He was distrustful at first, only speaking to question things, and he watched the few possessions he had as if they might disappear if he blinked. But he worked hard, so bloody hard.Told me he was determined to pay me back, that he wasn’t a charity case.
I’d show him how to do something once, maybe twice, and he’d have it down. I had him get his GED, and then his certificates. To my surprise, he’d stayed. He’d risen in the ranks over the years until he ran all the mechanics, leaving me free to run the business side. Although I still got my hands dirty if we were short-staffed.
The longer he stayed, the more he filled out. North’s come a long way from the skinny, malnourished teenager I’d taken in. Now he stood a solid six-foot-two, topping me by a few inches. Broad-shouldered, olive-skinned, with dark hair usually shoved back from his face under one of the shop caps.
Now there was confidence in the way he carried himself, and I was as proud of him as if he were my own.
The lost, shadowed look that had once haunted his eyes was gone. Before he started earning his own money, I made sure he had three meals a day. I would’ve moved him in with me, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
North stayed in the back room for years. In fact, he was still there, though we’d turned it into a small apartment over time, making it a lot more liveable.
His tenacity and drive to learn are what made him the man he is today. One of my favourite people.
The anger he carried didn’t vanish, not completely—but it settled the longer he was with me.
We’ve developed a good relationship over the years. He came to trust me and he’s loyal but only to me, and I’d say if push came to shove maybe to Roman, too. But that was because he was my best friend.
He worked hard and played hard, keeping himself fit at the gym in town. He needed to, because he loved to fight. I guess the anger had to come out somehow.
Underground, off the book fights. No rules or safety equipment. It was a bloody and dirty sport, my only stipulation to them was that he tell me when he had one so that I could send someone with him. Usually, Carnage volunteered. I guess as our Sergeant at Arms he enjoyed it, and I know he’d taken part a few times.
I’m not sure why North fought the way he did. It wasn’t like he needed the money—I made sure of that. I paid him well to manage the five mechanics we had under him. Better than well. He could live comfortably without ever stepping into a ring.
But there’s something in him that still needs the outlet, I suppose. Something that helped to calm the anger filling him, even if he hid it most days.
For years, I tried to bring him into the brotherhood. He wasn’t interested; he just told me he was happy where he was.
So, I let him be.
Still, when I look at him now I can’t help the small, private swell of pride in my chest. He wasn’t just my head mechanic. Not to me, anyway. He did like to fuck with the brothers though, and they know it. He may not be in the brotherhood, but they treat him as if he is most of the time.
“Any problems here other than the fucked-up order?”
“Nah, boss. It’s all good. The sweet ride was picked up by a pretty, feisty brunette. But as the grapevine says, you found your lady and she’s her niece. I made sure the boys were nothing but respectful.”
Amusement shoots through me. If only the boys knew. Janis would have put them on their ass if they’d disrespected her.
My amusement comes through when I tell him, “Appreciate it. You probably saved the boys a beating.”
“No shit,” he grins. “I like a woman that’s not scared to stand up for herself. Feisty,” he wiggles his brows at me.
“No,” I point at him. “Absolutely not.”
He lets out a roar of laughter, holding up his hands. “She’s not my type boss, you don’t have to worry. I liked her though. Are we going to get to meet your lady any time soon?”
Settling back in my seat, I think about it. I need to speak to Maverick to get a vote on bringing Angel on board as an Ol’ Lady.
Once I have I can ask her, and then I was moving her in. No messing around, we’ve wasted twenty-eight years. I wasn’t wasting a minute more. Was I stunned at her news of having our daughter? Yes. Was I a little angry? Also yes, but not at her. I was angry at the circumstances, and the pain she’d suffered. Hell … the pain she still suffered if the way she’d fallen apart was any indication. Maybe it would be a good idea to see if Honor was open to communication. It could be just what Angel needed to forgive herself.
“Boss?” North asks, leaning forward and tilting his head to look at me, concern on his face.
Turning my attention to him, I nod. “Yeah, you’ll meet her. I’m going to speak to Maverick about a vote. If it goes through, you’ll come to the welcome party? I want her to meet one of the most important people in my life.”
Surprise flares in his eyes, and he looks away for a beat before turning back to me. “Of course I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.” He assures me, standing up. “There’s nothing to report from downstairs, we're up to date and I’ll be calling owners for collections. But, boss, the brothers were right. You need a receptionist that can do this shit.”
He’s right. Hell, they all are. I’ve been putting it off ever since Mary left when her daughter needed her. It had been unexpected, and I hadn’t had time to fill the position. If I were honest, I wasn’t looking forward to it, or having to train someone.
With a groan, I rub my hands over my face in frustration. “I know,” I agree. “I’ll have Mamba do an advert and get it out there, unless you know of anyone?”