Bad Wolf (Wild Men 4)
“Why not?”
He shrugs. “No money for rent. I’ll find something cheaper. But first I need to find another job.”
“About that. I had this idea. My brother in law, Matt? He and his brother own a garage. Mancave.”
“You serious? They called the garage Mancave?”
“Ah-huh. Newsflash: my whole family’s sort of crazy.”
His smile returns, fainter. “I believe you. And they’re nice people. Like you.”
Aw, be still my heart. “Yeah, they’re super nice. Matt and Kaden, his brother, have been expanding their business. They just took on a new mechanic, Evan, but they need more help. My sister was helping them out in the office, but now with the baby she’s out of commission for a while, and they’ve been looking for an assistant to take her place. I figured you could do that. Until you find something better.”
Hope flashes in his eyes. Then it dims again. “Why would they hire me? They barely know me, and I don’t want any favors.”
“It’s not a favor when it’s for the family.”
I stop. Have I gone too far?
But he’s only giving me a strange look. “Okay. I’ll ask.” And then he smiles, his eyes crinkling. “Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jarett
So here I am, cleaned up as best I can, standing outside the Hansen Brothers Garage, nervous as hell.
I’d much rather put my fist through a wall than ask Gigi’s family for favors. They owe me nothing. Nobody owes me. But I need a job, this job, or I’ll never be able to leave the gang.
I know that now. That I need to leave. Breaking ties won’t be easy, but that this is a first step. Because I’ve seen Gigi’s family, I’ve seen what a real family is like, and I fucking want that.
With Gigi.
The thought doesn’t shock me anymore. The thought of being with her. It’s been on my mind practically since I met her that first night in that club.
And if I want to be really fucking honest with myself, since I met her.
Still, it makes me stop and close my eyes, think of her. Think about it all, how my life has changed with her, how my thoughts cleared and the world turned fucking bright with her.
My girl.
Someone is coming toward me from inside the garage, and I make myself move. It’s a blond guy, and I vaguely recognize him as Matt Hansen’s brother, Kaden.
“Hey. Did you wanna come inside?” He grins at
me, easy and confident, and wipes his greasy hands on his overalls. “Wait a minute, I know you. Aren’t you…?”
“Jarett. Jarett Fenris.” I somehow never got used to Lowe. And after all, legally, I’m not a Lowe, nor have I ever been. I also never use my real parents’ name, Randall. That time feels like someone else’s life. So distant from who I was.
From who I am.
“Kaden Hansen.” He shakes my hand. “Matt said we were expecting you. Come on inside.”
He leads me through the yard and a bay packed with cars in various stages of repair, into a narrow office, the desk piled up with papers and a computer.
Matt, bear man, stands up to shake my hand, too. His grip is crushing. I’m a tall guy, but he’s taller, and wider, built like a wrestler.
“Gigi said you’d come by.” He releases my hand and scratches at his dark beard. “I need someone who can use a computer, can issue invoices and receipts, someone organized who will put some order in the mess I’ve made.” He shoots a rueful glance at the piles of papers. “Even better someone who knows a thing or two about cars.”