Page 5 of No Promises, No Lies

Grinning at her, I dart into the small staff room, dumping my bag on the bench of the break room where it belongs. I spot the black, silver, and green jersey hanging on a rack by the door.

I rip it off its hanger and hurriedly pull it over my sweatshirt. The Chill Zone employees wear Breakers jerseys as their uniform.

Back behind the bar and now appropriately dressed, I dive into work. I roll my shoulders in the oversized Breakers jersey as I clear glasses and pour shot after shot. Flirting with the mostly male patrons, and reaping the cash benefits.

Elle and I fall into an easy rhythm. Together we make it through the rush. The two of us clean up on tips as die hard Breakers fans salivate over their favorite players. We’re so busy, I barely have any time to notice my new favorite defenseman running drills below us.

I definitely don’t notice the way #19 Asshole O’Rourke powers down the ice, sweeping up the puck and scoring top shelf from the point.

The bar clears out pretty quickly after practice ends and I feel Elle slide up next to me as I finish up wiping down the bar. Shewhispers once she’s got my attention and looks pointedly across the room. “What’s the deal with you two?”

I follow her gaze, finding Alexei at the end of it. My designated Bratva stalker is lounging casually at a nearby high top table against the long wall of windows overlooking the rink. His eyes are on the ice below and not on us.

But I know better.

I go back to cleaning, still hoping to be out of here tonight at a reasonable hour. “I told you, it’s not like that.”

“Mmm,” she hums, her eyes on my ruggedly handsome and remarkably dangerous Russian bodyguard.

The one that could kill her six different ways without even batting an eye.

“You say that, but have youseenhim?”

“The man follows me everywhere I go.Of courseI’veseenhim.” I look back up at Alexei, who’s still pretending to ignore us from his usual spot in the corner. I catch the ghost of a grin playing on his lips. The man has ears like a bat.

I like Elle. We’ve become friendly over the past few months since I moved back to the city and started working at the bar, but I can’t tell her the full truth. I can’t tell her anything about the Bratva—or my life in it—without putting her own life at risk. All she knows is that because of an overprotective father, I have my own personal security detail.

Not that Alexei fits the mold of ‘professional security detail.’ He’s young, only a few years older than us, looks like a built Abercrombie model covered head to toe in tattoos.

But Elle hasn’t questioned it, though I get the feeling she knows I’m holding something back and is polite enough to respect that.

Worse yet, Alexei’s a charmer. He can flirt his way in and out of any situation. With his dark hair and thick lashes, he’s got the jawline of a cover model and the muscles of a well-practicedathlete. Knowing who he really is and what he does for my father has me immune to those devastatingly good looks.

But one look at Elle is enough to tell me she’s already fallen under his spell.

“Don’t even think about it.” I narrow my eyes and point a finger at her in warning.

“I thought you didn’t want dibs?” she laughs and pulls her gaze—reluctantly—away from my bodyguard and back to me.

“I don’t.” Alexei’s nothing but professional and I’m not interested in any of my father’s men. “He’s a walking red-flag Elle,” I sigh, the day finally catching up to me. “Trust me on this one.” I set my rag down to take a sip of my water.

“Whatever you say Ro.” My friend continues to gaze dreamily at Alexei, who by now has noticed the both of us staring at him and heads our way.

“Nice jersey, Rory.” Alexei winks at me as he approaches, mischief written all over his face as he slides his fine ass onto one of the bar stools. His dark eyes trail over my friend. “Hey Elle.”

While my friend swoons beside me, I check out the jersey I’d worn throughout my entire shift. In my rush to get behind the bar, I hadn’t noticed the glaring #19 staring up at me.

I choke on my water, realizing I’ve had the nameO’Rourkeplastered across my back for the better part of two hours!

Alexei leans over his elbows onto the bar, showing off the brightly colored artwork that decorates both of his arms.

Elle inhales sharply, busying herself by polishing the already spotless bar top nearby.

I shake my head. He knowsexactlywhat he’s doing.

“Ready to go, Rory?” Alexei’s dark eyes slide back to mine.

“Sure am.” I drop my rag into the laundry bucket and not-so-subtly nudge my shoulder into my friend, who’s still staring wide-eyed at the boy candy draped over the bar. “I’ll see you tomorrow Elle.”

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