I’d make sure of that.
The next couple of weeks, I found a new rhythm. The garage buzzed every day. We took a day and rearranged the work areas so we each had a bay. Charly kept the schedules for everyone, handling all the paperwork, parts ordering, and behind-the-scenes items like a pro. Every day, she made lunch for all of us, and Stefano occasionally stayed for our nightly meals—usually barbecue and salad. Mary joined us a couple of nights, and I enjoyed the time we spent around the table, talking and laughing. It reminded me of the early days of the garage when my mom cooked and the crew stayed for dinner. There was a shared feeling of camaraderie. I liked it.
Charly didn’t bother to pretend to even use her room. She was in my bed every night, and I had no desire to change that. When we were alone, she was Red. My Red. I tried to call her Charly during business hours, although at times I slipped. Especially when she’d walk in wearing some outfit I deemed inappropriate, which was often. She always found my reactions amusing, and I was certain she based her decisions on how often she could get me to growl and snap at her. It was a game between us. One I usually won since I ended up with my cock buried inside her.
I mentioned to her one night that things had changed and maybe we needed to restructure her job.
“Why?” she asked with a frown. “Am I not doing everything at the shop I should?”
“No, I have no complaints. But you’re working there all day, then making dinner, looking after the house. It wasn’t what we agreed on.”
She shrugged, her eyes not meeting mine. “I don’t count what I do here in the house as part of my job anymore, Maxx. I like looking after you.”
Her words warmed my chest, melting the block around my heart. It was happening more and more. I cared about her more every day, but somehow seemed incapable of telling her. I could praise her work, give her a hard time, make her come harder than a freight train, but I couldn’t tell her what I was feeling. I wasn’t sure I ever could. It bothered me, but I wasn’t certain how to get past it.
We had our first class, all three of us speaking. The women seemed hesitant to talk until Stefano asked one woman a direct question, listening as she hesitantly told him she felt stupid coming into a garage. “My last mechanic informed me I should know the PSI of my tires off the top of my head. I had no idea what that even meant, and when I told him, he rolled his eyes and walked away. I looked it up and tried to use an air machine, and I somehow added too much, and almost blew it out,” she confessed.
Stefano shook his head. “Would never happen here. There are no stupid questions. It means you want to learn. And we’ll listen.”
That opened the floodgates. The hour turned into two, and when they left, all clutching the free oil change coupon Charly gave them, I sat down, shaking my head.
“That was something.”
“I hope it worked,” Brett muttered, sitting beside me. “It was actually fun.”
Stefano chuckled. “It was. I’d be willing to do more. They were all great.”
The next day, every woman called for an appointment. And the waiting list for the next class grew to over fifty.
Brett and Stefano agreed to change the class to twenty people and hold one every two weeks until the waiting list dwindled, then go back to the original idea of once a month. I would spell one of them off, so it was an easy addition to our schedule. Charly cackled over the idea of the waiting list dwindling. “Some of them are coming back every class just to see you three,” she informed us. “Make sure to wear those tight shirts I ordered, with the coveralls loose around your waist.” She popped her head around the door. “Ooh, start off with the coveralls on, then each of you peel them down slowly, nonchalantly, like you’re hot. Not all at once, though. Don’t make it obvious.”
She was talking about the deep red coveralls with the logo on the back, our names embroidered on the front, that had arrived yesterday. She even got herself a pair, although hers were adorable and just for show. Ours were useful—or at least they were supposed to be.
We all laughed until we realized she was serious.
“She’s selling us out,” Brett said. “I feel like a piece of meat.”
“Grade A prime beef, my friend!” Charly shouted from the office, making us all chuckle. At least she was honest about it.
She was beside herself with excitement and went back into planning mode. Between the classes, the ads she’d started running, and the first motorcycle I was waiting on delivery of for restoration, we were suddenly booked solid. She had a wait list for my services, an amazing chart of each request, the time needed, the pricing, what requirements and parts we had to order or find. It was laid out perfectly, and she spent a lot of time on each one, getting all the information from me and entering it so I could see it at a glance whenever I needed it.
