Carter Reed 2 (Carter Reed #2)

“And the turkey exploding—”

“She’s not really worked up about the bird. It wasn’t that big of a mess either. I think she’s scared of what else he had planned with that romantic dinner.”

“Wow.” Theresa moving in with Noah. “That’s great.”

“She cries in the bathroom. I can hear her.”

“Really?”

Amanda nodded. “Every morning. She lost her family. I think she’s scared of losing him.”

I nodded slowly, and we started for the front door again. “Yeah, that makes sense.” Amanda and I shared a look. We had lost people, too. Mallory. Mallory’s baby.

“So tonight…”

“Yeah.” I pushed open the door, and we stepped through. I could see the driver behind the wheel, and the car was running, so I assumed Noah and Theresa were inside waiting for us.

Amanda walked beside me. “I have to tell you something.”

“Okay.”

Her head bobbed up and down. Some strands of her light blond hair fell free from her ponytail. She tucked them behind her ear in a distracted manner. Biting down on her lip, Amanda looked agitated.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Yeah.” She nodded again, but it was more to herself, like she was reassuring herself of something. “It is. It will be. I’m excited for tonight. I’m glad you’re coming over.”

“Me, too.” I grinned at her and reached over to squeeze her hand. She squeezed right back.

The door opened, and Theresa asked from inside, “Where did you gu—”

Then another shout drowned her out. “Miss Nathans!”

My head snapped up to see the same man from outside Joe’s. He waved his arm in the air and hurried across the road.

Suddenly three things happened at once:

One of my guards materialized out of nowhere and stopped the man. He literally blocked him, towering over the guy.

Another of the guards appeared behind me and cupped my elbow in his hand. As he directed me to a different car, he said to Amanda, “Please, get inside. Emma will be coming with us.”

Then I was hurried into another vehicle, and we sped off—even before Theresa and Noah’s car. I turned around to find Thomas inside, along with the driver. I hadn’t even known they were around. Only Michael had accompanied us to the range, and I thought they trusted my security to be adequate with him and Noah, but I’d been wrong.

Before we turned the corner, I saw a second car speed toward the guy who’d yelled, and more of Carter’s guards got out. I relaxed, knowing my guard wasn’t alone, but then I focused on the guy. This was the second time and second place he’d appeared. This was no coincidence. He was there for me, and apparently, I was Miss Nathans.

Before I could get a good look at him, we turned, so I turned to Thomas. “Who is that man?”

He didn’t answer at first, but then said, “We’ll find out.”

“Where’s Carter?” He’d been gone this morning, but he’d been disappearing every night and for longer hours than normal. I hadn’t been questioning it, but that time was done. I needed to know what was going on.

“He’s in New York again.”

“Will he be there all night?”

He hesitated again. “I believe so. He’s supposed to be calling you about it.”

Fine. I’d have my night with Amanda, and then tomorrow I’d hunt Carter down whether he wanted it or not. “I am going to Amanda’s tonight,” I said, to make sure there was no confusion. “I don’t care who that guy is. I’m going.”

He nodded. “Of course, Emma.”

I grinned. “You’re just saying my name so I don’t make your night hell and demand to go to Carter, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” A flicker of a grin appeared, then vanished, and Thomas went back to being his stoic, statue-like self.

I relaxed back against my seat. Little did he know, I was going to be that nightmare tomorrow. He could have peace for one night.

“Who was that guy?”

That was Amanda’s first question when I walked through the door after going home to change. Instead of answering, I took my coat off and put my purse on the counter.

Glancing around, I asked, “Is Theresa already gone?”

Amanda’s head was deep inside the oven as she answered. “Yeah. Did you call Carter about the restaurant?”

I hadn’t, but I’d called the restaurant myself. Spying a bottle of wine and two empty glasses beside it, I started to pour. “They’ll be taken care of.”

“Oh, good.” She emerged and gave me a lopsided grin, brushing her arm over her forehead as some hair covered her eyes. “Hey, you look nice.”

I glanced down. I’d swapped the sweatshirt and jeans I wore at the gun range for a sweater and pair of pants. It wasn’t much, but they were nicer quality than the clothes I would’ve been wearing a little over a year ago. “Thanks.” Handing her glass of wine, I asked, “So what’s the news?”

“Oh, jeez. You get right to it, don’t you?”

I nodded, taking a sip. “I’m waiting.”