“Tell me what’s going on and don’t leave anything out,” she demanded.

He considered her for a few seconds and, to my surprise, he told her. Not all of it, but a lot more than I had.

When he finished, her face was set and stony. “I think I’ll be sticking around for a long while,” she murmured. “What can I do to help?”

King shook his head. “Nothing.”

She leaned forward. “I can help, King.”

“No.”

She flopped back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine. Know anyone who’s hiring? I’m gonna need a job while I’m here.”

King shook his head. “I’m full up on bartenders. Only staff I need right now is a bouncer, but you’re a little too scrawny for that.”

That light came back into Tia’s eyes, the one that reminded me of Wick and made chills run down my spine. “Actually, I think I’d like to apply.”

King scoffed.

She leaned forward. “I’m serious. I think you’ll be surprised how well qualified I am for that job.”

“Tia, no,” he answered.

“I’ll tell you what, just let me do the interview and then you can decide.”

“I don’t hire female bouncers.”

Tia pushed a little harder. “Just think about it. Everyone would think I’m a bartender. I’d have the element of surprise. Not to mention, it would be easier for me to talk them down if they’re drunk, because drunk guys still have the eternal hope that the woman smiling at them intends to go home with them too.”

“I don’t think so.”

I knew Tia wasn’t going to give up, so I intervened. “King, what’s the harm in letting her go through the interview process?” I paused. “What is the interview process anyway?”

“Usually, I ask’em a bunch of questions about their background, training, and get a good look at’em, then they’re hired.”

“You don’t make them, I don’t know, audition or anything?” I asked.

King shrugged. “Usually they all look like Jack.”

I nodded. Jack was six foot three and solid packed muscle. No one, sober or drunk, would be stupid enough to fuck with him.

“Well, give her a shot at least.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” King muttered. “Fine, fine. You can come by later tonight. But I’m telling you, it’s not gonna happen.”

Tia looked at me and smiled. I giggled because I knew that, if nothing else, tonight would be entertaining and I needed the distraction.

“Fuck me,” King muttered.

Tia and I both laughed.

Breakfast was nice. Tia and I caught up and King seemed to get a kick out of the mildly bitchy way we talked to one another. It was good-natured, more like teasing than actual insults, but a lot of people didn’t know how to take it when they witnessed it for the first time.

There was a bit of a scuffle when it was time to settle the check because Tia insisted she would pay it. When King put his foot down, she was adamant she would pay for her own meal. He and the server both ignored her protests and he settled the tab with cash.

“Got a place to stay?” King asked her.

Tia shrugged. “Since Jena’s not at her apartment, I could stay there.”

“Not a good idea,” King stated, shaking his head. “Larry’s guys are probably watching her place.”

“I’ll be fine,” Tia insisted.

King shook his head. “We’re not arguin’ about this, Tia. You’re not staying there. You can stay with me and Jena or you can stay in a hotel, your choice.”

She put her hand on her hip. “I’d say a hotel, but I have a feeling I won’t be paying for it.”

King just smiled.

Rolling her eyes, she sighed. “Shit. Fine, I’ll stay with you two lovebirds, but I need some industrial strength earplugs.”

“You’ll follow us over there now,” King instructed.

“Yes, sir!” Tia gave him a mock salute.

“So, I’m seeing the smartass gene runs in the family,” King murmured to me.

I shrugged. “You’re the one who insisted she stay with us.”

He shook his head, but he was smiling.

*     *     *

“Please tell me you’re fuckin’ kidding,” Jack rumbled.

He stood in front of Tia, his massive arms crossed over his chest, and looked down at her. I’d forgotten how tall Tia really was. Even though Jack was six-three, she was only four or five inches shorter than him.

However, she was a lot leaner. He outweighed her by at least sixty pounds and all of it was muscle.

Tia mirrored Jack’s post, but grinned cockily at him as she did it. “King promised I could interview for the job as bouncer. As part of that interview, I have to prove I can handle a big, ole bruiser like you.”

Jack’s eyes cut to King, who was sitting next to me at the bar. “Seriously, boss?” He did not look pleased.

King shrugged. “She wouldn’t shut up about it.”

Jack didn’t say anything, but he shook his head as though he were done with this situation.

“I promise I won’t hurt you,” Tia offered generously.

Jack shifted his massive weight and looked bored. “Let’s get this done.”

Tia shot a look to King. “So, what do you want me to do?” she asked.

“Well, how would you handle a drunk guy if you needed to get him off the premises?”

She squared her shoulders and stepped into Jack, smiling. “Hi, I’m Tia. How are you doing tonight?”

Jack frowned at her but didn’t respond.

King sighed. “Jack, man, just play along for chrissakes.”

Jack lowered his arms to his side. “I’m fine.”

Tia kept smiling, wide and friendly. “Glad to hear it. I noticed you were upset. Is there something I can help you with?”

“No,” he growled.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to step outside.”

“Make me,” Jack grumbled, frowning at her.

I ducked my head and bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud. My cousin was a tough chick. She could take care of herself. I didn’t know if she’d be a good bouncer, but I was looking forward to seeing what she did when faced with Jack.

“I’d prefer you let me escort you, sir,” she replied.

“Oh, fuck this,” Jack stated, reaching out to grab Tia’s wrist. “You weigh, what, one forty or one fifty? There’s no way you could take me-”

He didn’t finish his sentence. I watched as Tia did some complicated maneuver, placing a hand over his and swinging her arm down and around. I had no clue what she did next because she did it so fast, but she had Jack’s hand in a position that looked very unnatural. He flinched.

I glanced over at King and saw that he was watching the scene with a lot more interest.

“Jack, you know what to do,” he murmured.

“Boss.” He seemed reluctant.

“Do it.”

Without warning, Jack’s free arm swung out. Gracefully, Tia evaded the punch and, while he was off balance, managed to turn Jack around and stand at his side, facing the door.

She readjusted her grip on his hand, but I knew it had to hurt because he grunted. “Let me just show you the way out,” she murmured, taking a step forward.

Jack resisted for a split second before grunting again when she tugged at his hand and following her lead.

“Okay, I’ve seen enough,” King called out.

Tia immediately released Jack and stepped away. Jack watched her, a new respect in his eyes as he shook his hand out.

“Where’d you learn how to do that?” he asked.

Tia shrugged. “I picked up a few things here and there.”

I looked at King, who was staring at my cousin with an unreadable expression on his face.

“So, still don’t think you could use me?” she asked.

King leaned back in his chair, considering her. “You’re quick,” he observed.

Tia shrugged. “Have to be.”

“You’re hired, but only for the short term,” he stated firmly. “Know how to tend bar?”

She nodded.

“Here’s what we’re gonna do. You’re going to work for Jack. He’s in charge unless I tell you something different. You do what he says, no more, no less. Once I find another bouncer, you’ll tend bar here and act as back up. We rarely have major trouble here, but it would be good to have a bartender who knew how to handle herself.”