“She was here,” Dan said, spinning on his heel. “About five minutes ago. Mom and Ally went with Birdie to grab coffees, so maybe she went with them?”
Something felt off suddenly.
Ryder’s phone signaled a text. Pulling it out of his pocket, he read the message from SJ.
Libby is arguing with that woman who is her ex-shithead’s mom and the big bodyguard outside the old Hammer store. No sign of Samuel or her ex.
Ryder started running and knew the sound of feet thudding behind him was his brothers following.
“What’s going on?” Dan demanded.
“SJ texted me to say that Libby is arguing with her ex’s mom and some other guy outside the old Hammer store.”
He cut down an alley between two shops and stopped before the end, holding up his hand to halt his brothers too. He could see Libby, but she hadn’t seen him.
“That’s the ex-prick’s mom,” Sawyer whispered.
“Where the fuck is that brother of hers?” Brody demanded.
“And the ex,” Sawyer added.
“Who is the beefcake?” Dan asked.
“Bodyguard,” Sawyer said.
Ryder saw SJ standing a few feet away.
“SJ apparently owes Libby since she stepped in to take care of that asshole in her kitchen. This is her way of paying her back,” Dan added.
“I mean, the woman is a piranha, but you have to admire that kind of loyalty,” Brody whispered.
“Will you three shut up?” Ryder hissed. “I want to listen.”
“Go out there.” Sawyer nudged him in the back.
“No. Libby needs to deal with this. I’ll step in if necessary,” Ryder said. He wanted to go to her, but he also knew this was something she needed to do for herself. These people had controlled her for years, but no more. His girl was taking charge of her life.
“You texted me that Samuel was hurt, Dianne, and I had to come quickly. Where is he?” Libby asked looking around her.
“He and that fool I call son are drinking coffee in some ridiculously named cafe while I tidy up his mess yet again.”
“You lied about him being hurt? How could you?” Libby demanded.
“Your father and I have planned to unite our families for years. You’re wedding to my son was going to do that. I’m not letting you ruin this, Elizabeth,” the woman said. She jabbed Libby in the chest with a long talon as she talked, and Ryder’s anger climbed. “You’re walking onto that plane, or Simone will carry you on.”
“Only a guy that buff could pull off a name like Simone,” he heard Dan whisper.
“I wondered why that she devil brought her bodyguard with her, and now I know. He’s here to carry Libby to the plane if she didn’t come willingly,” Sawyer said.
“My name is Libby, and I told you I’m not coming back, Dianne. You can’t make me.”
“Oh, I can and will make you. We are building an empire, and your union to my son is part of that. Your father and I have discussed this for years.”
“In bed?” Ryder heard Libby say.
It was a direct hit because color flooded the woman’s cheeks.
“Did you think I didn’t know?” Libby asked, and he was proud of her because he could see how nervous she was. Her hands were clenched in fists, and she was pale. But his girl was standing strong. “I saw you together while we were vacationing in Hawaii. You were coming out of your hotel room, and there was no doubting what you and my father had been up to. I convinced myself it couldn’t be true,” Libby added. “But it was, wasn’t it, Dianne?”