact that Mark’s office door was open, so he’d hear anything that was said.
For the rest of the day, she was able to stay away from Wyatt even when he tried to corner her.
By the time she made it to the bar to start her second job, she was a nervous wreck. She would jump at the slightest touch from anyone.
When she finally locked the doors of her apartment, she felt physically ill from the stress of the harassment and the fact she had hardly eaten anything that day.
She knew if she didn’t take care of herself, she could end up sick, and if she missed work, she’d end up on the streets.
Naya made herself eat a peanut butter sandwich before showering and then falling into bed.
Her last thought was that she’d have to find a way to keep Wyatt away from her, which seemed impossible since they worked at the same place. But something had to be done before he ended up hurting her.