Page 11 of Property of Raider
“Lord woman I thought you’d died just then,” she says around her chuckle.
I shake my head.“Nope, I just tend to be a bit clumsy at times.”
“That’s good to know.You nearly gave me a heart-attack just then.”She sighs before turning and waving once again for me to follow her.
Slowly I follow her around the counter, into the back of the building to a small office that, like the front, is bright and clean.She makes her way around the desk, gesturing for me to take a seat in one of the two chairs facing her.After I take a seat, she smiles as she shuffles through some paperwork on her desk.She finally finds the piece of paper she was looking for and hands it over to me.I read over the paper, and it contains more details about the position she is offering.
Reading it, I don’t find there to be anything I haven’t done in the past.I finish reading over the information, and look back up at her smiling.
“This looks perfect.I just want to be sure it is indeed part-time or at least that the hours are flexible.I have a teenage son who is in high school and plays baseball.”I know I shouldn’t be pushing this, but I will not break my promise to Rusher.
“Oh, good,” she starts.“Yes, the position is part-time and flexible.I know what it means to have a boy in sports and doing all the teenage things.As long as I’m aware of what you need so I can be sure we’re covered, you have nothing to worry about.”
Happiness spreads through my chest.“This job almost sounds too good to be true, to be honest.”
“Well, there will be some learning curves as this is a new position.My husband and I have been running the cleaning company with just the two of us for a long time.Don’t get me wrong, the boys help, and I appreciate it.”She sighs, rubbing her temple.“They just don’t do it the right way.”
I nod in understanding.“I can understand that.I’m happy to be here and help in any way that I can.”
“Great!My name is Erin Rose, by the way.”She smiles, leaning back in her chair.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs.Erin Rose,” I state, relaxing just a little into my chair, feeling more comfortable here.
We spent nearly an hour talking about the company, the job, and even some of what had happened in our lives.Her telling me about her husband Satchel, not his real name but his road name, as he is a part of the Kings of Anarchy Motorcycle Club.Erin Rose let me know she runs the cleaning business, and the guys stay out of things unless it’s a cleaning job they must handle, but they own it and are in and out.Just as she gets done telling me this, a door somewhere in the back of the building slams open followed by a very furious man.
She must see the fear on my face when she says this because she pauses for a second.“Honey, is everything okay?You just went white as a sheet.”
“Are the club members dangerous?Do they come here often?”I know I sound like a scared child, but Shea’s words play on repeat in my brain.
“They’re mostly in and out.They only come around for the really big important jobs.There is nothing to fear.”She tries calming my fears.
Just as she gets done telling me this, a door somewhere in the back of the building slams open followed by a very furious man.
“Satchel,” he yells.
I jump almost out of my skin.Erin Rose's smile drops off her face, and she stands.Then storms to the door of her office with her hands on her hips.
“Damn you, Raider.Why the hell are you screaming the walls down?”she snaps.
I don’t see the man in question, though his voice sends a shiver down my spine.“We got a call about a high-priority cleanup.”
“Still doesn’t explain why you’re yelling like a madman,” she sasses the man who is still out of sight.
He growls in frustration.“Fine, I’m sorry.Can you please tell me where I can find Satchel so we can get the things we need to get this fucking job done?”
I can’t see her face, but her body relaxes.“The last I saw him, he was out back spraying out the vans.Try starting there.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he mumbles before coming to press a kiss to her cheek.
As he does, I shift in my chair, catching his attention.The man’s eyes snap to mine and the air turns to glass in my lungs.I can’t breathe, think, or even move as the sharp blade of betrayal twists under my ribs.For a moment, my heart forgets the ruin he left in his wake.Then the pain I’ve seen too many times from a pair of eyes so similar to his brings my anger forward bright and biting.
I stand to my feet so fast my head spins, and I stumble, causing him to move towards me.Putting a hand on the chair and the other to keep him away, I try to steady myself.He doesn’t move or even seem to breathe as he watches me with a look of pure shock on his face.Erin Rose, seeming not to be grasping that something huge is happening, steps around the enormous man.
“Oh goodness sweetheart, are you okay?”she wonders, placing her hands on my shoulders.
I open my mouth trying to find words when my phone starts vibrating in my purse.Looking down at my watch, I see Rusher is calling, saving me from having to have any further conversation.Pulling my phone out of my purse, I swipe to answer it as I look at Erin Rose.
“I will get your number from Auntie Lynn and check in with you tomorrow on when or if you would like me to start,” I stumble over my words.“This is my boy, and he’s supposed to be at practice.So, I need to take it and run.”
