Текст книги "Moonlight on Nightingale Way"

Автор книги: Samantha Young

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

The girl ringing up my presents for Maia stared at me with open envy. I squirmed at her assessing stare and looked down at my purse.

There it was again.

Why was he with her?

My mood plummeted, the high of buying Maia gifts slowly flowing out of me as we wandered back down Princes Street.

“Let’s grab something to eat,” Logan said, and I nodded absentmindedly. “What do you fancy?”

“Anything.”

He led us uphill off Princes Street and hailed a cab. As soon as we got inside it, he gave the guy our home address. I stared at him in question.

Logan shrugged. “Maybe if I get you home you’ll relax. You’ve been tense the whole time we’ve been out.”

My lips parted in surprise at his observation. I didn’t realize he was that perceptive. “I’m fine,” I lied.

His expression darkened. “Don’t lie to me.”

“It’s nothing,” I assured him. “It’s silly. My own insecurities. I’m working on it, but I can’t work on it if you take us home.”

“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”

I glanced over at the cabdriver, but he didn’t appear to paying much attention to us. “It’s silly.”

“You said that already.”

Heeding the warning in his impatient tone, I blurted out, “I feel like people are staring at us and wondering why the hell you’re with me.”

Logan stared at me in shock. “Fuck,” he bit out, the muscle in his jaw twitching. “Your mother really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

I flinched at the reminder. “I said I’m working on it.”

“I’ve changed my mind, mate,” Logan suddenly said loudly to the driver. “The Caffeine Drip.”

“I love that place,” I murmured.

“I know.” He took my hand in his, his grip tight, possessive. “And when we go in there, I want you to think of one thing.” He bent his head, his lips inches from mine. “When I walk anywhere with your hand in mine, I’m proud as fuck that a woman like you is with me.”

I felt the sting of tears in my eyes and nose. “I kind of like you, Logan MacLeod.”

His grin was wicked and slow. “You kind of more than like me, Miss Grace Farquhar.”

I tutt ed. “You really are far too cocky for your own good.”

His breath whispered hot across my ear. “You kind of more than like my cock… iness.”

I blushed and swatted him away, but he only pulled me closer into his chest so I could feel his laughter against me.

CHAP TER 24

“I t looks busy, guys,” Maia said as we approached D’Alessandro’s a week later.

“It’s a Saturday, but we’ll be fine. I booked the table a few weeks ago,” I lied, as Logan and I lured her into the restaurant under the pretense that we were having a quiet birthday dinner together.

Logan pulled open the door. “Ladies first.”

Maia stepped into the restaurant wearing one of the slogan T-shirts I’d bought her and the skinny jeans. I’d managed to talk her into wearing some jewelry and a pair of heeled boots to dress it up a little, and I’d insisted on putting waves in her hair. She looked so pretty. And so not aware of what lay before her!

I felt like a big kid, giddy for her reaction.

“Ah, Logan, Grace.” Marco’s uncle Gio greeted us from behind the host’s desk, having apparently been waiting for us himself.

A few days ago I’d met with Gio and his wife, Gabby, to give them the decorations and work out logistics for Maia’s party. They’d very kindly rented out the back room of the restaurant to us at a crazily discounted price.

“And this must be Maia?” He held out his hand.

Maia shook it, seeming bemused by the attention of the owner of D’Alessandro’s.

“Come, come. I’ll show you to your table.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

We followed him through the front room and down a narrow hall that immediately opened up into a large room.

“Surprise!”

Maia jolted to a halt at the cries of our new friends and her new family. All of the girls were there with their partners and kids, as promised, and Ellie’s mum and dad were there, too, along with Jo’s boss and Olivia’s dad, Mick, and his wife, Dee.

The children were jumping up and down with excitement as Maia stared around the room in shock.

