Page 34 of Gonzo’s Grudge (Saint’s Outlaws MC: Dreadnought, NC #1)
Chapter One
Athena
A groan of annoyance escapes as my boss’s name flashes on my vibrating cell. I’m already at work, so why is he calling me? Rather than answer, I pop to the swinging door leading to the kitchen, breakroom, and his office. I yell since the place is empty, “Yeah? Jimmy, what do you need?”
“Need you to keep the door unlocked until ten, instead of nine tonight.”
We’re staying open late? Since when and why? It’s not like we’re busy at nine p.m., which is one reason why we close early some nights.
He continues, cutting off my thoughts. “Need you to lock up once the group comes in, and stay late to make sure they have everything they need.”
Well. Thank God I have no life and didn’t have plans or anything. I’m finding it extremely rude that he didn’t think to ask me before agreeing to whatever it is he’s agreed to. “Will they at least tip well? Are they ordering a bunch of food, or what?”
“Just give them whatever they want. Francine is staying late to cook. If they don’t order, then she’ll close up the back. I’ll leave you my key to lock up after they’re done.”
Wait just a minute. Surely, he’s not planning to leave me here. I storm through the back, pausing in his open office doorway. “You’re leaving?” I ask, near breathless. He has to be joking.
He nods. “I know these guys, you’ll be fine. Give them whatever they want and leave their ticket by the register. I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
My mouth is hanging open; there’s no way in hell this is safe. I mean, I may not be the attractive young lady I used to be, but I’m still a woman. I shouldn’t be left alone with a bunch of guys, period. And with what backup?
Francine, our cook, is old enough to be my mother!
She’s a sixty-two-year-old woman who works here to pass the time since her husband passed away.
God rest his soul. They used to come in and have dinner here each week.
When he passed, she was like a ghost, and my heart hurt for her.
She started baking once a week for Jimmy, bringing pies to sell in the restaurant, and now she’s here to work the slowest evenings.
She uses most of her time prepping for the day shift since we’re typically busier for breakfast and lunch.
“Red flags, Jimmy. This is screaming red flags right now.”
He chuckles to himself, shaking his head. “I have no choice but to trust you with this. I typically stick around, but can’t this time. I discussed it with them, and they’re okay with you taking my place.”
“I don’t like this. If something happens to me…”
“You’ll be fine. No one messes with these guys, and they’ll probably enjoy not having my ugly mug waiting on their table.”
With a huff, I take the key he holds out to me and spin on my heel.
As I walk away, I call behind me, “I should totally get a raise for this!” I’m too old to be waitressing without any added perks anyway.
I work during the day as a part-time online assistant, but it’s not lucrative enough for me to give up my waitressing job.
I make my way through the swinging door to the front of the café and glance around.
It’s another slow evening, with fewer and fewer customers coming in.
I don’t understand why, either. The food is good.
Francine is doing some serious homemade-from-scratch cooking that would remind anyone of their dear old grandmas, so where are all the people?
I top off my glass of sweet tea, take a sip, and say it into existence, “These guys are going to be the best tippers I’ve ever had.
Everything is going to go smoothly. I have the café key, it’s practically manager status with the level of responsibility, and one day, I’ll be making the pay to fit the title. ”
“You say something, honey?” Francine calls through the window.
“No ma’am, just whispering wishes like usual.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Jimmy said you need to push a few tables together. Guess these boys coming in are big and need room.”
I quietly mutter to myself, “Just fucking great,” and get to work.