Colters' Gift (Colters' Legacy #5)(44)

“Seth needs to know anyway,” Noah said grimly. “He’ll be able to offer some ideas from a law enforcement perspective.”

Lauren lowered her head, closing her eyes.

“They’re your family, baby,” Liam said. “You’ve always told us how wonderful the Colters are. They’re not going to judge you. They’re just going to want you safe.”

“I let them down,” she said quietly. “I let myself down.”

Noah reached for her hand, squeezing it as Liam had done. “Then it’s time to make it up to yourself.”

Chapter 19

THE drive to the house Seth shared with his two brothers and Lily was silent except for Lauren giving them directions where to turn off once they got out of town.

Dusk had already descended when they pulled in next to the parked vehicles in front of the house. The porch lights were on, and Seth appeared in the doorway as they got out of the vehicle.

Concern reflected on his face as he watched them approach. Dread pitted deep in Lauren’s stomach because she knew that before it was over with, everyone would have to know. Max. The Colters. And they would all know what a selfish coward she’d been.

She couldn’t meet Seth’s gaze when they stopped on the porch.

“What’s going on?” Seth asked quietly.

“We need access to a computer,” Noah said. “And depending on what we find on the disk we brought, we’ll need to discuss our options with you.”

Seth turned to Lauren. “Why don’t you go in and visit with Lily. I don’t want her upset. I’d rather her believe this is a social visit and that Noah and Liam need the computer for work.”

“I won’t say anything to her,” Lauren said in a low voice.

She started by Seth, but he caught her arm.

“I never thought you’d do anything to intentionally upset her, honey. But the look on your face speaks volumes right now. She’ll take one look at you and know something’s wrong right away.”

Lauren nodded her understanding. It was hard to pretend nothing was wrong when she knew she was responsible for a woman’s death. More than anything, she wanted Holly Colter. She was the closest thing Lauren had to a mother since her own had passed on. And right now, she really needed a mom.

Seth let her go and she walked into the living room, very nearly colliding with Michael Colter.

“Whoa there,” Michael said with a laugh.

Lauren forced a smile and willed herself not to outwardly show her internal devastation. “Where’s Lily?”

“She’ll be right out. Everything okay?”

Lauren nodded. “Yeah. Noah and Liam had some work stuff and I didn’t have a computer so Seth offered to let them borrow yours.”

On cue, the men walked into the living room. Dillon walked out of the kitchen and immediately dropped a kiss on the top of Lauren’s head.

“Hey kiddo. How you doing?”

She kept the smile on until her face ached. “I’m good.”

“When you going to dump the diner and come to work for me?”

It was a running joke between her and Dillon. He’d been mortally offended that she hadn’t come to him for a job, but she’d wanted to find work on her own and she liked the diner. While Dillon operated a great bar and grill, the bar scene wasn’t really her thing. She liked the quietness of the diner and getting to know the locals who came in regularly.

“When you buy the diner,” she said with a genuine grin.

He laughed. “You never know. I may yet add it to my growing list of real estate.”

Dillon Colter owned several businesses in Clyde, including the sporting goods store that was previously owned by a man Lauren only knew as Riley. He’d retired some time ago and had sold the business to Dillon.

Lily came into the living room, her belly looking tight as a beach ball. She smiled when she saw Lauren and came over to hug her.

“Have you eaten?” Lily asked.

Lauren blinked. She hadn’t. Hadn’t even thought about it.

“No, she hasn’t,” Liam said bluntly. “She’s probably starving.”

Lauren nearly groaned. So much for subtlety.

Lily grabbed Lauren’s hand and dragged her toward the kitchen. “Dillon made the most awesome pasta dish. I already ate, but I swear I’m hungry again. I’ll make us both a plate.”

Then she looked over her shoulder to where Noah and Liam stood. “Would you like something to eat too?”

Both men shook their heads.

Lily shrugged. “More for us,” she said with a grin in Lauren’s direction.

Noah watched as the women disappeared into the kitchen, and then he was immediately cornered by three large men who obviously had questions.

“Is Lauren in danger?” Dillon asked bluntly.

“Most likely, yes,” Liam said just as bluntly.

Seth swore. “What happened? Has that bastard shown his face here?”

Noah held up his hand. “Look. I really need that computer. Lauren has a disk with information she says she copied from Joel Knight’s computer. If what she says is on this disk is actually on it, we’ve opened one big-ass can of worms. But first I need to see exactly what’s on here, and then we can discuss what the hell we do with it.”