I nearly stop walking. The casual nature of his question shouldn’t have any effect, but distrust goes hand in hand with my chosen profession. My creepy host has clearly gotten under my skin because Johnny’s question feeds the unease that’s been building since I first arrived in Ireland.
But I can’t jump to conclusions over every person I meet. Without solid evidence, I need to accept Johnny’s just a guy working to pay bills. A teammate, one that might one day come in handy.
I catch up to him before he notices. “Couple of issues with my current place, but I’m moving somewhere new after work. Ask me on the next shift how it’s going.”
“Aye,” he says, and then he changes the direction of our conversation, giving me a rundown on the chef’s specials for the day, along with gossip about the chef, on our way to the cellar. But then he does a one-eighty on me.
He stops at the door to the cellar talking loudly. “What’s your pack think of you being a working Omega?”
“No pack,” I answer, purposely not looking at him.
“That right? Alpha?” he asks with an increasing smugness mixing into his tone.
I smile sweetly, ignoring his smart-arse questioning, somehow managing to keep the disdain from my posture and my scent. I’ll let my coworkers have their judgments for a couple of days while we get used to each other, but after that, if they raisethis line of questioning again, I’ll be giving them a mouthful ofwhat for.
“No Alpha, no Beta, no partner at all. None necessary, either. What about you?”
He ignores my last question. “You got needs, though, right? How’d you be handling your heat?”
My intention of being civil dissolves as his inappropriate line of questioning eats away at my control. “Look, I’m not sure where this is coming from, but what I do outside of work is none of your business. Clearly. How about we focus on the lack of lager?”
His voice drops, his designation becoming impossible to ignore as he walks past me. “Aye, lass, let’s do that, then, shall we? Was only tryna be nice, but you’ve made it known how we’ll be. I’ll let the rest of the staff know, so they don’t waste their breath.”
Luckily, he’s not looking, because I flip the bird at him. Freaking Alphas, always meddling when they don’t need to. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an Omega or a woman, though it’s probably a combination of both, but I swear it’s the same old tune—how can you survive without one of us?
When he checks over his shoulder, his expression might as well be him waving a red flag in my face. But by looking over his shoulder I can also see why he’s been talking as loud as he has and being pretty invasive too, Walsh is listening in on our conversation. Our whole interaction was probably planned.
“I’ll do a wee presentation on what my sensitive self can and can’t manage and pin it to the board in the staff room. Does that work for you, Alpha?” I offer back, my tone dappled in overdone sweetness.
Our sniping gets interrupted by Walsh yelling for us to hurry up. Johnny gets to work, forgetting he was meant to be showingme what to do, but I know already. I’m just here for appearances, anyway.
It doesn’t take long for him to fill the awkwardness caused by his line of snooping.
“Look, I wasn’t having a go. I’m just shocked you’re on your own, and it’s not the first time my big mouth has got me in trouble. I get it’s not my business what you do when we’re off the job. On the job, I got your back, and I trust you’ve got mine.”
I turn, a sugary sweet smile on my face. “Johnny, are you apologizing for being a dick?”
He laughs, checking the rightness of the tap on top of the keg again. “You and I will be fine.”
“Probably. If you don’t get involved in my business,” I say blandly, hopefully setting boundaries.
He rolls his eyes and I smile in return. The grilling is coming to an end.
After that, we find a good rhythm through our shift. Johnny also makes sure to introduce me to everyone coming into the bar, which is exactly what I want.
Chapter Eight
TALLY
By the time Walsh lets me go, it’s dark out.
I book a ride, and it ends up being a good thing because, not only do I get to my new room without getting lost, I end up getting a tour of the area from the driver.
Along the way, he points out important places—eateries, grocery stores, all the key landmarks. His running commentary helps me keep track of my bearings and I get a fair idea that the walk will be a lot shorter than the drive, considering all the one-way roads we’ve taken.
The driver is still talking when he climbs out to help with my bags. I go to grab them, but he beats me holding them ransom, waiting until he has my undivided attention.
“I get you’re new and all, but I need you to be aware this is O’Connor territory. Their heartland.”
