Page 1 of Consumed By the Brothers

Chapter One

Jenna set her tray on the bar and waited until Thomas, the bartender, came to get her order. She looked around the room at all the different people. That night, The Gin Room was busier than she’d seen so far. Although, she’d only been in New York a few weeks and at this job for only one.

She’d left her home in Nebraska because she’d always had this need to roam. Her parents didn’t understand this and were afraid of her living in such a big city, but they hadn’t been able to change her mind.

Jenna had been apprehensive too, but it helped when a high school friend, Nicole, decided to move with her. They’d saved up for a year, working several jobs to earn money. When they moved to the city, they were shocked to find that everything was at least triple the price of what it had been at home.

They’d been lucky to find an apartment that was being subleased to them for eight months, plenty of time to find a permanent apartment. It had fallen onto their laps when she started working at The Gin Room. Her friend, Nicole, had gotten a job as a secretary for a small business, and she seemed to love it.

The apartment’s owner had to make an emergency trip back to Argentina for a sick family member and had already been gone, but they’d been able to FaceTime.

“What can I get you, Doll?”

Jenna looked up at the bartender, Thomas. “Here’s an order.”

He looked at the sheet and nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

Jenna learned not to get too friendly with any man because they took it as a come-on. The realization had happened quickly after starting the job.

The Gin Room was the first place to hire her. She wasn’t thrilled working in a bar. Although upscale, it still had a few dirtbags who wouldn’t leave her alone. Most of them were harmless, but there was one in particular that scared the living shit out of her—Westen Payne.

She could tell right off the bat that he was dangerous and someone to stay away from—as far away as she could,being in the same building. From what she’d been told, he was the head of an organization, one that stole, killed, and took whatever they wanted. At the moment, he wanted her.

He’d come in every night since she’d worked there and sat in the same booth, and his eyes followed her everywhere. It always sent chills up her spine and made her stomach cramp painfully. If she hadn’t needed the job so much, she would have been gone. Now, she was trying to look for another job.

“Here you go, Doll,” Thomas said.

She arranged the glasses on the tray. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. A piece of advice, stay away from Payne. He’s bad news.”

She looked up at Thomas and nodded. “I saw that immediately, but he won’t leave me alone.”

“Did Mick put Melanie in his section?” Thomas asked.

“Yes. Thank God. But that doesn’t keep him from staringat me all night.”

Thomas sighed. “I’ll talk to Mick. Maybe he can put you on days?”

“I already asked.” The moment she felt threatened by Payne, she went to Mick, her night manager, and asked to change, but until one of the girls left, he didn’t have an opening. He promised to keep an eye on the situation, but the man was always busy.

“Do the best you can.”

Jenna nodded. “Thanks, Thomas.”

Jenna went about her business for the rest of the night. She exhaled in relief when she saw a man come into the bar, go directly to Payne, bend down, and say something. Immediately, the group of men stood and walked out.

Please, God. Keep him as far away from me as possible.

Several nights passed without the scary man, and it was so peacefulshe actually enjoyed herself.

Jenna waved as she walked out the front door of the bar. She was happy. She knew she made a lot of money with tips, and her feet didn’t ache like they had at the beginning.

It always surprised her how many people were still awake when she left the bar around one a.m. or later. All kinds of people, from the very rich with their fancy clothes, purses, and jewelry to the homeless who, if they were lucky, might have a cart to haul their worldly possessions but usually only had a few bags. She could have stood against the building for an hour just watching the river of people, but she was tired and wanted to see her friend, Nicole.

She started walking to the bus stop, where she’d grab a ride that would drop her a few blocks from her apartment.

Jenna was jostled enough that she hit the building hard with her shoulder, and she gasped. Dammit. She looked around and couldn’t see who might have done it. Hell, anyone couldhave pushed it, and she’d never know.

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