Wrench - Steele Riders

“Oh my goodness. Did you get laid or something? You’re flush as hell. Is the dirty mechanic back? He’s ruggedly hot. Although, I’m not sure he’s wealthy. Too bad the two Steele brothers are already married. Now those are two rich men I’d love to marry.”

“Girl, there’s more to life than money and there’s a lot more to Si—Wrench than money.”

“Damn, you have it bad. Pathetic. Next time he comes in, I’m going to get his attention for myself.” She adjusts her bra, pushing up her small chest.

This little girl is pissing me off. “You’re not even legal yet. Get that through your pretty but empty head. Excuse me.”

I step out of the bathroom, forgetting all about the way I look. It’s obvious my emotions are written all over my face. I walk to my department’s backroom to get the cereals ready to stock only to find the manager looking for me with panic in his eyes.

I’m supposed to be stocking shelves today and not moving pallets anymore, so I wonder why he’s coming to speak to me again. “Mac, you have to stay back here. There’s a man looking for you, but from the tone in his voice, he’s dangerous.”

“Who?” I feel all the blood drain from my face; my hands shake and my heart’s pounding out of control.

“I don’t know. He refused to give me his name, but he had a picture of you and was showing it around,” he says.

“Someone’s going to tell him where I am.” I walk over to the backroom doors of the produce department. There’s a plexiglass window I can see through and I catch sight of my uncle’s muscle, Johnny Boy. Fuck. I see Vanessa coming out at the same time.

I point toward the little brat. “She’s going to tell him.”

“No she won’t,” he snarls, stepping out of the backroom. “Vanessa, come here right now.” She does meekly before she can reach that asshole. “If you talk to that man you will be fired. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

She walks away, and I go to the hidden corner of the room, shaking uncontrollably. Mitchell comes back in and says, “I’ve asked him to leave the store. I don’t want him harassing my customers.”

“Thank you,” I stammer out, my voice shaking. I close my eyes and try to get myself under control. I thought I was safe for so long. One whole year has gone, but maybe I should have left the state.

“Stay here as long as you need. Maybe you should call Mr. West, or I can call him if you’d like,” he offers which is extremely kind, considering I’ve been a shitty employee lately.

“I’ll call him. Thank you.”

“No problem.” When he walks out of the back I pull my phone out, dropping it because my hands are too unsteady. I pick it up, praying it’s not broken. Breathing a sigh of relief when I turn it over and there’s not even a scratch on it.

Standing on weak legs, I steal another glance out and I don’t see him there anymore. Still, I’m staying put. How did they find me here? Is my uncle here too?Chapter 5WrenchI stand up and pace my office, unable to concentrate on anything until I have some damn answers. Something tells me that it has to be the reason she avoided me all these months. It’s obvious the second we met that she’s attracted to me and hell her roommate outed her late night strumming sessions. Fuck, that only makes my dick hard when I’m supposed to concentrate.

I punch the wall, feeling a fucking thousand things. My phone rings and I pick it up without looking. “Tell me you got answers.”

“Answers?” Mackenzie’s soft voice says.

“Dash, what’s up?”

“Um…I know you’re busy, but can you come pick me up now?” Fuck, I hear her voice shake.

“What happened? Don’t tell me that bastard fired you?” I snarl. I’ll kill Mitchell with my bare hands. More rage fills my gut as I think about her voice filled with anxiety.

“No. Um…can you please? I’ll be waiting in the back of the produce cooler.” What the fuck?

“Tell me what’s going on?”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t bother you,” she deflects.

“No. You need to call me always. I’m here for you and nothing’s going to change that. I’m on my way, Dash. Don’t fucking move.” I’m already down the stairs and out of the garage before anyone can stop me.

I rush to the store, taking the back road there like a bat out of hell. Thankfully, I get there in five minutes. I storm through the store and find my woman hiding in the produce cooler.

She’s shaking, grabbing onto me. “I’m sorry, Simon. I’m sorry.” I press her head to my chest and lead her out of the cooler and into the backroom.

“Don’t be.” I brush her hair behind her ear and stare at her tearstained face. I’m going to destroy someone. “I need to know what’s going on, but first let’s get you out of here.”