Текст книги "Hard to Break"

Автор книги: Bella Jewel

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

CHAPTER TWELVE

My first day as Tazen’s official receptionist is ugly. We fight, we argue, he tells me I’m doing things wrong and I tell him he has no idea how to run an office. I direct calls to the wrong places, send important customers away by mistake and generally fail. My second day is no better, and the bickering between Tazen and me seems that much worse. By the third day, I am slowly getting the hang of things, but the tension has hardly eased.

“You need to file by first name.”

I sigh loudly as I look up from my filing to see Tazen standing over me, staring down at what I’m doing.

“No, Tazen, you do it by the last name.”

“I don’t call people by their last names.”

“Doesn’t matter. The system is more accurate this way.”

“Give me the Michelson folder,” he grunts.

“Their car is finished and delivered.”

“Did payment clear?”

I nod. “This morning.”

“And the paperwork?”

“Filed, your majesty.”

He sighs, long and deep. “I have no idea why I took pity on you and let you in here.”

“Neither do I, but now I’m your official employee, you can’t just kick me out.”

He crosses his arms. “Can’t I?”

“Absolutely not. You owe me a warning or two.”

“Honestly. Are you always such a pain?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “It would appear you liked me enough to kiss me and lie to me to get what you wanted.”

He snorts. “Still not over it, I see.”

“I’m well over it.”

“Then why so bitter? Let me guess, it was the best kiss of your life and you can’t stop thinking about it?”

I glare over at him and cross my legs. “Kissing a three-legged dog with halitosis would be more enjoyable.”

He gives me a lazy, half grin that makes my panties extremely wet. I should be ashamed of myself. I should hate this man, but instead I’m lusting over him like a horny teenaged boy.

“I can guarantee that isn’t the case,” he purrs. “You’ve probably stuck your fingers deep, deep inside…”

“Don’t,” I cut him off.

He leans down, placing a hand on the desk and making me tilt back on my chair to avoid being so close to his amazing mouth. “You’ve thought about me, angel,” he growls. “Just like I’ve thought about you.”

He called me angel.

He hasn’t done that since our kiss.

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

He pushes off the desk. “If I was to put my fingers into your panties right now—”

I cut him off. “Which you won’t.”

“You’d be wet for me,” he continues.

“I’m dry as a desert. Now, I’m busy. Can you leave?”

He winks at me. “Of course, angel.”

Prick.

*   *   *

Day four is at an end, and it’s been a crazy week. I’ve never been more excited for the weekend as I am right now. I’ve finished up for the day, and as far as I know, there are only a few guys left in the garage. Tazen is mid-build on a massive project, which is a custom two-door coupe that is freaking amazing. It has a Shelby Cobra look, only it’s sleeker. I must admit, I’m curious. I want to get in there and look under the hood, fascinated by what they’re creating.

I lock the office and walk towards the exit when I hear them talking. Tazen and a group of men. They aren’t familiar voices, and when I look over, I see three men in suits talking closely with him. They look like they’re discussing something serious. I stop behind Tazen’s truck, which blocks me from view and listen. It’s Tazen’s voice I hear the clearest, and it has an edge to it that has my curiosity piquing.

“I told you,” he hisses. “I’m done makin’ that shit for you.”

“We have money, Tazen, and you have the time. Don’t see why it’s such a big issue for you to build something for us. What happens after that isn’t your problem.”

Tazen snorts. “Like fuck it isn’t. You fuckers get busted, and it’s my name on those cars.”

“And?” The man grunts. “You build it, we buy it, after that it’s our problem.”

“Until they start questioning me.”

I narrow my eyes. Questioning him? About what? I don’t understand what’s going on, but whatever it is … it seems sketchy.

“And you tell them you have no idea what they’re talking about, you sold the car and that’s that.”

Tazen laughs bitterly. “We both know it doesn’t work like that. The heat gets turned up and you pricks decide to run your mouths off and sink me. No. I’m not building that shit for you anymore, I’m picking up my business here and putting a foot in the racing industry because that’s where the money is. End of story.”

