shop closed up, I’m standing by my car, Rusty holding my hands.
“How was your first day?” he asks with a grin.
“Fine. I think I got a lot done. I organized the accounts payable. Tomorrow I’ll tackle receivables.”
“So, you’re comin’ back then? I was afraid Gully would run you off.”
Ah yes, Gully. The man could talk a cornstalk’s ears off. Twice Rusty had to run him out of the office. He’s old as dirt, grizzled in the way that old bikers are and knows something about almost everything. Not in a bad way… in a been-around-the-block-way. He seems lovable and harmless, but he did suck the efficiency out of my day today. It was fun listening to all his stories, but I didn’t get much done when he was parked on the couch in my office.
I call it my office, but it feels more like Rusty’s office. I’m just using it. Which I guess is what happened with Flo. I’d asked him about it, and he’d said he wasn’t one for sitting anywhere for long periods. He had to get up and move.
I’d asked him why he had such a nice office if he didn’t ever use it. He’d said it was all about setting the right impression for customers. Some lay down tens of thousands of dollars for his custom bikes. He needed to have a place to talk with them and nail down the deal. That wasn’t over the sales counter, and it wasn’t in the noisy garage.
“I’ll be back. I actually enjoyed it. It was fun to organize the files.” I tilt my head to the side and frown. “That sounds crazy, right?”
“Yep. I’m glad you enjoyed it, though. I was afraid you’d hate everything about this place.”
At one point during the afternoon, I’d sat there at his desk, wondering how I’d gone from the lights of Vegas and the world of high rollers to a motorcycle garage run by a dangerous MC. I assumed they were dangerous; I really had no proof of it at the moment. But here I was, oddly comfortable where I’d landed.
I stare up at him. “It’s a world apart from where I came, I can’t deny that, but”—I shrug—“I don’t know, something about it feels right, feels comfortable, you know?”
He chuckles. “Hot Rod, I know exactly that feeling. Just surprised as hell you feel it, too. Pleased, but surprised.”
“Who’d have thought, huh?”
He backs me against the car door. “So, you want the job then? You’ll stick around?”
I suck my lips into my mouth. I’m almost afraid to make any promises. If I say yes, I need to keep my word. I don’t want to be the type to let him down, like Flo. “How about a trial run? Say a month, see where we are at the end?”
He searches my eyes. “I can give you that. A month, then.”
“Um, we never talked about salary.”
“I guess we didn’t. Job pays five bucks over minimum. I know it’s not much, but you also get a bonus at the end of the year tied to profits, if you stick around that long.”
“I see.” It was nothing compared to what I’ve been earning. But I hadn’t really taken the job for the pay, more for something to keep me from climbing the walls with boredom, plus it meant I’d get to see more of Rusty. Win, win. Besides, I had plenty of money to tide me over until I decided what to do. Hiding out from the Rialtos brothers was my main objective, and this was probably as good a place as any. Besides, at least I’d have an ally in Rusty, and who knew if I’d need it. I doubted they could find me, but I really had no idea how motivated they were or what resources they had at their disposal.
“That amount gonna work for you?”
“Yes, for now.”
He grins at my response. “For now, huh? You gonna try to renegotiate this later?”
“I’d be stupid not to at least try, wouldn’t I? After all, every woman should know her own value.”
“I got a feelin’ you’re worth more than I can ever afford.”
I shrug. “Maybe we can work the balance out in trade.”
He bursts out laughing. “Babe, you are one firecracker.” He takes my face in his hands and gives me a kiss that curls my toes. I’m breathless when he releases me and opens my car door. “Be safe. Text me when you get home, okay?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve got some stuff to take care of with the