Yoko’s eyes snapped up and she leveled a defiant glare at Harm.
Harm threw her hands up. “Not that you need to, I’m only saying that you could. To drum up business.” She couldn’t help but notice that business was down, as Yoko was sitting alone.
Lyric peeked her head over Harmony’s shoulder. “Have you ever heard of Groupon? I hear that’s a great way to build up your small business.”
Harmony elbowed her sister and sent her a shut-up glare. “I don’t think they have Groupon for hookers.”
“Well, they should. It makes sound business sense, really. Just think about—”
Lyric had never been able to read body language or simple shut-up glares. How had Harmony forgotten that?
“It’s time for you two to stop talking now,” a dark-haired man said as he leaned over a pool table, lining up a shot. He kept his eye on the ball.
Lyric turned around on her barstool. “Are you her pimp?”
“I prefer business manager.” He made the shot, stood, and checked her out. “You seem familiar. Have we met?”
Lyric analyzed his face. “I don’t think so.”
“She’s married to Heath Montgomery.” Harm rolled her eyes. Not only was this guy poor Yoko’s oppressor, but he was a freakin’ football fan too. Fucker.
He shook his head. “No, that’s not it.” He studied Lyric. “I know you from somewhere.”
“She’s that lady from SETI who does the podcasts.” It was Rooster. “You know that podcast I was talking about on the Crab Nebula? It was her.”
Jesus. Seriously? Harmony felt like she’d fallen into some cheesy straight-to-video movie where geniuses had disguised themselves as bikers while they hid from the men in black.
“I’m doing one on the water plumes on Jupiter’s moon Europa next week.” Lyric looked excited for the first time since they’d gotten there.
“Fascinating.” The dark-haired man lined up another shot. “You and your sister need to leave.”
“We’re not going anywhere.” Harmony didn’t take shit from anyone, especially a man on tonight of all nights.
“You know, I think we left the stove on.” Lyric grabbed Harmony’s arm and tried to tug her off the barstool.
“No we didn’t.” Harmony batted her sister’s hand away. “Sit down and finish your beer. I’ve got this.”
“You should listen to your sister.” The dark-haired man finally looked over at them. “This is no place for a couple of soft women.”
What the hell did that even mean?
“What is she?” Harm waggled her thumb at Yoko.
“An employee.” He stood. “Unless you want to take her place, you need to move on.”
“You don’t scare me. This is a public bar and we’re not going anywhere.” Harm was a level-four black belt in Krav Maga. Her ass was staying put.
* * *
Chapter 6
* * *
Dalton was having a good time playing poker, which surprised him. Once everyone had gotten over him being the boss and started treating him more like one of the guys, it was just poker and laughs and really good chocolate chip cookies.
Speaking of which—he grabbed the last one off of the plate in the middle of the poker table.
“These are really good.” He bit into the cookie, which somehow managed to be crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. “Where did you get them?”