The Auction (Club Indulgence Duet, #1)(89)

I wiggle my eyebrows. "You can still spread it all over me if you want."

He chuckles. "Maybe after you get some rest. I don't recall ever seeing you so exhausted. If Noah and Ears are working you too hard—"

"They aren't!" I interject, then yawn and say, "Tell me about the charity event. How did you get everything donated?"

The ego that I love so much washes over him. He leans his face toward mine, claiming, "Because your husband knows how to get things done."

I laugh, confirming, "I'm aware of this."

His face falls. "You and I have the same opinions on these events. I hate them just as much as you. But, if we can do something good with our status, then we should. So let's be the couple that does better."

Everything about his statement makes me happy. It's just another reason I love him so much. I curl into him and lean up to kiss him.

He returns my affection.

I retreat. "Hey, I-I wanted to ask you something."

He arches his eyebrows.

My pulse increases. I inquire, "Have you told my father we're married?"

A brief moment of anxiety fills his face. It disappears quickly, and he replies, "No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

I should have considered it long before now. We've been married for over a month. But I've been so engrossed in Riggs and my career that it didn't occur to me. I admit, "Today, it crossed my mind that you and my father are business partners. At some point, he's going to find out. How is that going to work for you? Plus, once my singles get released, and the promotion begins, it won't be hard for him to figure out how to find me."

Surprise registers on Riggs's face.

I blurt out, "We should have thought about this."

"Why? Are you regretting marrying me?" he questions.

"No! Of course not! I hate for you to have to deal with my father's wrath, but I also don't know how we avoid it."

Riggs chuckles.

"What's so funny?" I question.

Arrogance washes over him. In his most confident tone, he answers, "One, your father and I aren't going to be partners much longer."

Shock fills me. "You're not?"

His eyes darken so intensely, a chill runs down my spine. He tightens his arm around me and affirms, "No. And two, there's nothing your father can do to hurt you or me. He's weak."

I don't doubt Riggs's strength, but I also know my father.

Riggs sees my worry. He strokes my cheek, insisting, "You have nothing to worry about, pet."

I hesitate, then ask, "What did he do to you? Will you please tell me?"

A few moments pass, with tension building between us. Riggs finally rolls onto his side, strokes the curve of my waist, and says, "This is between us."

"Of course," I reply.

Riggs studies me, then announces, "Your father stole from our client accounts and me."

I gape at him, speechless. My father is a lot of things, but a thief?

He adds, "It's hundreds of millions of dollars."

My mouth turns dry. I inquire, "Will he go to jail?"

A sinister smile lights up Riggs's darkened expression. "No. I'm taking care of things, so it's not public, but your father will soon have no money. It's better than doing hard time. All the things he takes for granted and waves in everyone's faces will disappear."

I swallow hard, asking, "How?"

He kisses my lips. "Don't worry about it. I have everything under control."

My belly quivers. I hate my father, yet he's still my blood. A moment of sympathy hits me.

"You don't like the thought of your father suffering?" Riggs questions.

Visions of all the bad things my father did to me over the years, including kidnapping me twice and ordering me to choose to marry a man who disgusts me, fill my mind. And stealing, screwing over Riggs and his clients, adds to my disgust. I softly admit, "He deserves to lose everything."

While I believe in my statement, something about Riggs's admission nags at me. I can't put my finger on what bothers me about it.

Riggs palms my cheek, insisting, "He can't harm you, pet. Don't fret over this. Plus, I'll go to my grave protecting you."

I convince myself Riggs has everything under control. I smile at him. "I know you will."

I fully believe my statement. He'll always protect me. He's my husband. No matter what my father tries to do to retaliate, Riggs will make sure I'm protected.

I snuggle into him and fall asleep in his arms; safe, warm, and happy in the belief Riggs would never hurt me.





28





Riggs





As soon as I close the latest deal, I leave the office and pull out of the parking garage.

A black Charger veers into my lane a few cars behind me. My gut says something is off. I'm unsure why, but I don't ignore my gut feelings.

I detour through a few L.A. side streets, and the black Charger is still there.

Am I being followed?

I speed up, weaving in and out of heavy traffic for a few blocks. The Dodge stays far enough behind, and it could be a coincidence, but I'm not taking any chances.

I turn on my blinker to go right, and at the last second, I cut across the intersection in the opposite direction.