Page 13 of The Devil's Revelation
SIX
IZZY
I’m no one’s whipping girl, and if they think they’re going to run me off, they’re in for a surprise.
The garage is insanely busy today, though maybe it’s because since I got here this morning I haven’t stopped running. The guys have thrown every kind of job they can at me to trip me up, not that I’ll let them see me struggle. I don’t even ask for help when I can barely turn the wrench around a seized lug nut, though I’m sure I’m going to be feeling that strain for a few days.
Instead, I work quietly like I’ve made my habit, keeping my head down as much as possible. The guys have been assholes to me, crude and downright hostile in a few instances, but I never allow myself to react. To react would give them something else to go after me for, and it’s only been a week since I started here.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to myself I regret not taking Torque up on his offer. I doubt I’d have to put up with the shit I’m dealing with, but I’m no quitter. Even if I want to. Especially now when Tony tosses a filthy rag in my face as he walks by. I gasp in surprise, but other than that, I just take the rag off my face and set it on my bench. He snickers as he continues to his bay, and Ray rolls his eyes.
“You know,” he says casually, “this would all stop if you would just admit this ain’t no place for you and quit. Maybe you can learn to strip or something. Make more money.” He gives me a leer. “I might just go and watch you, even with those tiny tits.”
I don’t answer him. I just arch a brow and turn back to my job. Silence is everything and I use it as a shield.
“Not much of an ass either,” Charlie chimes in as he comes to stand by Ray. He looks me over and I try not to show any emotion as I feel his stare. My stomach tightens, repulsed. “Hard to tell with those coveralls though. You’d think a bitch would want to show off the goods. What gives, Mills? Or you batting for the other side?”
I don’t answer just continue to work.
“Bet she likes pussy,” Enzo agrees as he and Tony come to stand with Ray and Charlie. “What’s the matter, honey? Haven’t found a man with a cock good enough to fuck you? Bet I could change your mind.” He grabs his junk and thrusts his hips forward crudely.
“Not with that tiny pecker you won’t,” Tony laughs. Enzo glares at him. “She wants a real man, I’ll help her out.” He walks towards me and I fight not to stiffen, though I hold on to my wrench a little tighter. When he’s only a few feet away, he puts his hands on his hips and leers at me. “Maybe that’s what we need to do to loosen you up, bitch. A good fucking always loosens ‘em up.”
“No thanks,” I say tightly. “I don’t sleep with people I work with.”
“And why’s that?” he demands. “You think you’re too good to sleep with the likes of us? Is that it?”
I can sense the danger rising. I need to be very careful. Men like Tony don’t like to be rejected, and their egos can make them dangerous. I look at him, keeping my face blank. “Because the last thing I need is to sleep with one of you and lose my job,” I tell him evenly. “Besides, I thought you had a woman or a wife.” I’ve heard him mention a woman a few times, but not anything more than what he likes to do to her in bed.
Tony shrugs. “Don’t care. Women are a dime a dozen and pussy is pussy.”
I don’t dare roll my eyes, even if I want to. I’m not surprised at his answer. I just give him a curt nod and get back to my job. Thankfully Tony doesn’t press me, but I don’t miss the calculating look in his eyes, and I feel dread start to unfurl in my gut. Charlie, Enzo, and Ray also get back to work, but I don’t miss the smirks between them.
As the day goes on, I start to relax, but I’m still very aware of the potential danger from all four men.
I thought by now they might have softened toward me a little bit, but it’s not turning out to be the case. I take every job they throw at me with no complaint. I rarely take breaks, and I’m always the last one to leave since it’s become my job to clean the shop at the end of the day. Hell, I thought Sergio would warm up to me a bit, but the only time he’s spoken to me is to tell me to not fuck anything up.
I’m still new, I remind myself constantly. I have to pay my dues and then they’ll realize I’m a valuable employee and co-worker.
As the day goes on, the jobs get harder, and I have to struggle to keep up. The rest of the guys are cursing Sergio for making them do this kind of job on a Friday, especially since it means that they can’t take as many smoke breaks as they normally do.
The day goes to shit though when Sergio comes storming out into the garage and screams, “Mills. My office. Now!” Then he spins and storms back through the door.
I stand there for a moment, surprised, but then move to clean off my hands and walk out of the garage. I hear the jeers and laughter from the guys, and when I glance over, I see the smug looks on their faces. I guess they’re thinking that they’re finally going to get their wish and see me fired.
Unease moves inside me, as I head to the office. When I reach it, I knock lightly on the door jam. “Get in here and shut the door,” Sergio barks. I do as he says and stand, waiting. “What the fuck is the meaning of this?” he snarls at me, holding up a sheet of paper. I glance at it and see that it’s a work order. “You gave a customer a discount on his fucking engine job? Where the fuck do get off thinking you can do that? In my fucking shop?”
“That wasn’t—”
“Don’t even bother with your pathetic excuses,” he interrupts, pinning me with his cold eyes. “You’re on thin ice as it is. If you think that just ‘cause you have a snatch, I’ll be letting your run shit around here, you’re very much mistaken. The boys have been telling me about all the shit you’ve been pulling.”
I’m so stiff that I’m shocked I don’t lock up. Why am I not surprised? “All I will tell you, Sergio, is that whatever they’ve told you is a lie,” I say stiffly. “I also did not work on an engine job today. I’ve done nothing but oil changes and tires.”
“So that’s not your signature on the order?” he demands, thrusting it at me.
I look at it. “No, it isn’t. If you look at the jobs I’ve done, you’ll see it’s not even close.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Should have known hiring a woman was going to be nothing but trouble,” he mutters. “Get back to work, and if I have to call you in here again, you’ll be out on your ass. Got it?”
