Page 38 of The Secret Heir Next Door

I glance at Lila, who’s clearly enjoying herself. “I’m up for whatever. How about you?”

“Let’s keep the party going,” Lila says, raising her glass. “To a fun night and good company.”

We toast and continue enjoying the evening, the distraction making it easier to forget about Logan still watching me carefully.

It’s like he’s a lion stalking his prey.

Laughs get louder at our table, but the bar is starting to wind down, and with it, I feel a mix of satisfaction and exhaustion.

The night has been a much-needed escape, and I’m grateful for the fun and camaraderie with my best friend.

“Ready to head out?” Lila asks, looking at me with a friendly grin.

“Yeah,” I say, feeling a bit reluctant but also satisfied. “Let’s go.”

We say our goodbyes to James and Adrian, exchanging contact information and promising to stay in touch. As Lila and I head out into the cool night air, I feel a sense of contentment, knowing that the night has been a welcome diversion from my worries.

“Did you order an Uber?” I ask Lila.

“Yeah, it says it’s ten minutes out.”

I nod. The area we’re in is kind of sketchy, but the two of us together should be fine. Adrian and James have disappeared.

I feel a hand on the small of my back, and an electric current rocks through my body. I gasp and jump away, reaching for my keychain.

“Get in the car,” a voice says in my ear.

8

LOGAN

“Logan, come on, man,” Brant says, nudging me with his shoulder. “Have we resorted to stalking?”

“No. I have a driver and a car. They shouldn’t be getting into an Uber.”

“There are thirty other women in this bar, and you’re not bent out of shape about them getting into an Uber.”

They’re not Serena.

The thought of her going home with one of those guys who has been stuck to her all night is infuriating.

At least this way, I know that she’s not going to sleep with one of them tonight.

I want her in my bed tonight. I’ll be damned if she meets someone else.

As we step outside, I scan the area, searching for the two women who slipped out just a minute before us. I catch sight of them near the curb, huddled together as they fumble with their phones. They’re both noticeably intoxicated.

“I’m not thinking about her,” I lie. “If something happens to her, it would ruin Abby’s party.”

“Oh, that’s where we’re going with this?”

I run a hand through my hair, the strands falling back into their usual messy state.

“Can we not right now?” I growl.

I stalk toward where Serena and Lila are talking quietly. I put my hand on the small of Serena’s back.

“Get in the car,” I say in her ear.