Page 75 of Ravish

“Thank you, Eve.” Colby wasn’t going to let Lara protest. He pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get your things.” He was surprised when she didn’t argue, and that told him just how much she was hurting.

Colby got Lara home, had her take two aspirin, and lie down. He sat with her until her eyes closed and her breathing evened out. Her cheek was going to be one big bruise by tomorrow.

Anger hit his blood stream. He left her bedroom and called Kase and asked him if, once they closed the shop, he’d drive his bike over to Lara’s. Issac could pick Kase up and take him back to the shop for his car. They both told him yes. He was probably overstepping boundaries, but he called Jordan.

“Hey, Colby, what can I do for you?”

“I’m not sure.” Colby rubbed his neck.

“What’s happened?”

Colby outlined what happened at the café and at his shop.

“Well, the best I can do is try and get a restraining order, especially for the café after he hit Lara. Accident or not, it shows he’s out of control.”

“I’ll talk with Lara. I don’t like what her family is doing.”

“I don’t either, but they’re pretty much staying within the law.”

“Thanks.” Colby hung up. There was a soft knock on the front door. He got up, and when he looked out, he smiled. He opened the door. “Hi, Tammy.”

“Colby. I was surprised to see Lara home this early.”

Colby gestured for her to enter. Once she was seated on the sofa, he sat down and took her hand. “Lara’s sleeping.” He kept his voice low.

“Is she sick?”

Colby wanted to tell her yes, but he wouldn’t lie. “No. Keith came to the café, there was an accident, and he hit Lara.”

Aunt Tammy’s hand covered her mouth. “Accident, my ass,” she muttered.

“That’s how I feel, but Lara said it was an accident and refused to press charges.”

“I should call that brother of mine and give him a piece of my mind.”

A grin tilted Colby’s lips. “You know Lara wouldn’t want that.”

“She’s a lot more forgiving than I am. And tenderhearted too.”

“Tell me more,” Colby said, letting himself relax against the sofa.

“It will be my pleasure.”

Chapter 13

The next evening, Lara groaned. No matter what she did, she couldn’t hide the bruise on her cheek completely. Maybe she should cancel tonight at the club. She wasn’t catering tonight.

But if she canceled, she would be giving in to her family and letting Colby down, which she wasn’t about to do. She knew it was an accident, but if Keith had left when she told him, her cheek wouldn’t be black and blue.

She didn’t understand what her family had against the bikers or the leather shop or her café. Their excuses were appearances and reflection on the family name. They were the ones causing trouble, not her. Lara let out a sigh. With a grimace, she left the bathroom and looked at the outfit on her bed. Her standard boy shorts, but she’d chosen a lacy bra tonight.

Her doorbell rang. She slipped on a coat and looked out to see Colby standing there. She pulled open the door. “Hi.” She smiled and then immediately grimaced.

“It still hurts.” Colby fingers skimmed her bruised check.

“Only when I smile.” It was true. The pain was gone. She’d iced it off and on today to keep the swelling down.

“Don’t joke.”

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