The other workers exchanged wide-eyed looks, and Manuel's face turned into the reddest shade of red—if there's anything like that.
"But, Beta, that's—"
"Did I ask for your opinion, Manuel?" Axel cut him off smoothly, eyes darkening.
Manuel swallowed again.
I watched his gaze flicking to the pile of meat and then to me. "Yes, Beta. I understand."
As much as this was all a shock to me, watching someone put the bully in his place for me was satisfying.
"Good," Axel said, clapping him on the shoulder with enough force to make the man stumble slightly. "And before you get started, apologize to María Jośe."
Goodness me, there was more?!
Manuel turned to me, glaring at me with resentment and embarrassment. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.
Axel waggled a finger in front of him. "Louder. And like you mean it."
The latter bit his bottom lip and tried again. "I'm sorry, Señorita María Jośe. I shouldn't have said that."
