“Come on back here, honey, and we’ll go over a few things,” he said to her. She got down off the stool and Chester the host came over.
“I just got off the phone with Debbi. She’s sick as a dog and not coming in. She said she didn’t know when she would be in next.”
“Shit,” he stated and looked at Jake and Precious, who overheard the conversation.
“How soon can you start, Precious?” he asked her.
“Well you said Friday and Saturday night, so I guess this week.”
“How about a preview tonight? Can you come back and work six to closing? It will give us an opportunity to see how you handle a crowd, and will help me out since as you heard, I’m down a bartender.”
“I can do you that favor, boss.”
“Great. Let Jake get all your information for the bookkeeping, and he’ll give you a shirt to wear,” Carlyle said.
“Let’s go over a few drinks that the regulars like,” Jake told her.
“What’s the clientele like?” she asked.
“We get a mix of college kids and businesspeople. We should be getting a good mix this weekend as the boat races are going on and the celebration parties book the best bars a year in advance. We’ve hosted one of the main boaters, his team, and fans for several years now. Tye Lowey,” Jake told her.
“Tye Lowey? No way. He has taken first in nationals from what I read,” she said to Jake. Carlyle listened to her make drinks and talk to Jake about boating, races, and then big companies. She knew a great deal.
“So we’re all good for you coming back tonight then?” Carlyle asked again after Jake gave her a tank top that all the waitresses wore. The guys wore either a T-shirt or polo shirt.
“Hey, on Saturday night Tye brings in a bunch of promo stuff with his name on it and stuff from sponsors. He leaves a whole bunch of stuff for all the staff.”
“That is so nice. I can’t believe he’ll be here. I’ve heard he’s very kind and a bit wild,” she said.
“You will see,” he said to her.
She came around the bar and shook Carlyle’s hand. “Thank you for the job. I’m certain you won’t be disappointed. I’ll see you in a few hours.” She turned to Jake and waved. “Bye, Jake. See you tonight and thanks for the stuff,” she said and headed out. Jake leaned on the bar on his elbows and sighed.
“I’m in fucking love,” he stated.
Carlyle was shocked. “Quit it. If she’s as good as she seems she could really help out with the weekend crew. It’s hell finding good workers these days,” Carlyle said, still watching her standing outside before she walked up the road.
“The guys are going to be swarming this place once they get a look at her. Did you see her eyes? Jesus, they were super blue. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a person with those kind of eyes, and that face and smile. She is gorgeous. Sexy, too. Shit, listen to me.”
“I am, and need I remind you that you’re dating someone.”
“Yeah. It’s new, but, Precious is fucking hot. That name is cool, too. Well, you got your wish, Carlyle. You asked for someone special to walk through that door that could bartend and really fit into the place. Precious is special,” he said and then walked down the bar to get it ready for tonight.
* * * *
Precious was actually enjoying the rowdy crowd, but it was hard to not notice Carlyle watching her. She was wondering what was up with all the good-looking men around this town. They were flirty, too, and she was a little worried about walking home so late at night, but she had no choice. The car wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow. The music was loud and people were on the dance floor enjoying the night.
“Hey, sweetie, are you liking it or what?” Jake asked her.
She nodded. “It’s cool, and very busy, the way I like it.”
“You’re keeping up no problem. Friday and Saturday will be a lot worse. Bring some food, too, if you don’t like eating the fried stuff,” he said.
“I have a bunch of things with me, thanks.”
“No problem. So how come you left Boston?” he asked her, making conversation. She had prepared for this, knowing that people liked to talk and just be friendly.
“I needed a change. I worked for a small business and was just bored with it all. Friends of mine suggested coming to South Carolina for a visit and I did. I fell in love with the place and just said screw it. Life is about taking chances,” she stated.
He smiled. “I like that, and it takes guts. I think you made the right choice. People around here are so friendly, and there’s always jobs opening up in different businesses if you want to go back to that type of work.”
“I got that same feeling just asking around,” she replied.
“Hey, Precious!” She heard her name and smiled wide when she saw Bobby and Ronin from the dojo. She immediately stepped closer and put down coasters.
“What can I get you to drink?” she asked and both men checked her out.
“You look incredible in that top. I didn’t know you worked here,” Ronin complimented.
“Tonight is my first night. I’ll be working Fridays and Saturdays if things go well.”
“Honey, it looks like you are already drawing in the crowds. We couldn’t even get close to the bar to say hi and order a drink,” Bobby told her.
She shook her head. “It’s just crowded tonight. So what can I get the two of you to drink?” she asked.
“Two Buds, please,” Bobby said.
She winked and then turned around and reached into the cooler. She pulled the opener from her back pocket and popped the two beers open. She placed them down and Bobby placed a twenty on the bar. She grabbed his change and he tipped her two dollars.
She talked to them about the dojo and in between made other drinks and filled orders. Before long it was getting late and they headed out, telling her they would see her in class tomorrow. She wondered how tired she was going to be. It would take her longer to get home tonight if she walked instead of ran. She finished wiping down the bar while Chester and the other workers cleaned up. She did her part and then grabbed her things.
