Page 72 of Ravish

A little over a week had passed since the night they played. Lara and Sierra had talked and talked. Sierra’s experiences in the club, good and bad, helped Lara understand more. Lara was also beginning to wonder if there was a connection between her family and how concerned they were with appearances affecting her in the club. She still had a lot to think through.

Lara blew out a breath as she finally got a minute to herself. The café was full. A group of bikers came in earlier, ten of them. All the tables had been full, so it had been a juggle as people finished to make sure she could get them seated together.

“Lara.”

She glanced up to see her brother Keith. “What do you want?” She was tired of her family. Her mother called her at least once a week, nagging her to come to the family home for dinner. While there hadn’t been any further incidents, having her brother show up wasn’t completely unexpected.

“Get those bikers out of here.”

Lara rolled her eyes; her brother had all but yelled the words. “They are more welcome here than you are. Please leave, or you’ll force me to get the police involved.”

“You won’t call the police on me. Besides, with these hoodlums here, your business is going to go downhill. You’re going to lose everything.”

“Get over yourself.” Lara looked at Eve and nodded. They’d talked about this. Eve would call the police. Lara hated doing it, but Keith wasn’t giving her a choice. “I’ve asked you to leave.” Lara kept her voice calm.

“Not with these thieves here.” He raised his voice, waving his hand at the bikers.

One of the bikers stood up. Lara held her hand up, and he stopped. He had his cell phone in his hand. Great. They’d probably called Colby. “These men are worth ten of you, so let’s not go there.”

“You are so naive.”

Lara laughed. “Keith, go home and tell Father these scare tactics are not going to work.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on. You’ve already threatened me by saying you’re watching me. Go ahead, watch me. Then someone breaks into my duplex but takes nothing.” She shook her head. Then it hit her right that she didn’t have a thing to be afraid of. What she did in her private life was private. If people couldn’t handle that, it wasn’t her problem. A weight lifted off her shoulders.

“It’s for your own good. You’re dating a guy who runs a leather store.”

“I am. Colby is his name. He’s a good man and runs a legitimate business.”

“You need to listen to me.”

“No, I don’t.” Lara turned as her brother threw out his hands. Pain exploded over her cheek.

“That’s assault,” a male voice said as the bikers all rose to their feet. Another one pulled his cell out.

“Do not call him,” Lara said to the bikers as she held her hand up to them. She didn’t want them getting into trouble. She glared at her brother.

“Oh my God. Lara, it was an accident. I swear it was.”

“Get out, Keith, and don’t come back. Ever.” The throbbing in her cheek made her head hurt. Her brother turned and high-tailed it out of the café. Officer Wolfe held the door open.

“Outside,” Logan said to Keith, then he spoke to Lara. “You need some ice.”

“Why are you always the one to answer the call?” she asked.

“Just lucky.” He shrugged and led her to an empty chair.

“Here’s some ice,” Eve said, handing Lara ice wrapped in a towel.

“Thanks.”

“I’ll take care of the customers,” Eve said and bustled away.

Lara put the ice to her cheek and winced.

“You’re going to have one hell of a bruise,” Logan said, pulling out his notebook. “Want to tell me what happened?”

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