“Sheyenne wants a car, Tazen. She won’t race in anything that isn’t yours.”

I peek around the car to see Tazen flinch. “Fuck Sheyenne.”

The man, who I can see now is tall and lean, with dark hair and possibly dark eyes, laughs. “We both know you don’t mean that. You don’t want her racing in a shit heap and you and I both know it. So you build us one more car, let us make our money, and we won’t see you again.”

“Until you want another fuckin’ car,” Tazen grunts.

“You have my word. One more, then you won’t hear from us again.”

Tazen studies him. “She shouldn’t be doing this shit, Murray, and you know it.”

Who is Murray, and who the hell is Sheyenne?

“She’s a big girl, and she’s the best female racer we have—she’s making us seriously big money.”

Female racer? For what? If it was just normal racing, Tazen wouldn’t be holding back on building a car. What the hell are they doing, if not professional racing?

“She’s also hotheaded and nuts,” Tazen grunts.

“You didn’t say that when you were fucking her for three years.”

Three years? Wait, what? Tazen was with someone for three years? I mean sure, that’s possible and all, but he never seemed like the kind of man to ever settle down, so this news surprises me.

“Yeah and she drove me up the fucking wall,” Tazen points out. “I left her, left all that shit and now you’re here wanting more.”

“One more car, Tazen.”

Tazen studies him. “Fine, one more car but then you’re going to stay the fuck away from me, we clear?”

“As crystal.” Murray smiles.

The other two men with him are standing, crossing their arms and smiling, but neither of them has spoken. They start chatting about normal things again, so I figure it’s my time to act casual and walk out. I take a deep breath and walk out as if I don’t know they’re there.

“Hey,” Tazen yells.

I jerk and turn around, acting surprised he’s still here. “Oh, you’re still here. Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

He studies me, but I keep my face blank. I let my eyes scan over the guys who are now watching me, and make sure I look surprised they’re here.

“Ah, I didn’t realize you had company. I’m just heading out.”

“Who’s your girl, Taz?” Murray asks, letting his eyes travel over my tight blouse and short black skirt.

Ugh.

“Eyes up here,” I snap. “Unless you don’t cherish your balls, that is.”

Murray jerks in surprise and the other men burst out laughing. When his eyes meet mine, I smile coldly. Tazen closes his eyes and runs his hands through his hair.

“You have a sassy one here,” Murray says to Tazen, even though his eyes are on me.

“Yeah,” Tazen grunts. “You could say that.”

“And,” Murray narrows his eyes. “I’ve seen her before.”

“That’s because this is my garage,” I point out.

“Fuck me,” Tazen groans. “Not this shit again.”

“He stole it from me, but it was mine for a long time.”

Murray nods. “Yeah, been here before. You a mechanic?”

“Yes,” I say.

“Not anymore,” Tazen says. “She’s a receptionist now.”

I shoot him a glare. “Tazen here has a hard time dealing with the fact that a woman can pull spanners better than him.”

Murray grins. “Well, it seems you two have a good lot of tension to go through. I’ll let you get back to it.” He turns to Tazen. “I’ll tell Shey you said hello.”

“Don’t,” Tazen mutters. “I’d rather lick the pavement than have that girl think I am thinking about her.”

Murray’s eyes flick to me. “I wonder what she’ll think of your new girl here.”

“She isn’t my girl, and if you tell Shey she is, our deal is off.”

Why would it be such an issue if he told this Sheyenne chick that I’m his girl? I mean, I’m not of course, but even if I was it shouldn’t matter. She’s obviously an ex, and therefore should have no say in what he does.

Murray laughs. “Yeah, I’m hearing you. Later.”

With that, he takes his guys and leaves. When he’s gone, I turn to Tazen who looks kind of edgy about the whole thing. His body is tight and his jaw is twitching. Interesting.

“Who is Shey?” I ask, not using her full name.

Tazen narrows his eyes. “None of your business.”