She was brilliant. I never wanted to be without her. In the garage or in my personal life.
And still, I couldn’t tell her.
Chapter 22
MAXX
I looked up from the schedule Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks later. “Another busy week ahead of us, guys.”
Stefano glanced up with a laugh. “When isn’t it these days? Business is booming. We don’t even have time to look for a place.”
Brett snorted. “Like you want to leave Mary’s. You’re spoiled there.”
“Her cooking rivals my mama’s, that’s for sure. I’m not complaining.”
Red walked in, wheeling her bicycle. I wiped my hands, thinking how pretty she looked in her summer outfit. I had gotten used to the skorts and frilly blouses she liked to wear after hours. “You off to Mary’s?”
“Yep. Pie day. She picked up a mass of blueberries at the market.”
I walked over and kissed her. “Okay. You sure you won’t take the car?”
“Nope. I love riding the bike. And it’s a gorgeous day.”
“If you get into the wine, call and I’ll pick you up.”
“Or I’ll stay the night.”
“Call,” I growled. I hated it if she wasn’t in my bed.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, bossy.”
She waved as she pedaled down the driveway and rang the bell I had added to her handlebars. It had made her laugh, and she loved to ring it every time she used the driveway, announcing her arrival or departure.
I watched her go, her bright hair flowing behind her. She turned right on the road and disappeared, and I went inside.
Stefano grinned at me. “Whipped.”
“Whatever. You do everything she says too.” I smirked.
“I’m not stupid. I know who’s really running the show.”
Brett picked up the schedule and whistled. “Holy moly, how are we gonna handle all this?”
I picked up my wrench with a shrug. “Easy peasy. We just do.”
Stefano stopped what he was doing. “Did you just hear yourself? Both of you? If Charly were here, she’d be chapping your ass over stealing her expressions.”
Then he stopped. Realized what he had said and began to guffaw.
We all did.
Charly had gotten to us all.
My phone rang a while later, and I answered with a grin. “Mary? What’s up? You need more sugar or something?”
“I need Charly to get here, Maxx. Quit hogging her to yourself. These pies aren’t going to make themselves.”
A cold shiver ran through me. “Mary, Charly left here well over ninety minutes ago. You’re saying she hasn’t arrived?”
“No. I’ve been waiting. I called her cell, but there was no answer. I thought she got busy with you in the garage.”
Dread filled me. “I’m on my way.”
I hung up and headed for the truck. Stefano and Brett were behind me. “We’ll follow you.”
I grabbed my keys. “No. Stefano go the opposite way and circle around. Maybe she remembered something she needed and headed toward Littleburn. Brett, you stay here in case she comes back.”
“Maybe she got a flat
tire and is walking.”
“She’d answer her phone. Or she would call me.” That, I knew for sure.
I climbed into the truck, yelling at Brett to put Rufus in the house as he tried to follow me. The gravel spun under my tires as I tore down the driveway. I drove to Mary’s, keeping my eyes peeled for Charly, but the road was deserted. I only passed one car on my drive. Mary was in her driveway, looking worried. I opened the window. “Nothing?”
“No. I’ll come look with you.”
“No, stay here in case she shows up.”
I drove back toward my house slowly, scanning the fields, desperate for the sight of bright red hair. I met up with Stefano when I arrived back at my house. He shook his head in response to my silent question.
“I’m coming with you,” he said. “You drive and look on one side. I’ll look on the other.”
We began the drive back, me going slow as we scanned the road, fields, and endless trees. I slammed on the brakes. “You drive. I’m climbing in the back to get a higher visual.”
“Good call.”
I braced myself as the truck lurched forward. From this vantage point, I could see down more of the tree line and farther into the ditch. A short distance later, a flash caught my eye, and I pounded on the cab roof. “Stop!”
