Inferno (A Harmony Love Story)

  I heard a heavy sigh—one that did little to release the strain in his neck. “I was wrong, Hilary. I shouldn’t have come back, and I sure as hell should’ve stayed the fuck away from you.”

  His words were laden with regret and a tinge of sadness but did little to cease the sobs that tore from my soul the moment I sought refuge behind my closed door. What was happening?

  I scrambled for my phone and hit Cassandra’s number, only to be sent straight to voicemail. It was just past midnight and I was terrified of calling Felicia, afraid of what I’d discover. So I grabbed my sneakers and keys and raced down to my car as fast as my feet could carry me, thankful Caleb was long gone.

  I arrived at Cassandra’s shortly before one, with a heavy foot on the gas the entire way. My anxiety soared to new, dangerous heights. She “might need stitches,” he’d said.

  The gravel of her driveway parted around my tires, a cloud of dust kicking up and swirling through the darkness, which obscured my view of her house. There was nothing more than a small lamp radiating from her bedroom window, which did little to release the tension in my gut. Still, she was home, which was a good sign.

  The moment I switched off the engine and opened my car door, Cassandra’s porch light flickered to life, followed by her front door swinging open. I climbed out, ready to race over, only to find Logan standing alone, closing the door behind him. The yellow glow from the porch bulb highlighted his weary features and the finger he held to his lips, silencing me.

  I rushed toward him, meeting him halfway.

  “What—” I began, panicked, but he pressed his hand across my mouth, his eyes wide and demanding.

  “Quiet. She’s finally resting,” he said so calmly it released the constricted bundle of nerves staking their territory in my chest.

  He released his hand and I bent forward, grasping my knees. I blew out a few deep breaths, releasing the built-up angst so I could finally get some answers in a normal, quiet voice.

  “What happened?” I asked, standing upright slowly and tightening the tie in my hair.

  Logan regarded me carefully. “Things got out of control, but I have it situated.”

  “Situated?” I grunted. “Okay, look, its creepy enough being out here in the middle of Cassandra’s driveway in the pitch dark for these chitchats of ours. I don’t need some elusive bullshit. What happened?”

  He considered my words for a moment. “Fair enough,” he conceded, then sauntered over to the back of my car, leaning against the trunk. I followed. “Kurt interrupted a conversation I was having with Cassandra outside of Haven. He decided to let his temper get the best of him, and Cassandra tried to intervene.”

  “Tried to?” I asked, cautiously.

  His entire expression darkened. “She stepped between us. I couldn’t stop it. I tried. It all happened so damn fast.”

  “He hit her,” I indicated more than asked, then turned toward her house.

  “Yes. And she needs to rest.” He took my arm, snaring me from rushing inside to see her. “I know you want to help her, but there’s nothing you can do for her tonight.”

  “Did you at least kick his ass?”

  “There was no time. The cops were there within minutes, and Caleb.”

  “He called them?” I asked, surprised.

  Logan’s lip twitched, but he didn’t smile. “Doubtful. Caleb steers clear of any and all law enforcement—prefers to handle things on his own. He’d have enjoyed taking Kurt out for a ride in the woods, as would I have.”

  Unsure how to respond, I swallowed, understanding all too well considering my father was also a big fan of vigilante justice.

  I walked around him and climbed up onto the trunk, sitting with my elbows perched on my knees, head in my hands. “Did she need stitches?”

  Logan shook his head. “Her lip’s pretty busted up, though. She’ll have a nasty bruise for a while, but no doctor visit necessary.”

  We sat there in silence for a moment. I was thankful things weren’t as horrible as I’d imagined, but I still had so many questions.

  “I don’t understand why, though. What did you do to piss Kurt off?”

  “Besides stop Cassandra from going home with him?”

  That was probably enough for most guys. “Men are assholes.”

  “Mostly,” he agreed, causing an awkward grunt of laughter from me that made him smile.

