The ma?tre d’ greeted us with complete deference, and only a few heads turned as we walked back toward our table. No one approached, and no one lifted phones for pictures or videos.
Ned was seated when we came around the corner, and his eyes widened. Because I was so much taller than Allie, he saw me first. He set his drink down and moved to stand when Allie greeted him with a wide, stunning smile.
“Ned,” she gushed. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.”
His gaze bounced back and forth between us. “The pleasure is all mine.” He cleared his throat. “I wasn’t aware Emmett was joining us tonight.”
I gave him a smile and pulled Allie’s chair back. She sat gracefully, motioning for us to join her. “Please. Don’t stand on my account.”
Ned and I took our seats, and he tugged at the collar of his shirt.
“Tough loss on Sunday,” Allie said. “Tampa is hard to contain.”
I sat back in my seat and waited for him to answer with a raised eyebrow.
“Uh, yeah.” Ned blinked. “Looks like Washington is off to a similar start.”
She hummed, eyes locked on her menu. “Our division is tough this year, no doubt about it. We’ve struggled at quarterback since James retired, so that doesn’t help.”
“So that’s why we’re here?” Ned’s face turned an unattractive shade of red as he set his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “I’m not going to hand him over to Washington because you took me out to dinner and look good in a dress.”
“Watch it,” I growled.
Ned gave me a quick, nervous glance, his face leeching a little bit of that color.
Allie sat back in her chair and leveled him with an ice-cold look. “I’m not asking you to hand him over to my team, Ned.”
I gave her a quick glance. She ignored me.
Ned blinked. Then blinked again.
Allie pulled the black leather portfolio out and slid it toward him.
“What’s that?”
“The reason you’re going to allow trade offers on Emmett before the November deadline.”
His face leeched of color, the red disappearing like someone pulled a plug on a drain. “You’re blackmailing me?”
She tilted her head. “A man with nothing to be held over his head wouldn’t usually jump to that conclusion.”
I gripped my hands together tightly under the table. Mostly because I was trying not to sock him in the fucking jaw, but because this was the most nervous I’d been in my entire life. Allie sat perfectly still while Ned flipped open the portfolio. His brow furrowed.
“What does this prove?” He scoffed. “Strip clubs aren’t illegal.”
Allie took a slow sip of her water, then set it back down on the table. A server approached the table, and Allie gave him a polite smile. “How about a bottle of champagne in about ten minutes?” She turned her expectant eyes to Ned. “I think we’ll have something to celebrate, don’t you?”
I smothered a smile at the sheer annoyance that flashed in his eyes.
“Yes, of course,” the server answered smoothly.
When he’d left the dining alcove, Allie crossed her legs and settled her hands in her lap. “Of course, strip clubs aren’t illegal. That’s not my issue. But those next few pictures? The redhead with the very distinct tattoos who’s accompanying you into the VIP room?” The polite smile disappeared. Her eyes flattened. And if Ned’s balls didn’t shrivel up in fear at that moment, then he was a stronger man than I gave him credit for. “She was seventeen at the time.”