“Nah, I just came by to say hi to my old friend here and see if he wanted to grab lunch.” He raised his hands. “But hey, if he’s busy, I’ll clear out. I don’t want to get him in trouble at work.”
“No trouble,” Holden said. “Go catch up with your friend, Flynn. You work too hard.”
“Wow, great boss,” Snake said with a laugh. “You all hiring?”
“They’re not,” I said before Holden could answer.
He shot me a look but didn’t argue with my assertion.
“Too bad,” Snake said. “I’m no mechanic, but I’m a real hard worker. Maybe out at the junkyard?—”
“Matteo decides your placement,” I cut in. “That’s how the program works.”
“Hey, I’m a self-starter,” Snake said with a shrug. “We’ve got to make our own opportunities in the world, right?”
I clamped a hand on his shoulder and steered him toward the door. “Come on. Let’s go grab a bite and let Holden get back to work.”
“Sure, sure,” he said easily, letting me guide him out of the garage.
As soon as we were outside, I yanked my hand away. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Exactly what I said. I need a job. Thought you could put in a good word for me. You’re tight with Matteo,andyou work out here. You could pull some strings.”
I crossed my arms. “Why would I do that?”
“We’re in this Redemption shit together, right?” When I didn’t answer, he narrowed his eyes. “But I could give you another reason.”
“That a threat?”
Snake broke into a laugh. “Nah, man. Look at you. You’d break me in half.”
“I could,” I agreed tersely.
My size hadn’t stopped him from fucking me over in prison. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t stop him out here. He was smart enough not to threaten me when there were no witnesses to save his ass, though.
“Why don’t you give me a tour?” Snake suggested. “We could walk over to the junkyard. You could introduce me to the guy who works out there. He’s a different brother, right? Axel?”
“You’ve done your homework,” I said cautiously.
“Making opportunities. Just like I said.”
It wouldn’t have been hard to find out about the brothers. Some casual small talk at the pool hall would get Snake the inside scoop. Riverton was a small town, and most folks weren’t too shy with their information if it seemed harmless.
Snake was very good atseemingharmless. But I knew he had venom in his veins.
“I’m not going to help you case the joint.”
“Whoa, someone’s suspicious,” Snake said.
“Of you? Always.”
“Fuck you, man. All I’m asking for is a chance to work an honest job.”
“There are lots of jobs out there. Why are you so interested in this one?”
He was silent just long enough for it to click.
“You’re working some kind of angle,” I said.
