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“Knows what?”
“That you two…” He bobbed his head from side to side before finishing with, “Are close?”
“He’s a lead,” I said, lengthening my spine. “That’s all.”
“A lead with a pulse and a phone who has provided no information.”
“What are you implying?”
“Must I say it?”
I bit back my irritated remark but I couldn’t help the grimace. There was no point in pretending with Anton. He’d already seen too much to believe anything that came out of my mouth, short of the truth. “It’s not like that. Maybe one day, but not now. Not until he’s ready.”
“I don’t think Dimitri will make the distinction, especially if he finds out Marek is involved with Nirvana. Then you’ll both be dead.”
“You sound worried.”
“I always worry about you.”
I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Mhmm. You’re worse than my Babulya. Even she didn’t nag me as much.”
“It’s my job.” Anton shrugged.
“Your job is to drive. It’s my job to worry.”
“I driveandI worry. Two-for-one special.” Anton threw his hands up like I won the jackpot.
I laughed and clapped him on the shoulder, heading for the door.
19
MAREK
A few daysafter I formally agreed to take the general manager’s job and the paperwork was signed for health insurance and retirement crap, Misha dropped the keys to the office in my hand and gestured toward the main barroom where everyone had gathered before work for a staff meeting.
It was already weird walking out with him right behind me, dozens of eyeballs staring at us. They knew something was up but since I was still new, I doubted any of them saw what was coming. Except maybe Hayden. His dark eyes shot daggers at me the whole time I stood next to Misha.
“Marek is the new general manager,” Misha announced with zero build-up whatsoever. “I expect you all to show him the same respect you show me. His word is the equivalent of mine. For anyone who is displeased with Sergei’s decision, the door is behind you.”
I couldn’t tell if Misha had been looking at Hayden for that last part but I sure as hell had and itwasn’tgood. If Hayden had been hostile to me as a peon, I could only imagine what his attitude was going to be like once I started dishing out orders. I was sure he’d make my life a living hell whenever he got the opportunity, promotion or no promotion.
As soon as Misha dropped the news like a fucking bomb, he turned, gave me a small smile, and walked away, leaving me to deal with the fallout alone. Dick.
“Supervisors stay, everyone else can go,” I said, more than a little shocked to see the vast majority obediently turn and head off for their respective stations to finish prepping for opening.
When the small cluster of supervisors moved forward, I cleared my throat and glanced around the group: Hayden, accounting and bar; Natasha, events and staff; Enrique, the head cook; and Kirill, the head of security. I worked backward, starting with Kirill. “Catch me up to speed.”
Everyone else had minimal updates but I could tell from the smug smirk on Hayden’s face that he was mentally preparing a maelstrom for me.
“Hayden?” I asked, bracing for impact.
“The ice delivery isn’t coming until Wednesday, the vodka import is stuck at customs, the DJ canceled for next Sunday, and some idiot double-booked the VIP suite for Friday,” Hayden announced, ticking off the list on his phone before looking up with a satisfied smile. “Oh, and you’re already two weeks behind on promoting the Christmas event. Good luck,boss.”
Before I could so much as think the words “Fuck off,” he pivoted on the ball of his foot and strode away, the first to break rank.
I nodded to Enrique and Kirill, releasing them as well, while turning my attention to Natasha.
“Don’t worry about the DJ,” Natasha said once we were alone, consulting her planner. “I already have another one booked. And I’ll take care of the Christmas thing. It’s my job anyway and heknowsthat I’ve been arguing with the lighting company for the past three weeks, which is why I haven’t been able to lock down the final details.”
