by Dannika Dark
“They want it. It’s not as if I’m forcing it on anyone,” he retorted, swiping a finger across his mustache. I found it ironic how much Hawk looked like a cop and yet he was the one selling narcotics.
“This is scary stuff. It’s not my scene. Don’t justify what you’re doing because you have paying customers, which, by the way, you’re ripping off. I heard about your scheme of overcharging to fill your pockets. You didn’t think you’d get caught?”
Hawk stared at me long and hard. I got the shivers because he could be an intimidating guy. Hawk wasn’t his real name, but he’d earned it because he had a way of watching you and reading your every thought.
“Coming or not?”
I shook my head. “I’m giving you a second chance to make things right because I care about you. Everyone deserves a second chance. Call me when you’ve made up your mind on what’s more important in your life: drugs or me.”
Chapter 5
“I need a jelly donut,” I declared, wiping down a table and taking my break.
Rosie pulled up a chair in what had become our regular gab session. “Girl, you need more than a donut if you want something for a man to grab on to.”
Donuts were my favorite thing. I also avoided them like the plague because I had no self-control and would stuff myself into a sugar coma. They were my weakness. Especially the chocolate-glazed ones. And most of all the chocolate-glazed ones with a cup of hot chocolate I could dunk them in. Throw in a few marshmallows, and I’d be your girl for life.
Rosie fanned herself. “That was some show you put on last night. Who was that creep with the long mustache?”
“I don’t know, but he sure enjoys picking me up every time we run into each other. Maybe he doesn’t work out at the gym enough. Thanks for talking to Jake and smoothing things over. I don’t want to lose my job, and I promise that idiot won’t be a problem again.”
“You bet your sweet bottom he won’t. If you bring human trouble in this bar again, Jake won’t be so nice. He’s taken a shine to you, so don’t mess it up.”
“I can’t imagine why he’s been so generous,” I said, biting into my tuna sandwich.
“That little sneak thinks you’re secretly screwing the singer. He admitted that after hiring Jericho’s group, he noticed your unusual name on the job application your boyfriend submitted to him. Jake thinks keeping you around will keep the singer around. Nobody names their band after a girl who doesn’t mean something.”
I snorted and took another bite. “I don’t think my name is a term of endearment for Jericho.”
She grimaced and took a sip of her Dr Pepper. “Don’t tell Jake that, hon. If he thinks you’ll drive them away, he’ll fire you in a heartbeat. If you’re smart, you’ll stay away from those boys. Don’t rock the boat that keeps you afloat.”
“Wise words.”
She reached out and swept a lock of hair away from my face. “How’s your head? Did you shift?”
“I’ve been told I’m hardheaded.”
I licked my finger and watched one of the servers bend over for a napkin. Some girls were inexperienced servers, while others were masterful at earning tips outside the club with unmated males. They would target the wealthy alphas because they had a healthy sexual appetite and didn’t mind the attention lavished on them. As long as it didn’t drive the customer away, most managers turned a blind eye.
“I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot, Rosie. I have a past with Jericho, and I don’t want to talk about it.” I took a sip of my lemon-water, the condensation from the glass dripping onto the table. “Denver. I should have known they were related.”
“Brothers,” she said, turning a ruby stone on her finger. “That’s the only reason the band is giving Jake a chance. A dive like this compared to what they could be earning in the upscale bars and other events?”
I had to laugh. Jericho wasn’t about fancy bars. He used to love outdoor events and small clubs, but I kept that to myself.
“I’d forgotten his brothers were all named after different cities. I don’t want there to be any weirdness with Denver. He seems to like you, so do you mind helping me get on his good side? I don’t need to be best friends with him, but it’s going to be tough if he’s slinging low blows and riling me up while I’m working.”
“I’ll talk to him, but I can’t promise anything.” Rosie shined up her lips with gloss. She often wore a lighter shade of lipstick or tinted gloss than her lip liner.
