Darken (Siege #1) Read Online Free PDF

when he sensed someone behind him. From the smell of vanilla, he figured it was Cora.
    “No overtime,” she said.
    He topped off the beer, letting the foam settle into the perfect head before sliding it across the counter to Red. After he added the order to their tab, he turned to Cora.
    “I’m waiting on Josh,” he explained.
    “He’s in the back, and that’s where he’ll stay if you don’t go and get him.”
    “Thought I wasn’t supposed to leave the bar unattended.”
    “That’s why I stay here while you go get him.”
    Cora moved around him, invading his domain and started rearranging everything he’d organized. She picked up a rack of glasses and moved them into the far corner.
    “Why don’t you grab him?” He used his foot to maneuver the rack back to where he’d had it, enjoying the scowl the action brought to her face.
    “Your brother’s lazy and he’ll stall as long as possible if he knows you’re out here.”
    He felt guilty he didn’t defend Josh, but honestly, his younger brother was lazy. Not that Josh wasn’t a hard worker, it was more like his easy-going attitude empowered him to ride the waves of others’ hard work. Then again, what did Gavin know? Hell, Josh had held this job longer than Gavin ever held any.
    “I can tell him you’re waiting,” she said when he didn’t respond. “But chances are he’ll let himself be distracted once I can’t see him anymore.”
    “Fine. Stop messing with my space,” he grumbled.
    “Keep it tidy and I will. How you guys even function behind here amazes me.” She shoved the rack of glasses back to where she’d moved it. “You keep the racks stacked here, so anyone back here doesn’t trip over them.”
    She had a point, but having the glasses right next to him was easier. Rather than admit she was right, or to argue in vain, he trudged off to find his brother.
    In the kitchen, he found Josh exactly where he expected—leaning against the wall, stuffing his face with peanuts.
    “You’re up,” Gavin said.
    Josh groaned, raking a hair over his short black hair. “Is Cora out there?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Damn. She’s gonna rake me over.” Despite his words, he took another moment to swipe a handful of peanuts and stuff them in his pockets.
    Keeley sauntered through the door and stopped to stare at Josh.
    “What?” he asked her.
    “Cora.”
    He groaned again but went out to his station. As he exited, she flicked her wrist and made a whipping noise. When he gave her the finger behind his back, she laughed and repeated the noise.
    “That girl has your brother trained like a lap dog. I swear he’s got a thing for her.” She must have caught Gavin’s shocked expression, because she asked, “What? Didn’t expect some brotherly competition?”
    “Competition? For what?”
    “Uh, the peanuts. Cora . Who else?”
    “Not interested,” he snapped. “And she’s not someone I’d ever let my brother stoop to dating, either.”
    “Whoa,” Keeley pulled back in surprise, shock contorting her normally beautiful features. “Chill. Cora’s my friend, and I suggest if you have a problem with her you keep it to yourself, or we’re gonna have a problem.”
    “No problem,” he said through gritted teeth, grateful the natural noises of the kitchen kept Mateo from overhearing their exchange. The last thing he needed was complaints to Noah on his first day. Even though his brothers would fight to the death for him, there was no way they’d let him give Cora crap at work.
    “Good.” Keeley smiled as if he’d never even opened his mouth. “Now, we need to talk about your service technique.”
    “What’s wrong with it?”
    “You need to do less smiling, less flirting. We want the ladies to be at the tables, not the bar.”
    “Drinks are drinks, right?”
    She reached up and patted his cheek. “Sweetie, they won’t tip me if you’re the one hooking them up with drinks. So, stuff the stud routine and send them my way.”
    “What do I