Page 9 of Wood Riddance
I led Finn to the far end of the shop, across from the massive garage doors where we loaded equipment, to a small, windowless office. Inside was an old steel desk and a chair that had seen better days.
“This is you,” I said. “Ellen will get you a computer and any of the tech you need to play with your toys.”
He laughed.
“Something funny?” I shifted, putting my hands on my hips. I didn’t care that he towered over me. I would not be disrespected in my shop.
“I’m not here to offend you,” he said with a shake of his head.
My eye twitched, and the anger that had slowed to a simmer in my gut heated a fraction. I did not have time for this shit.
“Take a look around,” I said, holding one arm out. “This is my shop, my team, my equipment. Touch anything, move anything, or even look at any of it the wrong way, and I will break all of your fingers. Understood?”
He nodded, pressing his lips together. “What a warm welcome.”
I was in no mood for sarcasm from the hot guy who no doubt hadn’t had to work for much in his life because of his good looks and his rich criminal daddy.
“I don’t want you here. I don’t trust you or your shit-for-brains corrupt family. But this is business. So in the spirit of business, get in my way and you’re done. I don’t care what my softie brother says. Do your thing and then get out.”
“Yes, your majesty.” The asshole actually bowed his head.
“I’m watching you, Hebert.”
I turned on my heel and left him in the dingy room, then headed across the open area to the boards. On the far wall, six whiteboards tracked what was coming in and out and who was assigned to which jobs.
He-Man trotted over to me and brushed up against my leg. I bent down to pick him up, my heart calming the moment he brought his nose to the crook of my neck and gave me a good sniff. I’d found him, skinny, matted, and terrified, hidden under a truck last year, and I’d fell in love instantly. Scratching behind his ear, I hugged him close, feeling his body relax in my arms. His proximity calmed me as effectively, and right now I needed to be calm. I needed to be in control.
Estrella, my number two, sauntered up beside me. She had come to me from the regional tech school after being harassed by a bunch of sexist pricks during the final internship needed to complete her program. The men were threatened by her skills and her lack of a Y chromosome and took it out on her.
She was tiny and tough and was driven to learn all she could. So I’d offered her a job after graduation, and she’d been here for five years.
“We’re a day ahead on feller four,” she said, peering over at the office where I had left Finn and raised a brow.
“I’m not talking about it,” I said.
She nodded. “Understood. How much do we hate him, boss?”
I smiled at her, grateful for her loyalty. “I despise that motherfucker.”
She rubbed her hands together and shot me a menacing smile. “Then we’ll haze the shit out of him.”
With a laugh, I gave He-Man’s chin a good scratch and headed back to my office. God, I loved my job.
Chapter3
Finn
Ipulled up to the school sick to my stomach. I’d known the Gagnons wouldn’t welcome me with open arms, but I may have underestimated how much Adele despised me.
Couldn’t blame her. She had her reasons. But it hurt, nonetheless.
Being associated with him. The assumption that I’d behave the way he had because I was unfortunate enough to be his son. I hated it.
And the pain in her eyes hit me in the gut. There was a time I thought we might be friends. Even more than friends, if I was being honest.
Now? It was obvious there was no chance. I’d be lucky if I could keep my job for more than a week. Hell, I’d be lucky to survive that long in her presence. That glare would stop a weaker man’s heart. And I wasn’t sure how long my own could tolerate it.
I jumped out of the truck and headed up to the gym, waving at Alice Gagnon, the school principal. She was herding small kids to the carpool area for camp pickup.
