Chapter Two.
Magic – October 2007
Ihefted the heavy bag of cement and carried it over to the mixer. I’d worked here for three months now and detested this place. Construction wasn’t my thing, that was for certain. But the job kept the idiot parole officer off my back. Check me out, being a contributing member of society. What a joke. As if owning a bar made me a criminal.
I hated the condescending little asshole—Rutter—I’d been assigned to. Rutter’s favourite phrase seemed to be ‘behave, or you’ll finish your term’. I’d wait; in the same way I was biding my time for the judge. The other fighters involved in the fighting ring had received community service, probation, or a suspended sentence. Me? Six foot seven, built like a brick shit house, the judge had decided I was a criminal and sent me down.
He’d pay.
“Magic, you’re wanted,” the foreman, Guy, called, sounding pissed. Infuriated, I gritted my teeth. Surely that jerk hadn’t come to irritate me at work?
I turned around, and my eyes narrowed on Pee-wee Herman’s fuckin’ identical twin, aka Stewie Rutter. The greysuit was short at his ankles and wrists. Rutter wore a sparkling white shirt and a red tie. His black hair was slicked back, and a kid could beat him in an arm-wrestling match; Rutter was that skinny.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded.
“I’m checking you’re doing your job.” Rutter had a high-pitched, feminine voice that made me consider violence.
“Are you fuckin’ kidding? You’re more likely to get me fired. Where’s your hard hat?” I snapped.
“What?” Rutter squealed, puffing his pigeon chest out. In disbelief, I shook my head and marched away. As expected, Rutter chased after me. Disgusted, I grabbed a hard hat and slammed it onto the idiot’s head.
“What are you doing?” Rutter yelled and tried to take it off.
“Remove that, and I’ll report you and have you banned from this site,” the foreman—Guy—warned, passing by.
Rutter’s grew wide. “Was that a threat? Did that man threaten me?” he demanded. I rolled my eyes.
“Nobody is above health and safety; you should be aware of that,” I commented mildly, even as I ground my teeth. Rutter would be lucky to survive another nine months with me. The land at the back of Magic’s Bar contained a few secrets. One more wouldn’t hurt.
“Don’t get cocky. Mr Carter, I have the power here, not you,” Rutter stated, brushing his suit down.
Amused, I leaned forward. “Do you?” I growled out, and Rutter paled, but the little prick held my stare.
“Yes, I do! Mr Carter, I can return you to jail with a snap of my fingers,” Rutter declared. Evilly, I grinned, and Rutter flinched.
“And you can disappear without a trace. Who has the real power?” I whispered softly. Rutter took two steps away. “What do you want? Clearly, I’m here and working,” I continued in a normal tone.
“No doubt you’re unaware, but it’s part of my role to check you’re actually productive,” Rutter sneered.
“Yeah, like I got sent down for being a slacker. Get a life!”
“You’re a violent criminal!” Rutter retorted.
“I was arrested for being a fighter in an illegal fighting ring. Let’s not pretend I was beating the crap out of decent people. Or a thug robbing the elderly.”
“Magic!” I turned and smiled as Jody parked up. Jody waved and climbed out of the car, and I nearly swallowed my tongue. Holy shit. Jody grinned, knowing full well what effect her outfit had. Leather pants that looked plastered on, a tank top leaving her toned arms and shoulders bare, and a rolled-up, tied bandana wrapped around her neck. The knee-high boots sealed the deal. Jesus Christ.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I called, and Jody sauntered over. All around the site, men and several women stopped to watch the show, and it was well worth it. Jody dripped with sexuality. But Rutter seemed immune.
“Hi, babe, I thought we could hang out before my next lesson,” Jody said, walking straight into my arms. She rose to tiptoes and kissed me with barely restrained desire.
“What is going on here?” Rutter demanded, eyeing Jody with distaste.
“Who are you?” Jody snapped as she plastered herself to my chest.
“I’m Mr Carter’s parole officer,” Rutter stated.
“Mr Carter?” Jody’s laughter rang out. “Oh, Magic! Anyway, are you ready?”