Streamers hung from the ceiling and every nook and cranny. A massive silver banner printed with HA P P Y SW E E T SI X T E E N , MA I A was draped along the back wall. Tables were set up around one half of the room, a large buffet of food on one of them, a stack of presents on another. As discussed, we had a projector on the wall adjacent to the banner wall, and at that moment pictures of Maia with all of us were flicking on a slide show. We had a couple of Pixar movies to put on it later to occupy the younger children. Chairs and beanbags were placed in front of it for the kids.

“Oh my God,” Maia whispered.

Logan put his arm around her and pulled her in to his side. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

She looked up at him in teary-eyed awe. “Dad…”

He kissed her forehead. “Grace and the girls put this together for you.”

“But it was your dad’s idea,” I added.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Before we could reply, an older couple stepped out from the group, followed by a woman who didn’t look that much older than me. She had dark hair and pretty features that reminded me of Shannon.

I knew immediately who they were.

“Maia.” Logan put his hand on her back and led her forward. “This is my mum and dad and my other sister, Amanda.”

Not wanting to intrude, I skirted around them and strode into the room with Gio at my side, trying, unsuccessfully, not to worry about Maia. “The place looks great,” I said. “Thank you again.”

“No need. We’re happy to host it. Marco’s told us all about Maia and Logan. He’s doing a good job in a tough situation.” I watched Gio walk over to Marco and Hannah, wondering if Logan realized how much people admired and respected him.

Before I could muse too long over the question, Shannon came forward to hug me.

When she pulled back, her brow was wrinkled with worry. “The place looks great.”

“She said with a frown,” I teased.

She nodded her chin in the direction behind me. “They’ve barely said two words to me and Cole.”

“Why? I thought you had worked out your issues.”

Shannon sighed. “A few months ago I asked Logan to walk me down the aisle. Logan asked me to discuss it with Dad first, and of course Mum and Dad fell out with me. And then the whole Maia situation blew up.”

I hissed, “It is kind of a kick in the teeth asking your brother to walk you down the aisle.”

She blanched. “I know that. Don’t think I didn’t stew over it. But I want my life with Cole to be honest and real, and having my dad walk me down the aisle when he’s never really believed in my relationship with Cole, and he’s definitely never really believed in me, seemed hypocritical. It didn’t feel right.”

“So you asked Logan,” I said. “Well, I think that was brave.”

“Thanks, Grace.” She smiled sadly. “Some people at school think I’m a shit when I tell them.”

“They don’t know what you went through and how your parents weren’t there for you when you needed them the most. They can’t judge. No one can. It’s a difficult situation you’re in, and ultimately you have to make the decision that sits right with you.”

She nodded, expression grave as she looked past my shoulder again. “I don’t want them to hurt her. They have this wonderful way of acting like good parents only to disappear as soon as you disappoint them even slightly.”

Cole drew up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her back against him.

She was so short next to him, he looked like a warrior come to protect her. “You okay, shortcake?”

She nodded and clutched his hand. “I’m just doing my usual freak-out.” Her eyes widened slightly.

“They’re coming over here.”

“Should we abandon Grace to them or hang tough?” Cole whispered dramatically.

He succeeded in making her giggle. “I couldn’t live with myself if I abandoned Grace to them.”

“And Grace would never talk to you ever again,” I muttered under my breath, all my muscles stiffening as I watched Logan and Maia approach with the rest of the MacLeods in tow.

Thankfully, Maia was smiling, and her grandparents seemed genuinely happy to be with her.

Logan got to us first. He made a point of kissing Shannon’s cheek and nodding at Cole before sliding his arm across my shoulders and drawing me into him.

I studied Maia on closer inspection, and although she didn’t look upset, she did look slightly overwhelmed. I put my hand out to her subtly, and she immediately grabbed it and burrowed into my side. Logan’s parents and sister watched this interaction with interest and something that seemed a lot like suspicion. I braced myself.

“This is my girlfriend, Grace,” Logan said.

Very quickly I schooled my features.

