“Maybe I am,” he said. “You could get a piece of the pie if you play along. It’s easy money.”
“Are you out of your mind?” I hissed. “We’re supposed to be getting our lives back on track.”
“That’s what I’m doing. I want to make some dough so I can get a decent place. I’m not busting my ass for shit wages the rest of my goddamned life.”
I shook my head. “I can’t help you. I’ve got a good thing here.”
He stepped in close. “Yeah, you do. We wouldn’t want anything to fuck that up.”
That was definitely a threat. Damn it.
He backed off, all smiles again. “It’s just a job, man. Nothing illegal about helping a guy out.”
My jaw clenched. “Stay the fuck away from this place, Snake.”
“Just remember how I got the nickname,” he said. “If I need to be a snake to get what I need, I sure as fuck can.”
He got into his old beater and peeled out.
I stood there, seething so hard my fucking hands trembled. I never wanted to hurt anyone again, but Snake tempted me in ways no one else did.
Gray rode into the lot on his bike, back from lunch in town with Emory. He passed Snake’s car on the road, gravel kicking up in a dust cloud, and came to a stop in front of the garage.
He tugged off his helmet. “Hey, man.”
“Hey.”
He paused, watching me. “Are you…going somewhere?”
Right. Standing in the parking lot, staring off into space, was probably a little weird.
I shook my head. “No, uh, I need to talk to you guys, actually.”
My stomach growled.
“You need to eat,” Gray countered. “Have you not taken a break yet?”
“I’ve got a sandwich in the fridge inside.”
“Well, let’s get it,” Gray said. “You can tell me what’s got you looking all squirrely over a beer.”
Fuck. I really hated bringing my con bullshit into my workplace. What if they decided I was more trouble than I was worth?
But there was no alternative. I couldn’t let them get taken in by Snake. That dude was no good. He’d rob them blind or run some sort of illegal operation on their property.
I swallowed hard and followed Gray into the garage.
“Hey, Holden!” Gray bellowed. “Beer break.”
Holden came out of the office, looking perplexed. “You just fucking went on break,” he said. “And Flynn, you’re not supposed to be back at work yet. Christ. I’ve got a slacker and a workaholic.”
Gray flipped him off. “I’m not slacking. Flynn has something that’s bothering him, so we’re gonna chill over a beer and work it out.”
“A problem with the job?” Holden asked, forehead creased. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were unhappy about anything.”
“I didn’t say that,” I cut in quickly. “This is a great job.”
“Oh, well—” Holden broke off to catch the can of beer Gray tossed his way. “Beer break, it is, then.”
