Carter Reed

  friend I told you about.

  Stay close to Noah. He can fight and will protect you. The guys will watch over you at the club.

  “Who are you texting?”

  My head jerked up and I almost dropped my phone as Theresa frowned at me. Her eyes fell to my phone and warmth surged to my cheeks as I fumbled to keep my screen hidden. I knew I was redder than red. I must’ve been a lobster because Theresa grinned and lifted an eyebrow. “Do you have a boyfriend, Emma? You haven’t mentioned him all week. I want to know!”

  I slid my eyes to Noah, who had tensed behind the steering wheel. “You didn’t mention a few things yourself.”

  Her mouth clamped shut and her cheeks grew pink. “Point taken. Well done.” She chuckled as she turned back around. “But I want to know all about him.”

  No, you don’t. You really don’t.

  I looked in the rearview mirror and saw that Noah had been watching me. I could tell he shared my unspoken thought. From what I had been told and heard, Theresa would not like Carter’s relationship with me. And yes, I frowned and hung my head. I just admitted to myself that there was something between us. I sucked in my breath and my hands started to tremble. My stomach churned and formed knots, but I had to admit that something was growing between Carter and me. He hadn’t said anything outright to me, but he desired me. I knew it. I felt it, but during the past week, he never made a move.

  He was always home when I returned from work. We had dinner every night. After that first night, I never used my bed again. When I got sleepy, he would lead me to his. He always held me in his arms and stroked my back until I fell asleep. There were a few times when I would wake in the middle of the night and he was gone. The first time, I checked the gym, but he wasn’t there. I remained awake for the rest of the night until he returned after five in the morning. No light was turned on, but I heard him return to the room and slide back into bed with me. He drew me back against his chest and wrapped his arms tight until I felt his chest move up and down in a deep sleep. When his breath evened out, I fell asleep as well.

  The second and third time when I woke to find him gone, I didn’t search for him. I fell back asleep and woke again when he returned to the bed. I always snuggled back into his arms, and when I would leave for work in the mornings, he woke as well. He never seemed tired. He was always alert and he had coffee and breakfast ready for me by the time I made it to the kitchen. Then, he’d ride with me to my job.

  Every morning he would give me a kiss as I left the car, but he never kissed me when we were at home or in his bed.

  I will come to you and find you there.

  I bit my lip. I could only imagine Theresa’s reaction. Maybe you shouldn’t.

  Why?

  Theresa is protective of Noah. She doesn’t like you.

  Has she met me?

  I couldn’t hold back my grin. He didn’t even know. No, but your reputation speaks for itself.

  She doesn’t have to see me for me to see you. I will find you.

  I wasn’t aware of the breath I’d been holding until I let it loose. Goodness. There was a promise and something ominous in his last text. Every nerve was stretched tight and ready for him. The throbbing had started when I got his first text. It was too much for me by the last one. Carter was making me go crazy over the past week. I wanted him. It was to the point where I needed him. I couldn’t think straight when it came to him.

  “We’re here.”

  As I looked out the windows, I was surprised to see that we had pulled into the alley beside Octave. Then I remembered the couple I watched from the street, as they were hurried through a side door into the club. When a door opened and two large men stepped outside, I knew it was the same thing. Noah opened his door and stepped aside as Theresa crawled over his seat and hopped out of the car. My door was opened and a giant stood next to it, waiting for me to do the same.

  As I got out, I glanced around and saw that Mike stepped next to one of the guys from the club. He blended in with them.

  “Come on, Emma,” Theresa called from inside.

  Mike nodded for me to go in so I did. He followed behind, along with three other men. As I joined Noah and Theresa in a small hallway, I saw another two men with them. She gave me a squeal and wrapped her arms around me for a hug. Her body was riddled with delight. “This is going to be so much fun.” She whispered into my ear, “I’ll never admit this to Noah, but I do like that he knows the owner sometimes. We always get the best treatment here and this place is amazing. I just don’t want them to be as close as they are. The owner scares me.”

  I hugged her back, but shook my head. A week ago, I never would’ve thought Theresa was the kind to let loose and go to a club like Octave. A lot of things would’ve surprised me a week ago. And a part of me was getting riled the more she badmouthed Carter. I understood. She obviously knew he was connected to the mob, but she had never met him. And at that thought, a different anxiety filled me. What would she think if she did meet him? Would she not want to be my friend? Or would she want more to do with Carter? I wasn’t a fool. I could tell that some of her reaction to Carter was from the intrigue and how the media portrayed him. Carter was seen as a real-life mobster from the movies. He had the smoldering looks, but he was out of reach for so many. He was too powerful.

  “Ma’am.”

  I jumped at Mike’s one word reminder.

  Noah and Theresa had followed the other two guards down the hallway. They paused halfway and waited for me, frowning at me.

  Mike and the other three guards stood behind me. I shook my head as I started towards them. Tonight was going to be interesting indeed.

  We were shown into a box that opened to a shared dancing area with two other boxes. The six guards took up positions against the wall and were camouflaged by the dark shadows; after awhile it seemed as if they weren’t even there. However, Theresa kept glancing at one of the bigger guys. She said to Noah, in an awed voice, “Your friend is really pulling out all the stops with you tonight.”

  She flashed Noah a knowing smirk, but he ignored her and frowned in my direction. We both knew the truth. They were there for me.