It was a surprise to hear myself called that. Yet… I found it was a good surprise. I liked the sound of it. This last week Logan had worked very hard to exorcise my demons and insecurities.

I doubted there was a woman alive who felt more wanted than I did right then.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I held my hand out to his mum first, a petite woman with red hair and violet eyes. She was young-looking and still very pretty, and could probably pass for Shannon’s sister. Logan’s other sister, Amanda, had inherited her dark hair and eyes from her father, although his hair was peppered with gray.

He shook my hand after Logan’s mum did. “And what do you do, Grace?” he asked immediately, the question containing more than a hint of interrogation.

Logan tensed against me.

“Grace is a freelance book editor,” Maia piped up. “She’s really good at her job. She has bestselling authors as clients.”

I smiled down at her gratefully. “You make me sound cooler than I am.”

She shot me a look of mock horror. “Are you suggesting books aren’t cool?”

“Ooh, you walked into that one,” Cole teased behind me.

I shot him a look over my shoulder, and he grinned unrepentantly. “Thank you, Mr. Walker, for the narration.”

“You’re very welcome.”

“So how long have you been dating?” Amanda stepped forward. Unlike with her father, there seemed to be just curiosity in the question.

“A while,” Logan replied vaguely. “And before you ask, it is serious. But this party is not.

Question time is over. The birthday girl has guests to greet.” Logan led us toward the rest of the tribe, diplomatically making his point. His parents and sister had been invited, they were welcome to get to know Maia, but other than that they had no rights to know anything else about our lives. Not yet.

“You’re kind of wonderful,” I whispered in his ear.

“Just realizing that now?”

I pushed at him playfully, and he laughed, hugging me closer. We watched on in delight as Maia was engulfed by the Carmichaels, Walkers, MacCabes, Sawyers, and so forth. The kids clambered for her attention while she received hugs and kisses from the adults.

“You’re going to crush her,” a tall girl with curly blond hair and blue tip-tilted eyes said, hovering over Maia protectively. Eleven-year-old Beth Carmichael had inherited her father ’s height, her mother ’s hair and eye shape, and her dad’s pale blue eye color. She was an extremely pretty child, even if she did wear this constant expression of weary disdain that was hilarious on a little girl.

Maia had met Beth when she babysat for Joss and Braden a few weeks ago. According to Maia, the eldest Carmichael child had adopted her as one of her own.

“Okay, we’re done.” Beth fluttered her hands at everyone. “Let her breathe, but most importantly, let her open her presents.” She grinned and stepped back, nodding her head encouragingly at Maia.

I snorted.

Maia smirked. “I think you need to sort out to your priorities, Beth. Breathing always comes before presents.”

We tittered while Beth made a face. “Uh… only just. Presents are, like, the most important part of a birthday.”

Joss, who was holding her baby daughter, Ellie, in her arms, shot her husband a look. “What are you teaching our children?”

“Nu-uh!” Their eight-year-old son, Luke, crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head stubbornly at his sister. “The best part is the food!”

“What are you teaching our children?” Braden countered.

Logan pressed his forehead to the top of mine and chuckled.

“Can we just do something?” Maia said. “So… you know… everyone will stop staring at me.”

“Why?” Beth seemed genuinely bemused by this. “You’re the birthday girl. You should get all of the attention. It’s the third-best part, after the food.”

“You’re not my child,” Joss joked.

Beth put her hands on her hips. “You can’t run from it, Mother.”

Everyone laughed, Braden’s laughter the loudest.

Joss grinned and wrinkled her nose at her daughter. Beth stuck out her tongue and grinned back.

“You can’t either,” Joss reminded her.

“I’m younger. I probably could.”

“You run, baby. I’ll run after you.” She winked at her, and Beth smiled before turning her attention back to the still-overwhelmed Maia. I felt happy for Joss and Beth but envious of their teasing. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to have grown up in a home where my mother not only loved me, but treated me like a friend.

