by Dannika Dark
“No can do. I won’t be late.”
“Kisses, honey. But I’m driving to work from here on out. Pick me up tonight at twelve and wait outside. If you come in and get me fired, then we’re done.”
I strutted across the parking lot and jumped when he beeped his horn. Hawk laughed and sped off.
Jerk.
He always had to have the last word. Sometimes I wondered why I hadn’t already left him. Maybe I liked the idea of having a companion, but the truth of the matter was I had no good reason to leave him. He treated me decently, offered protection, and gave me a place to stay.
“Ho-ly shit,” someone yelled out. “Redhead alert, boys.”
Nothing I hadn’t heard before. Shifters had a soft spot for redheads because there were so few of us. I had wavy, wild hair that favored a lighter shade of red—like copper and honey fused together. Sometimes men complimented my green eyes, but they were always about the hair. I stood at around five-nine and loved wearing heels to boost that up. A few small freckles marked my nose and cheeks. I’d discovered a long time ago that if I freckled or sunburned, it could be erased by shifting. My inherent healing ability took care of it, but I was stuck with the ones I’d gotten as a child. Jericho hated when I did that—he once said I reminded him of a constellation of distant stars. Then again, he was stoned. Funny how Jericho had been on my mind lately.
“Does anyone know where I can find the boss man?” I asked, walking toward the bar.
A few fingers pointed down a narrow hall to my left. I gripped my purse strap and headed down the hall until I came to a door on the right with gold lettering that read Jake.
After three knocks, a voice grumbled for me to come in. We’d only done a phone interview, which was unusual. Most managers of Shifter bars wanted to see a potential waitress before hiring her. But when I’d mentioned my red hair, I guess that sealed the deal. Some bars prohibited redheads from being on their payroll, so it was something I needed to disclose up front.
“I’m Izzy, reporting for duty.”
Jake was a round man with thinning hair. He looked nice in a white dress shirt, but the room was hot, and the fan on his desk didn’t seem to be doing much good, judging by his ruddy complexion. Jake set down his pen and looked me up and down, but not in a creepy way.
“So you’re Izzy Monroe?” he said with a private chuckle. Jake pointed a finger toward the door. “The girls change in the room across the hall. I have a few rules, so pay attention. No sex on the premises. I don’t care if it’s with your mate; that’s the golden rule. No riling up the men without settling them back down. Nothing worse than having to break up bar fights, and it puts a bad reputation on my establishment. And finally, no dipping in the tip jar. I’m pretty fair about letting each worker pocket what they’re tipped instead of splitting an even cut of the gross. But there are two locations in this establishment where customers can tip the bar itself. It’s a way to support the kind of place I run, and every dime of that money goes into fixing things around here. The jars are blue and you can’t miss ’em. You steal from there and you’re stealing a repaired toilet, new shirt, and clean glasses. Make sense?”
“I gotcha. It’s all gravy. My last boss had the same system going, and he made a killing. Except Tony used that money to take us all to the races as part of a work vacation.”
His lips twitched. “Is that so? You’re real good about working your stories into suggestions, Red.”
“Izzy.”
“Sounds like a real hoity-toity bar you worked at. Around here, we serve a bunch of roughnecks. They get wild, they break chairs, and damn if they don’t bust out a toilet at least once a month. I keep the place running smooth, clean, and tip-top. I fired the last girl because she decided to show her tits for a big tipper who was waving a Benjamin at her. If you pull something like that, you’ll be right on the street with her. I take care of my girls,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “You’ll get good tips if you know how to handle the customers and work the tables. If someone’s pushing you to do something or holding out, I wanna know about it. I don’t like cheapskates coming into my bar who won’t pay my girls for the hard work they put in.”
I rocked on my heels. “What about the uniform?”
He dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief. “Your shirts are tight, but they’ll cover you up. The shorts are short because it gets hot around here, and there’s nothing wrong with a pair of lovely legs. But don’t even think about taking scissors to the shirts I provide you. Same rule as any respectable bar: watch how you bend over tables. If you know anything about wolves, then you know that’s a green light for them to come on to you. I’m a fan of dipping, and the girls here will show you their moves if you aren’t familiar.”
“I know the drill,” I assured him, not revealing I was a wolf. Jake was a chatty fellow, but I liked him right away. “I’ll get changed and have one of the girls show me around before it gets busy. When do we peak?”
Jake chuckled and leaned forward on his elbows. “Ten to three. You up for that, honey? It gets slammed here on Friday nights; you picked a helluva night to start your shift. You sure you don’t want to start out with the morning crowd?”
“No offense, Jake, but I work tables better than most. I’m a fast learner, hard worker, and I thrive in chaos. Do you have live bands?”
“Yep. Usually two nights a week.”
“Super. My kind of place.” I loved a busy bar with music, and I especially loved getting to know the regulars because that made it a friendly place to work. “Anyone you want to warn me about?”
His eyebrows sloped down. “How’s that?”
“You know,” I said with a shrug. “Sometimes there’s that girl who likes to steal customers or the bouncer who gets a little frisky.”
Jake pointed a finger. “If any of that goes on, then I want to know about it. I have a good staff, and if you have personal problems with them, that ain’t my business. The bartenders look out for my girls, and no one is stealing tables without answering to me. Get with Rosie and have her show you the ropes. She’s the best one to train you—been here the longest. I have to finish up some work and go home for the night, so if you have any questions, see Rosie.”
I spun on my heel and smiled. Jake was an all-right guy.
The uniforms for Howlers were sleeveless black shirts with the bar logo on the left breast, and black shorts. The bartenders had similar shirts to show off their biceps, but they wore jeans instead of shorts. I made my way across the bar, smiling at some of the patrons who whistled at me. I had a non-sluttish way of beguiling men that occasionally made them blush and feel guilty for catcalling me. Hawk called it the girl next door hex.
I approached a woman in uniform leaning against the bar. “Are you Rosie? Jake said you would show me the ropes.”
Rosie was a curvy woman with caramel skin, thick legs, and a generous cup size that no T-shirt could disguise. She exuded confidence in every subtle gesture. Her false eyelashes slowly fanned as she looked me over and smiled.
“The boys are going to love you,” she said. “I don’t deal with catty, so if you’re one of those backstabbers, then I’ll find out and cut you up.”
Gulp. Was she serious?
Rosie laughed and touched my shoulder, as if emphasizing she was only kidding.
“You’re a dainty little flower. What’s your name, hon?”
“I’m Izzy. Izzy Monroe.”
Her red lips turned down. “What kind of a name is Izzy for a girl? Don’t you want to come up with something a little sexier for work? You don’t want these boys treating you like a pal; you’ll never make tips that way.”
I gave her a broad smile and jutted my hip out. “Don’t worry, Rosie. When I’m on the floor, I work my assets. I may look like a dainty flower, but I’m really a wild weed.”
For emphasis, I spun around and gave her my best walk.
She giggled and leaned against the bar on one elbow. “That all?”
I simulated setting drinks on a table and sashayed to the other side after doing a swivel. I gave men just enough that if there were any wolves in the group, they would order more drinks to see it again. If a girl gave them too much of a show, they’d lose interest.
Rosie applauded quietly. “You need to teach me that little move. I’ll show you something that’ll get you a few tips if there are any leopards in the house. We don’t get them often, but they don’t play around when they tip.” She curled her finger for me to come closer, and I did. “I’m sure you know the game, but don’t tell anyone your animal. They want the illusion that we could be one of them and it drives them crazy when they aren’t sure. Bear, wolf, deer, leopard, mountain lion, eagle… whatever. I have a hunch what some of the girls in here are, but we don’t even tell one another. Just watch and learn the best moves and work what you can in your section. No table-hopping; Jake doesn’t like that.”
