Raw (RAW Family #1)(42)

He’s caving. And quick. I guess I expected more of a fight from him.

I ask firmly, “You in or out? ‘Cause if you’re out, I’ll just let you know that you’ll never get another opportunity like this again. I look after my employees, Michael, that’s why they don’t leave me.”

Michael looks unsure for a second. He asks, “What’s in it for you?”

My lip twitches.

Smart kid. I knew I liked him.

“A young employee who likes to learn. Someone with a fresh, untainted mind that I can teach without having to unteach the shit you’ve been taught. An employee who will work his way up. An employee who might even be me one day.”

Michael’s eyes have become both hopeful and wistful, and I know I’ve got him.

He nods and I smile gently, “Good.” Handing him a business card, I explain, “This is your new workplace. You’ll come every day after school and work with me ‘til eight PM. I’ll take you home myself, so you don’t need to worry about that. If, at the end of the year, you decide working with me is some place you see yourself in the future, you can quit school and I’ll pay for furthering your education through TAFE or university. Sound good?”

His face holds a look of disbelief and he nods slowly. Looking at his clothes, I tell him, “And dress nice, Michael.”

His face falls and I could smack myself.

That was insensitive.

Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out my wallet. I take out five hundred-dollar bills and place them in his hand. “Like I was saying. Dress nice. And get a haircut too. You look like a freakin’ hippy.”

Dumbfounded.

That’s the only word I could use to explain his expression.

He blinks down at the money, gripping it tightly. Recovering quickly, he says, “Thank you…”

“Twitch,” I offer, then quickly add, “But you’ll call me Mr. T.”

Looking up at me, he utters, “Thanks, Mr. T. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”

I offer a small piece of my true self when I threaten, “You won’t disappoint me, Michael. It would be very stupid of you to disappoint me.”

Looking a little fearful, he says quietly, “Yes, sir.”

Yes, sir.

I like that. This was a good idea.

“And if you have the slightest inkling that you’re going to be late, even by a minute…” I wait to make sure he’s listening. He nods quickly for me to continue. “…You call me and you call Miss Ballentine. I don’t care what time of night or day it is. You f*cking call. Got it?”

He nods vigorously. Wanting to put him at ease, I place a hand on his head and ruffle his scraggly brown hair. “Okay, boy. You’re dismissed. See you Monday.”

With his eyes to the money in his hand, he picks up his school bag and walks out of the office, closing the door behind him.

I inhale deeply, then exhale slowly, hoping that I somehow haven’t made the wrong decision.

The boy is smart. He’s quick with his words but has respect. He’ll do nicely.

“What was that?” Ah. Lexi.

Fiddling with a cuff link, I tell her, “You were here, babe. Just gave the boy a job.”

Walking across the office, she stands toe-to-toe with me.

And it makes me smile. A real smile.

She’s so small. With her hands on her hips and her face bunched, she looks pissed at me. I don’t know why she’d be pissed at me, but her stance has me a little worked up.

My eyes flash.

Sitting on the edge of her desk, I spread my knees apart and demand, “Come here, Lexi.”

Bending at the waist, she whisper-hisses, “No! I will not come here, Lexi just because you said so! What I’m still struggling with is why you just gave my seventeen-year-old two-year case a job when I don’t want him dealing!”

Back up.

Folding my arms across my chest, I lean back and study the floor, pursing my lips.

“You think I gave Michael a job dealing drugs for me?” I peek up at her through furrowed brows.

Her eyes lose some steam and her stance weakens. “Well, I did. Until you said that.” Reaching up, she pinches the bridge of her nose. “Dammit, now I’m just confused.”

Adorable. No shit.

“Babe, I gave that boy a job. A legit job. He needs the money for something, and he’s desperate enough to turn to the streets. Not gonna happen now. He’ll shadow me and be somewhat of a PA for me. You said it yourself, he’s smart. He needs something better than dealing. And I promise, if he sticks with me, I’ll take care of him. He’ll go to school and get a degree. He’ll be better off working for me.”

Her face has softened, but her eyes are still wary. Rolling her eyes, she asks sarcastically, “So, what? You’re just going to hire all my kids now?”

I immediately ask in all seriousness, “Would that make you happy?”

‘Cause I’d f*cking do it.

For her, I’d do it.

Not answering, she shakes her head and her face becomes sweet again. “I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions and it was really shitty of me. I’m glad Michael is working for you rather than dealing. It was a nice thing to do. So, thank you, Twitch.”

Patting the inside of my knee, I demand once more, “Come here, Lexi.”