Seven

T he Egyptian stood behind the curtain to the stage, fists clenched at his sides, his entire body rigid with tension. What the hell was he doing here? He looked at Clint who didn't like this anymore than him. "You're really going to do this?" he muttered.

The cowboy met his stare. "Not just me." He arched his brow for emphasis.

Cochise grumbled, "I didn't sign up for this."

"You kind of did," Clint said. "Same as I did—when we hitched ourselves to Axel and Kane."

"I'm good with the whole family thing," Cochise muttered. "But I didn't sign up for this."

" This is part of it."

"How?"

"Because," Clint stressed, "when you love someone, you'll do everything in your power to make them happy. I don't have to tell you that. The fact that you're still here proves you'd do anything for Kane." Clint stared at him. " But , if you want to go, I know he'll understand. Axel, too, if I changed my mind." He shrugged. "But as ridiculous as I'll feel out there… I'm willing to suffer some embarrassment to make Axel happy. I'm not saying that to guilt you into staying. No one will judge you if you change your mind."

I'll judge me , the Egyptian grumbled inwardly. What happened to the days when he lived for himself and let no one influence his decisions?

You fell in love—that's what happened.

Did he wish to go back to his former way of life? In that life, he sure as fuck wouldn't be standing here wearing almost nothing, about to dirty dance on a strip club stage.

And you wouldn't have Kane and the kids, either.

Cochise released a slow, stiff breath and stayed put.

The cowboy glanced at him, a smile tugging his mouth.

"Shut up," Cochise mumbled.

Clint chuckled. "You're a good man." He patted his arm. "Kane is lucky."

The Egyptian flinched and growled, "Don't touch me when we're practically naked. It's weird."

Clint held his hand up and took a step away, forcibly suppressing a laugh.

Focusing on Cochise kept his mind off his own grinding nervousness. Not for long. Ricky stepped through the curtain from the stage.

"Your boys are ready for you." He looked back and forth between the men. "Still doing this?"

Cochise's face twitched. "Unfortunately… yes."

"Awesome!" Ricky bounced with joy. "You're gonna have the time of your life." Ricky turned on some music then beckoned them to follow him out onto the stage.

The moment of truth was at hand and both men faltered. Cochise cocked his head at Clint to remind him of his peptalk from before. "Well?" Cochise gestured toward the stage.

Clint chuffed at the Egyptian and stepped reluctantly through the curtain. The first thing he saw was Axel standing near the far edge of the stage wearing only his red and black jockey underwear—the ones Clint found so fucking sexy. Had he deliberately worn them tonight, knowing it might aid in getting Clint's head in the game? Of course, he did.

Sneaky little shit.

Next to Axel, Kane looked as nervous as the gangsters. His tight white boxer briefs hugged his bulge quite nicely and Clint caught the slight hitch in Cochise's breath.

Not knowing where they would end up tonight, Clint had thought nothing of the white speedo underwear Axel had chosen for him after their evening shower, as they readied themselves for the surprise. Clint figured he might as well be naked, for all the covering the skimpy underwear provided.

Cochise wasn't much better off in his only-slightly-less revealing briefs that left little to the imagination.

Clint adjusted the white cowboy hat Ricky had insisted he wear and tried to get comfortable in the "boots" the club boys had provided for him. He hadn't looked in the mirror, certain he would run screaming from the club if he caught a glimpse of himself.

If our adversaries could see us now… our badass clout would be shot.

"Do I look as ridiculous as I feel?" he mumbled at Cochise.

The Egyptian chuffed and offered no verbal reply.

Clint took that as a resounding Yes.