“Well, we split everything fifty-fifty, though I think I made out because of you tonight. The guys loved you, and the women, too. You got a special way of making margaritas and even selling higher-priced liquor.”
“I hope that’s okay. I’m used to doing that for the other places I worked at. They always pushed the top-shelf stuff.”
“No problem here. Carlyle will be happy.”
She wondered if he was still there but didn’t see him around. She took her pay and said good night and then went outside. She threw on a hooded sweatshirt, took in her surroundings, and cased the area. She attached the pepper spray to her jeans and then headed toward home.
* * * *
“I got this covered, Carlyle. See you tomorrow,” Chester said, and Carlyle gave a wave. He walked out to his car, revved the engine in the Porsche, and took off up the road. He was disappointed that he missed Precious. Jake said she did awesome and from what Carlyle could tell, she packed in a bunch of guys on her end of the bar. She also pushed the top-shelf liquor for increased sales. She definitely knew what she was doing. She also looked fucking hot in that tank top. The woman was fit and sexy. As he shifted gears and took the hill a little faster, he caught sight of someone walking and slowed down. What the hell was someone dressed all in black and a hoodie doing near his house? He slowed down and the person started to run. He sped up past them, stopped the car, jumped out, and grabbed them.
He heard the scream and then felt the punch to his gut.
“Hey!” he roared and then heard his name.
“Carlyle?” A woman’s voice.
He was pissed and who the fuck was this person. She shoved down the hood, and he was shocked.
“Precious? What the fuck are you doing out here walking, and on my street?”
“Jesus, I didn’t know it was you. Were you following me?” She ignored his questions.
“No
, why are you heading up my street?”
“Your street?” she asked and then her eyes widened.
“Are you kidding me? Are you related to Cavanaugh and Magnum?” she asked.
His gut clenched. “They’re my brothers.”
“Oh,” she said, letting the word stretch out. She stepped closer and touched his hand. “I’m sorry I slugged you. I thought you were some crazy guy trying to grab me.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you’re on my street nor how you know my brothers.”
“Oh, I guess the three of you don’t communicate well. I’m living in the cottage, renting it from Cavanaugh. Or I guess the three of you if you’re all in this together,” she said as he stared at her.
“I didn’t know this.”
“I see that. Again, I’m sorry. So that’s why I’m walking up here.”
She went to move and he took her hand.
“Wait. You fucking walked from town to here by yourself? Are you out of your mind? Anyone could have grabbed you, like some drunk at the bar or a guy who was drooling over you tonight.”
“Or a speed demon in a Porsche?” she added.
He squinted at her and she smirked. He shook his head. Holy shit, the woman made him smirk. He took a deep breath and rubbed his belly. “That’s some hell of a punch you have.”
“I went easy on you. The next one would have been worse,” she said.
“Really? You train or something?”
“Or something,” she replied.
They stared at one another.
“Well, sorry for the misunderstanding. I guess I’ll see you Friday night,” she said to him and started to walk.
“Let me drive you up the rest of the way.”
“Not necessary. Good night, Carlyle,” she said and he watched her head up the road. He got into his car, feeling dumbfounded over this. She was his neighbor, the tenant he knew nothing about. Why hadn’t his brothers told him? Had they seen her, too? What was this all about? He got into the car and slowly drove up the hill, watching to make sure she got to the cottage. As she walked onto the pathway and to her front door, she turned. He rolled the window down so she could see him and he waved. She gave a half wave as if annoyed and went inside.
Holy God, Precious was living in the cottage. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her all night at the bar, and he wasn’t the only one. Bobby and Ronin, both retired Marines, were talking to her for over an hour. Then some other guys were there chatting her ear off as she was mixing drinks and being nice to everyone. Who was she and what did his brothers know? He was going to find out. Why did she just appear out of nowhere? It bothered him. Women were sneaky and he and his brothers had a lot of money. Could she be trying to scam them like Carla did? His gut clenched and he felt sick. Fucking women. None of them could be trusted.
Chapter 4
“So that’s it? Caspian and Darius didn’t elaborate on why she’s here, and you don’t bother to push for more information? What if she’s in danger or has someone looking for her? What if she brings trouble this way or to the bar?” Carlyle asked Cavanaugh. Magnum had gone out for a run.
“If that were a possibility they would have warned us so we could keep eyes on her. I didn’t think it’s anything like that, or they feel she’s far enough removed that nothing bad will happen,” Cavanaugh stated.
“You should have told us the moment they called to see if the cottage was vacant still.”
“Why? You wouldn’t have given a shit.”
Carlyle widened his eyes. “Bro, have you fucking seen her up close? She’s gorgeous, has a super body, great smile, and an amazing personality.”
“She’s a woman and a friend of Darius and Caspian. Try to keep your dick in your pants,” he snapped at Carlyle.
“You asshole. Don’t even go there. She seems really nice. She also walked home this morning from the bar. That’s not safe.”
Cavanaugh’s eyes narrowed. “She’s been walking to the dojo to work out, too, and won’t accept a ride from Magnum.”
“She’s untrusting.”
