The dangling ceiling tile drops to the floor with a bang, and we all jump.
Keno jabs a finger at me. “See? That coulda been you.”
I roll my eyes and fling a hand out at it. “Well, now I have to go back up there.” I stomp toward it and snatch it off the floor.
Keno takes it. “I’ll do it, for Christ’s sake.” He scrambles up the ladder, jams it in place with no trouble, and comes down, snapping the ladder closed. “Where’s this go?”
“I’ll take it,” Ray says, and I’m sure he’s in a hurry to retreat, so I give him a chore.
“Could you double-check our Heineken stock while you’re back there? The supplier called to see if we needed more on this week’s delivery.”
“Sure.” He makes a quick exit, and Keno stands with his hands on his hips, watching his retreat with disdain.
“Can’t you get better help than that?”
I fold my arms. “Ray is a great employee. Never misses a day. You need to mind your own business.”
“Darlin’, for now, everything about you and this place is my business. Which brings me to why I’m here. Grab your jacket.”
“Why? I’ve got work to do.”
“It’ll wait. Got somewhere I need to take you.”
“Says who? Rock?”
“No, but I can make that call if you need it to come from him.”
I shake my head. “What are you talking about? Go where?”
“See about improving the security here.”
I assume he’s talking about putting in an alarm or more locks, so I stomp toward the back and poke my head into the storeroom. “Ray, I’ve got to run out. Can you let the glass guy in when he gets here?”
“Sure, Maggie. No problem. Can I talk to you about something?” His eyes go over my shoulder to Keno when he asks me.
I glance back at Keno.
“I’ll wait outside,” he grumbles.
When he’s gone, I turn to Ray. “What’s up?”
“Are you going off with him?”
“Yeah. Something about adding security. It shouldn’t take long.”
“Please be careful. These guys are dangerous.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him.
“They’re not the kind of men you mess around with, Maggie.”
“I know.”
“Do you? I’m worried about you.”
“I can take care of myself. Keno’s not a bad guy, and Rock would never let any of his men hurt me.”
“Still. Be careful.”
