Page 62 of Fearless Bond

“Nobody! Monty, back off!” I yelled. I would have dragged him back by his parka, but I wasn’t leaving Calvin’s side with armed strangers around. On instinct, I angled my body to shield my pregnant mate.

“Hey, that’s Laurel Riley!” Jordy exclaimed.

Monty stiffened. “What?” He craned his head to look at Laurel. “Oh my God!” His face split into a maniacal grin. “That’s him!” He turned to us, confused. “You dated Laurel Riley?”

Calvin spluttered. “Oh my God.”

“They have guns, you asshole!” I shouted. “Back the fuck off! None of these people is Calvin’s ex.”

Monty looked at me, then at the bodyguards and Laurel. He finally took a few steps back and waved at Laurel with a big smile on his scruffy face. “Such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Riley. I’m a great fan.”

My mate burst out laughing, then slapped a hand over his mouth.

Chickie had climbed off his snowmobile. His fingers, too, hovered over his gun holster. This encounter would be much easier ifnobodyhad weapons on them.

“What’s going on?” Chickie asked.

“Hello, Hawke, sorry for the confusion,” Calvin said, his voice shaky. “Laurel is a friend of mine. He’s only visiting.”

Chickie glanced around the scene. “And these guys?” He pointed at the bodyguards.

“My security team,” Laurel said, disentangling himself from the grip of his alphas. He straightened out his jacket with a huff, and the men stepped back.

“I see,” Chickie said. “I would appreciate it if you kept your hands off your weapons, gentlemen, and didn’t linger in our town. Nobody in Beauville carries handguns aside from me. I like it that way.”

“No problem, sir.” Laurel eagerly nodded. “Guys, wait for me in the car.”

Glaring at Monty, the main alpha turned to the vehicle, and the other two followed. Monty fluttered his fingers at them and smiled sheepishly at Laurel, who gave him a tense, totally fake grin back.

When another SUV came down my driveway, I couldn’t hold back my groan. “What now?”

Luckily, it was only Hunter. He climbed out and took us all in.

“What did I miss?”

“It’s Laurel Riley,” Monty whisper-shouted, gesturing to Laurel with both hands.

Hunter scrunched up his eyebrows. “Who?”

Laurel threw his hands in the air. “How many of you are coming? It’s like Fat Bear Week here.”

Monty patted his stomach. “I could eat some salmon.”

Chuckling, Calvin hid his face in my chest, so I looped my arms around him and kissed the top of his head. Today was getting better and better.

We attempted a round of polite introductions that culminated when Hunter finally recognized Laurel and went beet red. Wewere about to usher everyone into the house, but a black sedan came down the driveway, tires sliding on the packed snow. It stopped a few yards behind Hunter’s SUV with one wheel trapped in the snowbank. When the driver tried to get it moving again, the wheels spun, sinking deeper. The car was stuck.

Two men got out, and Calvin tensed next to me.

These were the visitors we’d been expecting.

“Uh-oh,” Laurel muttered. “How did they find you?”

“I told them to come,” Calvin replied under his breath.

“Shit.”

The two alphas walked up, the younger one slipping on the way. He regained his balance and slowly staggered forward with his arms spread out. In the polished dress shoes he was wearing, he could face-plant anytime. It was the same man I’d seen snooping around town. Blond hair slicked back, fake tan, clean-shaven stony face. Damian.

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