  “I can’t wait for this night to end,” I admitted, feeling open with a man I hardly knew but somehow trusted. I’d seen him with his son at the carnival. If he wasn’t a good guy, he’d have long since walked away from me, and not cared if I woke Cassandra.

  “I have a confession.”

  “All right,” he said, twisting to look at me. Logan really was a handsome man, and held such an inviting warmth—nothing like what I’d experienced from Caleb earlier that night. I cringed at the thought, desperately wanting to crawl inside the latter’s head and figure him out.

  I bit my lip. “Can you try not to get mad, though? Because I’ve had enough yelling for one night.”

  To that, he offered a kind smile. “You came out here for Cassandra, in the middle of the night. I respect that. So sure, no yelling.” His affection for her was obvious. “Plus, I’d hate to wake her.”

  With a remorseful groan, I spoke. “I knew you’d be at Haven tonight—counted on it, actually, because I wanted you to…I don’t know…it sounds stupid now, telling you. I was just hoping you’d realize that Cassandra has options too, and if you really want her, you need to stop fucking around.”

  Before I could talk myself out of it, I added, with a slap to his arm, “She told me about the prostitutes you had over. What the hell were you thinking?”

  I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but definitely not the look I received. He ran his hand across the back of his neck. “They weren’t prostitutes. Simply old friends that, yes, I have a physical relationship with.”

  “No judgment,” I said quickly, raising both of my hands. Who was I to pass any of that right then?

  “But after the carnival, I think…” I shook my head. “No, I know Cassandra was letting her guard down, and then you went and screwed it up. So what are you playing at?”

  “Honestly?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “I don’t know,” he said slowly, then glanced my way, his eyes hooded and soft. “Would you even believe me if I told you I don’t know what I want right now?”

  “Actually, yeah,” I said, laughing. “Because that much is clear. Either that or you’re a freak who can’t make up his mind, in which case you need to get the hell out of this town before word spreads.”

  The corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement. “I know she’s a good woman. She’s good around Oliver, and tonight, we agreed to be friends.”

  “Thought you already were?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  I had no doubt about that. “Clearly.”

  “The one thing I do know for sure is that I want Cassandra in my life in some capacity or another, and a friendship is probably the safest bet. I don’t want to hurt her.”

  My head bobbed in understanding. “Friends is good. They say it’s the foundation to any lasting relationship.”

  “We shall see,” he said, pushing off from the trunk.

  “Wait.” I sat up fully. “What happened to Kurt? Did Caleb fire him?”

  Logan turned to face me, hands shoved deep in the pockets of his black slacks.

  “Jail. Turns out he had cocaine on him. Between punching the daughter of a deputy sheriff and drug possession, he’ll be right back where he started soon enough.”

  “Where he started?”

  “Yeah,” Logan grated. “That’s the thing Caleb failed to acknowledge when he let you set this whole charade up. Kurt was released from prison not too long ago. He nearly beat a man to death.”

  Was he serious? “Why would Caleb hire him if he had a record like that? Did he know? Was Kurt on parole?”

  “
Caleb knows everyone he hires, so yeah. But apparently he thought it was justified. Kurt made it sound like the guy deserved it, like he was protecting his girlfriend, and Caleb…”

  “And what?” I jumped off the trunk, standing in front of him, eager for more. I was desperate for any glimpse he could offer about Caleb.

  “Fuck.” Logan rubbed a hand across his stubble, avoiding eye contact.

  I snapped my fingers at his face. “Hey, come on, you have to tell me!”

  He grumbled something to himself, then returned his attention to me. “You need to ask him yourself why he would hire an ex-con and never question it.”

  “Maybe he didn’t know how bad the guy was,” I argued. “You just said he thought it was justified!”

  “He knew. And I refuse to speak on his behalf. I’ll just say this: He was returning a favor to a man he couldn't refuse.”

  “What?” Caleb didn’t seem like the type who would do anything he didn’t want to do, and this was getting a little too far into Godfather territory for me.

