by Marie Tuhart
“Bull.” Colby placed his hands on her shoulders. “I can’t help you if you won’t talk to me.”
She needed to tell him, or she’d betray his trust in her. “My ex came by the café today.”
“He what!” Colby whirled away from Lara as his fingers curled into fists. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
“Because I knew it would upset you.”
“And you’re not upset?” He stared at her.
“I am.”
“What did he say?”
“Colby, this is what I was worried about. You getting all angry over Walter showing up.”
Colby’s stared at her. “Of course, I’m angry. That man was part of your kidnapping.”
“He didn’t kidnap me, my brothers did.”
Colby took a deep breath. “He was an accessory, and you agreed to the charges. Here’s what we’re going to do. We are going to go sit down, and you are going to tell me exactly what happened.” His voice was deep. His Dom side was coming out. He would protect her.
Lara sighed, but he was right. He needed to know.
Colby guided her to the sofa and tugged her down. “Tell me.”
She poured out the story, and Colby made a mental note to give Bear and his friends not only his thanks but a discount at the shop. When Lara was done, Colby’s temper hadn’t cooled. The ex tried to blackmail her. Another nail in the coffin.
He pulled out his cell, put it on speaker, and dialed.
“What’s up, Colby?” Jordan’s voice came through the speaker.
“What are you doing about Lara’s ex?” Colby’s voice was demanding answers.
“I’ve got a meeting with a judge tomorrow about a no-contact order.”
“What about the blackmail?”
“What? Lara didn’t tell me about blackmail. Give me the details.”
Colby glared at her before he laid out that her ex had threatened to go to the press about something he had on Colby. The only thing Colby could think of was the club.
“Well, after Damon and Tessa, everyone knows about the club anyhow,” Jordan said.
“I don’t want any backlash to anyone at the club, let alone any of you,” Lara said.
“All I can say is that we’ll be fine. Do you want to add to the charges already filed against your ex? It will be your word against his since there are no witnesses,” Jordan said.
“Oh but there are,” Colby said. “Bear and his men were in the café. They heard everything.”
“Well, that changes things. The ball is in your court, Lara,” Jordan said.
“Can I think about it?”
“Sure. Give me a call tomorrow morning, early. I’ll be talking to the judge at ten about no-contact orders, so that’s another ball in our corner.” The line went dead.
“You should press charges,” Colby said.
“I know, but I don’t want anyone else affected by my stupid family.” She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t want anything to blow back on the club. I’m thinking about more than just me and you.”
“Well, let’s just take care of that, too.” Colby grinned and dialed another number, putting his phone on speaker. “Wicked Sanctuary, Max speaking.”
Lara’s eyes widened.
“Max, it’s Colby.” He quickly outlined what had happened and Lara’s concerns.
“Go after the bastard,” Max said. “I’m sure everyone knows about the club by now. We’ll be fine. After Damon and Tessa’s press conference, membership actually went up.”
“Thanks, Max.” Colby hit the end button and looked at Lara. “Does that help?”
“Yes, but honestly, I need to talk to Aunt Tammy; this could affect her as well.”
“Then let’s talk to her.” No matter what Lara tried to put in his way, Colby was going to get her to press blackmail charges against her ex, even if she dropped them later or they pleaded out. But he was glad she’d talked to Jordan about a restraining order.
Next door, Lara, at Colby’s insistence, laid out what had happened.
“Walter did what?” Aunt Tammy hit the table with her hand before she stood up and crossed the room and picked up her landline phone.
“Aunt Tammy?” Lara asked.
Tammy waved her hand. Colby watched Tammy’s face; she was mad. Spitting mad, as Colby’s mother would say.
“Lawrence, enough is enough.”
Lara jumped up from the table, but her aunt put her hand up, and Lara stopped in her tracks.
“I mean it, Lawrence. I’ve had enough of your shenanigans. Stop pushing Walter at Lara; he wasn’t right for her. Never was. But what you’re doing now is pushing the boundaries of family.”
Her aunt’s fingers tightened around the phone. “If that’s how you feel, I can’t change your mind. But I can remind you I sit on the board of the bank as the majority owner.”
Lara could hear her father yelling as Aunt Tammy hung up the phone.
“Let him chew on that,” Tammy said.
“You sit on the board of the bank?” The astonishment in Lara’s voice didn’t surprise him, and it was good for her that the truth was coming out.
“Of course, I do.” Tammy retook her seat and put her hands on the table. “My dear departed Ephraim started the bank. When he died, he made sure I was a majority owner. I let your father run it because I had no interest in running it, and he did a good job.”
“But you encouraged me to go to another bank for the loan to buy the ice cream shop and expand.”
“I did, because I didn’t want people to think the family just gave you money. It’s bad enough your father has control over the initial loan.”
“Maybe not for long,” Lara said, explaining she’d decided to consolidate everything under one loan, and the approval was almost done.
“Good girl,” Aunt Tammy said.
“Aunt Tammy, you are a dark horse, keeping your position from us,” Colby said, feeling better now than he had when Lara first told him what happened.
“I know how to play poker, young man, and don’t you forget it. Now, why don’t you two go home and make whoopee.”
