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“Hey,” Misti snapped, and Dahlia jerked her head. “I know the speech, and you’d be smart to remember what Rod said. Trey and Rogue don’t give a shit about you, your opinion, or your appreciation. I don’t know how the hell you landed this bar on your first day, but it’s a chance no one ever gets, so don’t fuck up.”
Noted. Not that she needed a full-on explanation. Misti turned without another word and walked over to the bar across the room.
“Hey.” Dahlia glanced to her left back to Killian when he spoke. “On her best day, Misti is a raving bitch. She’s like that with everyone, so don’t take it personally.” Killian chuckled, tossed the rag onto the bar, and stepped closer. “She’s good to have on your side, but she can be your worst enemy. She’s been here a long time. The unspoken lead bartender. Her delivery sucks, but she’s right. The staff never interacts with Trey and Rogue unless called in.” He raised his brows. “And trust me, you don’t want to be singled out by either of them. It never ends well.” Killian leaned his hip against the bar, inspecting her. He wasn’t gawking or perusing her body. It was as if he was trying to figure her out.
“What?”
Killian shrugged and smiled. “I’ve worked here a long time. I started out as a barback for almost nine months before I was moved to bar one.”
“Are you insinuating something? Because if you are, you should just say it.” Dahlia folded her arms.
Killian straightened and held up his hands. “No, not at all. It just never happens, and then there’s the other thing.”
Dahlia furrowed her brows. “What other thing?”
Killian grasped the back of his neck, stalling.
“What?”
Killian glanced around the large club. The others were scattered throughout the room, and no one was close enough to hear their conversation, but she noticed Killian taking caution not to be overheard. “I’m tight with Jar—” He cleared his throat. “Aaron. He mentioned you turning down the job originally. That never fucking happens here.”
“Nobody has ever declined?”
“I’m sure they have, but none have been given a second chance. People don’t come back. Once you’re out, it’s over. And I’m not talking about just here. They blackball you from all the other clubs and bars in the city. I’m talking all of them. Probably can’t even get a job cleaning the shitter at Starr’s.”
Interesting.
“You’re late.” Rod’s booming voice from across the room sent a shiver down Dahlia’s spine, reminiscent of the first time she’d met him. Dahlia had been around all types of men all her life. She considered herself a good judge of character, and she was getting a bad vibe from this man.
“Sorry.” The redheaded girl may have apologized, but it lacked sincerity and had almost a high-pitched, taunting tone. Dahlia bit back her smile and watched as the girl rushed over to the bar, slapping her hand down on the top.
“You’re new, right?”
Dahlia smiled. “Yeah, first day.”
Killian pointed to the girl. “This is my sister, Keely. Another barback.” He paused and smirked. “Well, since her demotion.”
Keely rolled her eyes and gave Killian the middle finger. The sibling banter seemed genuine and sweet, with some added snarky teasing.
Dahlia flattened her lips, resisting the urge to laugh, but failed miserably. The girl was probably a few years younger than her, but Dahlia instantly knew they’d be friends.
Keely grinned and shrugged. “I’ve been sent back to training. It could be worse. At least Trey didn’t fire me.”
Just his name sent a spike in her heart rate.
“He must like you,” Dahlia said.
Keely snorted. “Um, no. He likes Killian, which is the only reason I got the job in the first place.”
Dahlia glanced over at the brother, who didn’t dispute his sister’s claim. “I’ve been working here for years. One of the perks is getting my incapable sister a job. She’s better suited for barback, considering she’s cost the club thousands of dollars in screwed-up drinks.”
Keely scoffed. “Hundreds, not thousands.”
Dahlia inspected the girl. She looked familiar. It took Dahlia a few seconds. The setting obviously piqued her memory. Of course, when they’d met, they’d been on opposite sides of the bar. I know you.
“You made me a drink last month.”
Keely raised her brows. “I did?”
