“You think you’re gonna be happy with that two-bit bartender? Not even here tonight to keep you company. I tell you, I’d never leave you alone if you were mine.”
“He has to handle business issues tonight. Unlike some people, he doesn’t need me to help him make his fucking living.”
“Don’t be like this, Savannah.” Tanner pleads. “Let me make it up to you.”
“Too late,” I tell him, bitter. “Leave. Now. And don’t come back.” I stand, staring him down. Slowly, recognition dawns on his face. The cool demeanor drops. He believes me.
“Sure, I’ll go. And I’ll take my business elsewhere,” Tanner sneers. “Is that what you want?”
There is that ugly side, the one I’ve been waiting for. When he doesn’t get his way he’ll just intimidate everyone, or bluff his way out of it. But this time I refuse to back down.
“Fine, then.” It will hurt and I will lose my chance at a promotion, but I will not break myself again to be his puppet. I am worth more than that.
“Sav—”
That’s the last straw. “Get out or I will call the cops and I will file a restraining order and it will not look good for you. Have fun explaining that one to the papers.”
He tries again, but I’m over it. “You really want to do this? What about everything we had? Those long nights—I remember just how you like it.”
Without waiting, I pull out my cell phone and start dialing a number.
“Fine, fine,” he says holding up his hands in surrender. I still hold the phone to my ear, listening to it ring.
He marches past and stops to look back at me. “You really want your bartender that badly?”
“Hello,” I say to a ringtone. “I need an officer to come to my apartment.”
Tanner leaves before I say another word.
“You’ve reached Cash Gardner…” I disconnect when I reach his voice mail, but hearing his voice is a reminder. I want more dates like tonight. I want to feel wanted like I did in the alley with him.
I want Cash Gardner. And if there’s one thing he better be aware of it’s this: I get what I want.
CHAPTER TEN
Cash
The Warehouse was originally planned to be one of our clubs, but once Ryder’s fight club outgrew their old space, we knew it’d be perfect. A little dirty, a lot of square footage, and with that underground feel that suits our not-so-legal fighting ring.
Ryder is in charge, pure and simple. It’s his empire, and as far as I’m concerned, he can have it. He’s edgy and focused, much like what I imagine he was back when he was giving opponents the old one-two punch. I focus on keeping the bar stocked in the back and the liquor flowing. The crowds get bigger every month, and so do the profits. Tonight, we’re packed to max capacity. It’s crazy back here, but a flash of blond curls at the end of the bar catches my attention all the same. Savannah.
Right away, my night gets better.
“Whiskey rocks,” I say, sliding the drink over to her.
“Hello there,” she says, with a suggestive smile. “I was wondering when I’d see you.”
“How about later?” I tell her.
“Maybe…” she lets out an exaggerated sigh. “I might be meeting this guy. You could say, he left me all wound up the last time I saw him.”
“Really? Because I thought you got exactly what you needed. I was the one left with blue balls.”
She smirks. “Not everything I needed. I can think of one more thing…”
Her gaze goes to my pants. Damn.
“Cash!” the yell comes from across the bar. “We’re in the weeds over here.”
I sigh. “Hold that thought,” I tell her, and go to keep the drinks moving. When I get back, there’s some tatted up douchebag leaning in close, trying to pick her up.
“How about another drink?” he leans in, sliding a hand over her waist.
I want to toss him in the ring for a one-on-one fight, but I’m saved from that mistake.
“Excuse me,” Shelby says, cutting in. “I love the feel of your shirt, is that silk?” She presses up against the guy and drags him off, giving us a wink over her shoulder. Total party girl that one, but hell if she doesn’t know how to save a friend from a cock-block.
“Do we have to tip her for that service?” Savannah asks, watching Shelby expertly ditch the man, leaving him in a group of women.
“If we did, we’d never make any money.”
“Too true.” She sips the whiskey
“Need anything stronger?” I ask. Stronger, or deeper.
She smiles. “As a matter of fact, yes.”
The bell suddenly sounds. Time for the next fight. Shelby returns, and links her arm through Savy’s. “Come on, I don’t want to miss this one.”
“Little Miss Shelby, hungry for blood,” Savannah laughs.
“More like hungry to get a look at these fine fighters,” Shelby winks. “Coming, Cash?”
Not soon enough.
“Right behind you,” I say, and enjoy the view as Savannah walks ahead. Let the rest of the crew handle the bar tonight, I have more pressing priorities.