Darken (Siege #1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

complications in his life, and that’s what Cora was, a tiny, sexy, explosive ball of complications.
    Throwing the mess he’d made into the garbage, he started over, making sure he actually focused on his work. It had been a couple years since he helped his brothers with the pub, but it wasn’t so complicated he needed step-by-step instructions from Cora.
    Not that he would have gone to her for anything. After what happened in the fridge, he planned to keep as much distance as possible between them. She seemed to have the same plan, because other than throwing drink orders and the occasional reminder at him, she avoided him the rest of the day.
    Lunch hour and early afternoon were quiet at the bar, though Cora and Keeley’s hands were full with food orders. He used the time to familiarize himself with his area, tidying up some of the chaos his brother Josh left in the wake of his evening shifts.
    A bellowing laugh caught his attention, and he spotted the two women chatting with a group of men seated in the far corner. He recognized Noah’s friend Merrick and figured it was the group from TanTech.
    He couldn’t hear the conversation, but even at his distance, he could easily see the difference in how the girls approached the customers.
    Keeley waitressed like she did everything—she was loud and friendly with an untamable sauciness. Cora, on the other hand, managed to give off the sweet and innocent vibe like she was entirely unaware of the dirty thoughts no doubt running through those guys' heads.
    The sweetness had always been Cora’s defining characteristic and one of the reasons she and Lela had been best friends. Right up until she killed Lela. And if he’d had any doubt about how little innocence she possessed, their little episode earlier dispelled it.
    The glass he held in his hand exploded from the pressure of his grip, raining shards onto the floor.
    “Shit,” he muttered and tossed what was left of the glass in the trash. He turned on the faucet in the small sink and placed his hand under the running water to remove any trace of glass, then grabbed the small broom from under the counter to sweep up the mess.
    “What happened?” Logan asked, appearing on the other side of the bar.
    “Nothing, just a broken glass,” Gavin brushed the incident off.
    “You need to get control.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “You look like shit, and you know damn well that leaves you open to—” Logan cut himself off as a customer approached. “Clean up the mess and get yourself in control.”
    Gavin turned away from his brother and wiped down the counter. With happy hour beginning, business picked up, humming with activity. By the end of his shift, customers lined the length of his counter.
    Scanning the group of four ladies in front of him, he flashed his best cocky smile. The giggles he received in exchange were almost as satisfying as the tip he anticipated.
    “What can I get you, ladies?”
    “What’s the best drink you make?” asked the tall redhead.
    He contained his snort of contempt at the lame question. He wasn’t a world-class bartender, but as long as you followed a recipe it was hard to mess most drinks up. On the other hand, he wasn’t about to break out a manual, either.
    His eyes narrowed as he took in the polished appearance Red had attempted with her make-up and the fake-diamond tennis bracelet. Her desire to be seen as sophisticated was a bit too obvious, especially since she barely looked legal.
    “Nothing beats my crantini.”
    “Perfect,” she said.
    “Crantinis all around?” He scanned the others as he snagged his martini shaker.
    The other girls looked at each other and then back at him.
    “Beer,” they said in chorus and laughed as Red rolled her eyes.
    He laughed. “My kind of ladies.”
    “Fine. I’ll drink the vile stuff,” Red said and held up a long manicured finger, pointing at her friends. “But one of you is responsible for getting me home.”
    He was pouring the last pint