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Her tone is light as she says, “Hey there, what are you drinking?”

I glance at the back bar and the fridges. “A bottle of water.”

I notice how Miles leaves the counter and walks toward us while surprise flickers in the server’s green eyes as she asks, “Just water?”

“I see you’ve met Owen, our new bartender,” Miles says as he comes to a stop beside the woman.

“Ohhh . . .” Her eyebrows pop up, and she glances between Miles and me. “No, we haven’t met.” She holds the tray tighter and gives me a nervous smile. “I’m Annie Collins. Miles told me you’re starting tomorrow. Welcome. I hope you like working here.”

By the time she finishes, she lets out an audible breath and shifts her weight on her feet, her eyes dropping to the tray before lifting back to my face.

For some reason, I don’t like the fact that I make her nervous.

“Annie girl, have Harlan fix me a serving of jalapeño poppers and loaded nachos,” one of the patrons in the booth adjacent to mine says, grabbing her attention.

Her smile turns natural as she looks at the patron. “Sure thing, Derek.”

When she darts away and rushes through the doorway that leads to the kitchen, I get a glimpse of a counter, fryer, and the tattooed guy I saw earlier.

Realizing everyone who works here lives in the same building tells me they might all be close.

A weird sensation ghosts through my chest when the thought of becoming part of something bigger than myself crosses my mind. I shut it down just as quickly. Letting people in has never been my strong suit, and if the Bratva ever tracks me down, anyone close to me will just become a liability.

“Come in an hour early tomorrow so I can show you the ropes before we open,” Miles says.

I nod, and when he returns to the bar, I study how he handles himself behind the counter and what kind of drinks he serves.

Even though I’m focused on Miles, I still take in everything around me, always on guard.

I don’t think there will ever be a time when I’ll feel fully relaxed or like a regular person. I’ve been a predator for too long to switch off that part of me.

Chapter 3

Annie

I come to a stop in the small kitchen, and when Harlan gives me a questioning look, my cheeks flush with heat.

I jab my thumb over my shoulder. “I just met the new bartender.”

“Yeah?” Harlan grabs the fryer basket and gives it a good shake before he lowers it back into the oil. “What’s the person like?”

“He.” An involuntary grin spreads over my face, and I turn another shade redder. “He’s unbelievably hot. I think I just rambled in front of him before practically running away.”

Harlan did some serious jail time for armed robbery, but after he got out, he cleaned up his life. We’ve worked together for the past two years and have become friends. He always teases me when I hide in the kitchen after one of the customers hits on me.

He lets out a bark of laughter and shakes his head while walking toward the door. Taking a quick peek into the bar area, he says, “I was wondering what you considered hot, seeing as you’re shooting down every other man who’s asked you out.”

A snort escapes me. “You make it sound like there have been a lot.”

Harlan frowns as he lets the door swing shut. “The guy gives off an intense vibe, though.”

Honestly, I didn’t notice. I was too busy gawking at Owen’s black hair and light blue eyes. “I got husky vibes,” I give my two cents before remembering the order. “Derek wants loaded nachos and jalapeño poppers.”

“On it.” I wait for Harlan to plate a burger and fries before leaving the safety of the kitchen to hand the order to a customer.

I can’t stop myself from glancing at Owen as I dart behind the counter to grab a bottle of water from the fridge for him. When I walk to the booth in the corner by the restrooms, my stomach swoops. It’s the same sensation I got when I missed a step earlier and almost fell.

My heart kicks up a beat when Owen’s eyes flick to me, and a kaleidoscope of butterflies erupts into flight inside me.