By the time I left, I was all set to start in two days. At least they didn’t have me starting on the weekend. It had been a while since I’d worked in a restaurant—since I left home, actually. It had been my first real job and I’d earned enough money there to keep me off of the streets. Eventually, I moved on. I wanted a job that would help me save for college. None of that mattered now.
I needed to get home and start making the few trips back and forth to get everything moved. The sun had started to dip on the horizon and seeing as no part of me wanted to stay at the old apartment tonight, I needed to move everything before the sun set. My shift at the clothing store was short tomorrow. I could unpack and finish all of my homework before my first shift at Rock Bottom.
Things were falling into place. I just hoped this would be the last upheaval for a while. My bank balance, nor my sanity would be able to cope with much more.
CHAPTER 10
Theresa
I knew my ass was on display as soon as the cold air hit my cheeks. It had been two weeks since I threw Ray out. For the past week the tips had been great and if things stayed that way, I might even be able to say that the skimpy outfit—little black boy shorts that didn’t even attempt to cover my entire butt—was worth it. With a small, ocean blue top that tied in the front, right at the valley of my breasts, my midriff completely exposed, I probably had more coverage with my bikini in summer.
In the last week of working here I’d made enough money to not only pay the security deposit, but the rent as well. More than once when I went home and counted my tips, I considered staying on after graduation. I’d still get a job nursing, but working in the bar on my days off could help pay off my student loans in the blink of an eye. With money that good, I would even be able to start paying them now.
So I worked any shift I could get my hands on. The more shifts, the easier it would be for me to climb out of the mountain of debt I’d created over the last six years.
Not for the first time, I was a little thankful that Ray had bet me that night.
“Hey, sexy.”
I flipped around. “Me?”
“Yeah you. Shake that fine ass over here and take my order.”
The guy seemed like the ultimate sleazeball. Hair so greasy it looked like he dipped it in a vat of kitchen grease. And the way he leered at me . . . it made my skin craw. The suit he wore hung loosely around his shoulders. He was definitely not part of the normal clientele at Rock Bottom. Mainly I dealt with rabid sports fans. They could be a little grabby, but they always tipped well.
I walked up to the table and did my best to keep my distance, out of the reach of his grabby hands. No way did I want him touching me.
“What can I get you?”
“You can come a little closer.” He reached behind me and squeezed my ass, pulling me closer.
“I don’t fucking think so,” a voice snarled.
That voice.
I knew that voice. And it wasn’t one I expected to hear again. I spun around so fast, I almost lost my balance.
Shit.
Miller stood a few feet behind me, arms crossed over his chest, the vein throbbing in his temple telling me he was anything but calm. This was not good. My stomach clenched. I never expected to see him in a place like this. That man was made for fancy restaurants and exclusive clubs. Right then he oozed power, wealth, and money. His three piece, most likely tailor-made suit fit him perfectly. He was all business; except his face. Jaw clenched, hands fisted, he had murder in his eyes.
His gaze slid over to the customer behind me. “In my establishment, the customers keep their hands to themselves.”
In my establishment . . .
Shit. Shit. Shit. Rock Bottom was the sports bar Miller had told me about the night we met. There were so many sports bars in town, but since Ray had taken me there I should have put two and two together. This was likely why the tips were so good. There was way more than drinking and sports watching going on. Probably sports betting. Jason took care of specific customers, always giving them a different menu, telling me they were special clients. I guess they were.
Greaseball held up his hands. “Sorry, man. It’s hard to resist an outfit like that.”
“It’s to look, not touch,” Miller bit out from between clenched teeth.
Relieved that was the end of it, I went back to my job. “What can I—” A hand clamped around my upper arm.
“Excuse us. I need to speak with Miss Carner for a minute.”
Before I had a chance to say anything, I was being led toward the back of the bar, where the offices were located. I tried to pull free of Miller’s hold, but his grip tightened.
“Don’t even think about it, Tess,” he snarled and continued to pull me forward.
What an asshole. What gave him the right to drag me where he wanted me to go? I wasn’t starting a battle with him in the middle of the bar. I needed the job, yes, but what I really wanted to do was turn around and slap him for his behavior.
The hall passed by in a blur until we reached a door near the end. His momentum propelled me across the room as he tossed me inside, letting go of my arm to shut us inside. I whirled around, ready to pounce.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” The deadly calm that had surrounded Miller only moments ago had disappeared.
There was no way I would let this man intimidate me. I crossed my arms over my chest, partly to cover what I didn’t think was his to see. Maybe it was stupid considering he’d most likely chosen the outfit for his employees, not to mention the hundreds of guys who’d seen me in it over the last week, but the difference was that the man standing across from me had seen me naked. He’d seen my flaws. Seen me at my most vulnerable.
“What does it look like I’m doing?”
I knew I was playing with fire, but I wanted him to leave me alone so I could get back to work.
His eyes narrowed. “How in the hell did you get a job here?”