“Aren’t we all?” Cavanaugh said and continued to look at the laptop and sip his coffee.
Carlyle exhaled. His older brother was such a stubborn hardass. He was cold, distant, and irritable most of the time. But what he learned so far this morning was that he did ask questions about Precious. Carlyle wanted to know more and why she wouldn’t give information to Jake for a paycheck. She said she had to get back to him. Just then Carlyle’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller I.D.
“It’s Darius.”
His brother lifted his head to listen. So he was interested after all.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Carlyle. How’s it going?”
“Not bad. How about yourself?”
“Good. Listen, I heard you gave my friend Precious a job at the bar. She did a great job last night, huh?”
“Sure did. She’s very nice. Definitely knows her stuff.”
“Yeah, she’s really sweet and a hard worker. Listen, not sure if your brother Cavanaugh mentioned the situation, but she’s kind of here in town on the down low. She had some trouble back north and a friend asked me to watch over her.”
“Is she in danger?”
“Well, I can’t really give any details. The less you know, the better. Should be fine, but she can’t sit around doing nothing. She likes to work and work out. I know she’s enjoying the dojo, too. Just do me a favor and bypass the paperwork stuff so she isn’t documented in the computer. You can figure out a way for her to pay taxes, so it isn’t a crime, but just no books on her.”
“And you can’t share anything with me about her?”
“What you find out you find out by talking to her and her sharing. We don’t know that much except she went through something traumatic and dangerous. She could have died. Hope that’s enough for you to cut her some slack.”
“I get it, and no problem.”
“Great. Thanks, and I’ll see you at the bar this weekend for the celebration.”
“Sure thing. Hopefully, Tye wins the race.”
“He’d better. I saw all the merchandise he has with the 1st place stuff written all over it.” Darius chuckled, and so did Carlyle.
“Crazy bastard. See you this weekend,” Darius said.
He disconnected the call and then looked out the window. He felt a twinge of concern. She almost died. What the fuck happened?
“So what did he say? Tell you anything? What did he ask you to do?” Cavanaugh asked. He looked at him.
“I thought you didn’t give a shit about her.”
He pursed his lips.
“He asked me to not document her in the books and to figure out a way to pay the taxes still but not log her in.”
“That sounds like he doesn’t want her tracked. Not good. Could be that someone is looking for her?”
“Ex-boyfriend?” he asked.
“Not thinking that. He said she could have died and what she went through was traumatic.” Cavanaugh leaned back and looked angry. His eyes narrowed and he looked legitimately concerned.
“What else?”
“Nothing. He said anything I got out of her by talking was up to her and he didn’t know more.”
“She doesn’t talk much and, if anything, avoids personal conversation.”
“Yeah, like not accepting a ride in a car and enclosed spaces?”
“Probably.”
“Maybe she’ll get more comfortable and talk more now that she’s working at the bar.”
“You should keep eyes on her. Make sure no guys try anything.”
“Maybe you should come there Saturday night and help keep watch if you’re so concerned.”
“Funny,” he stated and then went back to the computer. His brother liked her, felt an attraction to her, but what trouble was she bound to bringing this way?
* * * *
Precious was jogging down the beach and looked out at the water. It was peaceful here. So quiet
and relaxing. She only enjoyed it for a few minutes before the bad memories started. The images of that night she fought for her life. The realization that her own sister sold her out. Then finding out that Benson was working undercover. It made her feel like everyone had a motive, a reason for coming around her other than just because they liked her company or had true feelings for her. She didn’t want to let anyone close. She hadn’t even truly processed how she fought for her life and shot and killed Conan and Javier. They killed her sister and then were going to make her leave with Duvou. Never mind the attempts on her life from someone the Feds weren’t sure was Duvou or the man who came for the thumb drive.
As she ran a little faster, trying to make the scary, depressing thoughts leave her mind, she slammed her foot into something sharp and hard and cried out. She fell to the sand and immediately saw the sharp piece of wood that was buried under the sand and had cut her calf and ankle good. The blood began to ooze and she felt the sting of pain. The splinter was long and deep.
Damn it!
“Precious!” She heard her name and turned to the left to see Magnum. He was running, wearing no shirt and had on just a pair of jogging shorts, some kind of military fighting shorts. She covered her eyes to block the sun.
He bent down. “Shit, what the hell happened?”
“I was jogging, not paying attention, and slammed right onto this. It snapped up and cut me.”
“There’s a splinter, too.”
She tried getting up.
“Let me help you. If you walk it’s going to bleed even more.”
She pushed his hands away. “No.”
He stared at her as he squatted down next to her. Their gazes locked.
“I’m trying to help you, not hurt you.”
“I don’t need any help. I’ll be fine,” she stated.
“What’s with being so stubborn and not accepting any help? Would it kill you to make some friends, maybe allow someone to care?”
“Well, actually, yes it might kill me,” she snapped at him and then tried getting up.
“What?” he asked.
She couldn’t believe she blurted that out. “Listen, I’m fine, and I don’t need help.” She went to get up and looked at the distance it was from here to the cottage. This was going to suck.
Love at Carlyle's [Love on the Rocks 8: Special Edition] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7