“Why? Is she your secret wife?”

He grunts, and grabs the hem of his shirt, lifting it up and over his head. I stop thinking, speaking and breathing as I take in his incredible body. God. I could see that piece of perfection every day for the rest of my life and never, ever get bored of it. He’s beautiful, masculine and so fucking muscled I want to drop to my knees and lick every single one.

“Eyes up here,” he mutters. “Unless you don’t cherish your vagina, that is?”

I can’t help it, I burst out laughing. It was so unexpected that I can’t contain my reaction. Tazen’s eyes soften as he studies me laughing freely. I gather myself but I can’t wipe the smile off my face. “I do cherish my vagina, so I’ll be sure to keep my eyes above your shoulders from now on.”

“Good.” He grins, devastating and to die for. Then he strides towards me and I suck in a breath as he leans down so our lips are close. “Your pussy deserves to be cherished, angel.”

With that, he steps past me and disappears into the showers at the back of the garage. My legs wobble as I stand, swallowing over and over. He is getting to me and … I can’t deny it. I like it. I like it a hell of a lot. I shouldn’t, but I do and a huge part of me is tired of pretending I don’t. It’s taking all my strength not to go in there and rip my clothes off and get into the shower with him.

Instead, I turn and walk out of the garage.

Dammit.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“How’s it going?” Jace asks, throwing himself onto my bed.

It’s only been a day since my realization that my feelings for Tazen aren’t going away. “It’s … challenging.” I sigh, dropping down next to him. “Tazen certainly isn’t going to make my life easy, but then I’m not making his easy so I guess we’re even.”

Jace grunts and rolls to his side, propping himself up on an elbow. “Are you sure you really want to do this?”

I frown at him. “We’ve been over this, of course I do.”

“You’re good at what you do, you’re not meant to be a receptionist. There’re jobs around, mechanic jobs.”

“But not in my garage.”

He smiles sympathetically. “It was your garage, honey. You’re hanging onto something you can’t have control over anymore.”

I sigh. “I know, Jace, but I’m … I just can’t leave.”

His face grows serious. “This has nothing to do with him and the little fling you two had?”

“One kiss is hardly a fling,” I mutter.

“Quinn, you’re not fooling anyone. You’re attracted to him, but you’re playing with fire. You need to be careful.”

“Attraction or not,” I say, shifting to my side too. “He isn’t interested and we’ve both made it clear it won’t ever happen.”

“That’s not what I see.”

“Well, you’d be wrong, Jace. I’m working for him, and right now it’s bringing money in.”

“Quinn, you just sold the garage.”

“Yes,” I say, looking into his eyes. “And my father is an alcoholic. He ran us dry, Jace. The bills took a massive portion of that. It won’t last forever and I don’t want to get stuck when it runs out.”

He nods. “I understand.”

“Quinn?”

The sound of my dad’s pained cry jerks me off the bed. Jace gets up behind me. Dad was out when Jace came to hang with me, but he must be home and by the sounds of it he isn’t doing so well. I rush out of the room and down the hall, skidding to a halt when I see my father hanging off the kitchen counter, barely holding on. He’s covered in vomit, his shirt is torn and he has grazed and bleeding knees. He obviously fell a few times.

My shoulders slump and I turn to Jace. “You should go.”

Jace stares at my father, the expression on his face a little broken and a lot horrified.

“Quinn,” he whispers. “I didn’t realize…”

“Jace, just go.”

He snaps out of it. “No, no way.”

He strides towards my dad before I can, and hauls him up straight. “Right, Robbo, takin’ you to the shower.”

“Jace?” Dad mumbles, blinking up at him.

“Yeah, it’s me. Come on.”

“Jace,” I say but he gives me a hard look.

“No, Quinn. Let me help. You clean up the mess.”

He nods towards the front door and I turn to see a pile of vomit on the floor. Great. Jace disappears into the bathroom with Dad, and I gather up my disinfectant and bucket, then I get to work scrubbing the carpet. My phone rings midway through. I push to my feet with a weary sigh and wash my hands, then I pull it out of my pocket and am surprised to see Tazen’s number on my screen.

