Page 41 of Dark Seduction

“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” he argues.

“I appreciate you looking out for me, Burnt. But I can handle myself just fine,” I say, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t need to hover over me all the time.”

Burnt looks at me for a moment, his expression softening. “I’m sorry, I just... I can’t help but worry,” he admits. “This is our baby, and I want to make sure you and our baby are safe.” He whispers the word low enough that the sound of the garage covers it up. V didn’t even react, so I know that we’re safe for now, but if he keeps this up, the entire world will know."

“I know,” I say softly, reaching up to cup his cheek.

“But trust me, I’m doing everything I can to keep us both safe. And I won’t hesitate to ask for your help if I need it.”

I can see the relief in his eyes, and I know I made the right decision. I turn to V, who is now walking over to us. “Everything good, V?” I ask.

“Yeah, just finishing up some paperwork. Finally got Blake’s oil leak figured out. Most obscure fucking place I’ve ever seen,” he says, nodding towards his desk. “You guys need anything?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks, V,” I say, smiling at him. My eyes saying something entirely as I plead with him to find something for Burnt to do before I lose my shit on him.

“Want to take her for a spin, Burnt? She needs a test drive, and I need to get started on the Datsun that just arrived this morning.”

Burnt looks at me, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “How about I pick up lunch while I’m out?”

“Sounds good to me,” V answers. “Mack?”

“Sure,” I mutter. “Just get me whatever.” My stomach had not ceased to stop rolling, so matter what I ate, it would have a very high probability of coming back up again. “Could you get a lemonade? Heavy on the ice.”

“Anything,” Burnt smiles. A sense of renewed purpose for his energy. If I had to guess, gallons of lemonade would start showing up in my fridge next. Thank god, he didn’t have a key to my place.

V walks back to his station, pulling the keys from the top of his workstation, and tossing over to Burnt. “Take it slow first. Don’t put too much pressure on the engine and keep your eye on the oil pressure. She so much as ticks about average, shut it down and call me. We’ll tow her back.”

Burnt nods at the instructions. He peers over at me, glancing my way one more time before he stalks over to the waiting Corvette. He slides inside, and after V opens the bay door, he’s gone. A sigh of relief going with him when he’s out of sight.

“Thank you,” I mouth to V.

I get back to work. Today’s project is easy. Just quick coat of paint, and another layer of clear coat. Easy. I’d already laid down the base coat earlier. All I had left was the clear coat. Putting on my mask again, I shift to grab my paint gun when a tap comes to my right shoulder. I gaze over and find Judge behind me. Over his shoulder, I see V stone still at his station.

“Got a second?"

“Sure,” I mumble from behind my respirator. I strip off my mask and lay it down on my workstation.

Judge stalks off towards the office with me hot on his heels. I strip off my gloves, stuffing them into my pockets, and unzip my coveralls down to my waist, where I tie them. I feel V’s eyes on me as I pass. Judge doesn’t stop in the main part of his office, but leads me to the manager’s office in the back.

He stops at the door, holding it open for me, and closing it once I’ve entered.

I look around the spacious room, taking in the high ceilings and the worn wallpaper on the walls. The manager’s desk dominates the space, a large metal monstrosity that almost dwarfs the statuesque man now sitting behind it.

“Take a seat,” he says, his deep voice resonating through the room. I sit in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk, my hands folded in my lap.

“I wanted to talk to you about Burnt,” he starts, his eyes piercing into mine.

“Burnt?” I mutter.

“Yes, Burnt. He’s constantly at the garage, hovering over you. Before you started working here, he only came here when V, or one guy, asked him as a prospect. Now, he’s here every day. Is he bothering you, Mack?”

“No, of course not,” I stutter.

Judge holds up a head. “If it is, I will take care of it.”

“This isn’t you can help me with,” I blurt out.

“Is that so?”

---