“And it’s a good thing I decided to come check on you ladies,” Tanner said, stepping into the room. “Two strong-willed women. One who thinks she has to protect me from the world.” He narrowed his gaze at his sister. “News flash. I can take care of myself. And whatever is between Scarlett and me? Is, as she said, between Scarlett and me. Got it?” he asked Alyssa as he picked up a tomato and popped it into his mouth.
Although Scarlett didn’t need him coming to her defense, she sensed he’d needed to assert himself with his sister, so she let him without argument.
“Point taken.” Not even fazed by Tanner’s reprimand, Alyssa nodded at him and met Scarlett’s gaze. “But I like her.” Her face changed with a warm, genuine smile. “And she’s right. We should enjoy our evening.” She tossed the ingredients in the bowl, adding dressing. “Dinner’s ready.”
And Scarlett, who was used to assertive people in her job, realized she’d passed whatever test and issues Alyssa might have had with her, and her shoulders lowered in relief. Although she hadn’t come here thinking she’d have to earn her right to be in Tanner’s life, Scarlett was glad he had a sister who cared enough to look out for him.
She often wondered, if her brother had lived, whether he’d have been protective and worried about the men she dated. If he’d insert himself in her life like Alyssa had just done. And she was sad she’d never get to find out.
“Scarlett? Are you okay?” Tanner now stood behind her, hand braced on the back of her chair, as he leaned close.
She blinked, realizing Alyssa had walked out of the room. “Yes. I’m fine. I was just … thinking of Hank,” she said, deciding to be honest. “And wondering if he’d have looked out for me the way Alyssa does for you.”
“My big sister is a pain in my ass. That said…” He kissed her forehead and met her gaze. “Hank would have vetted any guy who got close to you. And for sure he would have been proud of his sister.”
Her throat filled and grew tight at his words. “Thank you,” she whispered.
His warm grin caused her heart to skip a beat. “No, thank you, for putting up with Alyssa’s shit. I’ll talk to her so she doesn’t pull a stunt like that again.”
Scarlett waved away his statement. “No need. I think she and I have come to an understanding. Besides, I like her too.”
Relief filled his expression and a definite sense of happiness lit up his eyes. “Ready to go join them in the dining room?”
She laughed and let him pull her up from her seat.
The rest of the evening passed as if the four of them were old friends. Alyssa asked a lot of questions about Scarlett’s job as she obviously tried to get to know her better. Having made her sisterly point, she’d moved on. And Scarlett was happy to do so. She liked Nick, Alyssa’s husband, and Alyssa broke her nursing school news over dessert. It turned into a celebratory night.
Later, they’d said goodbye, and she and Tanner agreed to stop by the club instead of going straight home. Scarlett didn’t want to keep Tanner from his business completely, and it was the weekend, after all.
He parked his SUV behind the building, beside a Mercedes and a Jaguar, and helped her out of her side of the car. They walked hand in hand. Just as they turned the corner leading to the front entrance to the club, someone called Tanner’s name.
He stiffened and turned slowly.
“Grayson!” a man called out a second time, as if he hadn’t acknowledged him fast enough.
Following his lead, Scarlett spun around. And came face-to-face with Victor Clark.
Tanner’s hand squeezed tighter around hers. “Go inside,” he said in a rough voice.
As if she’d leave him alone with this man.
Victor, a large man with an evil, cold look in his eyes, still managed to appear pleased to see them. “It’s been a long time,” he said, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets.
“Not long enough,” Tanner said through clenched teeth.
Scarlett ran her palm over his knuckles, trying to calm him by sheer touch.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Victor shrugged. “It’s a free country, even for me. I can come and go as I please. I like checking out how well you’ve done for yourself. It shows me how far you can fall.”
Oh, this man was slick. He didn’t issue a direct threat yet he managed to make his words sound like a warning anyway.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Tanner growled.
“Make me.” Victor took a step forward, obviously taunting Tanner.
And Tanner’s entire body vibrated with a combination of anger and tension. He’d released his hold on her and had his hands balled into tight fists.