Page 83 of No Apologies
“Excuse me?”
He balked, as if shocked she would dare tell him what to do. She was sure it was a rare occasion when anyone dared contradict Lincoln Bomar. God knew she wouldn’t have done it either but this was too important and her handprint on his cheek made her bold.
“We need to talk.”
“Is that so?” His lips curled into that trademark smirk and she contemplated slapping him again.
Remy stepped up right beside her, blocking Lincoln’s path, “That’s so.”
Since Remy seemed to be standing with her, she crossed her arms over her chest and held her ground, “Colt’s out.”
That earned her a snort, “Yeah, okay…”
When he started to go around them Remy stepped in his way and put a hand to his chest, his voice deadly serious when he spoke, “He’s out, Link. For good. No more fighting. No more jobs. He’s going to survive this and when he does, he’s done.”
A warmth she hadn’t expected lit her veins as she glanced over at Colt’s older brother. She’d heard the anger in his voice when she told him Lincoln was forcing Colt to fight for him. She’d seen his despair as he looked at his brother lying in that bed. But somehow, when faced with his eldest cousin, his de facto leader, she hadn’t expected him to take her side or even Colt’s.
“He’s out.” She reiterated and then made the offer she knew Lincoln couldn’t refuse, “Whatever he owes you to get out, I’ll cover it.”
That earned her both of their intense stares and she fought not to fidget. Remy looked shocked. Lincoln looked interested. Just as she’d known he would.
One dark eyebrow rose, “Honey, do you have any idea who you’re talkin’ to?”
“Do you?” She shot right back at him, “Because if its money you want, I can get it to you as soon as the bank opens on Monday. Give me the number you need to let Colt out of whatever deal you two have and I’ll get you clean bills to cover it.”
Lincoln seemed to consider her words and then shook his head, “I wish it was that easy sweetheart. I like you but it’s about more than money.”
“What?”
“I’m not the only one that fronted the C’s. Colt fights for me, yeah, but he does it in Abel’s ring. I might take your money but my cousin, he’s gonna want more than that.”
Remy cursed, “Abel too? Both of you fuckers took advantage of him?”
“He needed help and you weren’t around, Cuz.” Lincoln narrowed his eyes at Remy, “Abel needs a fighter, somebody in the family that can’t be beaten. Without Colt in the ring, we’re not represented and…”
“I’ll take his place.”
Skylar gasped at the offer. Remy didn’t fidget. He didn’t blink. He stared Lincoln down when his cousin appeared to size him up and she felt not only an odd sense of warmth for the dark-haired Bomar brother but also real respect. He would take Colt’s place in the ring, just like that, because Colt needed him. No matter what his brothers or anyone else thought about him, she saw in that moment that whatever reason Remy Bomar had for leaving town ten years ago, he was trying to make up for it now.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat, “That’s it then. I’ll cover the money. He’ll cover the muscle. Is there anything else you need to make this deal?”
Lincoln scratched his head, “You’re both crazy, you know that?”
“Do we have a deal?” Remy growled.
“Yeah. We’re square. Colt’s out.”
“Good.” She rubbed a hand over her face, “Let me know how much.”
“Oh, you can bet I will.” Lincoln snorted.
“Fine. I’m going to go check on my boyfriend now. You two stay out here.”
She turned on her heel and retreated down the hallway of the small apartment. She didn’t honestly expect either of them to listen to her but when she didn’t hear footsteps behind her, she breathed a sigh of relief. She felt like she was on the verge of losing it and when she slipped inside Colt’s bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind her and saw him again, she did.
Tears blurred her vision and she hurriedly wiped them away. Colt was out. He was finally going to be free of his demons. No more dark, dangerous Bomar life for him. No more fighting or dealing with his cousins and their threats. He was free of it all and it had only taken him being beaten into unconsciousness for her to figure out what she should have done from the beginning.
The money wasn’t important to her. She had it. She’d always had it. Whatever insane figure Lincoln cooked up, she could cover it.