“Aunt Tammy.” Lara’s cheeks turned red, but Colby just laughed.
“I can’t think of anything better.”
Chapter 15
The next week, Lara felt like she was walking on egg shells. She hadn’t heard from her ex or her brothers or her father. The silence was scary but welcome. Lara could only hope things would settle down.
She’d talked with Jordan. The judge had approved a no-contact order and gave her ex a judicial smackdown with a very stern warning that bail would be revoked if Walter stepped out of line again. In addition, the DA made it clear that they would add witness intimidation to the kidnapping charges if Walter or her brothers attempted to contact her again, so there was that. She didn’t press charges against her ex for blackmail even though Colby wanted her to.
Jordan let her know the family lawyer was still trying to work a plea deal for the kidnapping charges. So far, there was nothing else worth mentioning to her, but Jordan wanted to keep her informed as things continued.
Lara glanced at the clock. “Megan, you need to get going. I don’t want you to be late for your class.” It was almost two, and the lunch crowd had thinned out.
“Thanks, Lara.” Megan took off her apron, then got her bag from the kitchen area. “I really appreciate you allowing me time off to take my class.”
Lara smiled as Megan left. Megan wanted to go back to school but needed this job, so they’d worked out a schedule. Megan wanted to work with computers, so she started taking classes at the local college.
Lara cleaned tables and around the café. The loan officer at the bank had called her today. The loan to buy the ice cream shop was moving its way through the system, and he expected pre-approval within a week.
Good. Then she could put an offer in to Mr. Torrino and go from there. With a spring in her step, Lara stepped behind the counter as Bear and his friends came
in.
“Hi, guys. The usual?”
“Perfect,” Bear said.
“Yeah,” came the chorus from the other three.
Lara smiled and started making their favorites. A veggie wrap, beef and bean wrap, ham and cheese sandwich, and two polish bagel dogs. She put the plates on the tray, then put together a plate of desserts.
“We didn’t order dessert,” Bear said when she returned with beverages.
“I know, but you guys deserve something sweet on the house.” She walked away with a smile. With the amount these guys tipped, giving them dessert wasn’t a big deal.
Lara was cleaning up when the door opened and two police officers walked in. “Afternoon, officers. Can I help you?”
“Good afternoon, ma’am. We’ve received a report of a disturbance here.” The officer looked over at Bear and his friends.
“I don’t know who called you, but there is no disturbance.” Lara had a good idea of who made that call. Her family couldn’t leave well enough alone. It also gave her confirmation that they were watching the café. She shivered. “Bear and his friends are regular customers and have never caused a problem.”
“Have they intimidated you into saying that?” the blond officer asked.
“No.” Lara fished her cell phone out of her pocket. “Hi, Colby, can you come down to the café, please. I’m fine. I need you.” Once Colby confirmed he was on his way, she called Jordan. “Jordan, I need a lawyer at the café. Now.” She nodded. “Thanks.”
“My lawyer is on his way.”
“You’re not under arrest or anything, ma’am, but we do need to talk with the bikers.”
“I didn’t call for the attorney for myself, and I’d rather you wait to talk to my friends until my attorney gets here. I’m protecting their rights.”
“It’s okay, Lara. We’ll talk with them,” Bear said.
The officers approached the table. Lara noticed Bear and his friends looked wary, but they talked to the officers. Lara stood close, but not too close. As the officers turned after talking to the bikers, Colby walked in.
“Trouble?” he asked, looking at the officers.
“No. Someone—” She broke off as her brothers and ex walked into the café. She looked to the ceiling. Oh, she so didn’t need them to be here.
Colby glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll take care of them.”
“No.” Lara gripped his arm. “Officers?”
“Yes, ma’am? Sorry, we disturbed you and your patrons.”
“I understand, but these three.” She pointed to her brothers and ex. “I want them out of here. There is a no-contact order against all three of them, and they’re out on bail on kidnapping charges.”
“Oh?” the blond officer took a step toward them.
“We’re family,” Keith said, standing his ground.
“That doesn’t matter,” the first officer said as the second one stepped outside.
The bikers stood up at her words.
“They’re going to kill us,” Walter whispered.
“Miss Lara, thank you for the wonderful food as always,” Bear said, glaring at her brothers and ex. He nodded at Colby and walked outside.
Two more police cars pulled up, along with an SUV. Logan climbed out of one of the police cars, and Jordan out of the SUV.
“Listen to us, Lara. Get rid of the bikers and your boy toy here, and all your troubles will be over,” Keith said.
“Now that sounded like a threat.” Logan’s voice was loud and clear. He’d entered her café with the one officer. Three more stood outside.
Colby turned, keeping his body between her and her brothers, a gesture Lara appreciated, but didn’t need.
“Lara?” Jordan asked.
“Do it. I’m done.” She was
“Gentlemen,” Logan started. “You’re all under arrest for violation of a no-contact order and violating your bail conditions.”
“What am I under arrest for?” Walter sputtered.
“For extortion and violation for the no-contact order.” The officer grabbed Walter’s wrists and cuffed him.
“It was a joke,” Walter said. “Come on, Lara; you know I was only joking about exposing that you’re into kink.”
