Fuse (Book 3 Hell Raisers MC)

9

FUSE

I was watching some asshole try and explain why he needed his card to pay us for the work Slice just did on it. I waited as Slice told him that wasn't how the world worked and that he couldn't be as dumb as he looked.

"Maybe this makes sense, so your job doesn't give you money before you work your hours, does it? No. You don't get to walk out of here without paying and if we need to we will remove every part we put on and contact the police about this unregistered piece of shit."

The guy turned bright red and said something about bringing his father with him when he came back with the spare key, and then he was stomping away and I laughed outright with Slice when we made eye contact. I started to tell him what to do before hearing my phone in the office ring. “I know what to do.” He waved me off and took a deep huff before I turned and left him to the dismantle.

I looked at the clock on my way in and grabbed the land line. Should be business related.

"This is Fuse." I answered and leaned on the counter as I heard someone confirm my business name. "Yeah, how can I help you?"

"Yes, I am looking to see how much you would charge for a comeplete color change on a FJ cruiser." An old car that hasn't come in years.

"I would have to know the measurements- Toyota stopped making those cars so long ago we havent had one in years. But I can give you a figure between a Santa Fe which is around the same size and a modern Jeep and go from there." I knew it was probably somewehre in the computer if I put it all in- but I knew the other two off the top of my head since they were SUV sizes.

"Sure."

"Depending on the color- since some do run higher prices- if a more basic one it's a flat 1500."

"So if I wanted a cherry red with maybe white script on a door- like a girls name nothing too fancy- is that extra detailed priced flat too or does it depend on how long the name is?"

"Depends on the lettering type since we might need more paint for a long super detailed name." I kind of liked this guy, he was doing something sweet and heartwarming for his girl it sounded like.

"How much for say," He paused and I heard him counting. "6 letters." He said and then I heard him laugh. "And a heart."

"How about I throw this in for free with that 1500. I won't add nothing else on the price unless you want a specific cherry red that we would need to order since it is expensive. We can set up an appointment to get it in and done if you want as well."

"Her birthday is the 14th and it's her car. She is going to be on a girls weekend trip just before and I will have full access ot the car only at that time." I bit my lip and tried not to be negative. I usually didn't do jobs unless the owner of the actual car signed off on it.

"Let me see the dates- I don't usually book anything on the weekends but I need to make sure it isn't a scheduled day off for any of my crew." I let him sit on hold as I looked it up and then around other things coming in around the week before. "Ok. I have time on the 12th and 13th. I usually hike the price up to double incase any issues with the main owner didn't sign off on I can change it free of charge to that person...but as a present to her I won't be f*****g anything up. Bring it in any time before the 12th and I can make sure that we have it all figured out." I told him and he said that he lived near by maybe he would stop in when he put gas in it.

I ended telling him I was here until 5 most nights so we could try and figure it out.

I walked out, and stood near the only car we had ready to leave, as I saw Slice taking apart the guys sound system he just put in. "You know what, charge this guy half for wasting our time and if the daddy has an issue send them to me." I told him and went to help him lift out the stuff from the back. He grabbed up a few more things like wires and the screwdriver he had used to pry the carpet out of the way.

"He's a dumbass little kid that's lucky I don't call the cops to impound this s**t right now." He wiped his forehead dry and cursed something else before taking a break.

"We had his card on file?" I asked and he nodded before grabbing a can of his red bulls and cracking one open. "I'll charge it all now and then offer a partial refund because the kid wasted your time. Maybe I will even charge for the system and we can use it." I told him and walked back to the office. I looked up the make and year of the car before going right to the card and charging full price before printing a recipet of a full bill. I put a post it note of half plus the price of the speakers and set it to the side before hearing my phone go off.

I pulled it out of my back pocket and read my girls cute little message.

Thinking of you, what time are you stopping by today?

I'm going to stop by around dinner time. we are having a few rude customers on top of work today so I will have to order delivery for lunch. I wish I was there to spend the day looking at you and not Slice.

I will see you for dinner xxxxxxx

I smiled like a goofy kid and set my phone down. Anything with my girl was perfect. cuddles, makeouts, hand holding, all of it was perfect. My balls hated me but I was right about her my whole life, she was too good for me. She was as pure as snow at heart, couldn't say no to anyone for anything always going out of her way, I even saw her take some of her tip money for this single mom the other day so she could eat too.

She was all mine now. No one was going to hurt her or make her feel bad without going through me first. She was my Angel.

Slice and I had lunch before the kid came back with a tow truck as his ride. I glared and stood and took the post it note off and made sure to get Slices attention in the other room.

