Page 46 of Heartbreak Hero

“I don’t understand the question,” West said, feigning confusion. “Don’t you have several job openings posted on the net?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kevin gave a huff and laughed. “Yeah, we do. I need both waitstaff and a few bouncers for the front door. The summer season is coming and it’s one of our busiest times of the year.

“Well, where do you need me?” West asked, and Kevin looked him over.

King kept his eyes on Chester mostly because the guy hadn’t looked away from him once. King knew the look. Chester was sizing him up. They hadn’t been able to run a full background check on his fake identity because West had only listed his name as a personal contact. So, if they ran him, then they would have found limited information, if any at all.

“How about a waiter? Unless you think you can handle the front door,” Kevin said.

“What do you think, King? The waiter job?” West asked him, as if being a bouncer wasn’t something he was capable of.

Kevin Miller frowned as if confused because of West’s mercenary background.

“I bet…King could handle the door,” Chester interjected before Kevin could protest.

They all turned to him.

Kevin ran his eyes over the guy West had called King. He could see the military tattoo of the Army on the man’s forearm, and Kevin would bet on the fact that the guy was former military. If this King guy had also worked as a mercenary, then he might be interested in making some money.

King sat with one ankle crossed over the top of his knee, one arm stretched along the back of the leather booth behind West. The man’s cool blue gaze never gave anything away.

King didn’t give off a law enforcement vibe at all. In fact, it was more of a hired gun feeling. Kevin had run into these types before, and only money did the talking. If he had King at thedoor and West at the bar, then the money coming through this place could increase. Hell, he might start moving some of the drugs through here.

Although Sara would need to be kept in the dark, he couldn’t part with her. Now that she was here, he wanted to keep her around permanently.

The idea grew. He loved having Sara with him, and even though she said she didn’t want him, he hoped that over time she would grow to love him again.

“If you pass the background check, I can give you a hefty incentive,” Kevin said and named a sum that had West’s eyes widening.

King didn’t move a muscle. Nothing showed in his eyes or on his face.

Mandy stared at the man in front of her with wide eyes, and she was thankful she’d dropped the kids off an hour ago at the daycare down the street.

She didn’t know how much to really tell the asshole in front of her, but she knew enough to know that she didn’t want to get on his bad side. Nor the two men who’d come with him.

They were big, heavily muscled, with ruggedly handsome faces and no-nonsense attitudes.

She wouldn’t have let them in, but she was worried about Sara, too. Maybe they could find her. And just maybe she might take the opportunity right now to speak up for Sara with a few hard truths to Levi.

“So, you haven’t seen her since Sunday night?” Levi asked again, and Mandy rolled her eyes.

“I told you no. She rents a room from me, I’m not her keeper.”

“But you are her friend.”

“Yeah, and as such, I’m not obligated to tell you shit.”

“We come in peace,” Levi said, keeping his voice soft and calm even though he wanted to throttle the perky, smart-mouthed woman.

“Why don’t you just leave her alone?” Mandy glared at him, and Levi was beginning to suspect that the woman was angry about something he didn’t know about.

“Mandy, I care about her. I’m worried.”

Mandy scoffed and squeezed her hands into fists. “Is that why you slept with her when you’re already in a relationship?”

Floored, Levi gaped at Mandy for a few long moments before he could formulate words.

“I’m not in a relationship.”

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