Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 628(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 628(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
“Thanks,” Doom said.
“No problem.”
After he gave a cursory glance at her black slacks and black blouse that was buttoned to her throat with tiny pearl buttons, he went back to his seat.
Once Puck and Jesus returned and the food was laid out, Arden began swearing to herself. Taking out her cell phone, she called Mama.
“Hello?”
“Mama, I’m missing the garlic knots.”
“I know. I was just about to call you. Gian accidently took them to the birthday party. He called when he realized what he had done. I’ve already picked them up and am driving them to you now. I should be there in about five minutes.”
“All right, I’ll tell them. Just text me when you’re outside.”
“Okay.” Mama disconnected the call.
Arden went to Wizard’s table. “There was a mistake with the garlic knots. They’ll be here in five minutes. Do you want to let everyone start eating or do you want me to cover the food back up?”
Lola didn’t let the interruption faze her as she caressed Wizard’s bare chest under his parted blue jean vest.
“We’ll wait.”
Nodding, she went back to place the lids back on.
Moans and groans could be heard around the bar.
“It won’t be long,” she called out. “My boss is bringing the garlic knots.”
She helped Celeste serve people at the bar as she waited for Mama to arrive. True to her word, Mama texted her when she was outside.
“I’ll be right back,” she told Celeste.
She moved around the bar and had made it to the door when it was opened and Mama walked in, carrying the four trays of garlic knots.
Arden started to take them from her, but Mama held on to them.
“Just show me where to set them,” she ordered.
Arden self-consciously walked through the jam-packed tables to the end of the bar. “You can set them here.” She motioned to an empty space.
Her and Mama’s eyes met as she sat the trays down.
“Thank you for bringing them,” she said nervously. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
From the gleam in Mama’s eyes, Arden could tell she wasn’t pleased.
“You’re paid to stay until twelve. Call me when you get off.” Mama’s low voice meant business.
“I will,” Arden promised.
As Mama went around the corner, Arden noticed Puck had left the table where he had been sitting with Wizard and was intercepting Mama, blocking her way. Arden had no idea Puck could move so fast.
Behind Mama, Arden moved to the side so Puck could see her mouthing a warning to him. Puck’s eyes flicked back to Mama’s, but he didn’t heed her warning.
“You sure you don’t want to stay and join the party? I can make a place for you at my table.”
Arden squeezed her eyes tight, unable to bear the sight of Puck giving Mama a grin that he assumed was sexy.
“No, thanks. I don’t sit on men’s laps,” Mama said sharply.
Arden glanced around the bar. She had been so busy that she hadn’t noticed all the women sitting on the men’s laps, other than her and Celeste, who were working the bar.
“And if I did, it wouldn’t be on a man who could toss me off when another woman caught his eye.”
Puck didn’t have the grace to be embarrassed that Kat had been wrapped around him when Mama first walked inside the bar.
“I told Kat to move before you got here. She didn’t listen, so I—”
“I did not ask for an explanation,” she cut him off rudely and stared him down.
Puck tried again. “Baby girl, I’m just saying…”
Mama turned to Arden. “Make sure you call me,” she snapped.
Arden nodded miserably.
Mama turned back to Puck. “Move.”
“Or what?” He fixated his eyes on Mama.
“Puck—I wouldn’t…” Arden tried to warn him again, looking over at the table where Wizard and Doom were sitting.
Wizard lifted his hand to shush everyone.
“Or nothing!” Mama snapped out, her hands going to the belt at her tight, black, mid-length black skirt. In one move, she slid a sharp knife out of the side of the buckle, exposing the shiny blade. “Sei un cretino,” Mama spat out. “Arden may work here, but I do not. Enjoy this food. It will be the last time my restaurant will sell to this club.”
The men around the club stood up hurriedly, except for Wizard and Doom.
Wizard raised his hand then put it down.
All the men sat at his command.
Wizard must have told Lola to get off his lap because Lola hastily disengaged her arms from around him and moved away.
“My bad.” Puck took a step back. “You’re a beautiful woman. I lost my brains for a minute.”
Mama wasn’t appeased. “The way I look is no excuse for your bad behavior.”
“Agreed. I apologize.”
“Arden, serve the food. I don’t want it to get cold. I want them to know what they’re going to be missing.”
Arden immediately started taking the lids off again.
“You can leave. No one will bother you,” Wizard assured Mama from his table.