Read Online Blood Rose by Jacquelynn Gagne - Free Book Online

you all obviously know by now we have a new employee, Damien D’Tera.” Mike went off assigning sections that Angie had laid out the night before. She was the best hostess we’d ever had- fair in every sense of the word.
    Once finished, Mike turned his focus on Damien and me. Oh boy . “Anna. You’re going to train Damien tonight. Damien, listen to her every word. We’re gonna be busy so you need to stay out of the way and try to help out as much as you can all at once.”
    Standing there speechless and stunned, Mike’s frustration began to grow. He leaned closer to me as if no one else could hear, despite the fact he didn’t know how to whisper. “I know you hate being thrown into the fire but you’ve been here the longest. So just do what you need to with him.”
    Just then, Carrie slithered into our conversation, while running a hand up Damien’s arm. “Mike, if Anna’s not up to it I would be more than happy to pick up her slack.” I bet you would.
    Damien smiled whilst sliding his arm away from Carrie as he too stepped into the conversation. “It’s alright. I promise not to get into anyone’s way. I’ve done this before as you remember from our conversation, Mike.”
    Damien’s eyes locked with Mike’s. After a moment of pause, Mike shook his head. “Take care of Anna then, Damien.” Damien nodded and stepped over to my side, opposite of Neesa. I was still speechless as Mike hurried to break up the group and get us to work.
    Carrie shot me the look of death as she pushed through Damien and me. Bumping my shoulder in a way I’m sure she hoped hurt. It didn’t. Damien didn’t even acknowledge the scene as he looked at me with a sly yet amused smirk. “Where do we begin?”
    “Um,” How bout with why you’re here? “I’m section three which means we prep drinks. Go find the lemons, cucumbers and limes in the walk in.” Damien looked at me expectantly. “Oh, ten each on lemons and limes and two cucumbers. Meet me in the prep kitchen.” I grabbed a huge jar of maraschino cherries and marched to the kitchen without a backwards glance.
    Mike was right about being slammed. It was so busy it was eleven at night before we looked like we were done with parties and the walk-ins were only aiming for the bar.
    Of course, Damien did great all night. He got plates to my tables while I took orders. Also, he made sure not a single table went without a drink refill for the entire restaurant. At one time, he slipped behind the bar and helped our bar tender out with his rush. He never missed a beat as he spun a bottle of vodka through the air, caught it and poured a martini glass full. Even managing not to spill a drop as he slid it to the patron waiting.
    We were so busy I hadn’t had the chance to really ask him much of anything. The only talking we did was shift talk “We do this this way that that way. This is kept here and that over there. I need this here and that over there.” Nothing of what I wanted to ask. At least until near closing time when close work started.
    The restaurant only really had one shift. People would split or work half shifts if they had errands to run but we didn’t open till one in the afternoon and started shutting down at eleven at night. On some occasions, we stayed open late if due to an occasion or just because people wouldn’t seem to leave. Tonight was one of those nights.
    “Damien, come help me with the soda canisters. I will show you how we change them out.” We unhooked two empty canisters and carried them to the back. They were kept in the office with all the alcohol.
    Just as we stepped into the office, I shut the door and leaned my back into it. “Out with it, Damien.”
    “At last you call me Damien.” He smiled that rueful smirk. “Out with what?” He turned to face me. His eyes narrowed with a mock show of bewilderment. What on earth could I possibly mean?
    “What are you doing here?” My brows rose expectantly. I don’t buy innocent.
    “Well I