Page 37 of Love Above Law

"Dana, I have zero experience being a waitress. Are you sure Dare said I was working VIP? There has to be a mistake," I insist. "And won't the other girls be offended a newbie walked in and scored the position?"

"Nope. No mistake. There will probably be a couple girls a little butthurt about it, but they know not to open their mouth. The boss has spoken."

"I don't want to step on any toes."

"Dare made himself clear. I for one couldn't be more thrilled to have you. He also mentioned you had the pleasure of meeting Courtney the other day."

"I did. She wasn't very, pleasant." I choose my words wisely not knowing if Dana and Courtney are friends.

"Pleasant? Leyna, that girl is a straight up bitch. Dare did the right thing by canning her ass. She was an embarrassment to work with. Rumors is not the kind of club you see college kids at." Dana shakes her head. "Rumors caters to high power businessmen. I'm talking about investment bankers and music executives—millionaires and billionaires. Courtney would come to work high on God knows what. She's a fumbling mess. The last straw was when she spilled a drink on one of our members. I had to explain to the man that Courtney had the flu and was taking medication. I only lied to keep Dare from losing one of his most loyal customers."

"You seem to really respect Dare," I say more like a statement. It's clear she holds him with high regard.

"I do. Everyone that works here does. Dare respects his employees, and he doesn't allow anyone to disrespect us women. We have had a couple of incidents with touching, but Dare doesn't play. He'll kick anyone who touches us out. I've worked in one other club before Rumors and lasted less than a week there because the owner allowed his clientele to grope the waitresses. I walked out of that job and came straight here. I had just turned twenty-one and had no experience, but Dare took me on anyway. The rest is history. Just don't mistake his generosity for weakness. I've seen what happens to someone who crosses him. Let's say; it's a mistake."

"I'm grateful for this job. I don't plan on screwing up. Trust me."

"I think you're going to do great, Leyna. Come on, let's get changed so I can show you around."

Making our way to the end of the hall, Dana leads me into what I assume is our dressing room. "How many VIP waitresses work here?"

"Three. There's us, and then there's Maggie. Dare closes Rumors on Sundays and Mondays. We work Tuesday through Saturday. Normally you won't have to come in until five in the evenings. The doors open at six and we close at three in the morning. Since you're only part-time, you'll clock out at eleven. Maggie will take over for you."

"I think I can handle that."

"Dare mentioned you'd be going to school."

"I am. I start in the fall. I want to be a teacher," I smile.

"A teacher? That's great."

"Yeah. I'm excited."

Over the next hour, Dana walks me through Rumors and introduces me to the staff. So far everyone I've met has been friendly. Dana took me upstairs to the VIP lounge where I'll be spending most of my time. She explained the VIP area was more chill. The lower level floor is where most of the action takes place. "The lower level of Rumors is for those looking to mingle. Upstairs is where Dare's VIP's like to discuss business. Our only job is to serve them drinks. Always smile, be polite and most importantly be discreet. You'll hear things up here, but it's best to pretend you never did."

"What kinds of things," I question. Dana looks at me with a lifted brow but says nothing. I'm going to assume she's practicing what she preaches.

"Got it," I nod. "Not our business."

The rest of the afternoon flies by. Dana and I ended up going to lunch together and when we arrived back at Rumors a few more of the staff had arrived. She introduced me to Zach, Byron, and Ace. The three men are bouncers here at Rumors. Once introductions are made, Dana and I make our way to the back to begin getting ready since we only have an hour before the club opens.

It's nearing the end of my first shift and even though my feet are killing me because I'm not used to standing in four-inch heels for hours; I can honestly say I like my job. Dare showed up just before the club opened and has been a constant presence since. He's not the kind of boss who sits in his office all night. It's clear he takes running Rumors seriously. Dare spends his time equally between the floor and the VIP section. He also makes sure to greet every one of his VIP guests.

I've just finished serving table two and made my way back to Dana who is standing off to the side against the wall when she leans over and whispers in my ear. "There is a seriously intense looking guy at table five who hasn't taken his eyes off you. The man has been here fifteen minutes and hasn't touched his drink because his only focus is you."

I glance over at table five and smile when I see who Dana is talking about. "That's Lex." I also notice Kai sitting with him.

"Wait a minute, you know him?"

"Yeah, we live together."

"Just live together?"

"Well, we actually just became a couple."

"Hmm," Dana hums. "I can tell. That man looks like he wants to eat you alive, Leyna." When I chance another glance at Lex, I see Dana's assumption is right. His eyes are drinking in every last inch of me. From the tips of my black four-inch heels all the way up to my breasts that look as if they're about to spill out of the short red halter dress I'm wearing; I should say uniform since my dress is the same as all the other waitresses. Only theirs are black whereas mine and Dana's are red.

"Oh, look," Dana nods toward the stairs where a woman with long jet-black hair and wearing the same red dress as Dana and I, makes her way up the stairs. "Maggie is here." Peering down at my watch I see it's already eleven o'clock. When I look back up, I notice Dare standing at the end of the stairs, and he gestures for me to come to him.