Page 54 of Dragon Boss (Paranormal Delights 2)

“No.”

Gamble tilted his head slightly analyzing Bash. The man didn’t seem like the lying type. Besides, he had no reason to lie in the first place.

“Alright thanks um—” Gamble shrugged.

“I'm going to wring your neck,” Bash mumbled.

Gamble swallowed the laughter down as he waved letting Bash know he’d heard him. He headed out toward the backdoor. He needed to check all the entrances. And let all the hosts who didn’t live there in.

Gamble made quick work directing the other two security guards that would be inside where to stand. He mainly focused on the door but there were times Gamble was on the floor.

“There you are,” Rolla said.

Gamble shivered, but gave her a tight smile. “Have you already done your rounds?”

She gave a curt nod. “Yes, but there is someone at the front door already. The line doesn’t normally form this early.”

Gamble checked the time and she was right, not to mention the night wasn’t a theme night. “Okay let's go see who it is.”

“Hi, I’m Shen North. I was scheduled tonight to do my interview about the hosts as well as the owner of the establishment, Arden Barnes.”

Shit, he forgot all about the interview.The magazine had done a short article on Alice in Wonderland night but the interviewer asked for a more intensive interview. It was Gamble's job to keep up with these things.

“Are you one the hosts?” Shen pushed up his wire framed glasses and his sharp gaze traced up and down Gamble.

“No, I'm security.” Gamble gave a polite smile. “Thank you for coming all the way out here. Please come in.”

“I can take him in,” Rolla said. Her face was impassive and her stance relaxed but Gamble still couldn’t shake the feeling of mistrust.

Gamble's stomach twisted and he shook his head before he could think it all the way through. “No need. I’ve been upstairs already. You stay here, the line is about to get outrageous. Make sure you are checking the list.”

Rolla gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. If she thought it was reassuring in any way, it wasn't; it only deepened the sour taste in his mouth.

“This way please,” he said to Shen as he turned on his heels. Shen fixed his glasses and followed Gamble to the upstairs private area. It was mainly for huge events, otherwise it stayed closed. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Water please,” Shen said as he instantly started pulling things out.

Gamble nodded and headed back down the stairs. He grabbed one of the inside security and sent them over to watch the reporter. No one who wasn’t a host or employee was to be left alone. It was one of Arden’s many rules.

Gamble stopped by the bar and a sigh slipped out of him when he noticed Bash was busy. He wanted to bother the bear shifter one more time. He instead found Hero, the newest host. He joined in when Rolla and Bash came along.

“Hero, run a water up to the reporter and don’t talk to him except for the usual greeting.”

Hero nodded; he was a small thing for a lion shifter. Gamble couldn’t imagine what his story was.

Gamble headed up the stairs and stopped short as the one man he’d been avoiding well over six days appeared before him. And like an idiot his mouth opened before his brain could fully grasp a thought. “About damn time.”

“Excuse me?” Arden growled.

The air crackled and Gamble licked his lips. Shit, he hadn't meant to say that. He really was a fuck up when it came to Arden.

He cleared his throat and stared at Arden’s impressively wide shoulders.

“Hey Arden.”Shit, that was too breathy.He shook his head.

“You have some nerve dodging me the entire week.” Arden came down the stairs and every step made Gamble’s heart stutter.

“That’s not important.”

---