“Presents,” Maia suddenly announced, seemingly having caught the persistence in Beth’s gaze.

“Yay!” Beth clapped and ran for the table with the presents. “Open mine first! Please, please, please!”

Braden caught Logan’s eye across the room. “She loves buying people presents.”

“You better hide your credit cards,” Logan warned.

“I sleep with them on me.”

“And with one eye open,” Joss cracked before following everyone over to the presents.

“Hey, we didn’t miss anything, did we?”

I spun around out of Logan’s grasp, delight washing through me as Aidan, Juno, and Chloe strode across the room, carrying birthday presents in their hands. “Guys, you made it.”

Aidan engulfed me in a tight hug. “Long time, no see.” He pulled back, his gaze questioning. “Are we okay?”

“Of course.” I shoved him gently. “Don’t be an idiot. I’ve just been busy.”

His gaze moved over my shoulder. “So I see.”

Juno butted in. “Give me a hug.”

I was just pulling back from hugging Chloe when Logan appeared at my side. Chloe being Chloe, she hugged him whether he wanted to be hugged or not.

After shaking hands with Juno, he offered his hand to Aidan, and as they greeted each other, they eyed each other with masculine wariness.

I was really glad I hadn’t told Logan that Aidan used to be in love with me.

“So,” Aidan began, and I immediately tensed at the mischievous glint in his eyes, “she chose you over the history teacher after all.”

Logan glanced over at me. “I didn’t know the history teacher was an option.”

“He wasn’t,” I said quickly, and then glowered in warning at Aidan.

He just smirked until Juno hit him on the arm.

“A word, Grace.”

“A word, Aidan.”

Logan and I spoke in unison.

“Just… give me a minute to talk to Aidan,” I said.

Without waiting for a response, I grabbed Aidan by his T-shirt and hauled him out of the room into the hallway. Well, not exactly hauled. You didn’t and couldn’t haul Aidan anywhere. “What are you doing?” I hissed.

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “I’m just not convinced about this guy. I want him to know that you have options.”

“I don’t have options,” I whisper shouted. “The history teacher is not an option.”

“That’s not what you said a few weeks ago.”

“A few weeks ago I was hurt. Logan is trying to make up for that. People deserve second chances, Aidan.”

He nodded, concern for me swimming in his eyes. “They do. But, Grace, you have a habit of giving people fifty chances.”

“Look, I know you mean well, but this… Logan isn’t like my mum and dad and Sebastian. He won’t hurt me intentionally.”

“He could still hurt you, intentionally or not.”

“Yes, but so could anyone,” I said, suddenly making the realization myself. “The history teacher could have if I’d given him chance. Even you could have, Aidan.”

He frowned. “He’s not like your usual blokes.”

I laughed. “No, he’s not. And I never felt about them the way I feel about him.”

Slowly Aidan’s shoulders relaxed and his eyes warmed. “So what you’re saying to me is ‘keep your big nose out of it.’”

“Never. You’re my family, Aidan. If you didn’t care, I’d hate it. But Logan and I need to work all this out for ourselves without you pushing his buttons.”

“Gotcha.”

We wandered back into the room only for Logan to grab my hand and lead me over to the table where Maia was opening her presents. “When she’s done, we talk.”

“Logan, it was nothing,” I tried to explain, but he was already focused on Maia and ignoring me for the moment.

I let her delight distract me as she opened present after present. She received books, gift vouchers, makeup, DVDs, chocolate, and other gifts galore. The tribe spoiled her rotten.

“Dad, did you see?” Maia ran up to him after thanking everyone. She’d left her presents in the care of Beth, who had organized her brother to clean up the wrapping paper while she tidied the gifts into a neat pile.

“I did.” He smiled down at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners attractively. “Having fun so far?”

Eyes wide, she stared around at the room. “I’ve never had this many presents before, let alone a party.” She turned to me, eyes bright with excitement. “I got eighty pounds in gift vouchers for the bookshop.”

