Page 63 of Ravish

“Dad’s not kidding,” her brother said, following their dad.

“I don’t care. When will you and Dad learn that it’s my café? And what the hell is all this bullshit about family name and crap. What do you two have against the bikers?” She couldn’t figure that out. She’d never seen the bikers bother anyone, never heard anyone talk against them.

“It’s none of your business. Just get rid of them.” Keith stormed out.

Lara left the kitchen to find her aunt crying on the sofa. “Aunt Tammy.” Lara sat down next to her. “Don’t let them upset you.”

“But everything you’ve worked for.”

“They can’t touch it.” Financially, they couldn’t, but in other ways, maybe they could. Would her father want that much publicity? Negative publicity, because that’s what it would be. He was so worried about the family name.

Her aunt kept crying.

“Honestly, they can’t touch me. They can make things difficult, but I can survive them.”

“Really?” Her aunt looked at her with a tear stained face.

“Yes.” Lara grabbed some tissues and handed them to her aunt. “Where is Colby?” she asked.

“He stepped outside.”

Crap. Lara stood and crossed to the door. Thankfully, her father and brother were gone; Colby was just outside her front door talking on the phone. He waved at her, indicating he’d be right there. She nodded and stepped back inside.

“How about some tea?” Lara really wanted something stronger.

“That sounds lovely,” Aunt Tammy said, smiling.

Putting her arm around her aunt’s shoulders, Lara guided her into the kitchen and had her sit at the table while she put on water for tea. Colby walked into the kitchen just as she poured her aunt a cup.

“Tea?” she asked holding up the kettle.

“No, thanks, sweetheart.” Colby took a seat at the table. “Tammy, I don’t want you to worry.” Colby patted the back of her hand.

Aunt Tammy gazed up at Colby, her smile spreading across her face. “You’ll take care of my Lara, won’t you?”

Lara wanted to tell her aunt she didn’t need to be taken care of but left it alone. Her aunt was worried enough.

“I will always take care of Lara.”

After tea and an attempt at lighter conversation, Lara and Colby walked into her home. “I’m so angry,” Lara said, tossing her bag from last night into her bedroom.

“I don’t blame you.” He stared at him. “I might have overstepped, but I heard what your father was saying. I called Jordan since he’s a lawyer.”

Lara froze. “You shouldn’t have done that without taking to me first.”

Colby looked surprised, and Lara didn’t blame him. She didn’t generally question his actions.

“You’re not angry?”

“I am. You did overstep, but in this case, it was warranted. What did Jordan say?”

“He said if your father does anything, bring the contract and any correspondence to him, and he’ll look into it.”

“I don’t think my father is that stupid. It would sully the family name.” She grimaced. “But anything is possible. I have no idea why my family dislikes the bikers.”

“Because they’re attached to me?”

“What?” Lara stared at him.

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