“Strip,” I rush out without another thought, and a moment later, Ringo’s chair scrapes against the floor as he stands abruptly.
9
I’m about to throw my wife over my fucking shoulder when she spins on me, holding up a stern fucking finger.
“Don’t.”
“The fuck are you doing, woman?” I snap, and a slow smirk tugs at her pink lips.
“I didn’t think you would be so insecure.” She nods her head back towards Riggs, and I ignore Griffin’s and Devon’s fucking cackles at my fucking expense.
“You want to see cock, darlin’? You only have to ask,” I growl, and her brows shoot up as her cheeks flush pink.
“I’m trying to see if he’s hiding anything under his vest.” She grits between clenched teeth, her eyes turning to murderous slits as she glares at me.
“Doas she asked,” Griffin orders, still trying to stop fucking laughing at me. “Show us all what you’re packing.”
“Not a problem.” Riggs stands from his chair, and as my wife turns to watch the fucking strip show, I drag her back against me, wrapping my arm across her chest protectively.
Okay, so probably more possessively, but fuck, I’m only fucking human.
Bec and Amanda giggle quietly together as they watch on, and Hush doesn’t even bother watching the show, too busy spinning her fucking massive knife in her hand like it’s a fucking fidget spinner.
Like me, Jared looks annoyed, his eyes trained on his girl, rather than the strip show happening right in front of my wife.
“I don’t have anything to hide,” Riggs declares as his heavily padded tactical vest hits the floor, leaving him standing in a black long sleeve Henley. “I am loyal to the Marx family, and I wouldneverput a child in danger.”
Reaching behind his neck, he pulls off his shirt, revealing his fucking eight pack and the coiled brawn of his arms.
Abbey stiffens against me, while two slow whistles come from the Angel sisters, who seem to be enjoying this show the fucking most.
Holding his arms out, Riggs does a slow turn, showing the room his entire fucking physique. It’s hard to believe this man is in his forties.
“As you can see, I’m not wearing a wire.” When he faces us again, his hands shift to the buckle of his belt. “You need to see more?”
“No,” Abbey rushes out, right as the Angel sisters declare, “Yes,” in unison.
The corner of his lips kick up at the playful sisters’ eagerness, but he’s a smart man. He doesn’t take his eyes off Abbey, nodding at her and bending to pick up his shirt off the floor.
“My name is Seth Riggs,” he starts talking casually as he re-dresses, “I grew up with Conrad Marx, the second eldest of Ewan’s children. Ewan made me one of his soldiers when I was fourteen, and by the time I was twenty-nine, I became Captain.”
As soon as his shirt is back on, covering all that fucking skin, I relax a little, and so does Abbey.
Did she like what she saw?
Fuck that. I’ll remind her with my tongue and cock exactly what she’s got, so she doesn’t fucking think about him shirtless again.
“While I understand that you don’t truly know me, or even the Marx family,” Riggs continues, slipping his vest back on. “I hope you will allow me the opportunity to prove that my men and I will do what it takes to get your little girl back safely.”
In my arms, Abbey slowly nods, her dainty fingers coming up to grip my arm wrapped across her chest for support.
“I’m sorry. I’m just… paranoid, I guess.”
“Fuck that,” Jared hisses from his chair. “You have a right to be concerned, Abbey. Someone is snitching.”
Everyone in the room nods at that, and Abbey turns in my arms, those big caramel eyes locking with mine.
“Who could it be?” she asks, her voice laced with concern.
