“Lucky? How am I lucky?”
Joe waved a hand in front of her face. “Hello, Rosie, wake up. Five hot men all wanting you? Tell me how that is not lucky?”
Put like that, there was no way for her to argue with his assessment.
“I can’t do it. It’s wrong.”
“What is wrong about it?”
“I’ll be screwing them for money.”
“What are you going to do? Let Peter get this place? He’ll tear it apart. You don’t really have much of a choice. Do you really want to give up on your dream?”
“You know I don’t.”
“Then take a chance. I know you’ve got a thing for Pops and his men. Don’t even try to deny it.”
She fanned her face, rolling her eyes at the same time.
“Exactly. Take a chance, you never know what is going to happen.”
****
That night Pops was standing with his friends serving behind the bar. The rowdy customers were going wild for the live band. Pops didn’t care for the band, so he was more focused on the constant revolving door. The guys were all tense, waiting for Rosie to enter their place once again.
It had only been a few hours since they last saw her, but they had all hoped she’d have taken a chance with them.
“She’s not going to come,” Gavin said.
“You going to be miserable, you can fuck off out of here. I don’t want anything to do with your attitude.” Pops had taken a chance, and he hated how tense he was, waiting for her to come and give them a shot.
They could blow her entire world. As it was, none of them could do anything unless she came to them.
Gavin left the bar, to go and gather up glasses.
“He’s a joy tonight, don’t you think?” Billy asked.
“I’m going to kick his ass if he keeps up. I don’t have time for him to throw a paddy.” Pops wiped down the counter and watched as Peter entered the bar. He’d called through to make sure the bastard would come to the bar so they could deal with him. None of them was afraid of Peter.
“I’ll be in my office. Send Marshall as backup,” he said.
“Sure.”
Of course Peter had a couple of his own men.
“I was surprised to get your call.”
“I don’t know why,” Pops said. “We’ve got something in common.”
Peter frowned.
“Let’s take this into my office,” he said, opening the door. Marshall rushed forward, and Pops nodded in his direction.
Marshall closed the door, and Pops grabbed the envelope of cash. “There’s your money.”
“Not that I don’t appreciate the sight of a thick envelope, but the last time I checked, you don’t owe me money.”
“This is Rosie’s debt. Take it, and leave her alone.”