Why is he calling me?

I press the green button and put it to my ear. “What?”

“That’s not a nice way to speak to your boss, Quinn.”

I sigh. “I’m not in the mood right now, Tazen. Why are you calling?”

He’s silent for a minute. “Everything okay?”

“Don’t pretend you care. What. Do. You. Want?”

“I can’t find my recent projects folder.”

“You’re in the garage?” I ask, surprised.

He laughs softly. “I don’t stop working, angel.”

“Right,” I mumble.

“Quinnie!” I hear shrieked from the bathroom and my back snaps straight.

“Tazen, hang on.”

“Quinn?” Tazen asks, concern etched in his voice. “What the fuck was that?”

“Just … I’ll call you back okay?”

“Quinn…”

“I’ll call you—”

My sentence is cut off when my father comes charging out of the bathroom, stark naked. I scream and spin around, horrified. “Jesus fuck!”

“Quinn!” Tazen barks.

I hang up quickly and drop the phone, calling out, “Jace?”

“Sorry, Quinn,” Jace says, rushing out behind him, his voice sympathetic. “I was showering the old man and he freaked out on me.”

“Quinnie,” Dad protests. “What the fuck?”

Anger bubbles in my chest, but I keep my back to him and my mouth closed.

“Come on, Robbo.” Jace tries for calm. “Get yourself dressed and go sleep it off.”

“Fuck you, Jace,” Dad barks and I flinch.

This is something I’ve noticed has been happening more and more lately. Dad is getting angrier, more short-tempered. This worries me.

“Relax,” Jace warns. “It’s time for bed.”

“You don’t tell me when I go to bed,” Dad slurs. “Who the hell do you think you are? Bring it on, boy.”

“Dad,” I yell, finally losing my hold on the anger bubbling up. “Get dressed and get into bed. I can’t take this anymore. If you’re going to act like a child, that’s how we’re going to treat you.”

“Quinnie…” Dad whispers, hurt.

My shoulders slump and tears burn under my eyelids. “Just,” I whisper, “go to sleep.”

There’s shuffling sounds, and a moment later a door closes. I slowly turn to see I’m alone in the room again. I glance down at the mess only half cleaned on the floor and the phone beside it that is flashing with another phone call. Tazen. Fuck. I reach down and snatch it up, pressing it to my ear.

“Tazen.”

“What the hell, Quinn?” he yells. “I’m coming over.”

He’s … what?

“No, you can’t come over,” I cry.

“I fucking can. You were screaming. Are you hurt? Fuck, angel, are you hurt?”

He’s … worried for me. My heart swells.

“I’m okay,” I say softly. “It was just … a friend stayed the night and he was drunk. It’s a long story but I’m fine, don’t come over.”

Tazen is silent a minute. “You’re lying to me.”

I close my eyes. “I’m your employee, Tazen. You’ve made that horribly clear. I’m no more. What happens here is none of your concern. You rang about a file, it’s under new builds in the second filing cabinet. I’ll see you Monday.”

“Angel,” he starts, but I click the phone off.

I drop my head and let one silent tear run down my cheek.

*   *   *

By Monday morning, I’m ready for work again. My weekend was slow after Dad’s drunken meltdown, and I spent most of it making sure it didn’t happen again. Jace came over to check on me a few times and Lenny showed up once and kept an eye on Dad for a few hours so I could go to the store and stock the fridge. I know Jace told Lenny what happened, and I know they’re both looking out for me.

But I’m tired.

So damned tired.

I get into the garage before Tazen and the guys, so I get some serious invoicing done. By the time nine rolls around, I’m on top of most of the work for the day. This work is boring the hell out of me, and I honestly don’t know how I’m going to keep on top of it when all I want to do is go out into that garage. Maybe Jace is right, maybe I need to let it go and get another job.

“Hey.”

