Carter Reed

here.”
    Everything inside of me clenched, but I couldn’t ignore Theresa. For some reason, I didn’t want to be anywhere close to the other man. However, as she crossed and grabbed my arm, she dragged me over to them and squeezed my shoulders. “This is my friend, Emma. Emma, this is Scott. He’s the night manager at Octave.”
    A seductive smirk appeared as he held his hand out for me. “Emma, it’s very nice to meet you.”
    Noah snorted in the background.
    With my skin itching, I shook his hand but released it as quickly as possible. I tried to smile so he wouldn’t know how uncomfortable I was, but I couldn’t stop the dark chill that went down my back. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mister.”
    “Emma!”
    What? I glanced at Theresa. Her mouth hung open as her eyes had widened. What?
    “Mister?” Scott grimaced but still grinned at me. “I haven’t been called that by anyone except my niece’s little friends. They call me Mr. Scott. Please, call me just Scott.”
    I nodded but moved back a step.
    Noah chose that moment to pinch Theresa’s side. She rounded on him, but he ducked her arm as he chuckled and moved at the same time. As he settled in front of me, blocking me from Scott, I knew the entire thing had been on purpose.
    I was grateful.
    He wrapped an arm around Theresa’s waist as he touched his drink to Scott’s. “So, I hear my little sister is working for you. How’d that happen?”
    “Oh, uh.” Then Scott laughed, tipping his head back. “She came in here and asked for an interview. How could I deny the little sister of The Great Noah Tomlinson? She’s a good worker, Noah. You should be proud of her.”
    Noah’s shoulder stiffened. “It’s her first night.”
    “She’s been doing great so far. I’m sure she’ll be one of the best girls within a few months. She could move all the way up to bartending the privates pretty soon.”
    “As long as she sticks to the bartending services, Scott.” A dark warning was in his tone.
    “Yeah, yeah, of course.” A sick laugh left him. “What else did you think I meant? You don’t think I’d do that to your little sister, do you?”
    “Does Carter know Brianna is working here?”
    “Why would The Big Man know? That’s my job.” An uptight tension settled over the group. Scott’s tone turned sour. “I do the hiring and firing.” He paused for a beat. “You don’t want me to fire your little sis on her first night, do you, Noah? Theresa said you were here to check on her and make sure she was doing a good job. I’m getting the opposite feeling here. I know Brianna would be upset.”
    During the exchange, I had floated back to where I felt comfortable. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but I relaxed when I felt Mike beside me.
    Theresa gave both men a strained smile. “Come on, guys. I’m feeling thirsty. Scott, could you order some wine for us? I promised Emma that we’d have wine tonight.”
    “Already did.” Scott never blinked. “It’s on the tray behind you.”
    The two didn’t look away as they stared at each other.
    I couldn’t take anymore and turned to Mike. “I don’t want him here.”
    He nodded and pressed his ear. He murmured something and it wasn’t long before someone cleared their throat from the entrance to the box. “Mr. Graham.”
    Scott turned in shock. “Gene? What are you…” His voice trailed off and his eyes looked past the man. “Is Carter here?”
    I started forward to see what Gene looked like, but Mike grabbed my elbow and held me still. “Please…Emma.”
    I relaxed and stayed where I was.
    “Can you come with me, Mr. Graham?”
    “Why?” Scott frowned and glanced at Noah with a question in his eyes. “I’m here with friends, Gene. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow unless Mr. Reed is here.”
    “Can you come with me, Mr. Graham?” The question was asked with a reinforced authority now.
    Scott’s shoulders sagged. The small battle was over. He flashed an apologetic smile to Noah and Theresa and nodded to them. “I’m needed somewhere else, but I’ll try to get back before the night is over.” He turned for me and frowned when he saw Mike’s hand on my arm. “It was nice to meet you, Emma.”
    I gave him a small smile, but Mike never moved his hand.
    Scott didn’t move. He remained and stared at me. It was another minute before Gene cleared his throat again. “Mr. Graham.” Then he shook his head and turned to leave. As soon as he left, Mike’s hand fell