Page 49 of Blackbeard
“There’s a new bartender on trial. Leigh is covering my shift tonight.”
Baby Doll raised her eyebrows from her position next to the pool table, waiting her turn. Credence lined up his pool cue and sent a ball careening into a corner pocket.
“And what happens when she poisons us all?”
“If I was going to poison anyone,” Leigh countered. “I would have started with my husband, who happens to be the easiest target since we live under the same roof. But he’s still alive and kicking, so I’d say you’re safe. For now. Depending on your attitude, I might change my mind.”
Without waiting for anyone else to voice their objections, Leigh stepped behind the bar and busied herself getting acquainted with the layout. I took a seat at a table on the opposite side of the room—far enough away that I could watch her without appearing like I was hovering.
At first, the Blackjacks glanced among themselves. Who would be the first one to break the ice and approach the bar, asking the daughter of a Forsaken to pour them a drink?
It couldn’t be me. I was pushing my luck already by wedging Leigh into the Blackjacks when they weren’t thrilled about it.
I caught Baby Doll’s eye and tilted my head toward the bar. She narrowed her eyes and shook her head slightly.
In the end, Leigh was the one to make the first move. She marched across the room and placed a glass in front of Big G where he was engrossed in a game of backgammon with Vlad.
Big G glanced up in surprise.
“What’s this?”
“You look like a man who appreciates a good bourbon on the rocks,” Leigh replied. “I added a little twist of my own, with a hint of ginger and a squeeze of lemon. Punches up the smoky flavor in the bourbon.”
Big G wrapped his fingers around the glass slowly, not fully convinced. Leigh waited. He took a sip.
It seemed as if everyone in the room held their breath, awaiting his response.
Big G gave a wheezing cough.
“Goddamn, woman. That’sgood. Kicks like a mule.”
Leigh smiled, pleased with herself, and returned to her position behind the bar. Spike tore his attention away from the club bunny snuggled under his arm and raised one hand to flag Leigh.
“Can we get two whiskies over here, sweetheart?”
Leigh’s momentum snowballed after that, staying on the move as she served one drink after another late into the night.
Fatigue had to be getting to her as we neared midnight, but her charisma never wavered. Even when Credence regarded her with a clipped response, or Vlad seemed standoffish, Leigh maintained her upbeat demeanor, chatting with anyone who was willing to talk.
Big G slid into the booth across from me with a sigh and gestured at Leigh.
“She’s a sharp one. You’ve got your hands full.”
I breathed a faint laugh.
“That’s the understatement of the century, brother. Where’s Crash and Kingpin? I haven’t seen them tonight.”
Big G waved me off.
“Kingpin took Crash home to have dinner with Hattie. He wants things to simmer down before we put Leigh and Crash in the same room together again.”
“Makes sense,” I admitted. “Although a private dinner with the Prez and his Old Lady seems to counteract his punishment for taking a shot at Leigh in the first place.”
“Yeah, well, Crash needs to know we’re still on his side. He’s feeling a little outnumbered these days.”
My gaze strayed to Leigh behind the counter. For the first time all night, she didn’t have drinks to serve. She fidgeted in place, tugging her sleeves down over her hands. Every seat at the bar was full, nearly every table and booth occupied.
But Leigh wasn’t working the room anymore.
