Shade(95)
“That’s why your bike is broken down all the time,” Shade told him as Georgia walked up to Hardin and Lily.
The floor supervisor was a bitch. Rider had promoted the single mother when he had been managing the factory, and Shade had to put up with the evil bitch because of Rider’s bad decision.
He waited until break was over before going into his office. It wasn’t long before Georgia came in after briefly knocking, placing her clipboard on his desk.
“We’re going to need an extra truck today. We have too many orders.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Shade replied, not looking up from his computer.
“I overheard Hardin asking Lily out.”
Shade took his eyes off the computer. The bitch seemed absolutely giddy about spreading gossip.
“Why would I care who my employees see in their free time?”
“I just thought … It seemed like you were interested in Lily.” She became wary when Shade’s expression darkened.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had to deal with tattletales, Georgia. I don’t feel the need to encourage gossip, either. Mind your own business, or I’ll transfer you back to the production line to keep you busy.”
“Yes, sir.” The woman hastened out of his office.
He picked up his cell phone as soon as her ass was out.
“What do you need?” Viper hissed.
Shade smiled. He had seen Winter’s car pull in the parking lot. It was Viper’s birthday, and his doting wife was probably at that moment giving Viper his present. From the moans he heard in the background, he had interrupted one or both of them coming.
“I need to hire a new driver.”
“We hired one a week ago. We don’t need to hire a new driver; just have them make another trip.”
“That doesn’t work for me. I like to stay on schedule. Besides, we don’t have to hire a new employee; I have the perfect person in mind, and he already works for us. We’ll just increase how much he gets paid.”
“No, I want to stay on budget.”
Shade grinned evilly. “I have Winter’s IOU from last night. I’m thinking of cashing it in because Bliss likes that new purse Winter’s been packing.”
“Son of a bitch!” Shade didn’t know if Viper had just come or if he was insulting him. “Go ahead. Do what you want, but I want that IOU at dinner tonight.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Will do. Oh, and Viper, I have a brand new paddle that hasn’t been broken in yet if you want to borrow it.”
“Fuck off.”
Shade waited until the end of the day before calling Hardin into his office.
“In your employment application, you stated you have your CDL license. That true?”
“Yes, but I also said I was tired of driving. I drove a coal truck and—”
“Is the license still current?”
“Yes, bu—”
“Good. We need another driver, and Viper doesn’t want to hire a new one. You can start tomorrow.”
Hardin placed a hand on his desk, leaning toward him. “I don’t want to drive a truck,” he said angrily.
“Then I’ll have to fire you so I can hire someone who does. It’s your decision.” Shade shrugged.
“It’s not my decision, or I wouldn’t have to drive a fucking truck.”
Shade remained silent.
“Fine, I’ll drive the truck. I have child support payments to make, and I’m two months behind. I can’t afford to be late on another payment, or my ex will take me to court.”
“I’m glad that’s settled.” Shade went back to work on his computer. “Make sure you stay away from Lily while you’re loading the trucks, or I’ll call your ex and tell her about the extra cash you’re making helping Razer build his house.”
As Hardin’s face turned a ruddy red and his hands clenched by his side, Shade stood up, coming around his desk. “Are we going to have a problem?”
Shade pinned him with a deadly look. The slimy fucker wasn’t going to slide into home plate with Lily after he had waited years for her. Shade didn’t believe Lily would be attracted to Hardin, but he wasn’t going to take a chance. Shade had seen too many killed in the service by not being careful.
“No, I don’t have a problem. I’m sure I’ll enjoy my new job,” Hardin said, jerking the door open.
“Is everything all right?” Shade heard Lily ask Hardin.
He didn’t speak to her, merely walked past her to leave the building at the same time Shade came out of his office.
“Is everything all right?” she asked Shade instead.
“Everything is fine,” Shade said, losing interest with the man when he walked out the door.