“You trust my brother with your girl? You’re a brave man.”
I ignored Steph’s taunt, tapping the earpiece to disengage the microphone. I only wore the small communication device so I could keep track of what was going on, ensure the security staff didn’t need any assistance. Tonight, mostly because I knew Emily was coming and I’d wanted each person she encountered to interact with her personally and I had wanted to hear that interaction for myself.
I paused at the railing overlooking the second-level dance floor, skimmed the horde of writhing bodies in an attempt to find the two women Emily had come with.
Siobhan Fellows and Priyanka Khatri were completely harmless. At least on paper. Back when I’d learned of Emily’s newfound friendship with the two sophomores at NYU, I’d had a thorough background check performed on both and, after reviewing several reports, had deemed them both safe. After seeing Emily tonight, I had decided not only were they safe, they seemed to be a good influence on her. After she’d left Rhett and Kitty’s, I hadn’t been sure what would happen to Emily, but for the past two years, she’d blossomed, coming out of her shell just enough that I could see the beautiful, sensual woman beneath.
I finally caught sight of the two women as they stood beside the bar, chatting it up with two men they’d met earlier in the night. I knew because I’d had eyes on them the entire time. They’d come with Emily; therefore, I figured it was my responsibility to keep them safe tonight. At least while they were within the walls of the club.
I took the stairs down to the second floor, kept to the perimeter of the space, and emerged on the backside of the bar. I gave a nod to Shelly, one of the best bartenders in all of New York, as I weaved my way over to the other side.
“Ladies,” I said as I approached, drawing the attention of all four of them.
Siobhan and Priya both looked my way, their eyes bright with intoxication.
“Oh, my goddess,” Priya squealed. “You’re Knox Montgomery. You own Montage Markets.” She flashed a smile. “Plus, you know, like half the free world.”
I cocked an eyebrow. She was most definitely intoxicated.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I told them. “I wanted to let you know that I’ll be seeing Emily home this evening, so you shouldn’t wait for her.”
Priya’s eyebrows lowered and her back straightened. “Where is she? What did you do to Emily?”
I instantly liked the woman, appreciated that Emily had someone who cared enough to look after her.
“Right this minute, she’s sitting on a sofa, waiting for the doctor to look at her. She twisted her ankle.”
Siobhan snorted a laugh. “I knew she was going to hurt herself.”
It was clear Priya was attempting not to smile, but she could only fight it for so long before they were both doubling over laughing. I gave them a moment to compose themselves, and when they stood tall again, I cleared my throat to get their attention.
“I’ll have a car return you both to your dorms whenever you’re ready. Just let Jayne know. She’s the brunette stationed at the coat check.”
Their eyes were wide.
“I’ll have Emily text you so you know she’s all right.”
Still, neither of them said anything.
A second later, the song changed and it was like an electric shock to them both. Instantly they were animated once more, looking at each other and squealing something about “the best dance song ever” before they were urging their male counterparts out onto the dance floor.
I rolled my eyes and made my way back up to the third level and headed straight to the office, curious as to what I would find on the other side of that closed door.
12
Emily
After Knox left us alone, I wasable to relax a little, which was when the pain returned, my ankle throbbing enough to make me squirm in an attempt to find some relief.
“Can I get you a drink?” Kieran offered.
“Water?”
He smiled before going to the wall and opening what turned out to be a small refrigerator, discreetly hidden in one of the shelves along the back wall.
“Thank you,” I told Kieran when he handed off a chilled glass bottle.
“You are most welcome,” he said in that thick Irish brogue that had the power to set my skin aflame.
