Page 83 of Ravish

Jordan looked at Colby.

“I may have had someone check the camera feeds in the alley from other businesses. You’re not the only one with them.” He met her gaze. That was Colby, see a problem and find a solution.

Lara closed her eyes. If she didn’t do this, they would never stop. If she did, it would destroy what little relationship she had with her family. No question, that relationship was toxic. It was time to cut ties.

“I’ll press charges against my brothers and ex. I’d like to leave my parents out of it with a warning.”

Jordan nodded, stood up and called Logan in.

* * * *

Three weeks later, Lara was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. She still worried if she’d done the right thing or not. Colby and Aunt Tammy both assured her she had. The café was bustling as always, so it helped her keep her mind off of everything.

As she guessed, her brothers and ex were out on bail the day after the arraignment. She hadn’t pressed charges against her parents. She couldn’t bring herself to do it. But her brothers and ex weren’t going to stop. Jordan was in contact with her as the family lawyer was trying to work plea deal.

Jordan kept her informed and advised her. So far what the family lawyer was asking for was a joke, and she wasn’t going to let them get off with a slap on the wrist. The DA had also made it clear that whatever deal was struck, her brothers and ex were definitely going to do some serious jail time, but the DA was open to less than the ten year maximum.

Lara smiled at the bikers, who were sitting at a table in the café. They were here later than normal, but she suspected Colby had something to do with that.

“Do you guys need refills on anything?” she asked.

“No, thank you. We’re good.”

“Okay.” Lara turned away from them as someone walked into the café. She stiffened. “Get out, Walter.”

Walter held his hand out in front of him. “Hear me out, Lara.” He glanced at the bikers behind her. “You need to drop the charges against me and your brothers.”

“Not going to happen.”

“If you don’t, I’ll go to the press about you and your boy toy. I know what you’ve been up to.”

“Are you threatening me?”

The bikers stood, walked over, and formed a protective half moon around Lara, who was grateful for their presence.

“You’ll regret this,” Walter sneered.

“I doubt it.”

Walter turned and stormed out.

“Thank you,” Lara turned to the bikers.

“He threatened you,” one of the bikers said.

“Bear is right,” another said.

“I’m fine.” She waved them back to their seats and made her way behind the counter. She wasn’t all right. What did her ex know? How would that affect her business and Colby’s?

She glanced at the bikers. No phones. She should call Colby, but he’d told her he had a meeting today with a major store who wanted him to make some specialized items for them. She’d tell him about this later. He had to trust her to do what was right for her. With a sigh, she picked up the phone and called Jordan to let him know what had happened.

Jordan said he’d draw up paperwork for no-contact orders. It should have been done at the arraignment, Jordan wasn’t sure how it was overlooked, and told her he’d get back to her once he’d talked with a judge. They might be able to do this without a formal hearing. Lara hung up and sighed. Her family was making this difficult, but what else did she expect?

The bikers stayed until she closed up, and then she noticed Bear was keeping watch until she drove away. The bikers were good guys and didn’t deserve to be treated like dirt.

Lara hardened her heart against her family. No more feeling sorry for them. They caused this chaos not her. Unfortunately, she was also paying the price for it. She had some tough decisions to make.

* * * *

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