“You the men who won’t release my son’s car?” The tow truck driver asked as he pushed open his own door.

“Technically sir, your son’s car is unregistered. The old registration isn’t even in his name. He also said he wouldn’t pay us today but we’ve already stripped the parts out and I’ve charged full price. If you’re here to take the car go right ahead.” I waved at it and the old man saw the emblem of the club on the back wall and his eyes darted there and then to me.

“Keep the car- I’ll sign anything over. Time this dumb s**t learns a lesson.” He told me and shot his son a look when he started to protest.

“Smart men don’t do dumb s**t. You’re out more money for trying to be a hard ass. You lost the car.” The dad yelled at him and then looked around. “I’m a freelance tow company- you ever need one taken because the owner is a dumb s**t like this kid- call me.” He handed over a card from his shirt pocket and I nodded and let him drive off as he yelled at the kid.

“I know that man didn’t just give us this car.” Slice grunted out and I smirked.

“I know who could use a car.” I told him and then looked right to the sound system he ripped out. “She’s an Angel really.” I smirked and rubbed my hands together. It was only 1… I could get it ready to drive over.

“This is a piece of junk-“

“Not if I can fix it up all the time.” I opened the car up popped the trunk and started assessing.

Daisy’s POV

I wiped the dishes clean and set them in the water before turning and scraping more off. It was close to 5 and no sign of Vic.I walked around the small kitchen trying to wait and hold off on worrying. Victor said he would be here around 5 and it’s almost 7. I had already messaged him that I had to take my lunch because I had the cover…he hasn’t responded at all and I was off in an hour.

I rubbed the back of my neck and heard this hoot out front and looked out the window and saw slice walking in covered in muck and he was calling my name in a sing-song voice.

That had to be good news right?

Maybe the issues Vic was talking about turned out really good. I moved my way out the doors and was tying my apron back on when he reached for my shoulders and started to push at me until I was being pushed out the front door to see a car parked in two spots with the lights on bumping hard like it had a good stereo in it.

”That’s cool Slice. Is Vic still at the shop?” I asked and looked at the guy getting out of the car only to be shocked when a love song starts playing loudly as the trunk is popped and it’s Victor getting out of the car with a little thing of daisy flowers in his hand.

”This is cute.” I laughed and went down the ramp to meet him at the door he still hasn’t closed up. “Nice. Customer will like it?” I asked and saw the pink lights shining on the floor, the cute little flowery smelling tree on the mirror.

”Customer forfeited this car as an unregistered car in my lot. Left it to me basically. And well you know, we don’t need any cars at the shop, the compound or anything like that, so I figured I knew a girl who could use a free car without any guilt that I bought it for her.” Victor shrugged it off like it was a done deal… but I didn’t know how to drive.

I didn’t need a car. I would have to pay for a spot in the parking garage at my apartment-

“Stop that overthinking. I already talked to Aiden. He has given you one of his spots and me a bike spot for free. It might be near the trash shoots but it’s on the second floor so it’s not by the actual trash.” He tapped my nose and gave me the flowers and then gave my lips a peck. “I will give you a lesson on the way home on how to drive. She is an automatic so don’t worry it isn’t too complicated.” He rubbed my shoulders a little and moved me closer to the seat. I swallowed hard and let him push me into the car and I set the flowers in my lap.

I could hear him saying something to Slice and then the door next to me was closed and he went around and that’s when I noticed how dark the windows are too. No one could see in here.

I heard the passenger door open and I focused as Vic got in the seat and then he closed the door too.

”I know this is a lot. I know you don’t like gifts, or that big gifts make you uncomfortable. I am not sure which one you’re feeling. But believe me when I say that everything I put into this car is either free or someone else paid for it and I used the extras.” He told me and to be truthful that did ease some. “Slice and I put a new sound system in with a new stereo. We put tint on the windows since we always have so much extra after a job. I added the lights in because a BMW girl wanted them a while ago and never came back in for the installation because it would be a separate fee for labor- don’t know how she got confused on that one.” He huffed out a laugh and I smiled and reached for his hand and held it tight.

”I am scared to ruin this. It’s a gift. A free gift and I don’t know how to drive.” I was honestly starting to accept this as a gift in my head, to be excited over it. He wasn't someone that would put this in front of my face and then yank it away when I showed real interest in it like my mom and her boyfriends would do with anything even candy on Halloween. This was real, this was my life, my boyfriend, my car.

“I have an hour left, are you hungry?” I asked him after I settled with my turn of events.

Things were changing for me. And it was all because of Victor.

