Free Consumed by Scarlet Wolfe Page B

she brushes it back with her fingers. “I was, but that lasted about an hour. Then, Shannon gave me my new schedule to work in the Royal lounge, and all was forgiven.”
    She stops in her tracks and turns to me.
    “I didn’t think it was possible to make even more money as a server, but I do.”
    “You’re being paid more to work in Royal than you were in Elite?”
    “Yep,” she says with a grin before she turns to walk again. “It’s going to be hard to put my business degree to use for less money, but I know the day is coming.” Once inside the mall, Tara stops again.
    “Look, I didn’t mind what Phil Glover did to me, but you made me realize that I need to be sure I’m being respected. I shouldn’t compromise my values out of fear of being alone.”
    She stands straighter and tips her chin. Her voluptuous chest sticks out farther in her white tank, which is covered by a thin, pink shirt that is buttoned only at the bottom.
    “I will stand prouder if I prove I can take care of myself. Thank you for reminding me that I’m worth it. I was losing sight of that before you showed concern for me.”
    “You are worth it, and you’re smart. I know you’re fully capable of caring for yourself.” Feeling my face warm, I look to the ground. “I felt foolish when I found out you voluntarily let him tie you up.”
    “Yeah, and I had no idea how many men in the lounges were into kink until I began working in Royal. I haven’t witnessed it firsthand, but the other servers have already confided in me.
    “I have a feeling I will be perfecting my tactful ‘no’ reply.” Tara points to a Victoria’s Secret store.
“Care if we go inside?”
    “No.” My mind is reeling with questions as I follow her.
    What are other servers telling her?
    How kinky are we talking here?
    Then, the thought that gnaws at me the most is the one I don’t want to find myself questioning at all.
    Did Adrian disclose the whole truth as to why the servers’ salaries are so high?
    “Tara, after we do some shopping, let’s grab lunch. I want to talk to you about something.” It’s possible telling her I’m a cop will prevent her from sharing information with me down the road, but she’s my friend now, and that comes first.
    I don’t want anyone deceiving me, so it’s time to come clean with her about everything from Adrian to my job and getting injured. All of it.

Chapter Ten
    Simon
     
    Taking a seat across from Zev, I eye the platter of food.
    “You couldn’t wait for me to order?”
    “It’s only an appetizer,” he says before taking a bite of a crab cake. “I lifted weights this morning. I’m starved.”
    I turn my head and look out over the hotel pool. We’re at a table on the deck, sitting under an umbrella.
    “Same pussies, different day,” he says. “We need to leave this damn place more often.”
    He thinks I’m looking at the babes, barely dressed in their string bikinis, but I’m not.
    Holy shit, I wasn’t looking for ass. No, I’ve only got one woman on my mind–Sadie.
    “Damn, what happened to your jaw?”
    I turn my head back and glide my hand over my bruised jawline. “Long story. Adrian’s Victoria is a fucking cop.”
    “I know.”
    “You knew and didn’t tell me, either?” I ask.
    “I was going to tell you, but looks like someone beat me to it.” He chuckles and wipes his mouth with his napkin. “Did she do that to your ugly face?”
    “No, Adrian, and how did you find out?”
    “Blanca.”
    “Adrian and Theo’s assistant, Blanca?”
    He rolls his eyes. “What other Blanca do we know? Yeah, she told me. I fuck her; she tells me shit. It’s a win-win.”
    I shake my head in disbelief. “You know she’s in love with Adrian, and what the hell happened to us not banging the staff?”
    A waitress strolls over. “Mr. Cassano, what can I get for you?” Her black lashes bat a suggestive message right to me, but I can’t even entertain the idea in my mind. This is bad. “Just a water