Serving the Wolf's Den (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Serving the Wolf’s Den

  Maura Dow knew she had been played for a fool by the man who had left her with nothing but a mountain of debt and doubting her own judgment. Finding a way out of her financial woes begins to seem possible when her friend, Rhonda, tells her about the Wolf’s Den, an after-hours club that’s known for its phenomenal tips. She swallows her pride and does whatever it takes to convince the owner, Max Andrews, to give her a chance to be one of his “Bitches.”

  Max and his brother, Toby, both want to train her. However, their training takes her from the bar into their bed. Too late, she realizes the brothers have a secret that can only reject the love of a woman like her. When she foolishly puts herself in danger, they come for her, but should she run from them or embrace what she’s been told could destroy her?

  Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings.

  Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves

  Length: 53,207 words

  SERVING THE WOLF’S DEN

  Kalissa Alexander

  MENAGE EVERLASTING

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting

  SERVING THE WOLF’S DEN

  Copyright © 2012 by Kalissa Alexander

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-131-3

  First E-book Publication: September 2012

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Serving the Wolf’s Den by Kalissa Alexander from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

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  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  SERVING THE WOLF’S DEN

  KALISSA ALEXANDER

  Copyright © 2012

  Chapter One

  Maura walked in the back door of Lucy’s Café feeling the effects of yet another sleepless night. Joe, the morning cook, was already frying bacon and setting up for the breakfast rush. He smiled when he saw her. She smiled back and hung up her coat near the time clock. The aroma of brewed coffee led her into the dining area where Rhonda was reading the newspaper at one of the tables near the window. Catching her attention, she waved. Rhonda held up her cup. Maura grabbed a half pot of coffee from one of the burners and brought it with her to the table. She poured one for herself and refilled Rhonda’s.

  “Thanks. You’re here early again,” Rhonda observed, bringing the hot liquid to her lips.

  “I was tossing and turning all night. What’s your excuse?”

  Ignoring her question, Rhonda shook her head. “It’s been over a month since that bastard Tim left and you’re still not sleeping.”

  “He literally left me high and dry,” Maura said with a sigh. “Drugs and whatever else he spent my money on meant a lot more to him than I did. I can’t even make the rent this month. I’ve been applying to some places, but no one’s hiring. I need to get a second job, and fast.”

  “I’m sorry, hon. But honestly, from what you’ve told me about your finances, I’m not sure another job making the kind of tips you do here is the answer.”

  “I know. I thought of that, too. I need something where the tips or the salary will at least pay the rent until my lease is up and I can find a cheaper place. I’m thinking I might look into some of the nightclubs in town.”

  Along with emptying her bank account, Tim had run up a couple of her credit cards to their limit. She had given them to him when he had insisted they buy new furniture—furniture that he had taken with him. At least he had left her the bed, probably because he didn’t want to take it apart. She supposed she should be thankful she wasn’t sleeping on the floor.

  Rhonda folded her newspaper. She perused the restaurant, her large brown eyes finally coming back to Maura’s.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Just checking to make sure we’re not overheard. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Rhonda raised one painted eyebrow in Maura’s direction. It was something Maura noticed her friend did when she was nervous. “Nothing’s wrong.” Lowering her voice, she said, “Ever heard of an after-hours club called the Wolf’s Den?”

  “I don’t think so. Why?”

  “I’ve been working there on the weekends for some time now. The tips are ten times better than they are here.”

  “Is it a strip club?” Maura whispered, leaning across the table.

  “No.” Rhonda’s eyes flashed. “Just because I’ve never talked about moonlighting at the Den doesn’t mean I’m stripping. I’ll admit the uniform doesn’t leave much to the imagination, but I’m not walking around naked or having sex with the customers. I work hard for my tips.”

  “Of course you do. I would never judge you like that,” Maura said quickly, wishing she could take back the unintended insult.

  “It’s nothing like some of those after-hours clubs you’ve probably heard of where the girls are more like prostitutes that use the bar to get johns.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, Rhonda. It sounds like a good job, and I’m glad that it pays you so well.”

