Page 108 of Forbidden Forward

“Yeah, of course. I knew it would.”

I spin on the barstool so I face him as he approaches. “Did you get my messages?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. Had my phone on silent the entire time and never noticed until right before I drove home.”

Apparently, he didn’t need either of my warnings, and my shoulder muscles unwind a tick. “What has you grinning like an idiot?”

He fiddles with his phone and thrusts it at me. “This.”

My eyebrows crunch together as I try to make out what I’m seeing. It’s a guy in a suit with his hands behind him being pushed into the back seat of a car by two other guys in suits. “Mafia kidnapping?”

“No,” he chuckles. “That’s your ex being hauled away by two detectives.”

My eyes pinball between his and the image on the phone. “What? When did this happen?”

“About thirty minutes ago.”

My pulse climbs. “So he did show up at the arena?”

“He sure did.” My brother’s grin widens. “So did the law. Did you have something to do with the setup?”

“Maybe? They got a warrant for his arrest but couldn’t locate him, so they called me to find out if I knew where he was. I figured he was in the wind and would get away again because that’s what he does. Then I got this text from him telling me to pay him what I ‘owe’ or he’d be waiting for you at the arena—that’s the threat I warned you about—so I called the detective working the case right away. I didn’t know they planned to arrest him.”

My brother picks up a mandarin orange from a bowl and tosses it in the air. “Smart move, sis.”

“He talks tough, but he’s a coward who likes to make threats and hide. I’m glad he wasn’t bluffing this time.” I’m shamefully gleeful when I add, “What did they get him on?”

Donny takes the phone from me, glances at the image, and laughs. “Extortion and something like practicing law without a license.”

“Love the picture. Thanks for taking it. Can you forward it to me? I want to print it out and frame it,” I deadpan.

“I’ll forward it, but I didn’t take it.” The humor slides from his expression. “Chaser did.”

Electricity bolts through me. “Colby was there too?”

“Yep. We were arguing about who got to beat his ass first when the detectives walked up. Good thing they did too, or we might have been arrested right along with him.” He throws his head back and barks a laugh.

“You … and Colby argued about beating Randy up?”

Nodding, he slides his phone into his back pocket. “I thought I was going to have to fight Chaser first before I could get to Grubbs.” My brother tilts his head and looks at me, his expression deadly serious. “I, uh, had Chaser pegged wrong. He must really care about you, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think he’d take good care of you.”

“I don’t need taking care of,” I toss back.

“True, but I’d feel better knowing he has your back. He might even do as good a job as me,” he chortles, obviously pleased with himself.

“He has to want to,” I blurt out.

One side of Donny’s mouth kicks up. “I’m pretty sure he wants to, but he doesn’t think he’s worthy. Gotta admit I agreed with him at first, but now? Not so much.”

“But I … But we … But what if he gets traded?” Really? This is what pops into my head?

Now the other side of Donny’s mouth curves up. “Maybe they will, but I told Coach and the GM today that the boys and I would rather they extend him. We need his kind of grit.” He shrugs. “Who knows? Maybe they’ll take the suggestion to heart and sign him.”

It’s only when my brother reaches over and lifts my chin to close my mouth that I realize I’ve been slack-jawed.

When I find my voice, I squeak, “Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?”

“Funny,” he chuckles. He ruffles my hair. “I’m gonna take my baby out for a spin, but I’ll be back in an hour.”