Page 19 of Wicked Lies

7

Cheryl pushed through the Oasis’s back door with her garbage bag of possessions over her shoulder. After last night, she didn’t think it could get any worse, but now she was flat-out broke: no job and nowhere to stay.

Her three thousand dollars were in the clutches of Sal’s fat fist, and the worst part was she’d have to put her escape plan on hold. She shivered at the thought of Sal’s disgusting offers. Slitting her throat sounded better than stooping to that degrading level.

She peered into the empty main room of the Oasis, and inspiration struck. She’d ask her new friend Nick for a job, and maybe if she played it right, he’d take pity on her and let her stay upstairs for a few more nights. He could take the rent out of her pay if he hired her. It beat sleeping in the subway station.

Cheryl checked her phone—eleven a.m. The sign outside said they opened at noon, so maybe Nick would be in his office already. She hit the elevator and rode it to the second floor.

Pausing outside the same door as last night, she heard talking from inside. A visual of Nick getting another blowjob popped into her brain. She listened closer and determined both voices to be male.

She sucked in a deep breath and rapped on the door, mentally preparing how she’d convince this drop-dead, devastatingly handsome man to give her a job and a place to stay for a few days. Over the years, she’d convinced people to invest in crazy schemes with calm serenity, but her heart was beating double time for some reason.

“Yeah?” a rough male voice said through the door. Cheryl hoped that meant to come in, so she turned the knob and pushed through the door.

Thankfully, this time Nick was fully dressed. Although his lean, long muscled body sprawled out in one of the leather chairs gave off a different vibe of sexy: relaxed, yet ready to pounce if needed.

Instead of his redheaded companion from last night, he was flanked by an equally handsome man sitting in the matching chair. His bulky body was in complete contrast to Nick’s long, sinewy frame. While Nick’s looks were dark and brooding, this man had lighter hair with startling blue eyes, so light they almost appeared silver.

She slowly approached them, and both men eyed the black plastic bag at her side. Cheryl cleared her throat, then swallowed hard, two tells she usually didn’t allow.

“I just wanted to thank you for letting me stay upstairs last night.” She directed her words at Nick, but his face remained flat and emotionless. “It’s a great space, and I was very comfortable.” He sat up and leaned forward on the chair so she continued, “It’s amazing what you’ve done with this whole place. I’ve lived in and around this neighborhood most of my life. I remember when it was just a run-down strip joint, and now it’s like a major nightclub.” Nick’s eyes widened ever so slightly, so she went in for the kill. “I mean, I can definitely see this club in Midtown, right up there with Tao, Lava, and Marquee.”

“Funny you should say that.” Nick grinned but didn’t elaborate while Blue Eyes remained still and stone faced.

“I would love to work in such an upscale place.” She flashed Nick a smile. “I know you saw me working at the Pit the other night, but I was just doing a friend a favor.” Right, more like settling for anything she could get after Jimmy burned most of the connections they had in Brooklyn.

Nick’s eyes raked over her. “We could use another bartender.”

“Then I’m just the girl you’re looking for.” Confidence and conviction.

Nick unfolded himself from the chair. “This is my business partner, Samson.”

Samson remained chillingly cold as he blatantly examined her, but she didn’t shrink under his gaze. Cheryl had learned long ago never to show fear, only bravado, whether real or fake.

“Nah, we don’t—”

“What happened to the job at the Pit?” Nick cut off Samson’s protest, so Cheryl forged ahead.

“Like I said, that was just a temporary thing, but I promise you won’t be disappointed.” Cheryl flashed her award-winning smile, the one that got her in the most trouble, then waited.

“I believe you.” Nick hit her with a grin that probably dropped many panties.

Samson opened his mouth, but Nick silenced him with a look. Interesting dynamics. Nick seemed to hold the power.

“He usually does the hiring and is very particular about the staff.”

Now, she was confused but assured him again. “I won’t let either of you down.” She directed her comment to both Nick and Samson.

“You can start tonight. Come back around seven. We’ll straighten out the paperwork, and show you the POS system.”

“Great. There is one other thing.” Cheryl drew deep breaths, hoping to sell her story without sounding too desperate. “I’ve had some issues with my former residence, and I was wondering if I could trade my bartending skills for a few more nights in the upstairs apartment.”

“In other words, you got thrown out of your last place 'cause you stiffed them on the rent.” Samson’s snarky smirk made her wonder how much he knew or if he was just fishing.

“You can take some of my pay for the rent until I find a place of my own.”

“If you don’t have enough cash for a place now, how do you expect to make enough working for half wages?” Samson hit her with those ice-blue eyes, daring her to come up with an answer.

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