  It was at that moment a guy came in and approached Noah. He oozed sleaze. He was dressed in a business suit. Everything was flashy about him. His hair was gelled into spikes. His teeth were perfectly white. This was the slicked-back type of guy I thought my boss would’ve been. The two shook hands and clasped each other on the shoulder. It wasn’t long until Noah motioned Theresa over. The three of them talked for a few more minutes as drinks were brought in by two servers. Then, as I watched, Theresa laid her hand on the guy’s arm and motioned for him to bend down. She whispered something in his ear, smiling at Noah the whole time, whose frown had reappeared. Then they were laughing again.

  For some reason I wanted to melt into the background. I must’ve inched backwards without realizing it because a hand touched my elbow in a discreet manner. I jumped, turning to see Mike behind me. He gave me a small nod. “Ma’am.”

  I sighed, “Mike, you can use my name by now.”

  He gestured towards Theresa. “Your friend might be jealous, ma’am.”

  I grinned, but he was right. She wouldn’t be jealous, but she’d be curious. He had heard her thoughts on Carter. All of the guards had heard.

  “Emma, come over 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 th
at 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 from my arm and I felt like I could breathe again. I didn’t know what it was, but I was jarred from his presence.

  I looked up, “Mike, are you going to say something…” The question fell from my lips. He gave me a small grin and I knew that Carter already knew. It was why Gene had appeared, Carter’s personal bodyguard. Then I frowned. “Is Carter already here?” But Mike had resumed his original bodyguard stance back up against the wall. He blended with the shadows to be invisible so I knew he wouldn’t be answering that question.

  “That was…odd…” Theresa was frowning to herself as she poured a glass of wine from the tray a server had left. She shook her head. “Oh well. Emma, would you like a glass?”

  I nodded, relieved, as I crossed back to them. My knees were a little unsteady.

  It was an hour later, after two bottles of wine and most of the time spent on the small dance floor, when Theresa went in search for the private bathroom. As I limped my way to our seats, Noah handed me a bottle of water and patted the chair next to him. I collapsed onto it, but I wasn’t expecting what happened next.

  “Thank you.” He cast a glance over his shoulder to make sure Theresa was out of earshot. “I hate that guy. He makes my skin crawl, but I never knew if I could say something to Carter or not. I know you did that tonight.”

  Shivers went down my back again as I remembered his sick laugh. “I just didn’t like him.”

  “You shouldn’t. There are rumors that he broke whores in for the Mauricio family.”

  My stomach dropped. “Why would Carter have him work here?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know, as a favor maybe? He won’t anymore, not if he gives you the creeps. I know that much. Thank you. You have no idea. He’s been sniffing around Brianna for the last six months. I’m sure he had something to do with her getting a job here.”

  I nodded. I shouldn’t have been surprised. “Why did you seem so happy to see him?”

  Noah snorted, taking a sip from his beer. “You can’t let a guy like that know what you really think of him, not until you’re in the position to actually do something about him and I’ve never been in that position.”

  I nodded. That made sense, somewhat. I murmured, “Theresa seemed to like him.”

  “He’s charming to most females.” He cast me a sidelong glance. “You seem to be the exception. Thank god.”

  An image of Jeremy raping Mallory flashed in my mind. My hand flew up to my mouth as I felt vomit come up, but I took a deep breath and swallowed it.

  “Emma?”

  I recovered, shaking my head. “I’m fine.” A dark feeling came over me. “I’ve seen men worse than him before.” I would’ve killed Jeremy Dunvan again, if I was given a choice, but I would’ve enjoyed it the second time.

  “Ma’am?” Mike was at my side. At my look, he corrected himself. “Emma?”

  “Yes?’

  “Your ride is here.”

  “My ride?” Carter. “Oh!”

  Noah chuckled. “Go ahead. Theresa wants to stay out awhile longer. I can tell. I’ll tell her you got a ride home. Tell Carter hello for me.”

  Nerves and excitement took over me when I realized what Mike was insinuating. I was distantly aware that I reached out and gave Noah’s shoulder a squeeze as I rose, but then I was walking out of the box area and following Mike. I was barely aware of the five other guards that followed as I was led through a back maze of Octave again. This time the lights were still off and a memory rushed at me. It was the night I had come to the club with my college roommate. She had slipped away to find her boyfriend and I danced by myself until two hands slid around my waist. For one night, I gave into temptation and I allowed the touch of a stranger. I never saw him, but I felt him, and I never experienced those sensations again until Carter. The same need I felt that night, that I felt every time I thought of him, rose with a powerful intensity in me again.

  By the time I was shown through a door and into a darkened room, I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t think straight. When I saw a shadow, and felt his hand slide around my waist as I had that night, I turned into him. I surrendered ever
ything to his touch. Even before I said anything, I already knew that night had been with Carter. No other man ever made me feel as he had and being back in Octave opened the floodgates.

  I wanted him even more.

  “It was you that time before,” I gasped as Carter’s lips brushed against my neck. He lingered on my pulse. His tongue swept against it as I tried to turn around to him. I needed to feel him against me, between my legs, but his arms tightened around me. He moved behind me and pressed into me.

  He murmured against my skin, “It was me.”

  I clasped a hand over his on the other side of my neck and held it there, claiming him, as I turned in his arms. His hand slid across the front of me and I saw him. His eyes were dark with lust and need. I knew he saw the same in me, but I didn’t care any longer. I needed him, but I remembered that night. My roommate left and I’d been alone until I felt someone behind me. The liquor in me