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“She said you’d stabbed one of your cooks when he wouldn’t do what you said.”

Penny laughed. “Actually, that is true.” She giggled at Cal’s shocked expression. “Well, sort of.”

“What happened?”

“This guy was bugging me. He didn’t like that I’d been promoted over him. You know how guys are in the kitchen. Every word is profane and it’s a giant power play. The guy had been backing me into the corner and touching me. I told him to stop it or I’d make him stop it.”

She paused as Cal stiffened. “Don’t get all macho on me. I mean it. I took care of him.”

“How?”

There was anger in that word. His hands curled into fists and he looked ready to take on the world.

His reaction was that of a man to a woman in jeopardy. She liked that he was still one of the good guys, even if he wasn’t good for her.

“I didn’t exactly have a plan. One day I was cutting up chicken. Someone called to me. I turned, just as the guy moved close. I don’t think he meant to do anything. It was a small kitchen and really crowded. Anyway, I was holding the knife and someone bumped me from behind. I fell forward, so did the knife, which slid neatly between his ribs.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t hit anything vital and even though I told the police it was an accident and everyone backed me up on that, all the guys in the kitchen thought I’d done it on purpose. Including him.”

“What happened when he came back?”

“He called me ma’am.”

Cal grinned. “Good for you. Now you have a reputation for being a tough boss.”

“Now I have a reputation for being a dangerous bitch who’ll take out your eye if you talk back to her. I like that. It makes my job easier. I wonder how Gloria heard about it?”

“She hears everything.”

“Ah. A network of spies to admire.”

Penny was suddenly aware of the quiet of the evening. Except for the guy cleaning up the dining room they were alone. It was late, she was tired and that made her vulnerable to Cal’s appeal.