“Nice,” I said. “We’ll go tomorrow if you want.”

She nodded, looking dazed.

“You all right, sweetheart?” Logan said.

“I just don’t know what to do next.”

“I’ve got something.” He disappeared behind the table and brought up his present.

I grinned as Maia opened her mouth in surprise. “Another one?”

“From me.” He gestured her over. “Open it.”

“There’s another present!” Beth yelled at everyone, drawing attention back to the table.

“Horsey!” Belle, Jo and Cam’s daughter, cried out excitedly, running for the table.

Beth eyed the rectangular-shaped parcel and then Belle, this time dubiously. She shot a look at Jo, as if to say, What are you teaching your child?

I had to wipe the tears from my eyes, I was laughing so hard.

Jo narrowed her eyes on Beth. “She’s just going through a horse phase.” She turned back to look at Joss and mouthed, Smart-arse.

Joss just grinned.

“What is it?” Maia said, and I turned back to her. I wanted to see her expression when she opened it.

“Open it and find out.”

Carefully, Maia tore open the paper and turned the box around so she could read the front. Her jaw literally dropped at the sight of the laptop.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Logan said softly.

She immediately burst into tears.

His eyes flew to me.

Good tears. Good tears, I mouthed, waving my hands at him frantically.

He rounded the table at my direction and pulled her into his arms.

“I think it’s cake time,” Elodie announced, her years of experience as a mother shining through as she deftly drew attention away from Maia while she composed herself. “Let’s go, kids. Let’s get the cake for Maia.” They followed her, chattering at her the whole time, and I marveled at the way she could take in everything and have multiple conversations at once.

I stepped forward toward Maia and Logan, and I was only about a foot away when Logan reached out an arm and jerked me into the huddle. They both wrapped an arm around me and I held on tight to them.

“You’re going to make me cry now,” I whispered over the lump of emotion gathering in my throat.

“Good. That will make me feel like less of an idiot.” Maia sniffled.

Logan and I pulled back, and I cupped her tear-streaked face. “You are not an idiot. You’re a sweetheart.”

She wiped her face and gazed up at her dad as if he were a hero come to life. “Thanks for the laptop, Dad.”

Wetness shimmered in his eyes, and he could only nod.

My fingers curled into his T-shirt, and I fought hard not to cry at the sight of his emotion.

“Maia, why don’t you go show Beth the laptop,” I suggested softly, realizing Logan needed a minute.

Maia seemed to realize that, too, and did as I asked.

In turn I took Logan’s hand, led him out of the room and into Gio’s office. “Are you okay?”

In answer he pulled me into his arms and just held on tight.

We stood there for a while not saying a word.

“You’re mine,” he suddenly whispered.

I stilled. “What?”

Logan drew back just far enough so he could cup my face in his hands. “Did you consider going out with Maia’s history teacher?”

Surprised by the sudden turn in conversation, I shook my head. “Aidan is just being an arse.”

“Did you?”

“Logan —”

“You’re mine,” he said, his words fierce. “I’m yours. I’ll never let anything or anyone come between that.”

I shivered at the sweet possessiveness in the words and clung to him tighter. “I don’t want anyone else but you.”

He closed his eyes as if in relief and leaned his forehead against mine.

The silence wrapped around us, this time only emphasizing our closeness, our connection, and the wordless promises we made to each other.

CHAP TER 25

I t was one of those perfect mornings. Not too hot, but the sunlight was pouring in through the window. Earlier I’d woken up in my boyfriend’s bed after a night of sweet lovemaking. We’d had breakfast with Maia and then she’d gone off to the YA summer program at the library and Logan had left for work.

I’d returned to my flat, where I was working on Joss’s new manuscript and eating leftover croissants from yesterday’s trip to my favorite bakery. For the first time ever, I was able to throw off my inner angst over… well… everything… and I was just enjoying my work and life.

