Page 53 of Savage Empire

“Oh fuck,” Kat sputters. “I have to go snatch him up before one of these other bitches does. That man pays my rent with one dance. Good luck, Rayna!” She’s out the door before I can say goodbye.

An awkward beat passes before I muster up my courage and take a step closer to the desk. “You’re looking for waitresses?”

“You’re looking to be one?” he returns.

“I am,” I reply, swallowing thickly.

“Why?”

“Why…Why do I want to work here?”

He nods,barely. It’s short and clipped, like he can’t be bothered to spare a word in confirmation instead, or fully dip his head.

“Honestly, I’d just like a job. It doesn’t have to be here specifically, but this was my first choice. This place has a good reputation and from what I can tell, your bottle girls make a fair bit of money.”

“And you need money?”

I hesitate, feeling overwhelmed with the speed in which he throws questions at me. It feels more like an interrogation than an interview, and I’m not even sure that I’m technically being interviewed. “I need my own money, yes. I take care of my younger brother.”

“How noble.”

I can’t tell if he’s trying to be condescending or if his personality is just cut and dry. Kat called him the nice manager, so I don’t think he’s intentionally being a bit of a prick. Butperhaps the other manager is just so bad that Adrian looks good by comparison.

“Why should I hire you?”

“I’m a good worker?—”

“So you have job experience?”

My face goes hot. “Well, not technically, but?—”

He interrupts again. “Have you ever worked at a club before? Served before? It’s not something you can pick up on a whim. Customers are a nuisance and you can’t kill them for being rude and pushy. No matter how much you may want to.”

“Killthem?”

He nods, musing, “Unless of course they assault you in some way, then they’d be taken care of.”

“I—” I don’t even know what to say to that.

“Mr. Russo, your guest has just arrived,” a deep voice reports through the door behind us, startling me enough that I flinch.

“Send him up,” Adrian replies in a clipped command.

Realization dawns on me in an instant, and I want to kick myself for not putting it together sooner.

“Adrian Russo,” I say, swallowing hard. “You’re Natalie’s husband.”

Goddamnit.I’ve been talking to one of Apollo’s good friends this whole fucking time.I’m so screwed.

“I am,” he replies, a small smile playing on his lips. “My wife enjoyed your short conversation. She was thrilled to hear you’d be marrying Apollo. She’s already planning to have you over for brunch.”

“I’mnotmarrying Apollo.” My shoulders snap straight. “He just said that on a whim. We’re not even friends.”

“Is that why he’s on his way up here to collect you?” He chuckles. “Because you aren’t even friends?”

“He’shere?” I squeak.

“He was notified as soon as you stepped in the front door, Rayna. The Moretti family ownsClub Calda.”