Page 88 of Cocky Brutal Sinner

“Take a break,” he says.

I shrug. “It’s fine. I don’t need one.”

“You’ve been working for ages, Boss. Legally, you should have had a break an hour ago.”

“Do the laws really count when I’m the owner?”

He rolls his eyes. “Out. I don’t want to see you for at least half an hour, or better yet, for the rest of the day.”

“But—”

“I’m in charge of this kitchen, yes?”

“Well, technically⁠—”

“You told me, when I come into the kitchen, that doesn’t mean I’m taking over. That just means I’m here to help. You remember that conversation, Boss?”

“Yes,” I sigh. I’ve been trying to get my staff not to defer to me for ages. Now, Tomasso is just dishing back exactly what I asked him to serve me.

It’s dark outside when I head out through the back entrance, so I can be sure I won’t run into any of the guys by going through the lobby. I could always go check in on Velvet & Vice during my break. The benefits of owning two businesses is that I can be a workaholic in both of them. It’s harder to run away from my problems in a nightclub, though. The only chopping to be done is slicing lemon and lime garnishes. Plus, I’ll have to look at groups of friends hanging out, drinking and dancing, enjoying their lives.

I lean against a wall and pull out my phone. There’s a text from Brinley waiting for me.

Brinley

Eden’s making me watch some crazy reality show about people working at a circus. You’re welcome to join, but be warned—there are clowns.

Beau

You know I’m not crazy about clowns.

Brinley

One day you’ll get over your IT trauma.

Beau

Tim Curry haunts my dreams.

Brinley

Nothing a little exposure therapy can’t help with.

It’s nice to be able to text Brinley with her own name in the contact. My phone still feels quiet with the silent guys group chat. I open it out of habit—the way you press on a bruise, just to make sure it still hurts.

The final texts do.

Nate

My PI might stop by during poker tonight.

Ryan

Hell yeah! Let’s end this.

Then nothing. Because they were having the conversation in real time, the one where they learn who Brinley is and how I lied to them. Because Luke learned about my betrayal and they all decided that they couldn’t trust me.

It stings, getting nothing. Knowing that they’re texting each other on another thread, probably about how much they hate me.