He pulled on the tie again, bringing my lips to his. “Anything you say.”
“Anything?” I challenged.
The dirty path his mind was taking was evident in his eyes. “Anything.”
“Could you hand out some flyers for me?” I ducked under his arm, the tie sliding over my head. He slid it back around his neck, watching me as I picked up a handful of papers from the stack and held them out to him.
“Flyers? For what?” He took the smaller stack, and when he looked down at it, his entire mood shifted.
My expression melted into a somber one. “I know you said Jax was on it, but it’s been days and I can assure you Jax has been too occupied to properly search.”
“Cassandra…” His gaze lifted slowly from the photo of Scout up to me, his features softening.
“If you could just put some up around the office, or…maybe I could buy an ad! Isn’t that what clients do—buy a spot in the paper? How much is it for a small section?”
“Cassandra.”
Something was wrong. It was written all over his face and deep in his tone.
“What is it?”
“Sit down,” he said.
I shook my head. “No, just tell me. Did you already find him? Is he…”
Oh, God. I slumped down onto the seat. No—I was overreacting. I had to be.
“Logan?”
He set the papers on his desk and kneeled down in front of me, his hands taking mine. “Forgive me. I was only trying to protect you.”
I fought back the sting of tears. “Protect me from what?” My breathing grew harsher. Scout.
“You were so overwhelmed that day, and I didn’t want to add more stress to it.”
My pup, my Scout. What did Kurt do!? I trembled as I waited for him to continue.
“One of the officers found Scout by the back door. I didn’t know how to tell you. We were in the hall together when I saw the officer carrying him over. I directed him to go out front so you wouldn’t see.”
“He’s dead!” I shrieked, my hands flying up to cover my mouth as tears obliterated the dam.
“No, he’s going to be okay. Shit, I should have said that first, I’m sorry.” He cupped my face, his thumbs wiping away the wetness there. “He’s still at the vet, and should be able to go home soon.”
I released a breath. “You should have told me that first!” I slugged him lightly in the chest for causing me to panic. “You should have told me that day!”
His hands traveled down my arms, reclaiming mine. “I know. I struggled with it. When you told me to call Jax, I did. I went to check on Scout. He was in the back of a squad car, barely able to breathe. Jax came right over and took him to the animal hospital. I was told Kurt has a vicious bite on his ankle; Scout attacked him—probably when he first entered your home.” Logan’s slight smile was a proud one. “He’s a good dog. He was protecting you.”
“What did Kurt do to him?”
“We believe he kicked him. He has a couple broken ribs and a ruptured spleen, but he’s a fighter, just like you. Jax has been checking on him.”
I sighed, willing further tears away. “That’s why he didn’t want you to know he helped me make the flyers.”
Logan ran a hand down his face. “He made it clear he wasn’t going to be the one to tell you. My brother doesn’t do well with emotions.”
“Not surprising.” I rolled my eyes. “When can I see him? Scout, I mean.”
Logan stood, pulling me up. “Whenever you like. He’s at the vet around the corner. I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close. “Thank you—for taking care of him, and me. You’re right…it probably wouldn’t have helped if I knew then.”
“Does that mean I’m forgiven?” he whispered.
“That means I understand and didn’t have enough time to get mad at you,” I clarified.
Laura’s voice rang through the intercom. “Mr. West? Lawrence West is on line one.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” I told him. “Good luck with the investor.”
“If you can wait to see him, I’ll take you first thing after work,” Logan offered.
“Thanks, but I want to go now. I need to see he’s really okay.”
“I understand.”
The kiss we shared when he snuggled me close in his arms left me breathless and swooning. But then again, his kisses always did.
“I’ll see you this afternoon,” he said, releasing me to return to his desk. I grabbed my coat and dumped the flyers in the recycling bin by his door. With his eyes on me, he lifted the phone.
“Lawrence, did you receive the fax yet?” he said into the receiver.
I blew him a kiss and walked out at a brisk pace, heading for Scout.
My visit with Scout was an emotional one. There was a bandage around his middle. The vet explained all the care he’d need to heal properly, and that I could take him home in the morning. After holding him on my lap for over an hour, thanking him for protecting me while simultaneously chastising him for not hiding from Kurt, I kissed the top of his head and promised to see him in the morning.
My walk from the vet to Haven was complete with damp eyes and shivering bones, but that wasn’t what gripped my attention.
It was the keen sense that I was being watched—followed. I’d felt it since I’d left the vet’s office, but didn’t focus on it until I’d walked over a block and still couldn’t shake it.
Stopping abruptly, I shot my gaze back, looking to see if it was paranoia or actual fear to confront only to find no one. I was alone on the sidewalk.
Pull it together! I reprimanded myself internally as I turned back and continued on.
Outside the front doors, I pulled off one glove and took out my phone, sending a text to Luke.
You busy for lunch? I’m outside Haven.
It took only a minute before he replied.
Can u deliver it to the office? I’m stuck here going over a case.
I can be there in twenty. What u want?
A break!
I chuckled. His father worked him harder than any other associate.
I meant food wise.
Surprise me!
Just a heads up I have a favor to ask.