“Now that’s just insulting. I applied. It doesn’t take a much to wear almost nothing and shake my ass for tips.”
His nostrils flared and he took a step forward. I almost took a step back in response, but I held my ground. “I’m the only on who gets to see your ass.”
“I don’t think so. I was a one-night stand to keep you from killing the idiot I was dating, the same idiot who decided to get himself into debt with you. One night does not mean you own me.”
“I beg to differ,” he snapped.
“I’m going back to work.” I spun back toward the door.
He grabbed my arm as I went to move past him. “That’s not going to happen.”
My stomach churned as panic flooded my system. I needed this job. There wasn’t enough money left in my bank account for me to move again, and I refused to call it quits and go back home. That, and I had my pride. Failure wasn’t in my vocabulary. Keeping the job was the only way for me to stay afloat.
“Miller, please,” I begged. “I need the money.”
“Find a job where your ass isn’t on display.” He looked at me and then pulled out his cell, pressing a finger to the screen before snapping, “My office, now.”
I walked over and looked him straight in the eye. “Please. There’s nowhere else around I can make this kind of money without working more than one job. I had to get a new apartment when some guys came looking for Ray. They wanted more money. I was—”
Miller’s face hardened. “What did you say?” His voice was a low, deadly whisper.
I took an unconscious step back. With his brows drawn down over narrowed eyes, not to mention the rigid stance of his body, anyone would back away slowly and hope they weren’t his target. It became very clear that Miller was a man willing to take out anyone who stood in his way.
“Some men Ray owed money to came to the apartment, broke down my door to find him. I was so afraid that they’d hurt me, I packed that night and moved out the next day. But they trashed the place and the landlord kept my deposit. I had to cl
ean out the little I had in my savings to get a new place.”
“Whose men were they?”
“I think they said Marcello something,”
“Motherfucker,” he snapped and began to pace. “Those assholes don’t stop until they have their money, no matter the cost. Should’ve borrowed the money from Ashton,” he said, the last part almost under his breath.
“Why would Ashton lend him the money?”
He glanced over his shoulder at me, one brow quirked. “Considering what I do, you don’t think my brother is just a simple restaurateur, do you?”
Everything clicked into place. I crossed my arms over my chest. “And Ashton wouldn’t want his money?”
“Of course he would. But Ashton only goes after the person that owes him the money, not people they care about.”
Fear trickled through me like ice in my veins. I’d thought I was free and clear of those guys but Miller’s last statement made me think differently, and it wasn’t a pleasant thought. “But I don’t give two shits about Ray.”
“You think that matters to them?” He didn’t wait for me to reply. “All that matters is that Ray gives two shits about you."
My breath came in pants, my heart racing like someone had just taken a whip to my ribcage. I swallowed, mentally running through the contents of my bank account, all the while knowing that if I didn’t have the money to move again, I certainly didn’t have the money to outrun these guys. If a player like Miller had heard of Marcello, he must be significant.
“Either way, I’ll get you set up in a new apartment.”
He reached into his pocket to pull out his phone again. His fingers flew over the screen at the same time I covered the hand holding the phone with mine own.
“I don’t need you to get me a place. I’m not a fan of handouts, or charity.” Growing up in a family where you were only given something with an expectation that something would be given in return, taking favors from anyone was one of my hard limits. Back then it was gifts from my stepfather in exchange for my silence, and even though I sincerely doubted that Miller would have even the slightest thing in common with that piece of shit, I wasn’t about to throw caution to the wind. Even if the thought of Ray’s business catching up with me made me want to vomit.”
“I just need the job.”
He glared at me and for a moment, I worried he would kick me out of his office with nothing. My stomach fluttered watching him, waiting for a decision.
“Fine. you can keep the job,” he said begrudgingly.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Come in,” Miller snapped
Jason popped his head in the door. “Miller?”
Miller looked at me, his face all hard lines. A boulder settled in the pit of my stomach. Then he sighed. “Make sure Tess has the maximum number of shifts at peak times.”
“What about—”
“Jason, maximum shifts.” Miller’s tone brokered no argument.
“You got it. I’ll go redo the schedule right now.”
“And no one touches her. I mean no one.”
Jason nodded once. “I’ll make sure everyone keeps their hands to themselves.”
I should have kept my mouth shut. He hadn’t fired me, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t. But I couldn’t stay quiet. “What does that matter? Everyone here gets their ass smacked or grabbed at least a few times a night.”
“Jason, leave us.” Miller’s cold gaze stayed focused on me. Jason hustled out the door and I was half tempted to follow him.
“I will not repeat myself again. No one touches you but me.”
“I’m not some dog that you can command, Miller.” Brazen asshole that he was.
“No, but if you want to keep this job, hands off . . . except me.”
Why in the hell was I arguing? Jason was going to keep the guys from grabbing me every time I walked by. I would have to be crazy to fight against this. Still, even though he was doing me a favor, I wasn’t a fan of him telling me what to do.
