“Because you’re on your feet all day and never sleep.”
“You know me too well.” Alexis lifted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”
Liv swallowed away the sour taste of nerves and guilt. Alexis was a new business owner, probably barely turning a profit. She hated to put her on the spot, but she had to get Jessica away from Royce. “I need to ask you for a favor.”
“Of course. Anything.”
“I need you to hire someone.”
Alexis tilted her head. “Like, someone specific?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,” Alexis said slowly. “Who?”
“A young woman named Jessica. She works at Savoy.”
Alexis’s face went blank for the briefest of moments. But with a rapid blink, the moment passed. “And you need me to hire her because . . . ?”
Liv let out a long breath. “Something sort of happened.”
Alexis sat up straighter. “What kind of something?”
Five minutes later, the entire story hung in the air between them like a rancid smell, the kind that would whip in from the back-alley dumpsters whenever the busboys would go out for a smoke on a hot night. Alexis’s expression was the same too—pinched and nauseated.
A deep swallow tightened the cords of Alexis’s throat. “What are you . . . what are you going to do?”
Liv shrugged. “Whatever I can to help Jessica and stop Royce.”
Alexis did the rapid-blink thing again. “What do you mean, stop Royce?”
“Stop him from doing this again. There’s no way Jessica is the only woman he has done this to, but she’s going to be the last.”
Alexis shot to her feet and threw open the door. Beefcake and Howler saw their chance to escape, but Alexis either didn’t notice or didn’t care when they skittered between her legs into freedom. Liv hovered in the doorway of the office, mouth agape as she watched Alexis grab a bottle of bourbon and two glasses. Alexis wasn’t much of a drinker. Never had been. But when she returned to the office, poured a single shot, and threw it back, Liv felt the dual smack of shock and realization. “You’re not surprised to hear this, are you?”
Alexis filled both glasses this time and handed one to Liv. “Royce has always had a reputation.”
“A reputation?”
Alexis stared at the second shot but then pushed it away.
“You knew he was like this?”
Alexis sat down again.
“And it never occurred to you to tell me?”
Alexis winced. “I wish I could hire Jessica, but I can’t. I’m sorry. I’m barely squeaking by as it is with the staff I already have.”
“She probably doesn’t get paid very much as it is. Maybe she could just start—”
“I can’t, Liv. I’m sorry.” Her sharp tone left no room for argument.
Liv wanted to be pissed, but had no right to be. It was a long shot from the start. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot.”
“What about you?” Alexis asked.
“I’ll find something.”
“The Parkway Hotel is looking for kitchen staff. I know the head chef there. I could call him tomorrow.”
Liv nodded absently. “That’d be great. Thanks.”
“How are you for money in the meantime?”
If anyone else had asked the question, Liv would have bristled at the bluntness, but this was Alexis. Practical and steadfast. A wise old aunt in the body of a thirty-year-old. “I have enough in savings for a few months.”
“I’m sure Rosie will give you a break on rent and bills.”
“She already does.”
Alexis reached across her desk and squeezed Liv’s arm. “I’m sorry, Liv. I know how disappointing this must be for you after how hard you’ve worked.”
“I’ll survive.” It was the story of her life. She’d learned quickly as a child how to adapt to new circumstances. You learned a lot of lessons when you grew up with two warring parents who were too busy trying to one-up each other to notice that with every argument, every custody hearing, every petty slight, they were yanking the rug out from beneath their daughters’ feet. She’d survived worse. She would survive this.
“Maybe this is a sign,” Alexis said after a pause.
“Of?”
“You’ve proven yourself. You’re talented and ambitious. Why don’t you just take a loan from your sister and—”
Liv felt her jaw tighten. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Just because I know rich people doesn’t mean I can treat them like an ATM. Money ruins relationships. Trust me, I know.”
Alexis winced. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I don’t understand what that’s like.”
Dammit. Liv shook her head. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m sorry. I know you’re just trying to help. I’m just—” She let out a frustrated noise, interrupting