I parted my wavy hair to the right side and brushed my fingers through it, thinking quietly. Of all the places to settle down, why did it have to be the city Jericho lived in? And on top of that, the same bar!
“You look like a girl who just lost her man.”
When my eyes flashed up, she smiled knowingly.
“I’ve seen that look before,” she said with a shrug. “A girl like you will find another Shifter in no time. A girl like me? Not so much.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re a knockout.”
“I’m also mated.”
A laugh burst out, and she giggled along with me. “Very funny, Rosie.”
“Well, when you’ve found the one, there’s no need for another man to come along.”
“He’s that good, huh?”
She nodded before answering. “The best. He treats me like a queen, stays out of my business, knows how to be a man and not let me run over him, and he sure knows how to smooth out all the rough edges,” she said with a purr. “He has a bubble bath and a glass of red wine waiting for me every morning when I get home.”
“Sounds like heaven.”
It was getting busier, so I quickly finished my sandwich and stood up. “I need to get back on the floor.”
I did a little hip shake on the way to the bar when I saw a new group of men walk through the main door. Regulars chose their section based on their favorite server. I didn’t care if they had a regular waitress; my plan was to lure them over to the Izzy side. The girls who took it personally were usually the catty ones I stayed away from anyway. Unseated men were fair game, and all the girls knew it. Once they sat down, the rules changed and everyone respected each other’s stations.
Denver’s shift hadn’t started yet, so I chatted with the bartender about house specials until he got busy with customers. A burst of noise came from the front of the bar, and I smiled at a familiar face.
“Hey, April!”
She had on a cute pair of black Capri pants and a blue top that slid off one shoulder. Her nail polish matched her blouse perfectly. I couldn’t help but admire how stylish she was in an offbeat way.
“Hi,” she said shyly. “You recognized me.”
“And you recognized me.”
She hopped onto the barstool and faced the open room. “How can anyone not recognize hair like yours?”
“What are you doing here? This doesn’t seem like your scene.”
“It’s not,” she admitted, looking at me over her left shoulder. “But I try to get out once in a while and put on my social-butterfly wings. My guy likes having a few beers and showing me off. He’s always bragging to people about how I’m a store manager. Plus my best friend, Trevor, is always dragging me up here. I think he gets discounts on the drinks, but don’t tell Jake.”
I smiled and leaned in. “How does he get discounts?”
“Denver is in our pack and doesn’t charge him full price.”
Crap. My small world was getting infinitely smaller.
“Has Denver mentioned me?”
April tilted her head and tucked a strand of her straight blond hair behind her ear, showing off the graceful curve of her neck. “Why would he? Are you two seeing each other?”
I touched her shoulder. “No, you don’t have to worry about that.” I slid off the stool and sighed. “I need to take some orders. Those guys look thirsty,” I said, pointing to a table nearby. “Your boyfriend is the one with the bike, right?”
“Yes. What was all that about the other day at
Walgreens? Holy smokes! I saw your car speed off and Reno had shot the guy, but he didn’t tell me what happened.”
I sighed and straightened out my shirt. “Just some idiot messing with me. I’d like to talk to Reno and thank him if you don’t mind. Please don’t leave without letting me do that. If it gets busy in here, just grab me off the floor before you head out. It gets crazy in here this time of night, and I might lose track of you.”
“Will do.”
“And April?”
“Yes?”
“I want you guys to pick out whatever you want on the menu. I’m buying. It’s the least I can do to show Reno my gratitude for helping me out the other day. You’re a lucky woman.”
Her smile gradually spread, and it became apparent she didn’t need to be told by someone else how lucky she was. I’d seen that look on a woman in love.
Sigh. I had no idea how it felt, but I sure loved admiring it. I don’t know what had compelled me to show my face in Jake’s bar after what happened with Handlebars, but I realized it wasn’t just about the paycheck. I refused to let Jericho run me off again. I was tired of running.