He ran around to help me out of the low car and then I heard Slice and looked over to see him chatting up two women as he talked about how he worked on my car, how he is good with his hands… anything he does with his hands.

Vic laughed and shook his head and made sure to open the door for me into the diner.

”How did she like it?” I looked over at Daniel who had a huge smile on his face.

”I love it.” I spoke up when Victor seemed unsure. “It even has pink lights.” I started to gush and the laugh Daniel let out had me pausing. “How did you know I would like the pink lights?”

”I asked someone you spend a lot of time with. Daniel is your secret keeper he knows all and is wise enough to be discreet.” I flushed pink and smiled. I did have people who cared about me. I was so unusual to think of it that way but really it was nice and comforting.

The last hour of work I swerved my way around the last of the tables and when I was headed into the back I made sure to process Victors milkshakes to go and paid for it out of my tips since I have been doing pretty good on tips these past couple of weeks.

I walked out with both shakes my purse and Vic was waiting at the table with cash and I smirked and leaned up to give him a kiss that he took liberties with. His hands roamed and I had to hold onto he cold shakes as they groped and his lips took my breath away. This was just magical. All of it. All I could have ever wished for was happening without me ever even wishing for it.

I pulled back and handed him his shake before sipping on mine. “All done and paid for, should we start this lesson?” I batted my eyes hoping he wouldn’t make a fuss about the shakes being out of my tips. I was sure Daniel would let me take them for free anyway but still, I wanted to make it right.

”Go get your cute ass in the drivers seat.” He lifted keys and let me take them before he walked just in front of me until he opened all the doors for me to get out and then to get in the car.

I stated it up as soon as he was in and the first thing he had me do was put my belt on. “Now look in your mirrors. I am going to get out and you’re going to have to see me fully in all of them ok?” He asked and I nodded. He stood to the side and I looked for the little buttons before seeing them and moving the side mirrors and then he got in for the dash one. “That you I want you to be able to see the full back window but from where you are relaxed in the seat.” Once they were all rearranged he told me to hit the button for #1 on the side of the door panel and hold it until it beeps.

”So fancy.” The last car my mom had was a late 80s model that still had to manually roll down. I thought I would learn to drive in that thing but that wasn’t going to ever happen once she totaled it.

”We are going to reverse and then drive around the parking lot so you get the feel of the wheel turning as much as you need to as well as the break. Nothing is super sensitive so it should all be easy.” He told me and it was. I went around the few cars and up the rows before he made me pull in to see how well I park and then he told me to get out and look at my natural talent.

I was flush in the lines perfectly. Almost like I had measured it out. He told me sometimes it can get worrying when leaving the spot but if I ever needed help to call him and he would come and help move the car anyway I needed it. We took to the streets with me still driving. I did the speed limit and then he lifted a little remote when we got to the stop sign outside of the apartment complex and I watched the gate open. “Vic, how did you have time for all of this?”

“I was late…Aiden had an extra remote already programmed and an empty spot I just had to collect it all.” He shrugged and then told me the spot was to the left up the ramp so up we went.

I parked and got out to see how well I did again and I was more to the right than the left but I was parking next to a wall and then to another car so we had more room on the other side of the line on the right.

”That’s good common sense baby.” He took me under his arm and we soaked to the elevator and I put my key in before hitting my floor and then I turned right into him.” I hugged hard and tight and tried not to let tears fall but it was a little too late.

His arms were tightening around me and he was telling me it was ok, that I shouldn’t be crying, a whole bunch of nice things and then I pulled back when the elevator opened and I showed him I was smiling and he smiled and kissed my forehead and told me to start walking.

His hand never left mine and I pulled him faster to my apartment. He came in and seemed to stay back away from me until I approached him.

”You’re too good for me.” I whispered and he opened his mouth so I continued. “But I think I will love that most about you for as long as I live.” I whispered and he smiled softly and gave me another kiss.

“Baby- if there is anyone too good for anyone here that is you. I don’t know what I have done to deserve you. I have a temper, I have done evil things for my club… things I don’t ever want you to even think I am capable of. I stayed away so you never had to get all caught up in my world and I am so selfish. The moment you needed me I snatched the chance to keep you.”

”Victor…” I whispered his name after hearing that. I knew what he did for the club was for the club. I knew whatever he had to do it was out of need or orders or danger. His club was not a reason he should think he didn’t deserve a chance. “you are all I ever wanted. Just you. All parts of you.” I whispered knowing he might still not want me to know what he does for the club. But I was here for him, who he was deep down. Who he was with me… that’s who I loved.