Energized by Mary Behre Page B

pantry bulb is still out, the toilet’s still jacked up, and I can only assume you didn’t clean behind the shelves.” Niall’s words came out in a series of staccato beats timed in rhythm with his toe taps.
    Tension wafted through the air like an overcharged current on a hot summer night. The hair on Hannah’s neck rose and she tried to back up but succeeded only in stepping on Karma’s toe.
    Karma clapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes watered but she didn’t make a sound. In fact, she shook her head when Hannah started to apologize. She hiked a thumb over her shoulder in a silent suggestion they head back the way they had come.
    No argument there.
    Their exit came to a sudden halt when the door didn’t move. Michael was on the other side peering through the diamond-shaped opening. Karma motioned for him to move, but he remained still, staring presumably at the office door. Not that Hannah could really see Michael’s eyes, but given Niall’s volume, it was an easy assumption to make.
    â€œYou told me before you left that one of
our
responsibilities was to do the hirings and the firings.” Ross’s voice, less grave but with considerably more volume, cut through the air. Multiplying the tension by ten. “We had a need, so I hired her. What’s the big deal? Or am I no longer qualified to hire people without permission of the great Niall Graham? I’m just some stupid kid who can’t do anything right, is that it?”
    â€œI’ve never called you a stupid anything. Hell, I told you five minutes ago that tonight’s receipts were outstanding!” Niall’s voice rose to match Ross’s decibel.
    â€œAnd I told you that we needed another server for Saturday. Dawn’s kid got sick and she had to leave early. Hannah jumped in to help. You should be thanking me.”
    â€œThanking you for what?” Niall retorted, mockery and disbelief tightening his tone.
    â€œYes, thanking me.” Ross’s voice grew marginally louder and the words slurred. “In a single stroke, I got us another trained server for Saturday and Dawn’s shift covered for tonight. Not bad for a dumb-ass kid, right? Oh great and powerful Niall.”
    â€œShould I also thank you for going out and getting wasted during business hours? Got to get your party on? Or are you going to try to tell me that you weren’t at O’Toole’s until twenty minutes ago? I should warn you, if you’re going to lie to me, that you reek of beer.”
    â€œFuck. You!”
    The door swung open, and Niall stumbled backward a few steps as if shoved. He balled his hands into fists at his thighs but didn’t raise them. Instead, he turned sideways in the door and let Ross storm past.
    Hannah and Karma pushed harder against the door to the Master Room, but Michael didn’t budge. Shoot, why couldn’t she be endowed with the gift of invisibility? Although, the way Ross ignored them, they might as well have been transparent.
    Ross didn’t pause, he turned left out of the office and stormed out the back door, nearly knocking over Paulie who must have either been coming in or waiting outside. To his credit, Paulie didn’t react. He glanced at Niall who stood red-faced and hands still fisted in the doorway to his office.
    Paulie rolled his eyes at the man, then glanced at Karma. “Trash is out and the stoves clean and prepped for tomorrow. Can I—” He nodded toward the exit. “I’m his ride.”
    â€œGo on, Paulie,” Niall said, turning to the chef. “Good-night.”
    Paulie hesitated a moment, then nodded first to Niall, then to Karma, then to Niall again. “See you tomorrow, Karma. Clock me out, Boss.”
    Hannah’s heart pumped like a marathon runner’s while she waited for Niall to notice her. Although him not noticing might be a good thing. He’d sounded pretty angry that she’d been