  “I know Caleb better than most,” Logan said sincerely. “He wouldn’t have let Cassandra go out with Kurt, or any other guy for that matter, if it wasn’t for you. He’d already warned me not to let her leave the bar with him. Not that he needed to.

  “And…” He offered a sympathetic half smile. “I already knew your confession. He told me the entire plan you’d worked up before Cassandra even arrived tonight.”

  “Seriously?” I huffed, emotionally drained as well as furious about feeling left out. I wanted to stomp my feet. “What was the plan, then? If you knew I was setting it up, I mean.”

  “To let her enjoy a date and then return her home safe and sound. You were right, though—I did realize that seeing her with someone else made me want to fucking kill him. Not what you were hoping for, though, I’m sure. So thanks for that,” he said, looking annoyed.

  “Damn.” I slumped back against the car, feeling baffled. “Caleb’s beyond angry at me.”

  Logan shrugged a shoulder. “Not your fault. He went down to the station and apparently it didn’t go well. He texted but I haven’t spoken to him.”

  Hesitantly, I asked, “They ran his background, he said. What exactly is he worried they’ll find?”

  “I'm not here to say anything bad about the guy. He’s a friend, and as pissed as I am right now, I understand his situation. Caleb’s made some bad plays and he knows it, but before he even moved back, he was pulling away from that life—building something legit. He’s not a bad guy. He’s simply having difficulties cutting ties with certain old associates.”

  “Associates?” I repeated. I thought back to the guy I saw outside Haven after the grand opening. “Does Caleb owe them money?”

  Logan appeared entertained at that. “No. Not that he hasn’t offered.”

  He must’ve seen the concern creeping over my face because he added, “Look, I can’t tell you what to do, but just watch yourself if you two get serious. Caleb has lived a certain lifestyle for a long time now, and tonight reminded me exactly how reckless the guy can be.”

  “You said yourself he wouldn’t let Cassandra get hurt—that he’s not a bad guy.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t make him a good guy, either. Not everything’s in his control, and I refuse to let his bullshit creep into my life or touch my family, my son. And I sure the fuck won't let it around Cassandra. If you want to risk it, that’s on you.”

  “So what now?” I asked, exhausted.

  Logan glanced back at Cassandra’s house. “Kurt’s going back to jail, and I'll make damn sure that he stays there this time. The rest, who knows. Keep watching out for your girl, and I’ll do the same. I know she’s watching out for you.”

  “She’s really asleep?”

  “I hope so. Come back in the morning. She’ll want to see you then.”

  “You think? She’s probably furious at me.” I did this. I’d set the ball in motion—or fist, in this case.

  “She loves you. Give her time, and she’ll see it’s not your fault.”

  I agreed reluctantly, ambling toward my driver’s-side door.

  “Oh, and the next time you want to set her up with some random guy, give me a call first. I'll tell you if he's worth it or not.”

  Logan began to walk toward his house.

  “Would any guy be worthy of her, or only you?”

  He was halfway to his property before I heard his response. “If I was worthy, I’d be inside with her right now.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Sleep evaded me the rest of the night, despite my exhaustion. My mind refused to power down, worrying about Cassandra, Caleb, and even Felicia. If she found something in Caleb’s records, what would she do with it? Use it against him? It was all too much to process at once, and when I added in the stack of cash I’d hidden in my kitchen drawer, I was completely fried.

  I lay on my couch, flipping through infomercials until the sun began to peek through my curtains. The moment it fully emerged, I sent the first of many texts to Cassandra, wanting her to know that I was sorry and worried about her and would be there the minute she woke.

  Around eight I gave up waiting, convinced she’d be up by then, and was in my car heading over. I pulled in the driveway, my attention not on her house but Logan’s. Caleb was on the front porch beside him. They watched as I pulled in and parked, then returned to what appeared to be an intense conversation. Both men looked angry.

  “Good morning, Hilary!” Logan shouted across the bushes as Caleb hurried down the steps.