I should have known it would all go to hell.

The knock at the door was the signal of the start of it.

The man standing on my doorstep was the “hell” part.

“Father,” I said softly, shocked by the surrealism of him standing on my small but clean landing.

Gabriel Bentley stood there in a crisp white – most probably designer – shirt, lightweight leather jacket, and dark trousers. He was shiny and clean from the top of his perfectly combed hair to the gleaming black Italian loafers on his feet.

But the shiny and clean were only skin-deep.

My fingers curled around my doorframe. “What do you want?”

“May I come in?” he said, pushing his way past me.

I felt the panic rise up from my chest, a choking sensation wrapping around my throat as I closed the door and followed him inside my flat.

I found him in my sitting room, looking around, taking it all in.

“What do you want?”

He gave me this weary sigh in response to my snappish tone. “Your mother is sick. She has breast cancer.”

Hearing him say the words out loud suddenly made it so real. “I know,” I said. “I saw an article in the news.”

My father jerked his head back as if I’d slapped him. “And it never occurred to you to come see her?”

I fought off a wave of guilt. “Last time I spoke to her she told me she never wanted to see me again.”

“To be fair, you did tattle on her to me about her lover,” he chastised.

Dumbfounded, I shook my head. “One – he was not her lover. He was my boyfriend. Two – do you not hear yourself? I will never understand your mutual lack of respect for each other and your marriage.”

“On the contrary, I have a healthy respect for your mother.” Looking saddened, he sat down on the arm of my sofa. “I just wished you’d inherited her realism. You get hurt so easily, Gracelyn. It’s hard to watch.”

“My name is just Grace,” I reminded him coldly.

He nodded. “Grace.”

“Why are you here?”

The sadness melted just enough for that steely determination of his to shine through. “I’m here to convince you to come home. The media have shown some interest in the fact that you’re not home, standing vigil at your mother ’s bedside.”

I sneered. “Of course. It’s all about appearances with you.”

He had the audacity to look hurt. “I am the head of a media company. Image is everything. But I do need you for more than that. She’s sick, and I don’t know what to do.”

Try as I might, I couldn’t ignore the niggle of sympathy I felt or the ever-increasing guilt. “Is she dying?”

“She’s fighting it. But it’s a difficult battle. Sebastian has stepped up to take a more hands-on role in the company so I can concentrate on getting your mother the best treatment possible.”

I crossed the room, my legs shaking too much to stand any longer. Once I was seated across from him, I somehow found the courage to ask the question I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer to. “Has she asked for me?”

I received only silence as my father looked at the floor.

“That would be a ‘no,’ then.” I closed my eyes, fighting the pain of her rejection. Like always.

“I am asking you.” He stared me straight in the eye and gave me that coaxing smile he’d always given me when he was intent on getting me to do whatever he wanted. “I have missed you.”

I eyed him suspiciously. “I never would have known that what with all the e-mails, calls, and cards you sent over the last seven years.”

He frowned, seeming perturbed by my stubbornness. “The lack of communication goes both ways.”

“No, it doesn’t. I was betrayed by my mother, and you and Sebastian brushed it off like I was a child who needed to grow up and understand the ways of the world – as though betrayal is just a part of life. Well, it’s not. I know that now. I have people who care about me, and they would never betray me like she did. Like you all did.”

My father cocked his head to the side in thought. “Are you talking about this man, this neighbor of yours? Logan MacLeod. The ex-convict and his long-lost child.”

I sat back, the panic rising within me again. “You’ve been looking into me?”

“Of course I have. You’re my daughter. I didn’t let you go off into the world entirely by yourself.

You needed space from this family and I’ve given it to you, but I’ve also been watching over you. I know all about you. I know about the rugby player, Aidan Ramage, and his fiancée, Juno. Canadian, yes? And, of course, your best friend from college, Chloe. I know you all go to Skye every year for a weekend in the summer and Paris for a weekend in the winter. I know you, Grace.”

