Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 142783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Emotion welled.
So thick.
So real.
A dubious sound puffed from my father’s mouth, and he took a step back, eyed Logan when he said, “I expect you and my daughter in Los Angeles on Friday. We will have a discussion. Without an audience.”
He slanted a direct look at Jarek when he stated it.
My own shock had me rocking forward, the ground shaking beneath my feet. Was he actually hearing me this time?
It was the same second Jarek snapped. He flew forward in an effort to get around Jud, only it was like slamming into a brick wall.
Jud held him back by the upper arms while Logan positioned himself in front of me. Jarek thrashed and tried to break free, threats ripping from his mouth, “You have just signed your death warrant. I promise you. I will take back Aster and the stones you stole. Where are they?”
Desperation wheezed from his outrage.
My stomach twisted.
The stones had been nothing but a curse.
“Let’s go.” My father lifted a hand in the air to indicate it was finished.
Jud shoved Jarek back. “I’d suggest you disappear, asshole.”
Dizziness spun my head, and I tried to remain upright, unable to believe the possibility.
That my father might actually see.
The group of men moved deeper into the parking lot.
“Papa,” I couldn’t help but call out.
He barely paused. Barely looked back.
But he did, and I thought what I saw in his expression was mercy.
Thank you, I mouthed.
With a tight nod, he turned and disappeared into the hazy darkness.
In the background I could hear Trent rumble low, “Prick is gonna be back.”
“It would seem that way, Sir,” Milo offered quietly.
“You good, darlin’?” Jud shifted his attention to me.
I gave him a jerky nod, the welling of shock so thick in my throat I wasn’t sure I could speak.
Logan tugged at my hand. “Come with me.”
And the truth was, I would follow him anywhere.
FORTY-ONE
LOGAN
LOS ANGELES, NINETEEN YEARS OLD
Logan tried to conceal his harsh breaths as he approached the office where he was rarely summoned. Dread slithered across his flesh, his stomach in knots and his heart beating out of time.
Aster’s father had to have found out.
Had to know.
And if that were the case, he doubted much he would make it back out of that room.
Gathering his courage, he knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
He inhaled a shaky breath and opened it to the rambling study.
Aster’s father sat behind his enormous desk, coolly casual the way he normally was, like there wasn’t a thing in the world that could touch him.
An immortal king.
Logan gulped and took a single step forward. “Sir, you wanted to see me?”
“Shut the door and sit.” He pointed at a chair across from his desk.
Logan clicked the door shut and tried to keep his knees from knocking as he crossed the room and sat. His muscles ticked as his nerves scattered.
Andres Costa leveled him with his eyes, studying him like he were sifting around in Logan’s mind for his secrets.
Finally, he said, “You have been an asset to this family, Mr. Lawson. When your father suggested I bring you in, I was skeptical, but you’ve proven yourself to be more than worthy.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
A tiny bit of the tension drained off, but not enough to keep him from itching in the seat. Unsure of where this was going because he definitely felt a but coming.
“Inside these walls is much different than when you step outside of them, though.” Aster’s father swished a hand around the room. “Here, there are fewer mistakes to be made. Fewer temptations to lead you astray. Fewer questions of loyalty.”
Logan’s chest squeezed.
What was he implying?
Did he know?
He clung to the arms of the chair while sweat gathered at his nape.
Andres Costa eyed him carefully. “And I think it is time we give you the chance to prove that, Mr. Lawson. Your loyalty to me and this family. My brother, Antonio, is to receive a shipment tonight of a treasured family heirloom. I wish you to accompany Jarek to my brother’s warehouse to ensure its safe passage here. You will be rewarded handsomely, of course, but more importantly, you’ll secure a spot for yourself in this family if you want it.”
Pride welled up, a feeling like he’d found his path, what he was purposed to do.
His mind spiraled with a thousand thoughts. Every one of them at odds.
Trent’s choice to leave this city. Aster begging him to take her away.
Logan’s pulse thundered.
But was that what she really wanted? To be separated from her father forever? From her sister? From all that she knew? And if they left, he could never provide for them the way that he could here.
This was his chance—his chance to earn Aster’s father’s trust. To earn a place in their family. To show him Aster would be better off with him than with Jarek.
And she deserved the world. Every fucking treasure. A giant house and a big backyard. She didn’t deserve to be running and hiding in the shadows for the rest of their lives, terrified of what might be waiting for them around the corner.