“Of course. They’ve been a thorn in my side since I took over this region,” Blaze said.
When they made it to his rental, Thane stopped at the driver’s side door. “I’ll give them three months. Do you think they can pull it together by then?”
“I don’t honestly know. I’ve spent more time here than any other location in my area.”
“Okay, well, at least we’ll have tried,” Thane said, squinting in the bright sun. “Why don’t you take me out and feed me. That would go a long way to saving that bonus. I’d love some good food with lots of rum.”
“I have a date night planned, but I’m sure she’s good with you tagging along,” Blaze said with a grin. Thane saw that Blaze knew his end-of-year bonus money had never really been in jeopardy. No matter how hard Thane tried, being a hard-ass didn’t come naturally to him. Blaze was a great employee, a true company man.
Just to insert himself into Blaze’s date night, Thane asked, “Where to?”
“Eleven Eleven Mississippi at seven, but she thinks you’re really good-looking. Ignore the drool,” Blaze added, circling to the other side of a car parked right next to Thane’s.
He barked out a laugh and opened his door. “I’ll do that. If she wants alone time, text me. No problem.”
“See you then.”
Chapter 5
Levi pulled the old Toyota into a parking space in the lot farthest away from Reservations and let the vehicle idle as he stared at the backside of the massive resort. After a second of taking it all in, he realized he probably looked like an idiot just sitting in his car with his mouth gaping open. That thought managed to close his lips up tight. Gathering his nerve proved a little more difficult. He watched a valet open the door to a Ferrari, and two extremely well-dressed men emerged from the car.
What the hell had he gotten himself into?
He leaned back in his seat and looked down at his T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Julian had failed to mention a dress code. He couldn’t go inside dressed like this.
Damn, and he’d called in for work tonight.
Feeling more defeated than ever, Levi’s hope began to deflate. Coming here had been a mistake. He didn’t fit inside this world. Where else could he get a job?
Levi closed his eyes, dropped his head back on the headrest while his brain shifted and started ticking off his contacts out in the professional world. His buddy from high school worked in a call center for Tropicana. Levi had a working knowledge of vitamins and some herbal remedies. Maybe he could use that to get a night job, answering customer service calls when Logan and Luke were home asleep. Surely that kind of job paid reasonably well.
Just as Levi lifted his hand to put the car in reverse, his phone vibrated, drawing his attention down to the screen. Julian’s name popped up with three back-to-back text message notifications. He picked up the phone and opened the message.
“I thought we agreed upon seven. Let me know when you’re coming.” That was immediately followed by, “Don’t be a puss and wimp out. Just come see what we’re all about.” Which was followed by, “Why do I have this feeling you’re freaking out?”
Levi typed a quick message to a guy he didn’t really know but who, for some reason, was dead set on helping him and his brothers. Even that kindness seemed suspicious now. “I’m here, but this isn’t going to work for me. I wore blue jeans. I didn’t realize there was a dress code. I don’t know why I didn’t know. I should have.” Levi lifted his thumbs from the keyboard. What else could he say? It wasn’t like he was ungrateful, he was very thankful, but this was way out of his league. After pausing for a second, he pushed send then quickly followed with another message. “I appreciate everything. I do, but I’m going to look for another job elsewhere.”
Levi dropped the phone in the cubby and put the car in reverse. As he started to back out, he flipped on the headlights and caught a glimpse of Julian walking out the front doors with the phone stuck to his ear. Levi’s cell started ringing. He stared at the phone then lifted it slowly to his ear, glancing in Julian’s direction as he said, “Hello.”
“Is that you way out there?” Julian lifted his hand and waved in his direction as he walked to the end of the sidewalk, flanked by the valet guys. “Come up here and come in. I’ve been waiting on you.”
“I don’t know,” he hedged.
“There’s nothing to know. Come on. You came this far, you might as well see.”
Why did the guy sound so reasonable? Damn it! Levi let out a big sigh. It took a second more to make up his mind, but he finally put the car back in drive, rolled forward into the spot, and cut off the engine. As much as he didn’t want to get out of the car, he forced himself to follow through.