Page 92 of No Fear
“Because I was told to, not…”
“And do you always do what you’re told?”
That earned her another growl though he otherwise ignored the comment, “Not because I think you’re doing the right thing.”
She blew out a long breath and stared out the window into the dark, “I think you’d probably do the exact same thing if you were in my spot.”
“And I think if that’s your logic, it proves my point. Word of advice, never emulate a Bomar. It’ll only get you into trouble. You’re making a mistake.”
“I need to prove myself to Remy.”
Ford’s semi-relaxed demeanor disappeared and he rubbed as his beard, “No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do.” She argued.
“He already chose you. He loves you. He doesn’t want you involved in this family bullshit any more than he wants to be involved it. He got dragged into it because my brother is a bastard that believes keeping the family tied to him is the only way to keep us all together but Remy wants out, he needs out and he needs you safe if he has a shot in hell of having a worthwhile life.”
Rachel raised an eyebrow when the bearded Bomar boy fell silent. She’d been around him enough to know he was a man of few words. Remy liked and respected him though. He’d told her that Ford was the cousin he trusted most these days, not just for the truth but to have his back. She couldn’t help but wonder if that’s what Ford was trying to do now.
“You just called your twin a bastard.”
Ford snorted, “That’s all you got out of what I said? That parts not exactly news.”
“Yeah, but, you’re Lincoln’s twin.”
“So? We’re not the same person. We don’t agree on everything. We don’t even agree on…” He rubbed his beard again, “I can disagree with him in private and with family. But out there, in our world, he has to be seen as having no weaknesses, no dissent in the ranks. It’s the only way he can rule the way he does without someone trying to kill him. And I may not like Link every day of the week but he’s my other half so I’d prefer he didn’t end up six feet under anytime soon.”
“Wow.” Rachel grinned when he shot her another annoyed look, “You get talkative on late night car rides huh?”
Ford harrumphed so she didn’t tease him again.
She shifted slightly in her seat and thought about the way things worked in the Bomar family. They were so tight-knit, even with all their differences and all their problems. Any one of them would lay down their life for the others. Remy wanted to be free of the organization, sure, but he hadn’t said a word about leaving behind his family.
He worked with Colt. He doted on Cash. He teased Bentley whenever he stopped by the salon. He’d been worried about Royce when she told him his cousin hung out with her brother. He looked up to Ford. He seemed to hate Lincoln but he still deferred to him in public.
They were family and family stood up for each other. They chose each other. Even when the choice might look like a mistake to an outsider, as long as they had each other at the end of the day then they would be okay.
If she wanted to be part of that family, she had to do this. She had to choose her place beside them all. Not just Remy.
That night in the barn when she’d been trying to steel her spine and be strong, she’d told herself she needed to be more like Skylar. Smart. Independent. Fearless. Skylar had put it all on the line to save Colt. That had earned her a distinguished place within the family, an honored place. It was fairly well known that Skylar had stood up to Lincoln and won. If Rachel was going to be a Bomar, and she hoped that Remy wanted that as much as she did, then she had to earn her place too.
The car pulled to a stop a couple of minutes later and Ford got out. Rachel squinted, looking around, trying to figure out where they were. She hadn’t asked where they were going. For some reason, she’d thought it would be the barn. Wasn’t that where Lincoln did his business? But when she stepped out of the car, she almost stopped breathing.
“What are we doing here?”
“This is where I was told to bring you.” Ford motioned her ahead, “After you.”
Rachel winced but forced her feet to move. She couldn’t run away. Not now. It was too late for that. As she walked up the one small step onto the front porch, she wished she’d stayed in bed with Remy. Warm and safe. Because she had a feeling whatever was waiting on the other side of this door, it wouldn’t be either.
The door to Colt and Skylar’s apartment opened before she could knock and she bit her lip as her best friend stared at her for a long moment. Skylar looked tired but she figured that was to be expected at this hour. Besides, just a day ago they’d all been out late celebrating Cash and Jemma. Skylar’s blonde hair was twisted up into a messy bun and she was wearing a faded old sweatshirt that looked suspiciously like it was Colt’s with a pair of cute polka-dot sleep shorts. Rachel opened her mouth to say hello and was swallowed in a hug.
“Oh.” Her breath expelled in a rush because Skylar hugged her so tight but when she regained her footing she raised her arms and returned the squeeze.
“You should’ve told us.”
Rachel instantly cringed and tried to step away but Skylar only tightened her hold.
“You could’ve told us. That’s what I meant. We love you. Well, I love you. Colt doesn’t use that word quite so freely but we love you and we support you and…” Skylar’s hurried words gasped to a stop suddenly as she released Rachel and looked over her shoulder, “Oh, hi Ford.”