Except in that very moment, I wanted to run.
Jericho swaggered through the door as a song by Audioslave cranked on the speakers. My heart galloped against my chest and I swallowed thickly, deciding I had no choice but to avoid him if I wanted to keep my job. I approached my table with a gracious smile. My shaky hand pressed the tip of my ink pen against the notepad.
“What can I get for you men?”
I hated calling the opposite sex “boys.” Shifters didn’t care much for that kind of talk, and yet I’d heard it too often in human bars.
The older one with the scruffy beard and black bandana wrapped over his head leaned forward and licked his lower lip. “How much for a shake?” he said with a dark chuckle.
“That comes free when I go to the bar and collect your drinks. So what’ll it be?”
A man with hairy arms chortled. “She’s a firecracker.”
The guy with the bandana leaned back in his chair, hooking one arm over the back. “It’s them green eyes. Those green-eyed girls are dragons.”
I smiled and cocked my hip. “I only breathe fire when I serve men who don’t know how to tip a lady. But I’m sure that won’t be a problem with any of you.”
Effortlessly, I laid down the challenge. The other three men looked amongst one another, as if silently agreeing they had no plan to look like cheapskates.
“How about I start you off with a round of beers? Then you can decide what you’re up for. I’m also going to bring out a plate of hot onion rings, because if you don’t get them now while they’re fresh and delicious, you’ll regret it later. Be right back,” I said with a coy smile, batting my eyelashes.
As I turned away, I rolled my eyes. I had a feeling they were going to be my difficult table for the evening.
My shoulders were killing me, and I knew it was because of nerves. I had a bad habit of hunching them when feeling tense. I sent the order for onion rings to the back.
“A round of beers,” I shouted at Denver.
He ignored me while salting the rim of a large glass. I rubbed my bare shoulder and worked my arm around in a circle. The sleeveless shirts were actually nice. At the last place I’d worked, the owner made us wear cutoff shirts that revealed our midriffs. I felt a little classier in my new work attire, albeit the shorts were a little snug, but it made a difference not to have my breasts hanging out of a low-cut blouse. Especially since mine weren’t as voluptuous as some. I had a soft, feminine curve that suited my slim physique.
“Denver, table twelve needs a round. Four beers, please.”
A pretty brunette was occupying his time, but she seemed disinterested in his advances. Denver was a handsome man who could easily be a male model. But some women preferred the rough-looking Shifters who gave off an air of authority. They equated that with men who had protective animals.
I tipped an empty glass over and spilled backwash onto the bar. It caught his attention and he cannibalized me with a hostile glare. He held up a finger at the brunette and breezed over with a clean rag.
“Do that again and I’ll—”
“Tattle? Don’t be one of those guys. Look, we have no choice about working together, so can we be civil? What happened between Jericho and me is not only personal, but it happened decades ago. It’s our personal business to resolve, but I’m still going to be here every night waiting tables. I need to know you’ll have my back if I’m in trouble. And each time drinks move out slowly because you’re in one of your moods, it not only affects my tips, but it hurts Jake. Truce?”
He polished the bar with his rag, causing the muscle in his bicep to flex. Denver wasn’t ripped, but just nicely defined. I could see a little of Jericho in him, but they were definitely two different personalities.
He bent forward on his elbows. “If you promise to stay away from Jericho and not mess with his head, I’ll cut you some slack.”
“No problem.”
His eyes flashed up. “I smell bullshit.”
I wasn’t a drama queen, and his implication that I had plans to become a train wreck in his brother’s life made me bristle. “Four drafts, please.”
Denver smoothed out all the rough edges in his expression and patted the bar with the palm of his hand before he turned to the object of his affection.
That’s all I needed. We were good.
“You two old lovers?” a woman sitting on the barstool to my right inquired. She had blond tresses dolled up in an old-fashioned style, like Marilyn Monroe. “I’m a Sensor. I don’t always have to touch things to pick up on emotions.”