Silence fell on the café. Her brothers’ mouths dropped open. Lara took a deep breath and held her head up. “What I do in my private life is my business, no one else’s.”
“Got that right,” Colby muttered.
Logan gestured to her brothers.
“Fuck, we’re out of here.” Keith and Scott ran out of the café.
Jordan winked at her as the officers waiting outside grabbed her brothers. Lara smiled.
“Lara, I’ll need you to come down and press formal charges against him for extortion,” Logan said, pointing at Walter.
“I can do that.”
“But...” Walter tried to speak, but the officers escorted him out before he could finish.
“Meet you at the station in an hour?” Jordan asked.
“Perfect,” Colby answered.
Jordan nodded and left. Colby walked to the door and locked it, then turned back to Lara and opened his arms.
Lara ran into his embrace.
“Thank goodness that’s over,” Colby said.
“Do you really think so?” Lara asked. She was tired of all her family drama.
“According to Jordan, bail will be revoked for all of them. Between the kidnapping and violation of the no-contact order, and the additional blackmail charges, they’re going to be in jail for a while.”
Lara couldn’t drum up much sympathy. They wouldn’t listen to anyone. “It won’t make my parents happy, but that’s not my problem.”
“You got that right. Grab your stuff, and we’ll go down the police station and get that done.”
“All right.” Lara slipped out of his arms. After closing out the register and cleaning up, Lara grabbed her purse. “My car is in the alley.”
Colby held out his hand, and she dropped her keys onto his palm. It was getting easier for her to let him drive her vehicle, but also her trust in him was absolute.
Two hours later, they were in her duplex. A great weight had lifted from her shoulders. Her family was dealt with as far as this last incident. She may have burned her bridges with them, but it wasn’t her fault.
“Want me to call for pizza?” she asked Colby as she walked into the living room after changing into comfortable clothes.
“Come here.” Colby patted the cushion next to him on the sofa. Lara tilted her head, but sat down next to him.
“My timing is going to suck.” He let out a sigh. “But I can’t hold back any longer. I love you.”
Lara blinked. “You love me?” It wasn’t that she didn’t believe it, but…what?
“I do, and I have for a while now.” Colby drew her into his arms.
“Why?” The word slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it.
He tilted her head back to rest on his shoulder, his green eyes serious as he gazed down at her. “You are strong, beautiful, and independent. You are a woman who knows who she is. You don’t need a man to complete you, but you’re willing to let me into your life. You aunt loves me, and my mother loves you.”
A giggle escaped.
Colby tapped her lips in a playful gesture. “You don’t mind the bikers; you aren’t upset about my leather shop or motorcycle.”
“Those are all part of you.” Lara lifted her hand and cupped his cheek.
“You are a part of me, now.” His hand slipped behind her neck. “I love you so much.”
Lara’s eyes filled with tears as she leaned back in Colby’s embrace. “I love you too.” She did. “I love your store, your motorcycle, your tenderness, and your Domness.”
“Domness? I think I like that.” He grinned at her.
“Of course you would.” Her lips quirked. “I do love you, Colby. It was a slow progression, but you’ve shown me I can be strong and sexy.”
“You bet
.” His lips captured hers.
“I picked a lousy time to say it,” he said when he broke the kiss.
“It’s fine.” She cupped his cheek. “This is also the perfect place for us to declare our love for each other for the first time.”
* * * *
Saturday night, Lara paced inside the ladies’ room at the club.
“Are you sure?” Sierra asked.
“Yes.” Lara was sure. She’d asked Sierra for help days ago. Tonight, she was going to be Colby’s sub for his flogging demonstration. Not that he knew that. He’d already told her he’d use Regina. Not on her watch. Not anymore.
Since the blowup in the café on Tuesday and their declaration of love, she wanted to show him how much she had changed. Her family’s needs were not a factor anymore. Appearances meant nothing to them; otherwise, her brothers and ex wouldn’t have done what they did. Nope. She was done with all of their bullshit. She was her own woman, and she was going to do what she wanted.
Lara wanted to make Colby—and herself happy. Being his sub in the club during a flogging demonstration was another step in her freedom. She turned to the mirror. Her hair was gathered on top of her head to keep it out of the way. The purple lace baby doll outfit made her catch her breath.
The fabric was pretty thin. In fact, she could see the purple thong she was wearing underneath, though the lace cupped her breasts. Covered, but if someone looked hard enough they could see her nipples.
The neckline plunged below her breasts where a bow had been attached. The straps holding the baby doll up also had bows. But with these, one pull would allow Colby to peel the baby doll off her body.
Hell, it would probably just fall off. Taking a breath, she gathered her courage and reminded herself at the same time she was safe here and among friends. “I’m ready,” she told Sierra.
“All right. Just follow behind me. We’re going to knock Colby’s pants off.”
Lara grinned. She was ready to do this with him. She loved him. All of him. She embraced her inner vixen. Colby was hers.
* * * *
Colby set his bag on the small stage and looked at Max.
“The St. Andrew’s Cross is all set for you,” Max said.
“Thanks.”
“Who are you using as sub tonight?”