“That doesn’t mean you know me.”

It didn’t.

But I was also completely thrown off-balance by the news that he had always been looking out for me. Looking out for me or into me – the result was the same. My father hadn’t completely abandoned me.

I didn’t know how to feel about that.

“I know you well enough to know you’ve been taken in by an ex-con.” He stood up, towering over me, no longer the weary father but the intimidating businessman. “I know you enough to know betrayal is something you cannot stand for. You’ve abandoned your family over it. And now you’re opposed to returning to us because of this Logan and his daughter. I think it’s important, then, that you know he’s manipulating you. He’s not what you think he is.”

“Enough!” I jumped to my feet, my anger boiling in my blood.

My father flinched back, shocked that I would use that tone with him.

Shocked, because he was wrong.

He did not know me.

I wasn’t afraid anymore that speaking out would turn him away from me. “You don’t know the first thing about Logan.”

“Oh. Do you?” He stepped toward me, his cheeks reddening with his rising temper. “Why don’t you ask him about the American blonde he’s sleeping with? Ask him why she was at his club during the day while he was working there. Twice. This week.”

It was like a punch to the gut. It actually winded me.

How did my father know about the American? He could only know if what he was saying was true.

But surely there was an explanation…

“Get out,” I gasped, slumping down onto my sofa, curling into myself for protection.

“All right.” His voice was soft with sympathy now, real or faked. “But once you see reason, you can find me at the Balmoral Hotel. I’m staying there until you agree to come home with me.”

It was an understatement to say my father had sucked all of the happiness out of my flat when he’d left. It was like my family had radar or something!

“Oh, look, Grace is truly happy. Let’s go shit all over it!”

I barely moved from my sofa for the rest of the day as I went over and over everything my father had said. The confusion, the guilt, the sadness… it was all so much.

I needed to talk to Logan.

That afternoon, around dinnertime, he and Maia walked into my flat together. I knew Maia had been going to a friend’s house after the YA program and that Logan had agreed to pick her up after his work. That meant I’d been stewing, and knowing that I’d have to stew for hours, until this moment.

As soon as they walked into the living room, I looked at Maia. “Could you give me and your dad a few minutes alone, sweetheart?”

Maia took in my expression, concern in her eyes. But she nodded. “I’ll go next door.”

“Grace, what’s wrong?” Logan asked as Maia left the room.

When I heard the door shut, I stood up. “My father was here today.”

“What?” Logan marched across the room and took me by the arms. “Are you okay?”

“No. He wants me to come home. To be with my mother. She really is sick.”

“Breast cancer?”

“Yes.”

“Fuck.” Logan’s grip on me tightened, and he tugged me closer. “You told him no. He’s off his fucking head if he thinks you’re going home with him.”

I blanched and pulled out of his hold. “He did his usual. He tried to manipulate me.” I glanced over my shoulder at Logan, whose own concern seemed to have quadrupled since I pulled away from him.

“He said you saw the American. Sharon, was it? He said she visited the club twice this week. During the day. How did he even know about her?”

Now it was Logan’s turn to blanch.

My stomach fluttered unpleasantly. “Did she visit you?”

“It’s not what you think. I saw her once this week. If she visited before, I wouldn’t know about it. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to get upset over nothing. She was there to see if I wanted to rekindle things one last time before she left the country. I told her about you and she left. End of story.”

My heart was pounding at the thought of that woman being anywhere near him. For Christ’s sake, I could still hear her screaming his name from his bedroom next door. I gritted my teeth against the memory. “If it was nothing, you should have told me.”

“And upset you over nothing? You’re starting to trust me. I didn’t want to fuck it up.”

“Clue in, Logan. It’s better to hear that shit from you than someone else. Least of all my goddamn father!”

“This is what he wants!” Logan yelled back, gesturing between us. “To fuck us up so he can sweep in and manipulate you into going home with him!”