  “Good morning.” I returned the greeting with a small smile, my attention fixed on Caleb as he stalked my way.

  “Hey,” I said softly as he grew closer, too tired to fight.

  I received only a curt nod while he walked past me, straight for Cassandra’s front door.

  “Wait!” I snared his shoulder. “Can we please talk a minute?”

  He pivoted just enough to see me, his jaw tense. “Talk.”

  I exhaled a frustrated sigh, throwing my hands up and slapping them down on my thighs. “Look, I didn’t tell Felicia to look into you, all right? It’s killing me that you think I would do that, but I didn’t.”

  “I know,” he said, as if bored.

  “What!?” I shrieked. “Then why are you still acting like this!?”

  “Like what? Exhausted?”

  “No, like an asshole!” I planted my hands on my hips. “And feel free to apologize for calling me a liar last night.”

  He ran a hand down his face, staring up at the cloudy sky. “What do want from me, Hilary?”

  “Uh, pretty sure I just told you.”

  “Fine.” He dropped his head back down, frustration written across his guarded expression. “I apologize for accusing you about the record check. We good now?”

  He didn’t even wait for me to answer, turning back around before I could.

  “No, we’re not good!” This time I raced around him, shoving both hands against his hard chest to stop him from going any farther. “I deserve an explanation for this.”

  “For what exactly, now?”

  “For you still being the one pissed off. You called me a liar and a whore. I should be pissed at you!”

  “Feel free. It would make this a whole lot fucking easier.” He slipped around me, walking halfway up Cassandra’s driveway.

  “Easier? Is that what you want—an easy way out, because you got rattled last night? What did Felicia find out? That you were dealing drugs?”

  He stopped and spun around so quickly I didn’t have time to process the dark shadow hardening his beautiful features. He stalked back toward me at the same pace, and I nearly tripped over a rock as I stumbled backward.

  “Whatever the fuck you think you know, you’re wrong. This entire shithole town is wrong. I’ve done plenty of things people like you would frown upon but selling drugs isn’t one of them. We clear on that?”

  All I could do was give one quick nod of agreem
ent, terrified at what sort of nasty beasts lived inside the man I adored.

  “Felicia wouldn’t set out to hurt you, Caleb.”

  “Maybe not before I hurt her, baby girl.”

  “Wait, last night wasn’t your fault. It was Kurt’s. It was…mine, even. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “You really believe that?”

  My shoulders fell at the desperation in his voice. I wanted nothing more than to pull him close to me and demand he let me in.

  “Logan told me you knew Kurt had been in prison, but also that you told him to make sure Cassandra didn’t leave with the guy. Did you believe he was dangerous?”

  “No,” he said so quietly I knew I was breaking through. “The guy’s a putz.”

  I let out a brisk laugh. “Then you can’t blame yourself for her getting hurt.”

  Caleb seemed to be listening. His head was bowed, fingers fidgeting together. “Thought the guy had a run of bad luck and just needed to start over.”

  He peered off toward the end of the driveway. “I understood that,” he said in a shameful whisper before clearing his throat. “But then he and Logan…fuck, Kurt went unhinged. That motherfucker’s still in the hospital. Logan lost it last night, seeing his girl like that. Fuck!”

  His girl? Caleb considered Cassandra Logan’s already. I smiled to myself, hopeful he was good for her but certain he’d protect her regardless.

  The longer we stood there, the more Caleb’s defenses were dropping. Hesitantly, I reached out for his hand, stroking the broken knuckles. I wanted to ask what happened to them—had he hit Kurt as well? But I needed to find the positive of the situation.

  “You gave someone a chance to prove themselves. That’s what good guys do. You—”

  His eyes sparked, hands ripping away from mine. “Good guy? That’s what you think I am?”

  “I know you are. I’ve seen it.”

  Caleb was so close I could taste the minty gum in his mouth. “Another apology I owe you then, because you don’t know a damn thing about me. I tried to play the part, be someone this town could respect, but that’s not me. That will never be me!”