Page 112 of Logan
Payden’s eyes soften. “Still, it can’t have been easy for him.”
I narrow my eyes. “Wasn’t this the jerk who asked you out one time?”
She told me that a few nights ago when we were sharing stories. I don’t care what she says, he’s an asshole. “He asked everybody out in the office,” she sighs. “I was nothing special. He just wanted another notch on his belt but I didn’t give him the satisfaction. I wasn’t into him that way.”
“It’s probably a good thing he confessed when he did,” Ivy says. “Otherwise he would’ve been fish food.”
I glance at her. “How do you know about that?”
Payden immediately raises her hands in protest. “Hey, don’t look at me. I don’t kiss and tell.”
Ivy rolls her eyes. “You guys are legendary down there. The bayou is a great hiding place for people you don’t ever want found again.”
I thumb behind me. “I’m gonna ask Becca if Connor would like to meet Dozer,” I say. He should be done from his own nap right about now. The little dude sure as shit sleeps a lot.
Payden beams. “That would be great. I’m sure he’d love that.”
I give her a chin lift as I take off.
We only have one more night here, and I want my girl all to myself in the cabin. The quicker we get dinner over with, the quicker I can get her undressed and life can go back to normal.
Well, semi-normal. I’m in love with a woman for the first time in my life and I don’t want to run. That in itself is a miracle for me, and I’m gonna roll with it. Following my gut has never steered me wrong before, and Payden is chomping to get back to her family and friends.
This chapter, at least for the moment, is dealt with, and that in itself has to be worth celebrating.
Payden
“It’s been wild,” I say, hugging Becca. “You’re so brave. I’m so sorry how everything went down. I had no idea. I tried to find you, in fact, if it weren’t for Bane and the Hellions, you’d be god knows where.”
Becca hugs herself as we sit in one of the lounge chairs in the common area. She still has Connor in her line of sight. “I’m not opposed to him bringing us here,” she says, her voice wary. “I was shocked at first, yeah, but when he said your name, I knew we were safe.”
I squeeze her hand. “I couldn’t get a message to you because we know for a fact some of the cops involved in your relocation were crooked. We just couldn’t take the risk. You’re safe here, Bane won’t let anything happen to you.”
She nods. “It’s the right thing to do, but now we’re both listed as missing.”
“Join the club.” I smile. I know none of this is even remotely funny, but what can you do? “I’m dead, according to the news.”
“Jesus, Payden. I’m so sorry for what happened at your office. I heard all about it.”
“It’s shocking,” I agree. “I haven’t slept very well since, but the club thought it was in my best interests to lay low.”
Becca’s voice lowers as she says, “It’s because of me. It’s all my fault. I sent that video to you because I didn’t know who to trust?—”
“Don’t ever say that,” I tell her. “They were coming for you and you had no idea Ryan was going to intercept it, or what the Mancinis were going to do. You couldn’t have.”
“All those people,” she goes on as if I haven’t spoken. “All those lives.”
“You couldn’t trust the cops. You had no choice.”
“That doesn’t make this any easier. I feel so guilty.”
I smile sympathetically. I hate this for her. I hate that she feels as if this is her fault. It isn’t. This if fucked beyond all measure. “I know it’s easy to say this, but you have to try and put the past behind you. You and Connor are safe now, that’s all that matters.”
She shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes. “What kind of world are we living in that we’re safer with a bunch of mean bikers, rather than the people we’re told will protect us?”
“I couldn’t agree more with you, but these mean bikers will protect you, and honestly, their bark is worse than their bite. Bane is a good guy. He may be a man of few words, and he’s gruff, but he’s given his word that he’ll keep you safe.”
“Why would he do that? What are we to him?” she whispers.
