Bad Guys Don't Win (Janet Maple Series Book 4) Read Online Free

it—there won’t be any funny business, if that’s what
you’re worried about. In fact, we have a strict policy about professional staff
and client interactions. A little bit of flirting is fine—we all know that’s
the way to get them to buy more drinks, but that’s where it ends. This is a
place of business. If you’re looking for a date, it’s gotta be elsewhere.” Amy
crossed her arms on her chest. “These are the rules. If they sound good to you,
you can start tonight.”
    “That sounds perfect. You won’t have to
worry about me breaking any of your rules,” Jess assured them. “Where can I
leave my things?”
    “Downstairs. I’ll show you the employee
changing room.” Amy headed towards the stairs in the back leading to the
basement.
    A few minutes later, Amy was back behind
the bar. “Jess will be up here in a few minutes. She’s just freshening up.”
    “Good.” Mila pursed her lips. “The
glasses are all stocked. We’re running short on vermouth and Southern Comfort,
so I’m going to go downstairs and place an order. We still got a few minutes
before opening time.”
    “Okay, sounds good.” Amy nodded. Mila
was about to walk away when Amy stopped her. “Hey, aren’t you going to tell me
what you think about our new hire? That’s what I call perfect timing.”
    “Does it really matter what I think? You
just went ahead and hired her without asking me.”
    Amy seemed taken aback. “Sorry, I didn’t
mean it like that. I just thought if you had any objections, you’d speak up.
She seems like a hard worker. Don’t you think?”
    “We hardly know anything about her,”
Mila shot back, “but what does it matter what I think when you’ve made it clear
that you’re the majority partner and you call all the shots.”
    “I didn’t mean it like that, and you
know it. You’re taking the whole thing out of context.” Amy narrowed her eyes.
“Wait a minute, are you mad at me for wanting to hear Philip’s offer? Is that
what it is? If you don’t want to do it, I won’t force you. I don’t need any
favors from you or him.”
    Mila sighed. The last thing they both
needed was to get into a stupid fight right before opening time. “I’m sorry.
I’m just being overly touchy. But don’t you think we should’ve at least checked
this girl’s references before hiring her? For crying out loud, you left her
alone downstairs and we don’t even know her.”
    “What is she going to do? Walk away with
a case of Jameson? Our computer systems are password protected and all the
petty cash is locked in a safe. I just thought we could use an extra hand—if
she doesn’t work out, we’ll let her go. It’s that simple.”
    “I hope so. I just hope she’s not a mass
murderer or something.”
    Amy rolled her eyes. “We’re not in a
Stephen King novel, for crying out loud.”
    “No, but I still would like to call Red
Door and see what they have to say about her.”
    “Sure, that’d be a very useful reference
since those guys are the pinnacle of discretion and work ethic.”
    “It’s better than nothing,” Mila
countered.
    Amy handed Mila Jess’s résumé. “Why
don’t you go downstairs and check her out right now?”
    “Now? We’re about to open—there’s no
time.”
    “I think I can hold the fort for a few
minutes. It won’t get busy for another half an hour or so. If anything doesn’t
check out, she’s out.”
    Just then Mila noticed Jess walking
towards them. “I think I’ll do just that.” She smiled brightly at Jess. “Amy is
going to show you the ropes. I have to take care of restocking downstairs.”
    Amy checked her watch. “It’s opening
time. You’re going to get baptized by fire, Jess.”
    “I hope I won’t disappoint you.” Jess
took her place behind the bar.
    Once downstairs, Mila got to work right
away, checking out Jess’s references. She made sure not to stay away too long
though, since she could tell from the noise coming from upstairs that the