Page 18 of It's Going to Be a Chrome Christmas
“I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.” She crossed her legs before her on the table. “I’ve got two announcements to make before we go over this week’s schedule, but first.” She reached behind her and pulled out a large mason jar. There were several dollar bills in it. Cayden cocked his head to the side in wonder. “Who has something they want to share?”
Several employees raised their hand, a dollar bill in each one. What the hell was this?
Trixie passed the jar to a mechanic in coveralls to her right. He stood to collect the jar from her, dropping the bill into it. He remained standing. Cayden was sure his name was Will. He was one of the men Cayden had talked to on Friday to win his kiss. The man’s smile was wide as he announced, “Ashley’s pregnant!”
The uproar through the room made Cayden jump. He was not used to such celebrations and camaraderie. When he’d beenyounger, he’d viewed the Black Pythons MC as a family, as brothers. But they weren’t.Hehadn’t been their brother, he had been their pawn. Each member trusted each other to do their assigned jobs, but when push came to shove, it was each man for himself.
Always.
Thiswas a family. He’d never seen or even heard of a workplace like it before. Trixie, and likely Bobby too, had cultivated a family out of strangers.
Watching as Will was slapped on the back, his hand outstretched to shake as many hands as he could, and that smile on his face… Cayden realized this was Trixie’s world. She trusted these people to do their assigned jobs, but there was also affection, loyalty. They had her back as much as she had theirs.
Cayden still didn’t understand the significance of the jar of cash, but he definitely caught onto the ritual.
As everyone settled back down, Trixie hopped off the table with ease. She hugged Will tightly, and though it was completely platonic and in view of everyone in the room, Cayden’s green-eyed monster reared its nasty head. It took everything in him not to tear the two of them apart and declare that Trixie washis.
Yeah, he was definitely not used to this sort of environment.
After Trixie and Will retook their seats, the jar was passed to the next employee who dropped his dollar bill in and announced that he’d finally booked his vacation dates. It went on, from something as simple as a child finally tying their shoes on their own to bigger announcements like closing on a house.
Finally, the jar was brought back up front to Trixie. She placed it on the table between her and her crossed legs. She took out a twenty-dollar bill, and the room immediately hushed. Cayden had picked up on the bigger the announcement, the larger the bill offered. “Payton called me yesterday. He andClaudia are the proud parents of an eight-pound-two-ounce healthy baby girl!”
The applause given this time rivaled the one Will had received. Cayden recalled Trixie telling Paul that one of her painters was out on paternity leave. That must be Payton.
Once everyone settled back down, Trixie pulled out a single dollar bill and put it in the jar. “I would also like to introduce to you our newest employee, Cayden Russo.” She gestured to him in the back of the room. Trixie waited a moment before continuing. “Mr. Russo is going to be working on updating our security and verifying we are doing everything possible to protect our customers and their property.” Her eyes narrowed as they landed on the table where Will, Gary, and Terrance sat, the three employees whom Cayden had tricked last Friday. “He already has become aware of certain lapses on our part and will be working closely with me to rectify this.”
Gary’s head did a whiplash between Trixie and Cayden. “Wait, he wasn’t from Peterson’s insurance?”
Cayden and Trixie both shook their heads, but it was Trixie who said, “He got this job because he wagered that he could break into any one of my cars.” Though her voice was light, her disappointment was evident. “Clearly, we have all been a little too trusting to allow a stranger to just walk into our midst and into a customer’s car.”
The grumble that ran through the room was not happy. Cayden’s jaw ticked in annoyance, but it had nothing to do with the room’s sudden mood change. Trixie had made it sound like he’d only gotten a job out of their bet when, in fact, he’d gotten a much better prize.
He’d gottenherto kisshim.Hell yeah, he’d started their kiss, but she’d been the one to escalate and finish it. Best damn prize there was.
“Once Mr. Russo and I have implemented a security change, you will all receive an email notice and we will also go over any changes in our morning meetings. Any questions?”
Yeah, Cayden had several, but they sure as hell weren’t appropriate in a room full of her employees.
Since she didn’t have a spare office, Cayden was upstairs using hers. He said he needed to make some phone calls and do a little research. Fine by her. Trixie needed to get under a car and fast. Watching him, tall and sexy, against the wall opposite her during that meeting had been excruciating. She’d had to put the collection jar on the table in front of her as a remindernot to move. Not to run head long into his tattooed arms.
Fuck, she needed to get laid. He might not have to wait so long for her to beg.
Gary, Will, and Terrance had cornered her after she’d dismissed the others from the meeting to apologize. She didn’t blame them, per se. It was her business, her fault. She’d allowed herself to become reliant and complacent about the security system.
It made her wonder where Cayden had learned his skills as a thief. He obviously hadn’t stolen just the one car he was convicted of. What else had he stolen? And from whom? The Black Pythons MC was known on the streets for picking up exotics and selling them to the highest bidder. She wouldn’t last very long in this business if she didn’t keep her ear to the ground. There was a difference in who wanted her babies and who was willing to take them from her.
If rumors about how to get into the MC were true, then Caydenhadto be good. Hell, he’d already proven he was good.So how had he gotten caught? What and whose car had he taken that had gotten him arrested? Why hadn’t he gone back to the club as soon as he’d gotten out? Did he intend to go back when his parole was over?
Too many questions. He’d said he wanted to learn everything there was about her, but he hadn’t said anything about opening himself up to her in return. What if it was all a line just to get in her pants?
She already knew sex with him would be amazing. The universe wouldn’t be so cruel as to let a man who could kiss like Cayden did and then not give him the know-how to follow through. But beyond that?
A hand tapping on her drew her attention. There was no electricity, so she knew it wasn’t Cayden before she rolled the creeper out from under the Ranger. It was Jeff. He offered her a hand up, which she took.
Grabbing an oiled rag from her toolbox, she asked, “What’s up?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