“Oh no. Deal breaker. Hands off—including you. You sound like a jealous boyfriend.”
He scoffed. “I don’t do relationships.”
“Exactly why the only person who decides who’s touching me is me.”
His nostrils flared. “Fine. No one touches you then.”
“Great. Can I get back to work now? Without tips I don’t make anything.”
Almost to the door and he called my name once more. When I turned, his features had softened. Here was the man who caught my attention every time I saw him. The man who could be sweet. The man who had caressed every inch of my body with those warm hands. The enigma I wanted to solve.
“Yeah?”
“Does Ray know where you are?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Good. Hopefully no one else knows where you moved to either, you should be safe there. I’ll see what I can find out about Ray’s debt with Marcello.”
The mood swings on him made a woman with PMS seem sane. I was grateful for his help. I didn’t know anything about Nathan Marcello, but the rage in Miller’s eyes and his words, made me fear that I didn’t want to. “Thanks, Miller.”
I walked out the door, knowing that Miller was watching my ass. The same feeling from the first night we met stirred in my blood. Without the distractions of our conversation, I knew my attraction to him had only grown in the days since I’d seen him last. What I found appealing had to be his looks. Dark hair, dark eyes. Yeah, it had to be the looks because his personality left something to be desired.
Whatever it was, I needed to stop thinking about Miller Hawes. It would seem I had bigger problems to worry about.
CHAPTER 11
Miller
Un-fucking-believable.
Walking into the bar and seeing Tess’s ass on display for all to see sent me right to the edge. Then the shit in the booth had to go and grab it, bringing her closer to him. My blood burned, every limb stiffening, every muscle clenched to keep myself from slaughtering the asshole right there in the middle of the bar.
Her ass called to me, putting all the others in the room to shame. As much as I hated to admit it, Tess had the perfect body for the uniform. It would have been perfect, provided I was the only one to see it.
And therein lay my problem.
Why the fuck was I so obsessed? I’d never had a problem resisting women before. They were good for sex, nothing more.
Whatever caused it, I needed to get over it quickly. Too much was riding on me being in control of my life for me to get involved with someone. That didn’t mean I would leave her fate to Nathan Marcello. That bastard didn’t care who he hurt in the process of getting his money. Dad had been trying for years to convince people to stop going to him. Obviously, it hadn’t worked. And now Tess was in his sights.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and took a seat behind my desk. If anyone could find out about Ray’s debts, it was Ashton. He answered after a few rings.
“Miller.”
“I need a favor.”
“Shit,” Ashton groaned. “Please tell me you’re not in trouble.”
What the fuck?
“Why does everyone always think I’m in trouble?”
“Because every time you ask for a favor, that’s usually the problem.”
I sighed. “Someone’s in trouble, but it’s not me.”
“Stop beating around the damn bush and tell me already.” I could hear papers being shuffled in the background.
When I first opened the club and the bar I thought Ashton had it easy; that he just exaggerated how much hassle running the restaurant was. I always laughed when he whined about it. I mean, it wasn’t like he was cooking every night. Then I opened these two places and realized that the paperwork is never-ending. No matter how much I got done, there were still a million more piles.
“Remember the woman I brought to La Tratoria a few weeks ago?”
He laughed. “Yeah. I was actually hoping to see her with you aga
in. It would get Elena and Mom off your back.”
“I just found out she took a job at Rock Bottom.”
He laughed, which made me suck in a deep breath. “How the fuck do you not know she’s working for you?”
“It’s not like I’ve spent a shit-ton of time here lately. Between the dealership and the club, I haven’t had time to get over here. That’s not why I called.”
“Why are you letting her work there?”
“She needs the job—”
“And you can’t get her one somewhere else? I’ve seen the sleazy as shit outfits the girls wear. You can’t for one moment tell me you want other men—”
“Ashton, would you shut the fuck up for five seconds and listen to me.” Damn he was pissing me off. I had bigger things to worry about than Tess’s ass hanging out, especially if Marcello thought she was bait for Ray Wasden.
“Fine. But I’m not letting this one go. I watched you with her that night.”
I slumped in my chair.
“Marcello’s men broke into her apartment the other night.”
“Why the fuck would Marcello give two shits about a woman you’re dating? It’s not like we’ve bothered with his business, even though he’s a slimy bastard. Besides, he’d be more likely to come after me for that shit.”
It was time for the truth to come out about how I met Tess in the first place. I started with the poker game, all the way up to finding her in my bar a little bit ago.
“Jesus Christ. You won her?”
“Ashton. Focus.”
“I’m trying, but damn Dad was pissed when I first told him about Elena. He’s going to flip his shit over this.”
I ran a hand through my hair. This conversation was almost as frustrating as the one with Tess a few minutes ago.
“He already knows. Trust me it wasn’t pretty. Right now I have to worry about that asshole Marcello and what he wants with Tess.”
“Fuck.”
“Goddamn it, Ashton. Fine, fuck you. Forget I called. I’ll figure it out myself.”
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