"Not a good idea, Vance." We both looked to the left to see Asher walked over, "my partner may look less powerful than you, but he'd take you down in just seconds." He kissed the side of my head, "I knew the uniform would suit you."
I rolled my eyes, "of course you would."
He smirked before looking to Vance, "Talk like that to him again and you won't keep your job." I looked to him in surprised before he took my hand. I followed him inside and saw the lavish bar, nothing like I had been to before.
"Didn't think I'd see your big, bad boss routine so soon." I smirked, "he actually looked afraid of you."
He smirked back to me, "I told you, I'm not Asher in here. I'm the boss."
I laughed as I leaned on the bar, "Do you want me calling you boss? I don't think I can do it without laughing."
"Everybody here knows you as my mate. Do your best to call me boss in front of the guests, but you can call me Ash in front of the staff. Also," he pulled something out of his pocket and set it in my hand. A black metal band stared back at me as I looked to Asher with anger, "we have to sell our partnership." He held up his hand to show a matching ring on his left finger. "Want me to get down on one knee and put it on you?"
I scowled, "as if I would give you the satisfaction." I quickly shoved it onto my finger and stared him down.
"As far as they know, we have been partners for 5 years and are still pretty much in the honeymoon phase. Everyone knows to watch out for you."
I looked away, "do they know about this?" I asked as I pulled down my shirt collar slightly.
He shook his head, "they didn't ask."
I looked down and closed my eyes, "so they don't know I'm..."
"They don't," he interrupted me as I let out a sigh of relief. "You get to start over." He took my hand in his, "you shouldn't have any problems with the clientele either. They are all elites so they shouldn't have any relation to your past."
I scoffed before looking to him with anger, "guess I've only worked with the bottom of the barrel."
He sighed, "It's not what I meant." We were silent for a moment, "so do you know how to bartend?"
I chuckled, "of course. I've done just about every job I could do. But I certainly have never worked in a place this....luxurious. It makes me feel out of place."
Asher moved closer and caressed my cheek, "don't expect anything less than the best while you're under my care." He sighed again but this one seemed to come from deeper inside his chest, "you know I want to give you anything you want. I'm not going to let that guy get in the way of that."
I smiled, "you're a moron to want me." I moved from his grip and went behind the bar. "So when does this place open?"
"Thirty minutes or so. Follow me, I want to introduce you to the staff." He gave me a lustful but wicked smile, "be sure to hang all over me."
I laughed before taking his hand and following him up a set of stairs. Above the bar was a set of high class lounges likely for the true elites. I noticed around twenty men sitting in the last lounge area. I got into character and let go of Asher's hand so that I could wrap my arm around his before taking it again.
"Hope this gets your rocks off," I mumbled and he chuckled slightly as he squeezed my hand for a moment. As we came up on the group, Vance stared me down. "Can I kick his teeth in?"
"Play nice."
I looked to each person in the group. There were some that clearly fit the attitude and body of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Some looked at me like I was a snack for later, others like I was a gold digger, some like they wanted me to screw them, and some in plain indifference. "Team, this is my partner, Will. He will be joining us starting tonight at the bar. Keep your eye on him and make sure the customers play nice."
I noticed one feminine Omega glaring at the ring on my hand. He is going to be a problem.
"He makes me sound defenseless, but don't worry. If there's a scuffle, I'll be in the middle of it."
"That is why I want them to keep an eye on you." I rolled my eyes at him, "This is also Will's first time in an elite environment so please help him out. He can be quite the spitfire." He smiled to me the group, "Let's get to work."
One of the feminine Betas rushed over to me with a broad smile, "I'm Ken," he said as he took my hands in his, "I'll be on shift with you today along with Connor. Let me know if you have any questions or need anything." The Omega that watched me with jealously came to us.
"It's nice to meet you both," I replied before looking up to Asher, "see you later," I chuckled, "boss."
Asher took ahold of my chin and turned it to him as he smiled, "don't cause any trouble." He kissed my cheek before letting me go. As he walked away, I sighed and shook my head.
