Chapter 53
Victor
“Hey, Kid, the tires for that asswipe prosecutor’s Corvette are here.” I can hear the irritation in Tony’s voice over the speakers in my car. “I still can’t believe you told him to come here to get his shit fixed.”
“Tony, you were the one who slashed his tires in the first place.” I can’t help the wide grin spreading across my face.
Before James’s hearing, after shit went down with Gabbi and that Chad-douche, I gave Tony a quick rundown of the situation.
After the hearing, Tony took it upon himself to help the guy out with a new set of tires, the old-fashioned way, a knife and four punctures.
“Man, you know I couldn’t stop myself from offering to help at our shop.
You know, where we have places without any cameras.
” I’m pretty sure Tony can hear the vengeance in my voice.
Tony’s voice lightens as if he’s now understanding my thought process. His voice sounds chipper, “That is an excellent thing to do, Kid, you are such a gentleman.” A low chuckle reverberates through the car.
“Isn’t it? Anyway, J asked me to give him a ride his first week.
He said he would find rides from then on.
I’m on my way to grab him. J and I will put the tires on that piece of shit’s car, then I’ll give the chode a call to let him know he can come pick up his small-dick-compensating-corvette.
” Disdain seeps into my voice. I want to fucking kill this dude.
“Alright, man, see you when you get here.” I hear a click signaling the end of the call and turn up the stereo, blasting All-American Rejects’ Give You Hell. Not my favorite, but definitely timely.
After showing James around the shop and introducing him to everyone, we spent about an hour putting the new tires on the gold Corvette, that’s right, I said gold.
After delaying a couple more hours, I finally gave Chad a call to let him know his car was ready.
Now I wait for that smug-faced motherfucker to get here so I can set his ass straight.
“Hey, King?” James hollers as he walks out to the bay where I’m waiting.
“What’s up?” I respond, looking over at him.
“Um, nothing, but I was just wondering about that chick, Jessi.” Oh Jesus.
“Yeah? What about her?”
“She’s kinda um…?” James’s face scrunches up in irritation, and a bark of laughter explodes out of my mouth. “I mean she seems nice and looks hot AF, but I ain’t tryna get in no trouble, ya know?”
I wrangle in my laughter and grip both of James’s shoulders, “Yeah, man, I know. Just let her know that you’re not into it, and if she doesn’t back off, just let her know that my wife can always come down and talk to her.
” My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. Ever since that day in the storage room, Jessi basically tucks tail and runs if anyone even speaks of Gabbi.
James nods with a bit of confusion on his face, “Long story.”
Just then, James and I see a black SUV pull up to the garage, and I tense, knowing exactly who’s about to get out. The doors open, and the human parasite himself steps out. James stiffens next to me, “Relax, bud, he can’t do shit to you.”
“Mr. Kovac, good to see you’re following the judge’s orders.” This snide mother fucker. The way he says James’s name, like that special agent off the Matrix, makes me want to bust his jaw.
“Chad, great to see you.” I greet him with a “prim and proper accent,” stepping up and reaching out my hand, effectively blocking James from any more interactions with him.
“J, why don’t you go take a break. How ‘bout you head down to the corner store and grab some drinks for everyone? My wallet is in the console of my truck.” I hand James my keys.
The kid doesn’t need to be here for this.
As James nods and walks away, Chad steps closer to me, “Brave man, letting a hoood-lum have access to your car and money like that.” He scoffs, pushing his shoulders back. This asshole.
I just shrug, “He’s never given me a reason not to trust him.
” Chad’s mouth moves into a sneer, but before another piece of garbage falls out of his lips, I speak again.
“Your car is set to go; it’s out back. I’ll let Tony know to bring it around, and you can follow me to settle the bill.
I turn and head toward the service area, and Chad follows.
“You know,” Here it comes, I knew he couldn’t help himself.
“It’s rather nice of you to offer to have my car towed here from the courthouse.
” I give him a short glance over my shoulder and can see a shitty grin start to grab the corner of his mouth.
“I just mean after what Gabriella told you about us.” And there it is.
“Oh?” I pretend like I have no idea what he is talking about, continuing to walk toward the counter.
His smugness falters a bit, but then he pushes on, “I’m sorry, I assumed she told you the other day.”
“Told me?” I walk around the other side of the counter to the computer, flicking my head at Jessi to let her know to get out of here, which she does promptly.