I hoped he’d help me with Scout. I couldn’t bring him home until he was healed at least enough to withstand one of Oliver’s bear hugs.
U got it. I have one as well. C u shortly.
I sent a little happy face his way then tucked my phone back in my pocket, curious what his favor entailed. I wondered if he and Julia had hung out again since Valentine’s Day.
When I walked into Haven, Caleb spotted me instantly.
“Hey, Cassie! How are you feeling?” he asked, stepping around the bar to wrap me in a hug. He pulled back, his brows scrunched. “You been crying? No way. Not in my place. Dry it up and show me that dazzling smile of yours.”
It worked. He had a way about him that could pull a smile from even the most pessimistic fool.
I rubbed the corner of my eye. “Sorry. I just saw Scout. He’s at the vet.”
A slight frown appeared on his face. “Yeah, I heard about that. Sorry. But I gotta say, that’s a damn good dog, protecting his pretty lady. Although I know Logan is more than happy to relieve him of that duty while he heals.”
My smile grew. “I’m starving, and I promised to bring your brother lunch. Tell me you have something special back there.”
“No grilled cheese today?” His brow shot up teasingly.
“Nah, I was thinking something different.”
“Come on. I got a new chef who’s been whipping up these unbelievable little sandwiches. Hilary can’t get enough of them.” He chuckled, passing through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen.
“Jacob, we need about eight of the deli delights,” he told the guy standing in front of the massive oven. “A variety.”
“You got it!” Jacob called back.
“Eight??
?? I questioned. That sounded like a lot. How small were they?
“I know Luke. He’ll have half of them gone before you get a single bite.” He looked back to Jacob. “Make that ten.”
I laughed, following Caleb to a room farther in the back, where he sat. I hopped up on a long counter littered with paperwork, next to a tall beer. Caleb took a swig.
“So how are you, really?” he asked.
I swung my feet in the air. “Besides finding out about Scout, I’m doing pretty good. Logan knows how to keep me distracted.”
“I’m sure.” He peeked up from the paperwork and snorted.
“So how are you and Hilary doing?” I asked, changing the subject, my blush fiery.
He jotted numbers down on one of the sheets in front of him. “She’s been on edge lately.” After writing a few more things down, he looked up at me. “Obviously she’s been worried about you.”
“Yeah, she stopped by Logan’s this morning.”
He chuckled, setting the top sheet aside and writing on the next. “She promised me she’d give you some space till today. I had a feeling she’d be there first thing this morning, since she disappeared while I was in the shower.”
“She wasn’t too happy I hadn’t called her. She’s like my sister,” I told him, which was true. And right then, she was mad at me like one.
“I know. She’s lucky to have you.”
I changed the subject as sadness began settling in. “So, did you hear Luke spent Valentine’s with Julia?”
“I did. She’s a good girl, he’d be lucky to land her.”
“Logan told me she was the reason you and him met.”
“That’s right. Logan knows I had no idea she was jailbait. The moment I realized, I stood there and took the hit. You know I never had a sister, but I can imagine if I did I’d be damn well protective of her. Logan was in the right, and next thing you know, we’re poker buddies.”
“Poker buddies?” I loved learning anything new about Logan I could.
“Yeah, Logan’s my wingman. Damn, he’d take the shirt off someone’s back; he’s ruthless. I’m good, don’t get me wrong, but Logan plays dirty when he has to. When he wants something—”
“He takes it,” I finished for him. Oh, how I knew that. “Yeah, I know. I’ll have to play him sometime. You taught me, remember? I was like twelve, and you were on the picnic tables at the park with Luke.”
He looked ahead, almost thoughtfully. “Ah, right, I forgot about that.”
“Hilary and I play sometimes. We suck, which means you weren’t a very good teacher.”
That broke through his musings. He shook his head once and looked over at me. “Hey now, I’ve been teaching Hilary a few tricks, so you best watch out for her.”
His love for her was spelled out clearly in his crooked smile. I wished it was enough for her to see that he’d support her—that she could trust him enough to tell him about the baby.
“So are you and Jax friends?” I asked, searching desperately for an in to read him better.
“We’re not enemies.” He released a clipped laugh. “Jax has some growing up left to do, but he’s a good kid.”
“Yeah,” I nodded, debating my words internally. “He reminds me of Logan when we first met: a bit of a whore.”
“Hey now, you don’t want Logan to know you thought so low of him.”
“Believe me, he knew.” I cracked a smile.
Caleb grinned. “Yeah, he did.” He took another swig of his beer and added, “For the record, I tried to steer him away from you—at least, until I saw he was genuine.”
“And when was that?” I was on pins and needles with curiosity.
“Shortly after you guys went to the farm. He said you were adorable.” Caleb shook his head in amusement. “Logan never tells me anyone is adorable—not even Oliver. But you…you were adorable to him. Not sexy, or a superficial prospect—”
I scrunched my nose in disapproval of his choice of words and held up my hand to interrupt. “I got it. Adorable. That’s me.”
I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Logan saw me, really saw me, for more than just sex even then. Maybe it was relief I felt warming me to my toes, but still…I wouldn’t mind if he found me sexy as well.