"Does he always act like a hot shot?" I asked as I looked to Ken.
He blushed slightly, "he doesn't usually act like this?"
I laughed, "I had no idea he had a stern bone in his body." I smirked, "I'm usually the tough guy." I stretched my arms, "but in all seriousness, if a customer is bugging you guys, let me know. I'm a lot stronger than I look and am quite the smooth talker."
"Boss wants us to take care of you, so don't get in the way," Connor hissed as he shoved passed me.
I began following and walked beside Ken, "so how long as Connor been in love with Ash?"
He stared at me with shock, "how did you know?"
I held up my left hand, "he stared at this and looked as though he wanted to destroy me." I sighed, "I pity him. Ash has been in love with me since we met eight years ago. He would not let up until I became his mate."
"You must be a very special person, then," he whispered with a smile, "boss has quite the following and, since he has never worn a ring, he has even been stalked by past workers and customers."
I had to think on my feet, "the idea of rings did not come up until he proposed a few weeks ago. We have been mates for so long, I didn't feel they were needed but he is a hopeless romantic."
As we reached the bar, I heard a light whistle and looked to the floor above, Asher blew a kiss towards me and I laughed. I quickly put up my middle finger and he laughed back before going on about his business.
"This is the first time I've seen boss laugh like that."
"How you could be so rude to him and keep him around astonished me," Connor mumbled.
I smirked at him, "that's exactly why he keeps me around. I keep on his toes." I went behind the bar and leaned down.
"Are you alright?"
"Just getting acquainted with the supplies." I stood and turned around to gaze at the wall of liquor bottles, "well, there certainly much higher price tags than I'm used to."
"Have you worked at a bar before?"
I sighed before looking to Ken, "yes but the best bottle we had was $100." I snickered as I began washing my hands in the small sink behind the bar, "And it certainly was nowhere near a place like this. More like a whole in a wall rather than a hidden gem." I began flipping over glasses as I stretched my arms. "Guess I'll have to learn drink combos more than out of the bottle."
Ken passed over a small journal, "these are all the ones we serve. You can reference it if you want."
I smiled to him, "thanks."
"It's time," Connor mumbled before men and women in lavish clothing began coming in the door. Connor suddenly shoved me, "watch and learn, sewer rat."
I move back to the side of the bar and watched as Connor and Ken began serving the customers. I couldn't keep my eyes from scanning the room as it flooded with patrons. Every gender filled the place but were certainly higher class than me. I suddenly locked eyes with a familiar face and seemed to become less restless. The young woman quickly rushed over toward me.
"Well I'll be damned!" She cheered as Connor and Ken looked to her in surprise. "Will, you sly dog! Get over here and greet me!"
I came to the edge of the bar counter and was as surprised as everyone else was when she grabbed my tie. She yanked me to the tips of my toes and locked lips with me. She held me hostage as she kissed me aggressively. I felt everyone's eyes on me as nausea hit me. I have to get away, but how? She finally released me, but did not let go of my tie.
"Where have you been? You left the club and I have been trying to find you!"
I smiled to her, "Isabelle," I began as I fought my urge to throw up, "I can explain."
"Ma'am, I must ask you to let our new employee go. you are causing quite a scene."
She pouted as she let go of my tie and I fixed it, "let me get you something, Isabelle," I smirked, "the usual?" She nodded as I moved from her.
As I went pass Ken to get a glass he grabbed my arm, "what the hell is that about? You know her?"
I nodded, "in a past life." I went and grabbed a tall glass and a bottle of peach schnapps, the best vodka they had, blue curacao, and crushed ice. I turned to Connor, "do you have soda?"
He scoffed, "As if we would use such a thing!"
"Club soda?"
He sighed with anger before handing a high end version of seltzer but he did not let go of it. "We don't go off of the list," he hissed.
I smiled as I forced his hand off the bottle, "now where's the fun in that?" I leaned in next to his face, "but if you ask real nicely, I can help pull that stick from out your ass." I snickered as his jaw fell open before I quickly made my escape.