“Cheers,” Leo says, downing his whiskey in one gulp. I glance down at my glass, wondering for a moment whether I should follow suit. He laughs, “Don’t bother trying to keep up, lightweight. You don’t have to try to be one of the guys—waste of your time.”
“I wasn’t aware that that’s what I was doing,” I say, taking a long sip of vodka.
“Yeah right,” he says, settling onto his barstool, “I get what you’re up to. Trying to act like a tough girl so we don’t treat you like these bitches in here. No offense, babe,” he grins at our bartender.
“None taken angel,” she says airily, letting her hips sway as she walks away. I suppress a jealous pout as Leo watches her go.
“I’m not trying to act like anything,” I say, sitting down beside him, “But you’re right. I’m probably not like most of the women who hang around here.”
“That’s not what I said,” he corrects me, “You’re trying not to be like the women around here, but you’re wasting your time. You’re just like them. Women are all the same.”
“I beg to differ on that,” I say, sipping my drink coolly.
“I’m sure you do,” Leo laughs, swigging his beer, “Don’t take it personal, babe. All men are the same too. Difference is, around here, men and women are allowed to act the way they were built to act. You don’t get that in the outside world. I’m suspecting that’s what brings you here in the first place.”
“Something like that,” I allow, “Social graces can be pretty exhausting.”
“Let me guess,” Leo goes on, “You’re the prom queen type, aren’t you? Rode that precious wave to some fancy college, got yourself all stuffed with bullshit facts, lined up some rich guy to marry, then ran away at the last minute?”
“Not exactly,” I scoff, annoyed with his tone. He may be a sex god straight off of Olympus, but that doesn’t give him free reign to be a total asshole to me.
“Matthew told us about your fancy Hollywood boyfriend,” Leo smiles, not the least bit ruffled by my side eye.
“Fine,” I allow, “That part was approaching true, but I didn’t have some kind of fairytale childhood. I grew up in Wraith territory, just like Matthew. Almost threw myself into the life as a kid, I’ll have you know.”
“But you didn’t,” Leo insists, “Which means that some part of you thought you were better than all of this.”
“What, this?” I say, gesturing toward the women dancing all around us. “Yeah, so sue me, I did and do think I’m better than dry humping a pole for a living. In fact, I know that I am. I’m smart, and funny, and charming as hell. I could do anything in the world, anything at all, and I’m still choosing this life. What does that say about my commitment, huh?”
“It says that being such a special little girl leaves you lonely,” Leo says, his eyes glinting, “But don’t you worry. I’m gonna fix that for you.”
“You got plans for me I should know about?” I ask daringly.
“That’s for me to know, babe,” Leo winks.
“Because I don’t get any say in the matter?” I challenge.
“I can read you,” he counters, “I already know what you want.”
“Guess we’ll just have to see about that,” I say, turning back to my drink.
“Guess so,” he says, downing the last of his beer, “But not for long, I hope. Now come on. Better get you acquainted with this place. You’re gonna help run it, after all.”
“What is it, exactly, that you guys need help with around here?” I ask, trailing him down the bar.
“I don’t know. Computer shit,” he shrugs.
“Nothing more specific?” I ask.
“We’re not exactly high tech guys around here,” he replies, “If you can’t shoot it, it’s not a machine we’re interested in.”
“I see,” I mumble.
“You will see, that’s for sure,” he says, eyeing me over his shoulder, “But trust me, babe, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to get that,” I reply. Truer words have never been spoken.
Leo leads me to a door at the far end of the bar and pushes it open. I peer around him and feel my brow furrow in angst. Inside is a small, cramped office overlooking the Wraiths’ compound. Well, overlooking is an overstatement—the tiny square of a window seems more like an obligatory air hole than anything else. The kind you poke in the top of a shoebox when you’re keeping a little creature inside. The walls are plastered with graphic skin mag centerfolds, each raunchier than the next. And the computer on the cluttered desk has to be a decade old. The air is musty, the carpet sticky, and the window smudged. All told, it’s not exactly what I’d call my ideal working environment.
“You’re kidding, right?” I say, approaching the ancient computer. I’m afraid to touch it, lest it crumble into dust.
“It’s nothing fancy,” Leo shrugs, “But it gets the job done.”
“I’m supposed to hang out in here all day?” I ask, “I hope the Wraiths are going to cover my hospital bills when I get hepatitis just from breathing the air in here.”
“What’re you complainin’ about? This is the corner office,” he grins, “Besides, you don’t actually have to clock in here. You know that, right? We’re far more concerned with analog things around here—tits and ass trump hard drives and software on our list of priorities. We need someone around who knows computers and shit, but this isn’t a nine to five situation.”
“Thank Christ,” I mutter.
“Actually, I’ll let you in on a secret,” Leo says, “I sort of made up this job to put your cousin’s mind at ease. It’ll be handy, I’m sure, to have a little computer genius around. But I have other plans for you, babe.”
“Is that so?” I ask, sitting up on the edge of the desk. My heart starts to rattle my rib cage as Leo takes a step toward me. I’m fighting to look cool, but inside my mind is racing. Why would he go to all that trouble, just to get me here?
“Didn’t want Rail to keep you away, thinking we were gonna have you working the pole,” Leo says, “And not letting you come around here was never an option. Rail showed us your picture when he asked if you could stay. Took one look at you and knew there was no way I was gonna share you with the rest of the guys.”