  “It’s just that as happy as I am to have the
job, I know some people would look down their noses at me for working in a bar that doesn’t close until the birds start singing.”

  “I’m not one of those people. I admire you for supporting your family. You live in the real world. I, on the other hand, have been living in fantasyland, and we both know where that got me.” Maura bit her lip to help stop the flow of tears that were only seconds from falling down her cheeks. “I should have known that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

  “Now, don’t go doing that to yourself. I met Tim when he came in here, and I never suspected a thing. He acted like he adored you.”

  “He adored me all right. So much that he couldn’t wait to take me to the cleaners on his way out the door.”

  “Tim’s a con man, honey, and you’re a sweet girl that he took advantage of. It’s not your fault. Don’t let him jade you for other men or ruin your confidence. There are good men out there.” Rhonda reached over and squeezed her hand. “However, what’s most pressing right now is getting you back on your feet.”

  “My life is a mess.” Maura took a sip of her coffee that had cooled. Suddenly she felt tired.

  “I’ve got an idea. Not sure it’s the best idea, but it’s the only one I can think of right now.”

  “What?” Maura perked up, hoping against hope that Rhonda was going to suggest what might be a solution to her problems.

  “I know that Max, the owner of the Wolf’s Den, is looking for a new server.” Rhonda held up her hand as Maura’s eyes lit up. “Slow down. I need to tell you a few things first.”

  “I’m listening,” she said, trying to contain her excitement.

  “Like I said earlier, it’s not like you’d be expected to parade around naked, but the uniform wasn’t made to hide our womanly charms. And, even though the tips are fantastic, the customers can get a bit rowdy at times. They’ve been known to take the term ‘hands-on’ to a whole new level.”

  “I’m twenty-three years old. I’m no baby, and I’m not totally ignorant to the ways of men even if my instincts were off with the last one.”

  “Well, it’s not always just the men that want to cop a feel. The women can be as bad as the men.”

  “So? Men or women, you handle them the same way, right?”

  “Good answer.” Rhonda smiled. “The other thing is that the servers, who I might add are all women, are called Bitches. Not exactly flattering, but it goes along with the Wolf’s Den theme, and from what I’ve been told that term has been in use since the place opened over twenty years ago.”

  “I agree it’s not flattering, but if it goes along with the job and the tips are good, so be it.”

  “Are you sure? The women working there are all a bit older than you, too, and honestly, we’ve all had a lot of experience, if you know what I mean. I know you think you can handle yourself, but your age and light resume in the cocktail department could work against you. I don’t want to get you in over your head.”

  “Rhonda, believe me, I’m already in over my head, and there’s nowhere to go but up. What you’re offering is a life preserver to a drowning woman. I’m grateful to you for taking me into your confidence. I won’t do anything to embarrass you.”

  “I’m not worried about that, just that I’m doing the right thing by you. I would never suggest it if I didn’t know how badly you need the money.”

  “You’re a good friend.” Maura reached over and put her hand on Rhonda’s for a quick second. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  “You’d be fine,” Rhonda said, leaning against the back of the booth. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. “I’ve got to call Todd to make sure he has the girls up for school. Give me a minute.”

  Maura poured them each another cup of coffee. She needed a second job, and the Wolf’s Den sounded like the answer to her prayers. She had no other prospects, and having Rhonda work there would make it so much easier. Rhonda was a kindhearted woman and such a good mom. Listening to her talk to each of her daughters brought a smile to her lips.

  Rhonda ended the call with loud kisses before she slipped the phone back into her pocket. Maura’s smile widened. “Sounds like Todd has everything under control as usual.”

  “Yes. He’s the best. Even in a wheelchair there’s none better. The girls and I are lucky to have him.”

  Maura knew life hadn’t been easy for Rhonda, especially since Todd’s accident. But she never complained, and like the realist she was, she had gone out and gotten a second job to help her family even though it took her away from them. Knowing how much her friend valued her time with her family, it wasn’t a sacrifice she had taken lightly.

