Read True Perfection [Aspire 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) for Free Online Page B

waitstaff, and empty plates came back to the dishwashers, often accompanied by accolades from the diners. Haley was nearly able to ignore the fact that Gordon and Warren were just beyond the kitchen, and she actually did forget about Jeffrey until she heard his raised voice. Melinda and the server came through the door at almost the same moment. The hostess was white, and Debbie looked wild-eyed.
    Haley moved to meet Melinda. “What happened?”
    “Jeffrey shoved his plate at Debbie and said some pretty awful things about you and the food, Chef.” Melinda, who had been Richard’s back up for years, didn’t rattle easily, and Haley knew it. She turned to Debbie.
    “Are you okay?”
    Debbie’s breathing began to slow, and she managed to answer. “He was a total jerk, Chef Haley. It was obvious that he had been drinking when he came in, and he pretty much chugged that bottle of wine his friend ordered. Anyway, he just blew up. I’ve never heard such language.”
    Haley was already on her way through the swinging doors, and saw Jeffrey now in a heated argument with Richard. She could see the looks on the faces of the other patrons, and her insides churned. This was so bad for business. She wanted to get Jeffrey out and gone before they had to call the police. Gordon and Warren were rising to their feet a few tables past where Jeffrey was having his tantrum, and Haley hurried to deal with the problem before they intervened. This was her restaurant and Jeffrey was her issue. She didn’t need or want their help.
    “There’s the fucking famous cunt of a chef.” Jeffrey’s slurred voice was full of venom and condescension. Haley stopped just outside of his personal space and fixed him with a stare.
    “I’m sorry if you weren’t pleased with your evening, sir,” she said quietly but firmly, “but you’ll need to leave. Now.”
    “I’m not your fucking subordinate any longer,” he snarled back at her. “We’ll leave when we’re ready. And we’re not paying for that swill we were served, bitch.”
    Haley was focussed on Jeffrey but felt his dinner partner stand and step away from the table. He put his hand on Jeffrey’s arm, and Jeffrey shook it off.
    “C’mon, buddy,” the other man said. “I’ve had enough. Let’s go.”
    “Not until I’ve told Chef Bitch here a few things,” Jeffrey shouted. “I’m a better chef than she’ll ever be, and I should be cooking here, not her. She waltzed in and stole the job right out from under me!”
    Haley knew that there was no reasoning with her ex sous chef. There was no help for it. She turned to walk away, hoping that without her presence he would leave. If not, she would call the police from the kitchen and pray that the other diners would forgive the ruination of their evening. He caught her arm and spun her around, and his other hand came up and caught her a glancing blow across the face. Haley staggered back and shoved at him. His white face flushed scarlet, and his eyes looked insane. She watched him reach out with startling speed and grab the steak knife that lay on the table, still coated with the evidence of the prime rib he had consumed that evening. Haley froze, and hard hands bit into her shoulders. She found herself spinning uncontrollably into a large, solid mass. Gordon’s arms came around her and pulled her away from the danger, but not before Haley saw Warren step in to put himself between her and Jeffrey. Even with part of her vision obscured by Gordon’s bicep, Haley saw the knife flash, and then she heard the sound Warren made. She screamed and fought Gordon’s grip.
    “Warren! Oh my God, Warren!”
    Warren and Jeffrey stepped back from one another simultaneously, and Jeffrey’s hand dropped away from the handle of the knife. A burst of crimson spread across Warren’s abdomen, the handle protruding from it like some kind obscene silver stamen. Warren staggered and was caught by Jeffrey’s friend, who lowered him into a chair. Haley