Russian's Intense Love (Drobilka Family Series #2) Read Free Page A

belt. Looking around, she saw that the second guy had lifted it from her and was now back in his seat with a cheesy grin on his face.
    “Well, now,” she began as she motioned to the bachelor’s friend. “How can I possibly buy you another drink if I don’t have my tablet to take your order?” she asked, hoping that he was drunk enough not to argue.
    “You will just have to to to figure it out, but you won’t get it back until you have a drink with me.”
    Pasting a smile back on her face, she replied, “Why don’t you enjoy the show while I see to our drinks.” As Bethany turned to walk to the bar, she scanned the room for the bouncers that patrolled the club, but the Rubicon was packed for a Wednesday night and all the bouncers were otherwise engaged. Walking up to the bar, she ordered a round of Rubicon Specials, fruit juice with soda water, in the hopes that the bachelor party would be too drunk to notice that there was no alcohol, as she grimaced at Sasha who was tending bar.
    “Problem?”
    “You could say that,” Bethany replied. “Bachelor boy and his friends lifted my tablet and won’t give it back until I have a drink with him.”
    “That’s something for the bouncers.”
    “I know, but they’re all busy.” Grabbing the drinks Sasha gave her, she continued, “If you catch one, would you please send him over?”
    Sasha nodded. “Will do.”
    As Bethany walked back over to her station, she looked around hoping to catch the eye of any of the males who worked there, but everyone was busy. Remembering to smile, she headed toward the tables as she passed out the shot glasses.
    “This, gentlemen,” she began as she walked around the table, “is a Rubicon Special. You won’t find it on any menu. In fact,” she leaned in conspiratorially, “you have to be in the know to get one. But since it is…I’m sorry, what’s your name?” Adam! someone shouted out. “But since Adam is going to tie the knot soon, I would like to propose a toast that my Irish granddad would often use. Are you ready?” At their nods, she held up her shot glass, “May you die in bed at 95, shot by a jealous spouse.” At the hoots of laughter, everyone downed the shot and slammed it down on the table. Smiling at the guy who lifted her tablet, she held out her hand and he reluctantly handed it back to her. She turned on her heel and headed back to the bar to tell Sasha that she was taking a quick break.
    Leaving her tray at the bar, she popped her tablet into a docking station and walked into the locker room. She sagged against the door, then walked over to the nearest bench and crumpled onto it as she buried her head in her hands.
    “That was well done,” came a deep voice. “But you should have waited for a bouncer.”
    Looking up, Bethany smiled thinly, “I tried to find one, but it’s busy tonight.”
    Vadim nodded as he sat down next to her, “Next time, get help. It’s not your job to entertain the customers. Leave that for the dancers.” Pursing her lips, Bethany was about to complain, but simply nodded her head. He stood again and looked down at her, “I’ve switched your station for the rest of the night. You’ll be upstairs. It’s quieter, and you won’t be hassled.” Before she could reply, he walked out.
    Bethany sighed and went into the bathroom to pull herself together before heading back out. Walking around the perimeter of the club to avoid the bachelor party, she grabbed her tablet and climbed the stairs up to the mezzanine level. She was surprised to see that this was a higher-level VIP section with its own private bar. Walking up to the bar, she dropped her tablet into the docking station to pull up the current customer orders. She went to introduce herself while seeing to any needs.
    The remainder of the evening was uneventful, and Bethany tiredly changed out of her uniform and into her street clothes. As she was walking toward the exit, she paused in front of Vadim as he handed out the