I rescanned the area, trying to figure out what I thought I saw. Once again, there was a flash of something shiny just behind us in the ditch. I jumped from the back and ran toward it, my stomach dropping when I saw Charly’s bicycle, bent and broken, lying in the ditch, almost covered by the long grasses that grew along the edge of the road. Then I heard it. The faint sound of the bell I had put on the handlebars for her.
I took off running, yelling her name. “Charly! Red! Ring the bell, baby. I need to find you!”
I heard the tinkle of the chime and spotted her. She was on the ground, propped against a tree, obviously hurt.
I dropped to my knees in front of her, cradling her face. She was covered in mud and grass, blood seeping from a cut on her head, and her shoulder at a strange angle. Her cheeks were wet with tears, mixing in the blood and dirt. In one hand, she held the bell, ringing it until I found her.
“Charly, baby, what happened?” I asked, whipping off my shirt to staunch the flow of blood. Behind me, Stefano appeared and handed me a bottle of water. It was warm, but I held it to Charly’s mouth.
“Drink,” I ordered. Her eyes fluttered open and she sipped. “More,” I said. “Take another sip.”
She did, more tears beginning to flow down her cheeks. “I knew-I knew you’d find me.”
“You fell off the bike?” I questioned, cursing as I looked at her ankle. It was swollen and bruised. I needed to get her to the hospital. “You lost your balance?”
She drew in a long stuttering breath. “It was lost for me.”
I froze as her words sank in. My voice was ice when I spoke. “Someone forced you off the road?”
“Y-yes.”
I carefully slid my hands under her, lifting her. She gasped in pain, her head falling to my shoulder. I walked slowly, trying not to jostle her. I saw Stefano ahead of me, lifting the bent bicycle into the back of the truck.
“Who?” I demanded quietly, already knowing the answer.
Her eyes were shut and she went limp, but I heard her response before she passed out.
“Donners.”
I paced the waiting room, furious and intense. Brett arrived with Mary, and they were all silent and watchful, knowing I was about to explode. The staff wouldn’t allow me in the room, taking Charly’s limp form from my arms and rushing her away. I stood in the hallway, not moving until a doctor rushed past me. He glanced over his shoulder and stopped.
“Maxx?”
Jerry Harper was a customer of mine at the garage. I gripped his arm. “That girl in there. She’s important. I need you to take good care of her.”
He studied me, then nodded. “She’s in good hands. I promise.”
“You’ll update me?”
“As soon as I can.” He clapped my shoulder. “We need the space, Maxx. Go to the waiting room. I’ll be out when I can.”
I kept my eyes on the door that separated me from her, willing him to appear and tell me what was going on. She had slipped in and out of consciousness in the truck. Stefano drove as fast as he could, being careful to avoid as many potholes and dips in the road as possible. Every time we hit one, Red would whimper or groan, her body stiffening in my arms. All I could do was hold her, whispering quiet words of comfort in her ear, pressing kisses to her head, and promising her she’d be okay. Inside, I burned, planning on the punishment I would inflict on the Donner brothers once I made sure she was looked after. It wasn’t going to end well for either of them.
Finally, Jerry came out, heading toward me. I stopped my pacing, facing him. The rest of my group joined me, all anxious for news.
“She’s awake and talking. She has a lot of contusions and cuts, but luckily none of them need stitches. Her shoulder is dislocated, and her ankle is badly sprained. She has a slight concussion, so she needs to be woken up every two hours.” He shook his head. “She’s lucky. It could have been a lot worse.”
I let out a long exhale of relief. “Can I see her?”
“We have to reset her shoulder.” He met my eyes. “I need you to stay here and stay calm, Maxx. Once that’s done, and we clean her up, you can see her.”
“When can I take her home?”
“We want to keep her for a while. Her blood pressure is a little low—probably shock, but we want to be sure.”