Chad’s teeth show through his wide grin now, like a Disney villain. “Yes, told you about…us.” I continue holding a look of confusion on my face. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Mr. Scott, but your wife and I have been having an affair.”
I gasp, “Really?!? Oh my god.” Layin’ it on pretty thick there, Vic. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at my own behavior. Then this mother fucker chuckles and hands me his credit card.
“I’m sorry she hasn’t told you, but you know our girl, she isn’t a huge fan of confrontations.
” Our girl? I’m gonna fucking kill this guy.
I can feel heat consume my entire body. Hold it together, Vic.
Just wait til the transaction goes through.
I’m not cutting the shop out of the $2500 this asshole just spent to fix his car.
Just then, the computer shows a box that says approved, and now I can finally deal with this fucker.
“Well, Chad, here’s your card. You are all paid up.
I was wondering, though, do you think we could speak somewhere a little more private so you can tell me everything that’s going on with Gabbi?
I just want to understand since she probably won’t tell me the truth.
” His smile is almost caring, like he’s gonna explain to a little kid that their pet died.
“Sure thing, sport.” Sport? Who is this guy, Jay Gatsby? I lead Chad into the storage closet. No cameras. The guy is a fucking prosecutor after all. I also happen to leave my mechanic’s gloves on for this conversation.
As soon as the door shuts behind him, I spin, grab the lapels of his overpriced suit, and slam him against the door. “Wh-what the fuck?” Chad sputters, eyes wide in shock. “What the fuck are you doing? Don’t you know who I am?”
With my face about an inch from his, I let him know exactly who he is, “Oh, I know who the fuck you are, and this is me not giving a shit. Gabbi told me exactly what happened between you two.” I slam him against the wall again, his head bouncing forward.
“She told me that you’re a psycho and that you basically stalked and harassed her, you prick! ”
Chad smiles at my statement, which only pisses me off more. “The bitch is lying.” Fire burns through my entire body at his calm words, and my forehead flies straight into his nose. Blood stars gushing from both nostrils. “FUCK! You just broke my nose!”
“Yeah, Chad, I fuckin’ did. Let this be a warning to you.
I do not care who you are or who your fuckin’ daddy is.
If you come near my wife again, if you text her, if you run into her on the street.
If you so much as whisper her fucking name, I will show up at your house in the middle of the night,” I move my face closer, looking him directly in the eyes, “and I will slit your fucking throat.”
Chad’s eyes widen like a cartoon character. “You just assaulted and threatened a state prosecutor! I’m going to press charges!”
I smile at his righteous tone. “Yeah? Prove it.” I let Chad go and back up a few steps, throwing a storage rack on the floor. A giant clang echoes through the room while cleaning supplies and car parts spill everywhere. Chad looks at me with confusion, “TONY!” I holler. “HEY, TONY!”
Tony opens the storage room door, bumping into the back of Chad. “What’s up, Ki…oh shit, what happened in here?”
“Your lunatic mechanic assaulted me, then threatened my life!” Chad whines.
Tony steps into the room fully, all 6’4” of him towering over Chad.
“Gosh, sir, it looks like you followed our mechanic into the storage closet, where we don’t have any cameras, and messed with some of our shelving that subsequently fell on you.
I actually have to ask you to leave since customers are not supposed to be back here.
You seem to have brought this danger on yourself.
” Chad’s mouth falls open in astonishment.
His face turning red, Chad throws his hand toward me and points, “He fucking told me to come in here! You have that on camera!” I can see his body vibrating with fury, all the while trying to hold his nose to stunt the bleeding.
Tony’s eyes go soft, and his shoulders curl in like he’s trying to comfort a scared child.
“Oh gee, sir, all our cameras recorded from out there was one of our employees finishing your transaction, then leaving to go to our storage closet, looks like you chose to follow him in here on your own accord.” Chad continues to stand there, slack-jawed.
Just then, Tony’s eyes go sharp, and he steps into Chad’s face, craning his neck a bit to look him in the eye, “Now get the fuck out of my garage, before I call one of my sheriff friends and let them know about your disturbing behavior of harassing my employees and trashing my shop.” With his last word, Tony reaches his hand up, dangling Chad’s keys from the key ring on his finger.
Chad remains frozen for another few seconds, then snatches the keys from Tony’s hand and storms out.
“Well, that went well,” Tony smirks at me.
“Yeah, I thought it was a pretty productive interaction.” I can’t help but smile back. “Wanna help me clean this up?”
Tony rolls his eyes and begins grabbing stuff off the floor. “The things I do for friends.”