Page 12 of Sins of a King
“Intense. Sees everything. Fair. Pays well. Popular with the ladies.”
I rolled my eyes. “What about you? Are you popular with the ladies?”
“Is that your way of asking me out?”
“Are coworkers even allowed to date or is there a no fraternization policy?” I should’ve asked Lacey, but I hadn’t been thinking about it. Jake might be a way in, but could I really sleep with someone for an exchange of information over pillow talk?
I needed to lay off the mob shows.
Jake grinned. “I’m engaged.”
“So this conversation is a moot point, huh?”
“Guess so.”
“Well, I hope I get to meet your fiancée.”
“Let me introduce her,” he said. “Alia!”
I looked to the entrance and watched a tall gorgeous woman of Asian descent stroll toward us. She leaned across the bar and pecked Jake on the lips and then gazed at me.
“This is Barrett. She’s the new waitress. Barrett, my fiancée and the best burlesque dancer at The Rex, Alia.”
“You’re biased,” Alia said. “But he’s right. I am the best.”
I laughed. “Nice to meet you.”
“And you. First night, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m just getting the lay of the land.”
“Well, you already look the part. Why don’t you come hang out with us in the changing room? Meet some of the others that are working tonight.”
My smile was genuine. “I’d like that.”
“Here’s your drink, Mr. Campbell,” Chelsea simpered with an obscene amount of respect.
It took all of my willpower not to roll my eyes. I’d been following Chelsea all evening, learning the flow of the club. She was sweet, young, and a flirt. It worked for her since she’d already made a little over two hundred dollars, and it wasn’t even close to midnight yet.
“Thank you, Chelsea,” Flynn said, his brogue downright sinful. Maybe it was the atmosphere, maybe it was just him. Either way, it sent a delightful shiver up and down my spine.
Flynn looked at me. “Ah, you must be the new waitress.”
“Barrett,” I introduced, offering my hand, feeling stupid that we had to pretend not to know one another.
He shook my hand and dropped it far too quickly. “Welcome to The Rex.” He turned his attention back to the stage, clearly dismissing us.
For some reason it irked. But there was no time to worry about it because Chelsea was moving away toward another table, and I had to go with her. I forced myself not to look behind me to see if he stared after me. I shouldn’t care. But I’d seen the raw hunger on his face when we’d met. I’d take it any day over the mask of indifference—even if it scared the hell out of me.
“See? Not much to it,” Chelsea said, a little after midnight as she counted her tips. Because she was the early shift, she got to leave sooner. The others would have to stay closer to two.
“How many nights a week do you work?” I asked her.
“Three. Sometimes four.”
“You must pull in a good amount,” I said.
She nodded. “I would work more, but I’m also taking a full class load.”
