Page 3 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

Ella ran a hand through her hair and pretended to look around the bar to do something other than stare. It was official. She needed some real damn food if she was seriously attracted toanyonewith the shitstorm happening in her life.

“No experience, huh? Well, everyone starts somewhere. What have you done for work in the past?”

“I worked in my father’s business until he died. Mostly financial type of stuff.” That was close to the truth. “I wanted to do something different. I’m a fast learner.”

He studied her silently until she wanted to squirm. But she remained still, returning his stare with an unflinching gaze. She’d played this game with men who’d tried to intimidate her into caving or giving more up than she’d planned for business deals. More than money was at stake, though. And hot guy or not, he was still another human, and this was nothing more than another business deal.

“Let me try tonight.” She slid her hands into her back pockets, trying to appear casual and confident. “I promise I can do this.”

He smirked. “I like confidence, but I can’t let you start tonight. Cager isn’t open until tomorrow.”

Shit. There went eating for the next day.

After opening the laptop, he held out his hand. “But you can start tomorrow. I’ll just need your driver’s license.”

Expecting this question, Ella faked a grimace and replied, “I lost my license. A replacement is in the mail.”

His hand remained frozen in the air, his eyes hardening as he regarded her. “Lost your license?”

“Yes. It must have fallen out somewhere. But I can get you a copy of the new one as soon as it arrives.” And maybe by then, she’d meet Mr. Vargas and he’d help her.

With a slight nod, he dropped his hand. “Right. Well, it was good for you to come in, but I’m afraid I can’t provide you the job without a driver’s license.”

“Please.” Her voice cracked, and she covered it with a cough. “Please. I, uh, I need this job.” She hated pleading with anyone, but she was damn near ready to give up, and that meant possibly going to prison or worse…death. Because in her heart, she knew, with absolute certainty, that Teddy’s killer was after her, too.

“Why?”

“I just…I can’t tell you that.” God, this was falling apart. “I wish I could say trust me that I’m a good person, but I know you won’t.”

“You’re right. That’s a pretty big ask to put someone behind the bar and trust them with money while they can’t explain why they conveniently lost their driver’s license.”

Her face heated, and she subtly shook her head and took two deep breaths. No way in hell she’d let herself faint or cry. “I’m in a situation, and I can’t give you my driver’s license.”

He flicked his eyes past her toward the door. “What kind of situation?”

This wasn’t going to work. She’d find another way to talk to Mr. Vargas. “Never mind.” She spun around and power walked toward the door. This was a bust. Maybe she’d have better luck with the other bar she’d seen a few miles away. It looked a little sleazy, but she had to eat. She’d get a job and then approach Damon Vargas.

“Wait!”

She heard him move but didn’t stop at his command. “I’ll try somewhere else. I saw a few other bars?—”

“No.” He grabbed onto her elbow, keeping her from stepping outside Cager. “I can promise you don’t want to walk into those other bars looking this vulnerable.”

She lifted her chin, insulted. “I’m not vulnerable.”

He softened his expression. “You look like you’re about to shatter.” The man searched her face for a moment, somber. “Your eyes are pretty, but they give you away.” He released her elbow and continued before she could process how he’d looked at her. “I cannot imagine what kind of situation someone like you found themselves in, where they must hide their real identity.”

“That makes two of us. When I was younger, I imagined being the first woman president.” She looked around Cager. “Not betting on a stranger to trust me so I can eat a meal.”

“I’ll be happy to buy you that meal.” He held out his hand. “I’m Damon Vargas.”

She froze. It was either the best luck or the worst luck. “I thought you said you were the manager.”

“I am.” He smirked. “I happen to be one of the owners as well.”

Shaking his hand, she tried to relax. Did she ask him right now? Just blurt it out?

With a huff, she chickened out. “I’m Ella.”

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