It was the best mocha I’d ever tasted, but nothing compared to Hunter’s scent encasing me in the car.
Hunter pulled into a parking lot of a huge blue, weatherboard building withGolden Finsignage across the top. There was a fishing hook through one end of their logo, and an anchor through the other. The main doors were closed, with only a few other cars in the lot.
“The restaurant opens for lunch and dinner,” Hunter said as he shut the car off. “We’re positioned right on the wharf, so it’s a great spot for family events, dates, and corporate functions.”
I’d caught sight of water when he entered the parking lot and had thought it was a great location for a seafood restaurant.
When we hopped out, I took our trash because the Bentley did not deserve to be treated like a wastebasket. Hunter removed it from me, and I was reminded of Kellan refusing to let me carry my own luggage. Neither alpha appeared to think I could carry my own shit, and it was irritating because I’d never relied on anyone to help me before.
The way they treated me threw my entire balance off, and I didn’t trust it.
They were trying too hard, overcompensating, and sooner or later their true nature would show.
“Employee entrance,” Hunter said, gesturing for me to enter first. “This isn’t the fanciest restaurant in Golden Claw because we want to work foreverybudget and reason for dining out.”
“That’s my favorite style to waitress at,” I admitted. “Some of the diners were too rough, and I’m not trained well enough for anything super fancy.”
“What diners?” he bit out, grinding to a halt.
“Too many to remember.”
Hunter huffed but let it go, guiding me into a small locker room. “They should have one with your name already.” He glanced along the dark blue metal doors until he foundEmelinemisspelled and scrawled on a sticker. “You can store your coat and phone in there.”
The phone hadn’t left my pocket all morning, but I’d at least remembered to charge it.
After my items were stored, Hunter and I ended up in the kitchen, which was a hive of activity. Half a dozen staff ran around in full prep mode, and when they noticed the alpha in their midst, everything grew quiet.
A shifter raced over and bowed his head. “Alpha Hunter, we weren’t expecting you for another hour.”
He was a beta, a few inches taller than me, with a generically handsome face topped by thick wavy brown hair pulled into a top knot. “Bradley,” Hunter greeted him coolly. “I’m here with your newest employee.”
Bradley eyed me for a brief second, a welcoming smile on his lips. “You must be Emmeline. We’re happy to have you on the team. I’m the floor manager today, so you’ll be shadowing me while I give you the rundown.”
Hunter’s rumble drew his attention with a snap. “Just remember your place, beta,” he warned. “No one touches Emme.”
Bradley backed up a few steps, hands in front of him. “Of course not. That goes without saying.”
Hunter’s dominance held him for a few seconds more than was necessary, but his point was well made. “One of us will be back to pick you up at the end of your shift,” the alpha told me as he headed for the exit. “Don’t leave this building on your own.”
I bristled at the command, but again chose my battles wisely. “You’ve got it, sir.”
Hunter’s lips twitched at my slightly mocking title, but he didn’t break a smile. “Be good, little omega.” He turned to leave, pausing just before the door. “Oh, and Bradley…”
The beta snapped to attention, leaning toward his boss. “Her name is spelled with two m’s. Don’t fucking forget it again.”
He was gone before the manager could respond, though I couldn’t miss the tightening of Bradley’s features. Once Hunter’s mammoth energy had faded from the building, the beta relaxed. Relaxed and leveled a cold smile on me.
“Prepare yourself, Emmeline with two fucking m’s. I run a tight ship around here, and I won’t have you screwing it up because you’re the boss’ newest pet.”
Oh, great. It was dick measuring time.Thank you, Hunter Reeves.
Lucky for him, I was sans dick, and felt zero desire to establish myself in the hierarchy. “I won’t screw it up,” I promised him. “I’ve worked in restaurants before. Just show me what you need from me. I can handle the rest.”
His scoff told me everything he thought about that statement. He spun on one shiny shoe as he called over his shoulder, “Keep up. I’m not waiting for you.”
You need the cash. You need the cash.
Maybe if I repeated it enough, I’d be able to drown out the asshole in charge.