“Don’t worry. He still checked out your ass more often than not.”
I swatted his arm, another blush creeping over my cheeks as I swung my feet higher.
After a brief pause to build up courage, I took a stab. “Can I ask you a question?” My head was down, teeth gnawing at my lip.
“Of course.”
Here goes.
“You ever think about the future? I mean, you turned this place into something amazing, you make a killer drink.” I laughed, trying to relax my suddenly stiff shoulders. “You’re obviously talented. And let’s face it: You and Logan don’t really fit in around here.”
“You kicking us out of your town already?” He mocked a dramatic, stunned look.
I laughed more loudly, nervous hesitation in my next words. “No, I’m just curious what you want—in life and all.”
He set his pen down slowly and turned to face me with his full attention. “That’s a pretty deep question. Hilary send you down here?”
“What? No!” Crap, not good! Abort! Abort! “I was just thinking about my future and what I wanted, and…and thought I’d compare notes.”
And I’m done. Blown! Stealth does not work for me. My palm itched to smack my face.
“Well, for now I want exactly what I have. You can tell Hilary I’m not interested in walking away from her.” He leaned in and, with a mischievous crooked smile, whispered, “She and I have too much fun yet to be had.”
And with that, he turned back to his paperwork.
“Seriously, she didn’t send me down here. I came for the food and was just curious.”
He nodded, unconvinced. Great!
“Food’s up!” Jacob called, sliding a bag down the line. Caleb grabbed it and handed it to me.
“Take care of yourself. And tell Hilary I’ll be waiting for her tonight.”
With a sigh, I jumped down and opened my purse. “Right, so what do I owe you?”
“I won’t tell you again—your money’s no good here.”
“Thank you.” After a peck to his cheek, I headed toward the front. I glanced at the kitchen clock, and was surprised to see it was almost two. No wonder I was so hungry.
As I stepped through the swinging doors, I stopped, my gaze falling on Logan sitting at the bar with two men wearing uniforms from the prison. Guards.
Why is he here? I just saw him not even two hours ago. Did his meeting go well?
I decided to get out of my head, and had begun walking over when I heard the guard closest to him speak.
“Don’t worry about it. He’s scum, and will be dealt with as such.”
Scum? They were talking about Kurt—had to be. My mind flew back to his words, remembering how Logan had paid off the guards last time.
“Another round on me, gentlemen,” Logan said, his face lit with a pleased grin.
Chapter Ten
Suspicions
I stepped toward them with slow, precise steps, my entire body stiff. I was unsure how to interpret what they were saying.
No! I’m overthinking things—jumping to conclusions. I had to be.
I released a rapid breath and bounced my shoulders to break apart the heavy burden of unwarranted suspicion settling there.
“Hey. Thought you had a meeting,” I said, surprising Logan when I rested my hand on his shoulders.
His barstool swiveled toward me. His relaxed features and easy smile sent my stomach into a full somersault.
“I did. Finished a while ago.” He took my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm, his eyes never straying from mine. They spoke on their own—told me he was pleased to see me—and right there, with that single look, I was at ease.
He’d always had a way about him, but since Valentine’s, I could no long
er deny or fight the pull of his charm. I hadn’t figured out whether that was a good thing.
I smiled back, forcing myself to ignore the two guards watching us.
“I didn’t know you were still in town, or I’d have called you to join me,” Logan continued, patting his lap for me to sit.
I lifted the bag in my hand. “Can’t stay. Bringing lunch to Luke at his office.”
He pulled my hand to bring me closer, dragging me down until I collided with his chest. “Your office call to him better not be anything like mine,” he whispered roughly, then placed a gentle kiss to my ear.
Ah, so Logan still had a hint of jealousy where Luke was concerned. It was ridiculous, yet it left me with a cheeky grin.
I straightened, adjusting my coat, and casually replied, “Doubtful, but you never know.”
“Is that so?” he questioned, his eyes glistening.
I raised my brows playfully. Slowly, I tore my gaze from his and redirected it to the guard beside him, who was chewing on a toothpick.
“Sorry to interrupt your lunch. I’ll let you get back to it,” I said, suddenly uneasy, not wanting them to get back to anything involving Kurt.
“No problem, doll,” the guard replied. “You’re Felicia’s daughter, right?”
I nodded, a tight smile in place. “That’s me.”
His smile grew. “She’s got our pal George falling all over himself.”
The other guard snickered, popping a fry in his mouth. “Sure does. The poor bastards that work the graveyard shift with him say he’s writing poetry now.”
“Really?” I made a mental note to get to know George better.
All three men looked at me and laughed. I narrowed my eyes at Logan and scowled playfully. “You’d be surprised what some poetry will get a man.”
“Sorry, sweetheart, you’re right. I need to give that some more thought,” Logan said, his laughter still rumbling around us.
I bent to give him a kiss goodbye and he murmured, “I can’t even imagine it getting any better, but if poetry does it for you…”
He left his words hanging between us.
“Enjoy your lunch—and don’t be so hard on George. He seems like a good guy,” I said, giving a slight wave as I turned to leave.