“Take your hands off her.”
I yank my hand free, jumping back with the strength of Ruben’s voice.
Looking across to him, Ruben is shooting daggers at Hunter with his eyes, and Hunter doesn’t seem to give a damn that he has Ruben on his ass.
Eventually, Hunter holds his hands up in a sign of surrender. “Sorry man. I didn’t know she was yours.” He turns back toward the bar and continues drinking.
For a guy like Hunter, turning his back on a threat probably goes against everything he believes in. I’m guessing Ruben realizes this as he looks at me before striding off toward the back of the club.
Why didn’t he put Hunter right? Even though Ruben has my heart, I know I’m not in his so he doesn’t have the right to lay claim on me like he just did.
“I’m not his. I don’t belong to anyone,” I inform Hunter before heading toward the opposite end of the bar feeling pissed with Ruben.
It’s only early so the few customers who already have drinks are spread out through the other side of the club where the table and sofas are located. This is my favorite time to be in Kenza before it starts to fill up and everyone starts shouting orders left, right and center at us.
It’s twice as bad when there is a live band on, which is usually every two weeks on a Friday and Saturday night. Since I’ve worked here Kenza has become one of the hottest nightclubs in Lexington, and I love working here.
When I’d initially taken the job I’d been dreading it because the last thing I wanted to do was spend my time serving drinks, but I’d needed the money. And even though I’ve had my ups and downs during my time here, I love it. I love the look of the place. I love that Ruben is against drugs. I love the fact that I have full medical benefits working here—no other club or bar around here offers that. And I guess I’m kind of in love with the boss as well, which isn’t the brightest thing I’ve ever done.
“Hey Rosie, how are you doing?”
Glancing up from my position of wiping glasses, I see Lucien leaning halfway over the bar.
I’m surprised to see him here. While he comes in from time to time, he doesn’t frequent the place as often as his brothers do.
“Hi Lucien. I’m good, thanks. It’s nice to see you here.”
And it is nice. I like Lucien and he really pulls at my heartstrings with how he hides. Even with his scars, he’s still a handsome man, and because of his choice to be alone I’m guessing a woman did a number on him because of the damage done to his body. If I’m correct then that woman needs a fist in her face even though I could be entirely wrong. I just always find it strange that he refuses company, and insists he has nothing to offer anyone. He’s so wrong.
“How’s my brother been treating you,” he asks as I sit his usual glass of whiskey in front of him. I’m not even sure how to answer that question because it sounds like I’m with his brother, which is so far from the truth.
I go for neutral. “He’s a good boss. I’m fine.”
He watches me work as though he’s expecting me to say more, but luckily he’s distracted with Sebastian’s arrival.
“Hey, gorgeous. Anyone snapped you up yet?”
Rolling my eyes, I pass Sebastian the same drink as his brother. “Nope. I’m still young, free and single.” Then feeling like teasing, I say, “Unless you’re offering,” batting my eyelashes.
Sebastian laughs. “Are you flirting with me Rosie?”
Ignoring his question, I counter with, “Where’s Carla?”
With Sebastian, I know he’s only teasing because there is no way on this earth anyone else is going to turn his head the way Carla does. He has eyes for only one woman.
“She’s at home reading. I’m planning on joining her real soon.”
“Then stop flirting with Rosie before Ruben catches you,” Lucien says, “but as I don’t have a woman and love nothing better than to wind my brother up, I’ll carry on with the flirting.”
“Rosie knows I’m only teasing, but I’m all for you flirting with her. You need the practice.”
Lucien frowns at Sebastian’s comment. Before it becomes awkward, I ask, “How’s Sabrina doing?” Well that got Lucien’s attention, although I’m not sure it’s a question he’d like directed at him.
“What’s wrong with Sabrina?” he asks as Sebastian wonders away from the bar with his drink in hand.
“I bumped into her the other week with her mom. Sabrina looked upset and her mom looked to be gloating about something.” I start wiping the new glasses Derek has just dumped on the side without a word. “I don’t think she gets along with her mom all that well. I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before. It was just a feeling I had when I stopped to talk to them.”
“Hmm.” Lucien sighs, finishing his drink.
“Another?”
“Please.”