“We talked. He told me. I think I’m going to like it around here. But do me a favor and don’t give me any nicknames because of my hair. That gets old really fast, and it sticks with some of the regulars. Just call me Izzy.”
“You got it, hon. You have a boyfriend?”
“I sure do. Why?”
“Keep him out.”
I laughed and sat on the barstool next to her. “I know. We already had the talk.”
“I’m just saying. Nothing will kill your action in here faster than a regular knowing you’re hitched up with someone. We get a few men who drop serious cash; the regulars are our bread and butter.”
The Breed had money to burn and some tipped over a hundred percent. Howlers was a Shifter club, but since it wasn’t marked exclusive, other Breeds were allowed. Immortals had fat pockets, and plenty of Packmasters lived high on the hog. They liked to flaunt that money and believed in paying for services rendered. Chitahs were also big tippers, but I was uncomfortable around them. Maybe it was the way they looked at me with those predatory eyes, but I preferred being around my own kind. I knew what Shifters wanted and fell into conversation more easily with them. While waiting tables brought in good money, I’d never been able to put away much of it with all my traveling. Not to mention I’d found out a few lovers in my past had been dipping into my stash.
“How are the bartenders?” I asked, knowing I’d have a close working relationship with them.
“Fabulous,” Rosie said, sipping her cola through a tiny red straw. “They’re flirtatious as sin, so don’t fool around with them outside work. Jake doesn’t like the drama.”
“I said I had a boyfriend.”
Rosie set down her short glass and giggled with closed lips. “I don’t judge.”
***
Six hours into my shift, my heels were attempting first-degree murder on my feet. I had made the fatal mistake of not breaking them in, and every trip to the bar made me want to drop to my knees and crawl.
“It looks as though you have your hands full,” a formidable man sitting in my section remarked.
I sensed a strong alpha vibe, and he looked like one of the ancient ones. What stood out were his multicolored eyes—brown and sapphire. His dark hair was neatly pulled back in a ponytail, drawing all the attention to his chiseled face. He possessed a powerful inflection in his voice that signaled he was an alpha. They often came from strong genetic lines and lived more than a few hundred years.
“I’m Izzy,” I said, placing a paper napkin on the table for his draft. “Can I bring you something to eat? I’ve tasted the burgers, and the cook is on fire tonight.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You must be new,” he said in a silken voice, glancing at his watch. “No one ever recommends the chef on this shift.”
Shit. Fatal error. The guy who made my burger had left an hour ago.
When he saw my cheeks flush, he sipped his beer and then folded his arms on the table. “Why don’t you bring me one of those hamburgers, and I’ll let you know.”
Not wanting to ruin my tip, I cocked my hip in a way that caught his eye and gripped the chair, allowing my hair to cascade over my shoulder. “How about I order you a supreme pizza from the Italian shop up the road? On me. You look like a man with an appetite, and one of these burgers probably won’t tide you over. I’ll arrange it real nice on the house tray so no one will know I ordered it special.”
He laughed handsomely, and I shivered when I felt another wave of energy. “I’m Prince.”
“Charmed,” I said with a sly wink, making my way back to the bar.
Close save. I had a feeling this guy was a regular, and I wanted to stay on his good side. Men like him were generous with gratuity.
I was pretty sure alphas had psychic powers and knew who the wolves were. Female wolves go into heat once a year, and I’d once met an alpha who could sense it coming before anyone else.
Talk about embarrassing. I’d never known a man powerful enough to scent it more than a week in advance, but it still unnerved me. Alphas were too serious for my taste, and I was a girl who liked a man with a sense of humor.
Not that Hawk was a barrel of laughs, but he had his moments.
After ordering the pizza, I wiped down a few tables and took a break. The bartender was about to end his shift, and so was I. Jake had allowed me to work six hours and said he’d talk with Rosie before giving me his decision on which shifts I’d be able to work. If he felt I could handle the crowd, then I was going to dip into some of that peak money. Only the queen bees got the full shift through peak hours, so I was fortunate that Jake wanted to give me a shot. Managers usually selected the girls who brought in the most money.
