Page 67 of Fearless Bond

“Don’t do anything stupid, Barclay,” Hawke muttered behind me. I’d forgotten about him and Hunter.

But Barclay was done with his display. He got back on all fours and casually strolled around the car and back to the yard.

“Fuck me…” Laure whispered next to me. “I think that was a clear message, wasn’t it?”

“I think so too,” I agreed in a shaky voice. “My father might think twice before coming here uninvited again.”

“High chance Damian pissed himself in the back seat.”

I laughed at that. If it was evil of me, so be it. He deserved far worse.

Still in fur, Barclay tilted his big round head toward me and winked before all three bears disappeared from view.

My father’s sedan moved, carefully inching away. He drove ridiculously slowly, but soon enough, the twin red lights were gone.

Laure shook himself. He put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. “Can I see them shift?”

“They don’t do it with clothes on, Mr. Riley,” Hunter said.

Laure grinned excitedly, waggling his eyebrows at me.

“Ask Monty,” I told him. “I’m sure he’d eagerly let you watch him get naked.”

Hunter and Hawke laughed as my friend grimaced.

The three bears returned after a while—they were human, dressed, and presentable, with Laure’s security team in tow. I met Barclay in the hallway, and he hugged me, placing a long kiss on my forehead.

“They’re gone,” Monty announced as he stomped his boots, spreading chunks of snow on the tiles. “But Mr. Riley’s men could use a break.”

Barclay threw a rag at him. “Dude. You’re flooding my house.”

Monty looked like he was about to protest, but then he noticed me standing by Barclay’s side and smiled apologetically. He crouched and wiped the floor.

Jordy showed Laure’s bodyguards to the kitchen and refilled the coffee machine. Hunter excused himself, heading back to work, and Hawke left soon after.

We settled in the living room, the sofa groaning under the weight of three bear shifters. Barclay pulled me into his lap, and Laure put his feet up on the chaise. Soon, Jordy began hinting that he and Monty should also leave, but Monty blatantly ignored him, instead gazing starry-eyed at Laure.

“I should go,” Laure said.

“Where are you staying?”

“Not sure. There’s a large town two hours away, isn’t it? Green Peaks?”

“You and your team are welcome to stay over,” Barclay offered. “I only have one guestroom, but we can unfold the sofa…”

“Mr. Riley, allow me,” Monty interrupted. “I have a B&B here in town. I’d be happy to offer you a complimentary suite for the night.”

Jordy gave Monty an incredulous look. “Asuite?” he hissed.

Laure squinted at them suspiciously, but Monty was undeterred. “Top floor. The bathroom is newly renovated. And I have a couple of twin rooms ready for your team.”

Barclay raised his eyebrows at him. “Weren’t you fully booked?”

Monty’s smile was unapologetic. “Depends on who asks.”

Laure seemed to consider his options, looking from Monty to Barclay and back. Then he glanced at me. “I think you and Barclay will appreciate some time alone. My guys and I can stay overnight at the B&B. Is there somewhere we could get a decent dinner?”

I assured Laure that Jordy’s pub was nice, and Jordy promised to reserve a corner booth where Laure would be least likely to be spotted and harassed by any random fans.

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