My ear fills with the sound of snickering from all the men who heard her, too. Even Kelly is looking at me with amusement in his eyes.
Well, two can play at that game.
“Not now, sweetie, but I think Mr. Phillips could use some special attention. He’s had a rough day.”
Kelly’s grin dies on his lips, and his eyes slant in warning as she turns to him. I leave him alone as I pop out my earpiece and go downstairs to t
he far end of the bar. Sam makes his way to me, laying out a napkin.
“What’ll it be?”
“Whiskey, neat.”
He pours and places in front of me. “You have a waitress for this.”
“The women at the other end of the bar, the ones you were talking to, did you get names?”
“Yeah, I think Carrie and Miranda.”
“Thanks.” I face away from the bar and rack my brain. I don’t know a Carrie or a Miranda, but the uneasy feeling in my gut grows with every minute that passes. Two men approach them, buying them drinks. I can’t make out what they’re saying from the distance, but it’s easy to assume what these guys are thinking by the way they eye the women. One of them jerks his head and points to the back hallway.
The women lean in, talking into each other’s ear, then they stand, taking their drinks and purses and making their way to the hallway leading to the rooms.
I freeze, my heart thundering loudly when the brunette comes into full view. She’s at least fifteen feet away, but I know that body. The skin-tight dress hugs every curve of her shapely frame, highlighting her hips and ass—the same ass that sways as she walks away. Then the last piece of proof comes when she twists on her heel enough for me to see her neon pink toenails with crystals.
My blood starts to boil, roaring through my veins as Emi’s swooped into the crowd of people. One man steps to her side and takes her elbow, ushering her in front of him and disappearing behind a door.
A viewing room door.
My grip on the tumbler in my hand grows so tight the glass cracks. Rage and jealousy spike in my veins as my blood pressure skyrockets. I attempt to calm myself at the sight of another man touching her. The full picture keeps replaying through my mind.
I slam my already broken glass on the bar and take the steps three at a time until I reach our section. Kelly is alone and eyeing me with hostility.
“Nice of you to come back.”
“Not now.” I motion for him to remove his earpiece then join me at the railing.
“What the fuck?”
“Give me a second.” I inhale in a few deep breaths and feel my heart rate returning to normal. “I’ve got a problem.”
“It would seem so. You look murderous.”
“I am. Emi’s here with her best friend. They just entered a viewing room.”
He jerks, looking at me with shock. “I thought you weren’t into this.”
“I’m not! We’re not!” I yell a little too loudly, then drop my head to my chest, focusing on the floor below. “Something’s not right. Emi would never be in a place like this.”
“Listen, Scott, we don’t know each other very well, but—”
“Whatever you’re about to say, I suggest you swallow the words. I need you to cover me for a few minutes.”
“Are you about to blow this?”
I snap my head to him with such ferocity my neck cracks. He throws up a hand and steps back. “Man, I’m only asking.”
“I’ll handle this.”