Page 10 of Ace of Spades

"How'd you know that was mine?" I ask, taking the eye patch and slipping it into my back pocket.

"Heard a guy inside grumbling about how Levi Steele can’t be bothered to just have a little fun as he tossed it in the trash.”

Fucking Carter.

“What were you doing out here anyway?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“Avoiding people,” she slips her hands into her pockets and assesses the area around us. “Kinda failed, though.”

“Anyone in particular you’re trying to avoid?” I pry.

“Yeah,” her eyes meet mine. “You, actually.”

Me? What the hell did I do?

“Is… there a reason?”

“Several. But mostly, you’re Levi Steele.”

“I am,” I say, now more confused.

“And this is your garage.”

“It is.”

“So that must mean you didn’t find me fit to work here,” she finally says.

Ah shit.

“Right, you must be the kid Benji interviewed.”

“I’m not a kid, Mr. Steele.” No, she most definitely is not.

We stay staring at each other, a few feet apart but it feels like an invisible string is pulling us together.

I run my hand over the back of my neck.

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a job. There are plenty of shops on the mainland.”

We didn’t hire her. She’s hurt because she didn’t get the foreman job.

But could she blame me? I didn’t bat an eye when Benji told me how young she is. But now that I know she looks like sin—the last thing I need is someone drawing the wrong kind of attention to my business.

She doesn’t say anything, just watches me with a gleam in her eye.

“And I’m sorry for the way those guys treated you back there. They shouldn't have done that."

She nods in agreement and steps up to me, again. Suddenly, I'm engulfed in the smell of sweet florals, something I'm not expecting considering her look of pure female badassery.

"Just so you know. I'm more than capable of fighting my own battles, Mr. Steele."

I take a step back and study her to make sure she's being serious.

"Well, you looked really uncomfortable with their… advances."

"Harassment. Let's just call a spade a spade, shall we?" she says, closing the gap I just created. "Which is why…" another grin stretches across her flawless face, "I slashed their tires."

She says it so nonchalant that I wonder if I heard her correctly.

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