“How are you holding out, hon?” Rosie blotted her face with a paper napkin. She had the most perfectly lined lips I’d ever seen. Black hair fell in large curls, all loose and pretty around her face.
“Peachy,” I lied, wanting to throw my shoes into the eternal fire of damnation. “Where are all the women? I thought there’d be more.”
“Oh, they like to make a late appearance,” she said, rolling her eyes. “They want to have the men good and riled up before they make their entrance at the door.”
“Oh, brother.”
“You got that right. If you think that’s bad, you should see the turnout on ladies’ night. They show up as early as possible to start getting free drinks, and by midnight, it’s the hottest mess you’ve ever seen. Don’t get me wrong, some of the girls are classy and looking for an honest Shifter, but we have a few doozies.”
“Don’t you mean floozies?”
“That too,” she said with a flurry of laughter. “It keeps things interesting. Never a dull moment. You’re doing an outstanding job, Izzy. I’m impressed. I’ve seen a few girls make rookie mistakes or run out screaming on their first day. If Jake asks, I’m going to recommend you for a few peak hours. But take the early evening, hon. You don’t want the after-midnight crowd. It takes thick skin, and I’d rather see you ease into the place before we scare you off.”
“Trust me, I’ve seen it all,” I assured her.
That was no lie. I used to work in a bar that serviced bikers. Those guys loved to shift in the parking lot and have an all-out fight, taking bets on which animal would win. I once called animal control and a couple of them were picked up. My boss fired me after that, but I had a good laugh knowing they had spent the night in the kennel until one of their buddies released them by filling out adoption papers.
“Why don’t you take off and soak your feet in hot water,” Rosie suggested, picking at her fingernail. “I’ve been watching you hobble around in those heels all night and it was funny at first, but now it’s not so much. I see you wincing every time you reach the bar. Jake doesn’t care if you wear sneakers in here, just so long as you look polished and are wearing the uniform.”
“I’m not really a sneaker girl at work, but thanks for the tip. Let whoever takes over my tables know that the alpha over there—”
“The one staring at your ass as if he were decoding hieroglyphics?”
“Yeah, that’s probably the one. I ordered a pizza for him.”
She knitted her brows. “What’s wrong with our food?”
“Well, he challenged the cook’s skills.”
Rosie looked at her gold watch and frowned. “I knew he was killing our business. I’m going to bring that up with Jake again.”
“Anyhow, I want his pizza on one of our serving dishes, and fix him up real nice. I won’t get the tip, but I don’t leave my guys hanging.”
She nudged me with her shoulder. “Neither do I, hon. I leave ’em stiff so they’re left wanting more.”
I laughed and a few heads turned. “Thanks, Rosie. I’ll look forward to hearing from either you or Jake. He has my number; just let me know what time my shift begins.”
“Nighty-night,” she sang, sipping her cola.
After changing into my jean shorts and turquoise blouse, I kicked off my shoes and held them between my fingers, walking out barefoot.
I turned the corner to the right and strolled out the front door, taking in a breath of fresh air.
“And what of my pizza?” a deep voice inquired. I glanced down at Prince, who was sitting on a bench to my right with his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle.
“Sorry, I had to end my shift. Your new server is going to take good care of you. I told her to set you up.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Maybe she’s not the one I wanted to tip.”
I rocked on my heels, looking into the parking lot for Hawk’s car. “Well, you obviously want to tip the person who takes care of you, and I didn’t do a good job of that tonight.”
After a slight pause, he stood up and approached me, reaching for the door. Then he suddenly leaned close and drew in a deep breath. “Five weeks, Freckles.”
“What do you mean?” I was a little insulted if he was insinuating that’s how long I’d last working there.
A carnivorous grin spread across his face, and he gave me a lascivious wink. “Five weeks until you go into heat.”
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