“Want to tell me what’s bothering you?” Colby said after dinner at Lara’s house.
“Nothing.” Lara flittered around the kitchen. Why was she hesitating in telling him what happened today?
“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.