  They talked for a while longer before they had to clock in and greet their morning customers. Before they went their separate ways, Rhonda said, “I work tomorrow night. I’ll put a good word in for you with Max. Can’t promise you anything, but I think you might at least get an interview. And remember, Tim leaving you was the best thing for you, regardless of what an absolute asshole he was when he left.”

  Rhonda was a wonderful friend. She had held her while she cried, without making her feel like she had had been stupid for trusting a man who had done nothing but use her. She also insisted that Maura call the police. She didn’t want to. As far as she knew, Tim was already in another state and whatever he had stolen had been sold and used for drugs.

  Maura never wanted to see that handsome face of his again or be subjected to the ridicule of others who could bear witness to her stupidity. She knew she would never get back what he had taken from her. However, with Rhonda’s support, she had gone to the police and suffered through an interrogation by a somewhat unsympathetic detective who had wanted to know everything from the first time she met Tim until the last time she had seen him.

  Tim had moved in the apartment next door to hers. From the moment he introduced himself, he made no secret that he was attracted to her. He fed her ego constantly by telling her how beautiful she was and how much he enjoyed being in the company of a woman who made him feel good about each new day because she was in it.

  At first she’d been wary, but his attention didn’t waver and her defenses had crumbled. After only a few weeks, they were dating steadily. He told her he had been clean for over a year and was working at a drug rehab. His sincerity when explaining his goal to give back and help others who also were afflicted with his disease had impressed her and made her like him that much more.

  One night after he had made love to her in a variety of ways, he had let it slip that he was only subletting his apartment for a couple of months and was looking for a more permanent place to live. He convinced her that if they pooled their resources, they could find a bigger place in a nicer neighborhood. His affectionate nature and professed love fooled her into believing they were building a future together. However, it was obvious now that he had never been in love with her and the only thing he was building was an escape route back into the world she thought he had put behind him forever. The man who had made her feel like she was his one true love had left her with an empty apartment, an empty bank account, and an emptiness inside of her that came from the worst kind of rejection. She had been devastated, but Rhonda was right. Having him out of her life was for the best. A week had passed without any word from the Wolf’s Den. She figured the job just didn’t work out. So when Rhonda approached her at the end of their shift on Thursday to tell her she thought Max intended to hire someone more mature, she wasn’t surprised.

  “Don’t worry. The fact that you tried to get me the job means a lot to me.”

  “I told him you’d be great and that he shouldn’t hold your age against you. That you were excellent with the customers and that you were a real quick learner. I guess he just had his mind made up already. I’m sorry I even mentioned it to you without speaking to him first.”

  “Please don’t be. You were just trying to help me, and again, I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you would do that.�
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  “Well, I’m not giving up. If not the Wolf’s Den, then something else will show itself.”

  When Max called her a few days later to set up an interview, she had been in shock but ecstatic. She couldn’t wait to tell Rhonda.

  “I told you I wasn’t giving up. Looks like the man thought about what I said and finally realized that I was doing him a favor by telling him about you.”

  Rhonda had a number of suggestions to help her prepare for the interview, from how to dress to her makeup and hairstyle. She also wanted to stage a mock interview that covered the kinds of questions he had asked her before she was hired.

  Maura prayed Max wasn’t just interviewing her as a courtesy to her friend with no intention of seriously considering her for the job. Even if that were the case, she thought, trying to stay positive, she was being given an opportunity to convince him to put his initial prejudice about her age aside and hire her. And with Rhonda’s guidance, she felt she was arming herself to do just that. However, nothing Rhonda told her could have prepared her for exactly how far Max would expect her to go to prove she was worthy of being one of his Bitches.

  Chapter Two

  “You’re a friend of Rhonda’s,” Max said after he had introduced himself. He pointed to a chair in front of his desk. She sat down.

  “Yes, we work together at Lucy’s.”

  “How much did she tell you about the Wolf’s Den?”

  “Just that the tips were great and that it was after-hours, so I wouldn’t have to worry about giving up my day job.”

  “That’s right. Most of the girls here have two jobs. However, I don’t take kindly to callouts.”