Page 8 of Strip Search

In the end, everything worked out like it should. The day Zoey married my best friend, we all became a family. They know they can call on me no matter what, and I got two of the most adorable nieces and nephews to spoil in return. Placing Zoey firmly in the friend zone was the best choice I ever made, too. Smitty hates it that I take her side more often than not, but it’s pretty entertaining when he gets flustered by the whole thing.

“Babe, I’m going to walk Cole out. You good for a few?” Smitty kisses Zoey’s forehead.

“Hey, you don’t have to.” I attempt to stop him from going with me, knowing he’s only going to push for answers. “Stay here with your wife and baby Jax.”

“I’m fine. Rhys and Kelsey are going to stay for a little bit longer. Lay Gabby on the sofa and go,” she smiles brightly at him. Twelve hours of labor and the woman looks like nothing happened.

Smitty gives her one more kiss then whispers, “I love you,” before he follows me out into the hall.

As we make our way to the elevators, I check out everyone around us. I can easily spot the guys I put here to watch over my friends. I’m surprised Smitty hasn’t picked up on it – yet. But as far as Russel Ives is concerned, and the goons he left behind, I’m not taking any chances. I won’t stop until I know we’re all truly safe.

I’ll give Smitty credit, he waits until we get on the elevator before he starts interrogating me about what he thinks he knows. “You want to tell me what’s going on now?”

“Christ, Smitty. When didwestart doing this shit? You’re getting soft at your old age.”

Smitty lets out a snort and flips me off. “Nothing soft here man. What the hell has been bothering you? When I walked into the waiting room, you looked like you were ready to rip someone’s head off.”

“That’s because I was. I’m so close to nabbing this fucker, and then Molly goes and steps right into the lion’s den. After I told her absolutely not!” I can’t help the anger in my voice as I confide in Smitty.

“Fuck,” he snaps back. He knows all too well that Molly getting involved won’t end well. “I knew she was stubborn, but hell, what makes her think that she’s qualified to get involved?” Smitty asks.

I pinch the bridge of my nose as the elevator dings and the doors open on the lobby floor. “I don’t know man. I have no fucking clue. I know I’ve trained her well, but she’s in way over her head on this. There’s no way she’s ready to be in the field like this.”

“Not to mention you’dneverlet her run with the big boys.”

It’s my turn to flip Smitty the finger. Didn’t take him long to figure out how I felt about Molly, nor did it take him long to figure out that I’d put her on this pedestal and marked her off limits.

“These assholes are deadly. She knows it. Man, when she walked in earlier today with this hairbrained idea, I told her flat out that it wasn’t going to happen!”

We continue walking through the lobby and out into the parking lot, now more aware of our surroundings and what we say out loud.

For the first time in my life, I’m fucking terrified of what may happen next. Nothing, not even six tours overseas and twenty years in the Marines made me feel like this.

“She’s there right now. Filling out paperwork for this fuckingjobthat she thinks she’s working. That’s what Cody text me to tell me. They hired her on the spot. He liked her innocent look and thinks she’ll be a huge hit. He’s going to make her a star. On a motherfucking stripper pole.”

Smitty laughs, and I want to punch him in his face. “Guess we know where you’ll be spending all of your free time now.”

“This shit isn’t funny.”

My friend’s face falls. “You’re right. It’s not. We all know it. There’s no going back now though. I don’t know what to tell you, except keep a close watch on her.”

I glare at the man standing next to me. “Like I need you to tell me that.”

“You don’t. But if you had taken my advice a while back and told her the truth...” Smitty’s voice trails off.

“Yeah, that’s not happening. I’m not about to blur the line with an employee.”

“She’s more than that, and you know it. Maybe it’s time you admitted it.”

“What I know, is that I’m driving my ass right over to her condo and waiting for her and Cody to get back. That cocksucker is going to get an ass-whoopin' for going along with her.”

“Oh shit.” Smitty chuckles at the mention of my kid brother. “He was dumb enough to go with her?”

“Or smart enough, depending on how you look at it. At least with Cody’s eyes on Molly, she had some sort of protection. They’re both idiots though,” I answer. “Listen, I appreciate the pep talk or whatever you want to call this. I do. Do me a favor though and take your ass back in there and be with your wife and the baby. Focus on them. I’ll deal with this bullshit.”

“You know, you don’t have to take this douche bag down by yourself.” God. This man is as stubborn as they come and loyal to a fault. I get it though; this whole situation is personal to him.

“Actually, I do. The department backed off, remember? Your badge says you’ll stay out of it. Don’t make me kick your ass.”

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