I turn to see Tazen standing in the doorway to the office.

“Ah, hey.”

He tilts his head to the side and studies me. “How was your weekend?”

I stand. “Fine. I have done all the work for the day already. I think I’m going to take the rest of the day to look for work. I’m not cut out for this.”

Tazen’s eyes narrow. “I thought you would do anything not to have to leave this place?”

I cross my arms. “Yes, Tazen, you’re right but it’s clear you’re never going to give me even a slight chance to work as a mechanic so I’ll find someone who will. Now, unless there is something else you need me to do, I’m going to head out.”

He studies me for a long, long moment before he finally speaks. “You want a job in the garage?”

“Is that a stupid question?” I mutter.

He smirks at me.

“Answer my question, angel.”

“Yes, Tazen, I want a job in the garage.”

“Fine,” he says, crossing his arms. “It turns out I might have some work for you there. But there are conditions.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling, then back, muttering, “Of course there are.”

“You don’t touch my builds.”

I blink. “So you want me to do what then?”

“We have a fuck load that come back in for services, replacement bits, things like that. You can help out on those, it’s basic work but it’ll give you great experience. You’ll have free range with all that, but no one touches my builds except my trained men.”

Gosh, I hate him sometimes.

But he knows I’ll accept, because even doing basics on the cars that come back in is an amazing chance. It’s also a chance to prove just what I can do to Tazen arrogant Watts.

“Fine,” I say casually.

“You work the same hours, and you take orders from me like the other guys. You’re not running this show anymore, Quinn. You do something without my permission, I fire you. These are the same rules all the men have.”

“Fine,” I say again.

“Good.” He steps out of the way. “Let’s see how well you really handle this man’s environment, because I can tell you now, my guys won’t be happy about having a woman on the team.”

“Your guys can suck it.” I smile coldly. “Now, can I start?”

He waves a hand again. “Let’s see what you’ve got, angel.”

Challenge accepted.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

He isn’t kidding.

The guys don’t say it out loud, but it’s clear that I’m not an accepted part of their boys’ club. They treat me like I’m invisible and only give me the easiest jobs. I keep my shit together and do my job efficiently. That is, at least, until their little pranks. “This isn’t funny!” I yell, throwing my oily rag toward Tazen who is standing in his office laughing.

I stare down at my coveralls and inwardly screech. The men thought it would be funny to cut holes where my breasts and ass are meant to go. I don’t have anything else to wear, and the skirt I was in is hardly acceptable. I want to smack him for laughing. That’s the last thing I wanted to do when I was changing into my coveralls in the female restroom.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw that my leopard-print bra was poking through the two messily cut holes. I turned and stared at my ass, and my cheeks flushed. I’m wearing a G-string, because I hadn’t done the washing and it was all I had left. My butt cheeks are poking out the holes cut there. I was so angry I stormed into Tazen’s office, not even caring if anyone got a glimpse of my ass.

“How is this funny?” I yell. “This is wildly inappropriate and offensive on so many levels.”

He stops laughing. Then his eyes grow a little more serious. Clearly he can see this has upset me.

“Listen, Quinn,” he says. “The guys are testing you, seeing how much of their bullshit you can handle. They do it to the new guys, too. I can go out there and rip them a new one, if you’re upset, and believe me I will. It’s up to you. How do you want this handled?”

He’s being serious. He laughed at first, but now his eyes are scanning my face and I know, even though he’s arrogant at times, that Tazen will defend me if I ask him to. But … he’s right. They are testing me and I can handle it. I will handle it. I am trying to prove I belong in this world, and so running to the boss isn’t exactly going to help my cause.

“No, I’ve got this.”

He nods and hands me a roll of duct tape. “Now patch up those holes and get back out there. Show them they can’t faze you.”

I take the tape from his hand. He grins.

“But before you do,” he says, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Turn around one more time so I can enjoy the view.”

“Careful, Tazen.” I grin at him. “Revenge is coming, and you aren’t safe from it.”

“I look forward to it, baby.”