“Christ, Jody, you’ll get me fired!” I snapped, needing her away from Salvos.
Jody’s shoulders straightened. “Magic—”
“Jody, go home! You shouldn’t be wandering about in this state. You look like death warmed up! Just do as you’re fuckin’ told!” I yelled.
Jody reeled back and looked hurt. But I couldn’t retreat. Not with Salvos behind me.
“Fine.” Without another word, Jody returned to the car and drove off.
“I’ll let Mathews know that she’s sick. Keep that bitch away from the yard. She sees too much, that one,” Salvos ordered.
There was no way I’d risk Jody with these assholes. Salvos had been pushing for me to do more, and I’d refused. I wasn’t sure where the cash I was transporting came from, but I had a feeling it was drugs or blood money. And I wasn’t moving into that shit. Time to leave the construction site. Three months remained on my parole. Despite Rutter being a cunt, I could hunt for a new job; even cleaning toilets would do.
“Let’s get this clear. I’m a runner until I’m off parole and can take the bar back. This isn’t a fuckin’ career path. It’s some easy money to get me through a shit time,” I snarled. “I’ll keep my woman away, but stop with the useless threats. You aren’t the big man in town, and I’m not intimidated. Not around here.”
Salvo’s expression darkened. “You’re under a misapprehension. Magic, you aren’t in charge of anything. The moment you took that first bag, you became an employee. You’re right, you’re nothing, which means you ain’t calling the shots. It would be a shame should something happen to that pretty lady of yours.”
My gut twisted, and rage woke inside. I stalked into Salvos’s personal space and stared him down. “Don’t ever threaten Jody again. South Dakota is full of unmarked graves.”
Threat uttered, I turned away and returned to work. But my spine tingled. This wasn’t over, not by a long shot.
Jody
Curled up on Aster’s couch, I yanked the blanket higher and sniffed. I’d not gone home; I’d driven straight to her apartment.
“And Magic just shouted for no reason?” Aster asked.
“Yup. Magic didn’t even let me explain. He acted as if I were a bother.”
“Jody, that’s not Magic,” Aster defended. Upset, I wished I could agree, but today had rocked me. Magic had shown real anger and frustration, which had frightened me a little.
“Talk to him, Jody,” Aster urged. “Maybe Magic was having a bad day.”
“Yeah, well, I’m nobody’s whipping boy.”
Aster cocked an eyebrow, and I smiled weakly. “You understand what I mean,” I clarified.
“I do, honey, and you love Magic. Don’t let one shitty day ruin everything. You’ve been together four years, albeit two of those Magic was inside for. But you’ve something special, don’t throw that away.”
A heavy sigh escaped me. Aster was right.
???
“Are you okay?” I asked as I placed Magic’s dinner on the table.
“Stressed, baby,” he replied. Magic cut into his steak and chewed.
“I need to talk to you—”
“Ditto. Babe, keep clear of the construction site; things are a bit tense there.”
“I’m not welcome anymore?”
“Not there. Shit’s going down, and it’s not safe.”
Apprehensively, I stared at Magic. “Should I be worried?”
“No. Not if you obey me. Jody, just stay the fuck away.”
