Page 13 of Mechanic

Running my hands through my hair in frustration, the painting crew looks at each other. None of them are answering my question, knowing whoever speaks first is the one my anger will be focused on.

“Get your fucking boss on the phone,” I yell.

Waving my hand around the hallway, my rant continues. “This is unacceptable. Our color scheme is red, white, and black, with silver! Whoever ordered this nineteen-seventies orange needs to be punched in the mouth.”

My phone rings, and without looking to see who’s calling, I swipe to accept the call.

“What?!” I bark into the phone.

“Hello to you too, asshole,” Aymond’s amused voice sounds in my ear. “What’s going on? You don’t normally get flustered,” he questions, all traces of humor gone from his voice.

Once Aymond hears my reason for the angry answer, he is just as pissed off.

“How could they fuck the paint color up so badly?”

Scoffing at his question, I ask one of my own, not having an answer to give him. “Why were they stupid enough to paint all of the hotel hallways this nasty-ass color?”

Our griping about the lack of common sense these days continues for several minutes as I stomp off to my office.

“How is the casino coming along?” Aymond asks, pulling the conversation back on track.

“Good, everything passed the final inspection. Thankfully, they sent a different person out here to do it. She got it checked in no time.”

“Thank goodness for small miracles,” Aymond chuckles out, knowing how irritating the previous inspector was.

“Equipment is getting installed,” I tell him. “Security starts next week. They will be on-site twenty-four seven. Machines are being delivered and installed next week. The security system and cameras are online. Next week, the tables will be set up,” I pause to take a breath, mentally running through my list.

“What about food service?” he asks.

“The kitchens are set up. We won’t be getting any fresh deliveries until two days before opening. This will allow for ordering and pick errors. It should also cut back on waste. Frozen products and dry goods arrive tomorrow.”

Aymond hums his agreement on the fresh food delivery. Taking a moment, he fires a bunch of other questions at me.

“How is the liquor? What about the computers, ATMs, and change machines?”

“Computer system is all finished. Tablets are also online and charging. The ATMs and change machines are installed, but are currently empty. Armored car service is coming the day before we open to load everything, including the vault and cage. They are bringing the poker chips on the same day. One of their vault bosses is overseeing the process.” Sweat prickles on the back of my neck as the thoughts of so much currency arriving at once.

“I will give Chayce a call. He and his deputies can help with guarding the armored cars,” Aymond says.

“You are on a first-name basis with the town sheriff?” I ask, my tone rising in shock. Narrowing my eyes at him—not that he can see my expression—the next words out of my mouth are a bit sharper than intended. “Just whatdidthe two of you talk about?”

Aymond deflects my question, making me anxious for some reason. He usually doesn’t hide things from me.

Pushing my concerns away—for now—I focus back on our conversation and our ever-expanding punch list of things to do before we open for business.

Chapter 10

Antonia

For the past two weeks, I feel like I am being watched. It is subtle, but the weight of someone’s eyes on me is heavy.

Shawna knows something is wrong and has confronted me about it several times. So far, I have been successful at putting her off, unsure of how or what to even tell her.

My dealer’s license arrived in the mail last week. It shocked me that it was processed so quickly. After providing it to the offices of the Wildfire, they made my transfer official.

Tonight is my last night as a cocktail waitress, and tomorrow is my first day as a dealer.

Shawna insisted we have a celebratory drink after my shift ends. Finally having something to celebrate, I couldn’t tell her no.

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