“It’s okay, Dad,” I whisper, placing my hand on his shoulder. “We’re going to sort all of this out. Let me put the check in the account.”
He hesitates, staring at the check promising a large amount of money. He wants it, and I know exactly what he wants it for. I can’t risk that happening, if he gets hold of this kind of money he’ll drink it away before we have the chance to do anything. So, in a gentle voice, I say, “Dad, if you did this for us, then you need to let me put that money away.”
He sighs and hands me the check, but his hand is shaking as he lets it go. That wasn’t easy for him. I lean down and kiss his head, then I grab my purse and keys, letting him know I’ll be back later. Then I head out to the bank, cash the check and drive down to the garage. We have one week to clear out before Tazen takes over. That isn’t a lot of time.
I arrive to see people everywhere, not just my guys, but a heap of others. They’re moving out old tools and equipment, and there’s a massive truck bringing in new, shiny things. My blood boils and I throw my car door open, sliding out and storming towards the men who are working. “What the hell are you doing?” I cry.
A man, pushing an old toolbox, looks to me with confusion. “Clearing out like we’ve been ordered to.”
“By who?” I demand.
“By me.”
I whirl quickly to see Tazen standing with a clipboard in hand. He’s wearing a pair of blue jeans with a black shirt that has a picture of a car on the front. Lame. He’s got shades pulled over his eyes. Anger swirls in my chest.
“I have a week, you have no right to be in here before then. This is my stuff!”
He studies me. “What do you plan on doing with it all?”
Dammit. I don’t know. But it’s beside the point.
“It doesn’t matter, it’s mine.”
“Actually,” he says. “It’s mine. The garage was sold with all the contents.”
“You’re a piece of work,” I hiss.
“Listen,” he says, stepping closer. “I did what I did, but business is business, Quinn. So get your things.” He leans in close. “And get out of my garage.”
I explode, shoving him backwards and turning, storming inside. I shove past people and make it to my team, who are all standing around looking lost. “Chain this shit down, do not let him take it.”
They all stare at me like I’ve lost my marbles. Hell, maybe I have, but for one week this garage is still in my name. I won’t let him just destroy it.
“Quinn, sweetheart,” Lenny says gently.
“No, Lenny,” I whisper. “Don’t you give up on this.”
“We don’t have a choice, it’s his now.”
“It’s not his!” I cry, spinning around and charging towards a man carrying out my favorite spanner set. “Put that down!”
I reach him and slap the spanners right out of his hands. They hit the ground with a loud clank and skitter across the floor. I move to the next man, carrying Lenny’s favorite tool bag. I yank it off his shoulder, causing him to stumble backwards and lose his footing.
“Fuck me,” Tazen mutters. “Just let her take what’s hers.”
I spin on him, waving my hands in his face. “Do you even care that you’re taking jobs from these men, men who have families?”
Tazen’s face gets hard. “If they want a job here, they’re more than welcome to approach me about it. I don’t have a problem with taking on your team, Quinn.”
“They should have jobs automatically,” I protest. “They’ve made this place what it is.”
He shakes his head. “Quinn, I understand your hurt, but this is how I do things. If your guys want a job, all they have to do is ask. I will assess their skills and see if they fit any of the positions I have open. What I won’t have is you coming in here and making a scene. Calm it down. Now, I have work to do, so I’d much rather you just leave.”
I’m panting with rage, but I know he can call the cops if he wants to and I have nothing to fall back on. I turn and march towards the door, shouting, “You haven’t seen the end of this, Tazen Watts.”
And he hasn’t.
He’s about to see just how real I can be.
* * *
“Jesus, Quinn, you can’t go messing around with this shit.”
I glare at Lenny, Oscar and Jace as I button up my jeans.
“Come on, sweetheart, you could get arrested,” Lenny says softly.
I shoot daggers and him and snap, “Do you think I give a crap?”
“You should, your dad wouldn’t cope and you know it.”
“Of course, let’s worry about my dad who’s an alcoholic and has done nothing for this garage for years. Don’t worry about me, Lenny. Don’t worry about how this might be affecting me.”
His eyes grow soft. “Didn’t mean it like that, Quinn honey. I know how much this is hurting.”
“No,” I croak. “You have no fucking idea how much it’s hurting.”
“We do,” Jace says gently. “Honey, you know we do.”
“He used me,” I spit, hating the tears welling in my eyes. “Then he took everything. I won’t just lie down and let that happen. I won’t.”
“I think you’ve got a good set of balls on you,” Oscar says.
Everyone turns to look at him, shocked.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’ve fought your whole life, Quinnie.” He smiles. “Keep doing it.”
I nod, tying my hair in a ponytail. “I won’t do anything illegal, but if Tazen Watts thinks he can just shove me out, he’s very … very wrong.”
“You need to be careful, Quinn,” Jace mutters. “You could get into a lot of trouble.”
“Yeah, and if I don’t do this, I’ll never forgive myself. Trust me, guys. Please.”
With a sigh, Jace nods. Lenny walks over and puts his hands on my shoulders. “Got your back no matter what, Quinn. You know that. Be careful, yeah?”
“Yeah, Lenny.”
I look at them and I know I’m doing this for them as much as I am for myself.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.
CHAPTER TEN
I throw my Mustang into park and slide out of the driver’s side. I slam the door and stride up to the garage, as if nothing has changed. I hold my chin high and my back straight as I push through the front doors. I step into the dimly lit space and immediately see Tazen standing with a gorgeous blonde. She has a hand on his chest and is smiling up at him, giggling.
My heart feels like it’s going to drop out.
It shouldn’t hurt, but it does.
Keep it together, Quinn. Don’t let him see what he did to you.
I start walking towards them, and at the sounds of my boots scuffing across the floor, Tazen jerks and looks to me. His eyes flash with surprise, before his face becomes tired, like he isn’t ready to deal with me again. “What are you doing here?”
I flash him my best smile. “Good morning, boss.”
He shakes his head, pushing the girl back and striding towards me. I try not to notice his tight shirt and those amazing jeans hanging on his hips. When he reaches me, he curls a hand around my upper arm and turns me towards the door. “What sort of game are you playing here, Quinn? I’m in no mood for it.”
“I’m working here,” I say simply.
“You’re not.”
I cross my arms. “I am.”
“No, you’re fucking not.”
I lean in close. “Yes, I fucking am.”
“Jesus,” he snaps.
“Ah, Taz,” the blonde says. “Should I leave?”
He turns to her and grunts. “Yeah, I’ll call you.”
“Don’t bet on it.” I smile sweetly. “He had his tongue down my throat only days ago. This guy is a first-class player.”
Her face scrunches and she turns to him. “Seriously?”