"Dace is," she looked at Kyle but he didn't turn around to offer the help she silently asked for. I don't think he could hear us with the music blaring louder with every step. "Dace is different."
I shook my head. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Dace is kinda scary." She said after a moment before realizing the impact her words would have on me. It was too late for her last minute fix. "I didn't mean it like that."
I glared at her. "I need you to be honest with me, Dee."
"Okay," she sighed. "I meant it exactly how it came out. Dace is fucking terrifying. Nobody messes with him, Ella. He's mean and dark and cruel and he cares for nothing and no one besides his brother, his dad and this club. You need to be careful around him. He has no respect for women. He screws them and leaves them and for some reason they all throw themselves at him like he's some god. Just be nice and get the job."
"Wow," I breathed. "So he's the owner of the club then?"
"Dace, his brother and their dad own it together." She shrugged. "Or that's what I've heard."
I couldn't help but remember the stiffness that took over Kyle as soon as he heard Dace was the one who would be meeting with me. "How does Kyle feel about Dace?"
Dee shrugged non-committedly. "He likes Daman more."
"Have you met Dace?" I asked. I was trying to hoard as much information about Dace as I possibly could before meeting him. The last thing I wanted to do was stand up to some egotistical asshole without assembling a backbone. I couldn't have my future boss thinking I was easy to push around - that hadn't gone well at the tanning salon and I was determined to learn from my mistakes.
"I've met him."
"And?"
She looked at me with serious eyes. "I didn't like him, Ella. I told you, he's an arrogant asshole with an iron fist."
"Do you think I can handle him?" I asked.
She laughed. "Oh yeah," she quickened her pace to keep up with Kyle. "You don't have to worry about anything with Dace but landing this job."
"Why do you say that?" I frowned.
"You're not his type." She looked me up and down as though she hadn't seen me almost every day for the past three years. "I don't even think he'll look twice at you, Chick. You'll be fine."
I felt my cheeks turn red. "I'm that bad, huh?"
"Not at all." She shrugged. "You're an innocent and it's obvious. You have a good strong head on your shoulders and that's not what Dace looks for in a girl."
"Oh." I nodded. "What does he look for?"
"Well, aren't you interested?" She narrowed her eyes on me.
"I'm not interested. He's my future boss - or I hope he is. I want to know as much about him as I can."
"Good." She huffed. "Dace would pull you in, shred you and spit you back out. He's ruthless."
"You don't have to worry about me." I promised.
Dee nodded as though finally believing me. As if I could be so senseless as to entangle myself with someone like Dace. I don't think so. "So, what kind of girls does he like?"
"He likes them dirty. The sluttier the better." She rolled her eyes. "He likes the love 'em and leave 'em kind. No strings for Dace. The man doesn't have a heart."
"I see." I was certain I had a sour look on my face. Dace was exactly the kind of man I held no respect for and wanted nothing to do with. And he would be my boss - if I landed the position. And despite all I'd learned, I really hoped I did. With the number of intoxicated people surging through the club around me, I knew I would make killer tips behind the bar. This was a choice based purely off survival.
Chapter 4
"What do you want to drink?" Kyle yelled over the table Dee found by sheer luck.
"I'll take a pornstar, babe." Dee giggled. She was ready for a long night and I was already thinking about my bed.
"What about you, El?"
"Water." I called back and Kyle frowned.
"I'm not getting you water." He replied matter of fact.
"I can't drink, Kyle." I rolled my eyes. "This is supposed to be a job interview." Jeez, what was the moron thinking? I would never get the job if I was hammered before I even got to the interview part.
"This isn't the typical job interview, El. Order a drink."
I thumbed Dee who was wiggling in the barstool, moving to the beat of the music. "I'll get what she got."
Dee's eyes popped open and a bright smile lit her face. "You're having a drink! OMG I think Hell just froze over."
I raised my brows. "You're dramatic."
"I want to dance." She stated, floating from one topic to the other with the speed of a freight train.