Chapter Six #3
“It’s a Salvage yard, although we do a lot more than just crushing cars. We also salvage parts and do a little bit of asset recovery. I’ll take you there and show you around. Are you cool with hanging out for a few hours while I get a little work done?”
“Yeah, I can get familiar with everything while you work.”
“Good idea. Here, baby. Put these on to protect your eyes,” he insists, handing me a pair of wraparound sunglasses. As the bike roars to life, I slide on my shades and hold on tight, excited to start this new adventure.
An hour after showing me around the building and explaining what I’ll be doing, I start having serious doubts about these guys.
I don’t have words to explain how messy this place is.
It’s a lot like Sparrow’s house was before I cleaned it.
How they managed to get anything done in that office, I’ll never know.
There are parts lying around everywhere.
On the floor, in the corner, at the counter, sitting on top of the water cooler.
Literally, on every surface in this place, even places where they shouldn’t be.
It makes no sense because they have this massive warehouse with rows and rows of shelving.
The only problem is that the shelves are all bare because someone neglected to put all the shit away.
Clearly, I’m not understanding the method to the madness around here.
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to put all this stuff on those?” I ask, pointing to the shelves.
“Yes, but as soon as I get the parts salvaged, another vehicle always shows up. It’s been a vicious cycle for the last couple of years.
Which is why we need you. Think you can get all this shit organized.
” Biting my lip, I scan the room again and take in just how big this project is. It’s truly a massive undertaking.
“I think I can handle it.”
“Good. I’ll leave you to it. If you need me, I’ll be through that door stripping a jeep in bay two, yeah?”
“Okay.” I start to move towards the counter, figuring this will be the best place to start, when Sparrow grips the back pocket of my jeans and pulls me backward. I giggle when he wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face in my neck.
“Want that mouth before you go, Birdie,” he growls before nipping at my ear. Lost for words, I do what any sane woman would. I spin around in his arms and give him my mouth. When he pulls away, we’re both panting for breath. Damn, the man can kiss.
Pushing the hair away from my face, he caresses my cheek with the back of his hand as he whispers, “So goddamn beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I know it’s only been a short time, but the way he continually does these sweet things shows me the kind of man he really is. With a grin and a pat on my bottom, he tells me to get to work as he heads out into the shop to start on his own projects.
Moving behind the counter, I plant my hands on my hips and take in the rows and rows of shelves that run the expanse of the warehouse. They’re all numbered, a lot like a Dewey Decimal system, and the parts have matching numbers and a barcode.
“This is going to take forever,” I mumble to myself as I get started scanning the barcodes and filling crates. Once I find a rhythm, things start to go quickly. They’d go even faster if I didn’t have to stop to answer the phone.
In the few hours I’ve been organizing parts, I’ve had to dispatch Wrath to two wrecks and a bank repo. I have also had to explain and then re-explain to a few customers that even though I have a vagina, I know we have the parts they’re looking for.
“Sierra! Get the hell down from there! Have you lost your damn mind? Sparrow!” Wrath’s booming voice scares the shit out of me, causing me to teeter on the high shelf I’m standing on. Steadying myself, I look down and glare at the ass for sneaking up on me.
“Are YOU crazy? You can’t sneak up on me like that!” I shout back as Braxton comes barreling down the row.
“Woman! Get the hell down from there!” Rolling my eyes, I start my descent, only to have Braxton snatch me off the shelving rung once I’m within reach.
“Have you lost your mind, Birdie? You scared the shit out of me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was fine until Wrath snuck up on me.”
“There’s a rolling ladder back there, baby. Don’t climb on the rungs anymore. Promise me.” When Braxton pulls me into his chest, I can feel his heart beating erratically and realize how much I really scared him. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hug him back.
“Sorry, Sierra. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Wrath says as he takes in all the progress I’ve made in the last few hours. “Damn, girl. Good job. You’ve really put a dent in the inventory.”
“Thanks.” I smile.
“Birdie, are you about ready to get out of here?”
“Yeah. I’m getting hungry.”
“Wrath, you want to come to the diner with us?” Braxton asks.
“As long as your woman doesn’t mind,” he answers, making me blush. We haven’t really discussed labels, but hearing Wrath call me Braxton’s woman feels right.
“Just ignore him, baby. We’ll get there when you’re ready.”
“I’m already there,” I admit. The look on his face shows me how much that means to him. Since we have an audience, I quickly kiss Braxton’s lips and head for the door.