A strange feeling crept into my chest. It constricted my breathing, and I had to force myself to stay calm. Jerry must have noticed my struggle, because he patted my shoulder and his voice was soothing.
“It’s quite a normal reaction, Maxx. She’s hurt, and her body is adjusting. We’ll monitor her closely.”
I could barely acknowledge his statement.
“Is there someone to sit with her tonight?”
All four of us spoke at the same time. “Yes.”
“Then I know she’ll be in good hands.” He looked behind me, addressing Mary. “Keep him here.” He turned and disappeared into the room again.
She pulled on my arm. “Sit with me, Maxx.”
I shook off her grip. “I’m fine—what the hell is going on?”
The sound of Red’s anguished, pain-filled cry pierced my heart. My body locked down at the sound, and a noise I had never made escaped my throat. I needed to get to her. I pushed forward, but Mary stood in front of me, blocking my way, and both Stefano and Brett had a hand pressing down on my shoulder, not allowing me to move.
“It’s done now,” Mary assured me. “Her shoulder is back in place. It’s very painful, but fast. She’ll feel better.”
“I should have been in there,” I rasped.
She shook her head, a smile pulling at her lips. “I think Jerry was wise to keep you away. He knows you would have reacted and, no doubt, punched him in the face. He has a nice face. Shame to damage it.” She cupped my cheek. “Relax. You need to relax. She is going to need you, Maxx.”
I swallowed and forced my shoulders to drop. “She has me,” I murmured.
Mary’s eyes were tender. Understanding. “I know.”
Jerry came from the room, looked over at us, and held up his hands. “We’re giving her pain meds and strapping the ankle. You can go in soon. The worst is over.”
He glanced toward Mary. “Good job. I didn’t need the hulk appearing and breaking the place.”
Mary laughed. “He has a little more control than that.”
“Not much,” Brett muttered. “Not when it comes to Charly.”
I snapped my head in his direction, but he simply shrugged. “It’s true, big guy. Give in and enjoy it. She’s something special.”
I looked toward the door that kept me from her.
He was right. She was.
It felt as if hours passed before I was allowed in to s
ee her, although Mary told me it had only been forty-five minutes. I stepped into the room, pausing at the end of Charly’s bed. I felt a strange lump in my throat looking at her. Tenderness and rage battled in my head. I wanted to hold her, comfort her. I wanted to go find the bastards and beat them until they were bloody.
Tenderness won out.
I moved to the chair beside her, sitting down and letting my gaze roam freely, assessing all the injuries I could see, and worried about the ones I couldn’t.
Her face was wan, paler than I had ever seen her. Her freckles were drops of ink on the pallid skin. Her eyes were shut, her long lashes resting on her cheeks, and her matted hair was pulled away, leaving her face exposed. A huge bruise on her forehead and another on her cheek bloomed dark and angry. Abrasions were scattered everywhere. Her hands were resting on the blanket, more bruising and cuts marring her skin. Her ankle was propped up, a tensor bandage wrapped around it, the swelling evident. I was certain if I drew back the blanket on her I would see bruising and cuts on her legs.
Fury began to win out over the need to stay beside her, but before I could move, her eyes fluttered open, the mossy green almost gray with pain. Tenderness returned full force, and I learned a new lesson.
I hated to see this girl in pain. My girl.
She lifted her hand, seeking, and I carefully enclosed it within mine. “Hi,” I managed to get out past the lump in my throat.
“Hi.” She swallowed. “You found me.”
I leaned closer, wanting to kiss her but worried about hurting her. I bumped the end of her nose with mine. “I’ll always find you, Red.”
A tear slid down her cheek.
“Are you in pain?”
“No. I think they have me on some good stuff.”
“I told them only the best.”
Her smile was wobbly, but there.
“Could I have some water?”
I poured the cold liquid into a cup and held the straw as she sipped.
“Better,” she sighed.
Revved to the Maxx Page 24