Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
“Beast’s place?” I blanche because I’m going to be forced to stay in a place I don’t know anyone and with a biker named Beast.
His brows screw up in surprise. “Yes. DA Brandon’s home. I thought you knew that.”
“No, I must have forgotten to ask. All I was told was that they found me somewhere to live and work.”
He pats my shoulder and leads me to the storeroom with all the beer and bottles of liquor. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to fear Beast. Just stay out of his way and out of his things, and you’ll be fine. He’s grumpy when anyone invades his personal space.”
I step back out into the corridor that leads back to the main bar area. “Ooh.”
“Relax. I didn’t mean to freak you out,” Boss says, walking to the bar. “Come here and let me show you the set up behind here. We have two speedwells and two registers. Most nights, we only have two employees working. It’s pretty safe here, but I still request that they are escorted out. One of the Riders will do it if I only have one person closing.”
“Is everyone working tonight?”
“Yes, Fridays and Saturdays like all bars are our busiest nights. Roxie and Hans will work both nights. We’re closed on Sundays.”
“Kind of like Chick-fil-A?”
“Yes. So these are the beer coolers. Have you ever opened a beer before?”
“No, I haven’t. Aren’t some twist off, and some you need to pop off.”
He puts two bottles on the bar and hands me a bottle opener. “Yes. Here’s both. Open one of each for me. You’ll learn which are which as you go. They can all be popped off it that makes it easier.” I’ve seen this done before, so I do it like I’m a professional and it works. I’m jumping up and down like crazy, forgetting that I have a beer in my hands. It starts fizzing over.
The door opens and in walks a larger man with a thick beard, but he’s in a dress shirt and a pair of jeans. He runs up to me, takes the beer, downing it in one long drink.
“Never waste a good beer.” He winks and sets the empty bottle down on the top. I wonder if he’s the Beast they mentioned. He’s a handsome man, but then I spot a ring on his finger and know that if there’s a wife at home, there’s no way they wouldn’t have told me that.
“Boomer. It’s good to see you,” Boss says with surprise, unnerving me a bit. Boomer?
“Hey, old man. Don’t be hitting on the young girls in town. You’re old enough to be her grandfather.”
“He wasn’t…” I exclaim, shaking my hands, trying to dispel his impression.
“Relax. I’m just jerking around.”
“Boomer, let me introduce you to my new bartender, Mary. Mary, this is the mayor, president, owner, and well damn boss man of this town, Garrett Steele.”
No one told me anything like that, but it makes sense at least. “Steeleville…ah.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m sure you’ll like it here. If any customer gives you shit, you let me or Boss know, understood?” Damn, okay. I feel like I’m talking to a mob boss and not the mayor of the town. I suppose when you’re in charge of everything, you don’t take shit from anyone.
“Yes, sir.”
“Boomer is fine.” He turns attention to Boss and says, “Now, can I have a word with you for a minute?” He tips his head to the back.
Boss nods. “Sure. Mary, why don’t you walk around the bar and get acquainted with the setup. Next time don’t shake a beer. I’ll be right back.” He winks and then follows Boomer to the back office. I practice moving around the bar when Detective Spencer enters with my things.
“Sorry it took so long. I had to take a call. Where did he go?”
“He went to talk to Boomer?” I point toward the back.
“Boomer, strange name for his position, but he bought the town after serving in the Special Forces and owning a demolition company.”
“Oh, really. That explains a lot.” Instantly, his name clears it up for me. I’m curious why they call Boss, Boss when it’s really Boomer that’s in charge. I don’t want to ask because that would be rude, but I’m sure I will eventually.
“Don’t be intimidated. They aren’t the type to treat women badly.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m going to leave you now. If you need anything, you talk to Beast, and he’ll get in touch with me. Here’s a small stipend that should help, but I doubt they would let you pay for anything. Take care. I promise I’ll do my best to get this resolved as soon as possible.”
“Thank you for everything.” He leaves just before the guys come from the back.
“Mary. Boomer’s going to do me a favor and take you to Beast’s house.” I quirk my brow up and stiffen my shoulders, hating the change in plans even though this guy is supposedly so important. Those are the ones who have too much power and usually head into criminal activities.