“Got it, boss. Will that be all?”
The further the girls allow the men to go, the better their gratuity is at the end of the evening. I know how these things go. It’s not as though I haven’t seen the girls getting fucked against the building in the back alley to ensure a good tip at the end of the night. “Make sure the brothers understand that she’s hands off but that doesn’t decrease her tips. Encourage them to be … generous.”
“Aye, sir.”
I end the call and examine the photograph of Bleu. I’m not sure why I took it. It has no place in this office, yet I don’t want to put it in the drawer. I want to be able to see it.
I place it on the corner of my desk. It looks strange and feels out of place. I’ve never had a photo of a woman within the four walls of my office—not even one of my own mother—but I admit it’s a beautiful first. I could get used to looking at her.
* * *
I don’t have to weigh my options of home versus Duncan’s when I leave the firm. I want to see how work is going for the bar’s new wench since my orders to the brothers to keep their hands off.
I sit at the table everyone knows belongs to the trifecta—me, Leith, and Jamie. Lorna notices me and immediately comes over, ready to take my drink order. “What’s it going to be this evening?”
“I want the American to be my barmaid.”
She looks at the station where Bleu loads a tray with drinks. “She already has a full load.”
“It’s not a fucking request, Lorna. But since you were stupid enough to argue instead of doing as I say, you can take all her tables and yours while she only serves me.”
I look at Lorna, daring her to do anything but agree. “As you wish.”
“Damn right. And she still gets her tips. All of them.”
“Of course, Sin. Anything you say.”
Bleu comes to my table after she’s relieved of the tray of drinks. “Lorna says I’m your personal server and she’s going to take all my tables.”
“That’s right.”
“Why?” Her expression is confused. She has no idea I can make anyone in this place do whatever I demand, whenever I like.
“Because it’s what I want.”
She looks around, worried. “Is Leith going to be okay with this? I’m here to serve customers—plural, not singular. I don’t want to make him angry and end up fired. I’m earning good money here.”
“The tips have been generous?”
“Yes, remarkably so.”
Good. The brotherhood listened. I’d expect no less. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“What can I get for you?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
I can see I’ve bewildered her further. And I thoroughly enjoy it. “I can’t have anything. I’m on the clock.”
“I want to buy you a drink, so choose what you’d like and I’ll have the same.”
She smirks. “Whatever you say.”
A few minutes later she returns with two girlie drinks and pushes one my way. “What the hell is that supposed to be?”
She’s grinning. “It’s sex on the beach.”
“You brought me a drink with a slice of pineapple and a fucking flower in it?”
“You told me to choose something for myself and you’d have the same. This is what I wanted.”
“I expected you to have a whisky.”
“I wanted to have sex on the beach. I thought you’d enjoy it as well.” She’s grinning bigger, probably feeling quite clever.
I sample the drink and discover it’s exactly as I expect—sickeningly sweet. It’s definitely a cocktail for a lass, so I push it back in her direction. “You don’t like sex on the beach?”
“I like the actual thing very much, but not this drink.”
“Would something tall, dark, and neat be more preferable?”
“Aye.”
“You’re going to put your trust in me again?” she asks.
“Allow me to be clear about one thing, Bleu.” I motion for her to lean forward and I do the same until we’re nearly nose to nose. “I trust no one until they’ve proven themselves to be trustworthy.”
“I get the distinct feeling we’re no longer talking about choosing a brand of whisky.” If I didn’t know better, I’d think that was a challenge.
She’s a smart one, this lass, so I don’t wish to get into a battle of wits. “I’m the only customer you’re serving. I shouldn’t be thirsty.”
Bleu goes to fetch my drink and Leith slips into one of the chairs next to me. “Lorna told me what you ordered her to do. Why the hell are you claiming Bleu as your own personal barmaid while Lorna takes a double load?”
“Someone has to validate this lass’s motives since you were too careless to do so.”
“You’re going to tell me that monopolizing her as your own is a way of investigating her purpose for being here?”
“Having her one-on-one so we can talk does a far better job than your hands running up and down her arse every time she walks by.”
“Don’t worry, Sin. No one’s putting their hands on her now.”
He acts as though he’s a toddler and I’ve taken away his favorite toy. “She didn’t like the way she was being manhandled.”
“And you know this how?”
“She told me.”
“When?” he asks.
“Last night.”
Leith looks pissed off, which means he’s putting the pieces together. “Then I guess it’s safe to assume you didn’t have this conversation at the bar?”
“No.” As his superior, I don’t owe him any explanation. “I needed to do a sweep, to be sure Bleu is who she claims to be. I was going through her things when she came home and found me inside, so I had to act as though I was there to talk.”
“How very convenient.” He’s right. I could’ve sent my people to do the search but I wanted her to come home and find me there.
“What’s your verdict?” he asks.
She’s clean as far as I can tell. For now. “I believe she’s telling the truth.”
He slaps his hand on the table. “I fucking knew it.”
“You didn’t know shit, Leith. Like always, I’m the one out doing the dirty work.”
“Sure. Keep telling yourself that being alone with Bleu at her flat is dirty work and maybe you’ll eventually believe it.” He’s calling bullshit, and we both know he’s right. I wanted to spend time with her.