“Hearst is forcing Drew into marriage too,” Rick supplies, as two sets of eyes flit to Manning.
“Is she hot?” Lauder asks, and I roll my eyes.
“Have you been smoking again?” He promised he was going to lay off that shit. Because we need everyone with full working brain cells.
“No.” He frowns.
“Then engage your brain, fuckwad.” I jerk my head in Drew’s direction. Lauder isn’t known for his tact, but he could cut the poor guy a break.
Funnily enough, the strain that’s been evident between Lauder and me since Abby appeared on the scene is gone now. Allowing him into our bedroom confirmed what I’ve known all along.
Abby is mine.
For now and always.
Deep down, I know Lauder knew that, but he needed something visual to confirm it.
It’s weird that that broke the ice.
But it did.
I still can’t fucking believe it went down.
I mean, we’ve done shit with chicks together in the past.
But Abby is different.
She has always been the exception to every rule. And I’m not sharing her with anyone. Ever.
My dick stirs in my pants, reminding me it’s been six days since I was buried balls deep in my woman. At least I know that part of my anatomy is still in full working order.
“Manning knows I’m joking.”
Drew slants him a deadly look that confirms he knows nothing of the sort.
Hunt and Lauder are still suspicious of him, and I know it’s in part tied up with the renewal of our friendship. They still don’t trust him one hundred percent and until he has completely proven himself to them, they will continue to hold back.
Can’t fault them for that.
“Was anything else agreed with Abby before she left?” Hunt asks. He can always be counted on to refocus any conversation.
“No. We pretty much already agreed to the plan,” I say. “You and Xavier will continue to dig into Hearst’s background and work on hacking into the basement security system. Drew will get Abby those names, and she’ll get her crew to start digging for dirt on the board members and the few elite members we target. Drew will set up meetings with the board members so him and Abby can get them on our side. And Abby will work on being the perfect wife, while manipulating Charlie into getting him to bring her to the dungeon.”
Lauder arches a brow, and I shake my head. I’m not getting into another discussion about it because I’m liable to hit one of my friends if all this pent-up anger doesn’t find an outlet soon.
“I’ll repair my relationship with Charlie too. Pull the brother-in-law card.” Drew’s eyes flit to mine, as if it’s only just occurred to him that that’s what we are to one another now. “I need to stay close to him and that asshole Montgomery.”
“Good call.” If I can’t protect Abby in person, I’m comforted knowing Drew can. An idea pops into my head. I can put a guy on Charlie. Someone to shadow him discreetly so I can see what he’s up to. And who knows? Maybe we’ll find some dirt we can use against him. While I’m at it, I’ll put someone on Abby too. They won’t be able to guard her too often because they won’t be able to shadow her in school or at Charlie’s house, but I like the idea of someone being close by in case I need backup, and he can tail her whenever she leaves the house.
I make a mental note to chat to Lauder about it in a while. His father has an expert team at his disposal. He got himself in deep with the wrong crew a few years back, and he’s had to watch his back ever since. The Lauders are well versed with taking protective details with them whenever they step out into the public domain. Lauder’s old man wanted to sic someone on him when we moved here, but it was too risky in case it gave the game away. I know Lauder has enjoyed not feeling someone breathing down his neck or watching him twenty-four-seven. Even though it would’ve come in handy when we were attacked at the airport.
“What about me?” Jackson asks. “I want to be involved.”
“You’ll act as back up to all of us, slotting in wherever you’re needed.” I’ll ask him to keep tabs on Abby in school, because I can’t risk being seen looking at her or engaging with her even if Abby threatens the other students into silence.
“In other words, you’ll be our bitch,” Rick jokes. Lauder flips him the bird, but he takes it in his stride.
“Rick and I will work on the plans for Atticus,” I confirm. I refuse to call him Father. He lost that right when he murdered our mother, brainwashed me into believing Abby was the devil’s spawn, and gave up our two youngest brothers for adoption.