“No, he’s just a brother of someone I used to know.”
“Ah,” she said in a husky voice. “One of those. For five hundred bucks, I can make your job a lot easier.” The woman absently ran her finger around the rim of her glass.
I leaned in closer. “What do you mean? You can’t remove emotions without someone knowing.” She’d have to place her hands on Denver’s chest in order to complete an emotional transaction—whether it was giving or taking.
“Just between you and me, he won’t know a thing. He looks like the kind of man who might pay for a little action, if you know what I mean. I’ve got a whole drawer full of erotica,” she said, tapping a finger on her temple. “People pay good money, but maybe I’ll offer him a free session. During the transaction, I’ll bring you up conversationally and remove all that hostility without him even realizing it. If he starts to guess I’m pulling the emotion, I’ll slip him some kinky sex that’ll make him soon forget.”
Sensors were sneaky beings. They worked hard for their money and established reputations in many clubs.
“No, thanks. I’d rather him hate me to my face.”
She took a slow drink. “Your call. But it’s a harmless exchange and everybody walks away happy. I’ll be here if you change your mind, dearie.”
Encounters like that made me skittish about non-Shifters. I didn’t know who I could trust.
Hours passed, and a steady flow of customers kept me busy. I spotted April at a table on the far end of the room and decided to say hello.
“Mind if I join you for a minute?” I asked, holding the empty chair on the left next to Reno, my motorcycle hero. April touched his right arm and smiled proudly.
“You look beat,” she said. “I don’t know how you do it. I’m scrambling with a bunch of kids in my store, but this is chaos.”
I smiled and an awkward moment passed as I waited to be introduced to her pack—Jericho’s pack.
“Everyone, this is Izzy. We ran into each other shopping. Izzy, that’s Wheeler, Trevor, and this is my Reno,” she said, leaning against his shoulder. He quickly wrapped his arm around her and gave me a brisk nod.
Wheeler was the kind of guy I’d be wary to have in my section. His arms were covered with tattoos, and he wore a sleeveless shirt to show them off. All Breeds had healing
abilities to some degree, so the body absorbed the ink, and the tattoo would disappear. The only way to seal the design was to use a salve called liquid fire—a painful process that made any tattoo or scar permanent. Laser removal didn’t apply. No smile touched his face behind the facial hair that surrounded his mouth but didn’t extend up to his ears in a full beard. His scruffy brown hair was styled shorter on the sides and fell all over the place on top. He had a morose expression as he leaned on the table and sipped his whiskey, sliding his bright eyes up to mine without saying a word.
Trevor seemed like a laid-back young man. I loved the way he styled his hair over his forehead. Not many men his age wore button-up shirts and nice watches. He had the kind of celebrity charisma that made girls bashful.
“Nice meeting you,” Trevor said with a friendly wink.
I got butterflies when Reno turned to face me. He had a compelling appearance—handsome, but in a rough and dangerous “don’t fuck with me” kind of way. Maybe it was the canvas of muscle that pressed against his tight-fitted shirt, or the sharp cut of his jaw, or the concealed weapon beneath his shirt. But it was definitely the stony expression on his face.
His musky cologne filled my nose, and I waited impatiently for him to speak. I wasn’t sure what Denver had told them or what they knew about Jericho and me. “I just wanted to thank you for saving my butt yesterday. My boyfriend is mixed up in some trouble I didn’t know about. I’m really glad you showed up when you did; I don’t want to imagine what could have happened if my animal had come out in broad daylight and killed a human. You only grazed his leg, by the way.”
“I never miss my intended target,” Reno replied. “He’s human, and I couldn’t take the risk. Your boyfriend needs to sort his shit out.”
“Yeah, he does,” I agreed in a disgusted tone. “Anyhow, I hope you guys ordered something good to eat because it’s on me, so don’t be cheap. It’s the least I can do. I really appreciate that you stepped forward for a stranger. You didn’t have to do that and—”