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“Did you cut yourself?” I ask Larkin, looking for blood.
She shakes her head and blows out a long breath. “Just embarrassed myself is all. An ex of mine showed up out of the blue.”
I glance up. A slick guy with gelled hair is leaning on the bar, periodically glancing down at Larkin. He has a smug look about him I don’t like. “Want me to have a word with the guy?”
“Definitely not. Like I told Jo, I can handle him. He just caught me by surprise.”
I nod, feeling protective of Larkin. She’s become Jolene’s closest friend—a smart businesswoman, who’s strong and feisty and loves putting my brothers in their places. But as per my new leaf, I will not intervene unless asked.
I help them clean the glass, then head to my family, who has overtaken a table. Lennon points to a beer and an empty chair. “Your throne awaits.”
I lick my lips, parched for a refreshing sip, but Jake steps in my way and pulls me aside. “Is Larkin okay?”
“For a guy who claims not to care about Larkin, you’re awfully invested in her emotional well-being.” While secretly helping me source materials for her bar.
His nostrils flare. “Just answer the fucking question.”
I glance back at Larkin. Her colorful bartending show is on hold. She’s moving quickly, avoiding helping her ex, who’s still intent on her. “An ex turned up, seems to be making her uncomfortable, but she said—”
Jake moves before I finish, on a mission for the slick guy, his hands balled into fists.
“What’s with Jake’s Terminator impression?” E asks.
“That’s his impression of you right before you try to fight,” Lennon says. “He’ll trip and fall any minute.”
E throws a crumpled napkin at Lennon’s face, but Lennon karate chops the paper away.
Delilah nudges Maggie. “Who’s the guy at the bar watching Larkin?”
“I don’t know, but I know that look on Jake’s face. He ran over there to protect her. He’s definitely smitten.”
“And about to get murdered by Larkin,” Sadie says, wincing. “Whatever Jake just said to her did not go over well.”
She’s not wrong. Larkin is skilled at unleashing looks that could kill. Right now, her glare aimed at Jake is dialed up to hydrogen bomb levels.
Desmond grunts. His arm is latched around Sadie, but he kicks my boot. “Have you figured out the deal there?”
I hold up my hands. “Don’t ask me. I don’t meddle anymore.”
Lennon snorts. “Likely story. But I might not be opposed to you getting the dirt on them. Jake clearly needs some help.”
Abruptly, Jake swivels from the bar, looking like he might puke. He aims for the exit, rushing so fast he smacks into a server. Her tray nearly topples. Jake bumps into a table next, then stumbles into a jog toward the doors.
“Fucking hell,” Desmond mutters.
“I’ve got this,” I tell them, already up and hurrying after our brother.
Once outside, he’s not hard to find. He’s the frantic guy pacing in the parking lot, tearing at handfuls of his hair.
I step into his path. “What did you do?”
“The dumbest fucking thing I could’ve done.” His pacing quickens, then he stops and shouts, “Fuck!” at the sky.
“Jake.” I grip the back of his neck, not liking this one bit. Jake is the controlled brother. The stern guard who watches our backs. “Start talking before I go in there and ask Larkin what happened.”
The fight drains out of him, along with the color from his face. “I told her ex that I’m Larkin’s fiancé.”
“Why the hell would you do that?”
