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“Anna, it’s true, your one action flipped my whole world upside down. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole. But if it means that I can keep you, then I don’t want to go back,” he says softly.

It takes a few seconds for my mind to catch up to what he’s just said. I never contemplated a relationship with Logan. I’ve never had enough time to fathom that or anything else in the whirlwind of the last two weeks.

“Are you mad at him?” I ask tentatively.

Logan sighs and puts his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. “I…don’t know,” he admits. “I’m overwhelmed. This is a shit ton to process.”

“I know,” I agree. “I think he really did believe he was doing what was best for you both.”

“But is missing my whole childhood what was really best?” he asks, turning his head to look up at me.

“I don’t know,” I say. “I can’t imagine being in his shoes. But I know he feels guilt for his actions. He never intentionally wanted to hurt you.” I shudder thinking that a few minutes ago I thought Uncle Eddie might be trying to kill us. “I can’t believe I thought he could be behind all of this. I feel ashamed.”

Logan sits up and looks at me. “You have nothing to be ashamed about, Anna. You’re trying to save lives. It’s brave and noble of you. I admit you’ve been reckless in your actions, but your intentions were good.” He pauses as though catching up with his words.

“So were your father’s,” I say what I know he’s thinking.

“It’s just all so fucked up,” he replies.

I place a hand on his arm. “At least go talk to him, you owe that to yourself,” I tell him.

He nods. “I know. I just needed a few moments to myself, to process it all,” he says.

“I understand,” I say. “I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” I stand, and he reaches out his hand to me.

“Don’t leave,” he pleads.

I sit back down, and he puts out an arm, I snuggle against him and lean my head on his shoulder.

“Tell me a story,” he says. “Tell me something good.”

I take a breath. “Once upon a time,” I begin. I tell him about a little princess who lived in a castle and saved it from the evil dragon queen. It’s an old fairy tale, but I remember it well since I made Tessa, Auntie Lara, and Daddy read it to me every night.

When I finish, we sit in silence. “You’re the brave little princess,” he states.

“I used to think so,” I say.

“I know so,” he says to me, tipping up my chin and laying a soft kiss on my lips.

“We need to go back in, Logan,” I say to him as our lips hover millimeters apart.

He closes his eyes. “I know,” he says, his voice strained.

I stand and hold out my hand to him. He slowly takes it, stands, and pulls me against him.

“I don’t know why we were brought together, but you’re the only thing that seems right in my life now,” he whispers in my ear. I tighten my hold on him.

“We’re going to figure this out,” I say with conviction.

“Brave, little princess,” he says softly.

We pull apart, and I take his hand leading him back to the study.

Chapter 24

Ican hear voices talking from the hallway as we approach the door. It’s closed, and I knock. Marcus opens it and ushers us back inside.

Everyone stops the chatter as we enter. I squeeze Logan’s hand, and he squeezes it back.