Page 47

Logan

T he realization of it being a set up hit me the second I got to the garage.

If I had gotten out of my truck, I’d probably be dead.

But I hit the gas and floored it back to Sora.

When I got that phone call from Crew, my world turned upside down, the emotion stabbing me like a deep knife wound.

I’m losing my fucking mind, wanting to shed blood like it wasn’t a part of the past I left behind.

“What are we supposed to do now?” Lana’s been frantic all night. Crying. And we’re all exhausted.

“We should get some sleep. We’re no good to her like this.” Crew’s right, but my burning rage is enough to fuel motivation.

Yeah, sleep isn’t happening.

“No. I’m not sleeping until we find her.” Agree. Lana throws him a threatening scowl as she slumps down on the step next to me.

I run both hands down my face. “He’s right. You two sleep. I’ll keep looking.” I shoot Crew a knowing glance.

“Logan…” Lana pauses with a hand on my arm. “I know where she is. Don’t pretend like I don’t.”

My jaw muscles move as I grind my teeth together. Yeah, I know that. But deciding on a plan of action is the hard part. How do you infiltrate a billionaire who owns their entire city? I was waiting for the right opportunity. I suppose it’s now.

I glance at Crew, and we share the same look.

Lana catches it, darting between us both. “Stop looking at each other like that and tell me what you’re going to do.”

“Let us worry about that, killer. Go rest.”

“Don’t tell me what to do. I’m not resting until we get her back.”

“And how do you suppose you’re going to do that when you can’t even keep your damn eyes open?”

“Fuck you, Crew. You don’t know what I need.”

“Cut the sass. Now is hardly the time for your bitch side to show itself.”

“Enough.” I’m losing my patience and these two aren’t helping.

“Fine. You both win.” Lana stands, taking herself inside. “But you two better wake me up with any information on Sora. Or so help me God.” She slams the door behind her, and I wait before addressing Crew with my plan or not so plan.

“I’m going after her.”

“Yeah. No shit. Figured. It’s just how do you plan on doing that?” Crew asks, his arms crossed over his chest.

No idea. But I’d do whatever it takes to get her back. Fuck her piece of shit husband.

“Call Spencer. Tell him we’re going to need his help again.”

“I don’t know, man. I might have used my one and only free pass.”

Spencer’s been in contact with Crew, feeding him all the information on Sora’s husband he can dig up. I planned on using it to my advantage. Just not like this. But things clearly change.

“I need him to get me inside. That’s it.”

“That’s a big, that’s it .”

I shrug. “He still owes me.”

When I was inside, I saved Spencer’s life. He would have been shot dead if I hadn’t tackled the man holding a gun to his head. Don’t need an IOU for saving the guy’s life (one of the few good ones inside) but this is an exception.

Crew lets out a tense sigh. “Fuck. I'll be pissed if you die for a woman you just met.”

“She’s not just a woman.”

“They’re all just women, man.”

I stand, placing a hand on my friend's shoulder. “Not this one.”

“What about Charlotte? What if Sora took off like she did, and it wasn’t her fucked up husband?”

There’s a lot I can tolerate, but accusing Sora of something Charlotte had done isn’t one of them. “Never say that to me again.”

“Shit. I’m just thinking out loud. Covering all possibilities.”

“It’s not a possibility. Lana said her stuff was untouched.

If she had taken off, she wouldn’t have left everything.

And her car. Not to mention the death trap I almost walked into at the shop.

” Hoping my shop is still going to be standing, but that comes second.

I don’t give a fuck about my garage until I have Sora back in my arms.

“You’re right.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I’ll get a hold of Spencer.”

“And I think you should stay here. Lana shouldn’t be alone in case his men come back for whatever reason.”

“Fine. But I’m staying at your place.”

“Fair enough.”

“Jesus Christ. I hope you know what you’re doing, man.”

“Nothing makes more sense in my life right now than her.” It’s true. Sora came into my life unexpectedly, and I’ll be damned if I let her get away. Let him hurt her. Over my dead body.

Hold on a little longer, dove. I’m coming for you.

Sora

I barely slept. And when I managed to close my eyes, a loud crash downstairs jolted me back to my haunted reality.

There’s hustle and bustle. People everywhere. A chaotic mess. Florists and event coordinators shouting out demands. I don’t know what’s going on, but it doesn’t sit well.

I cross paths with the cook. “What is this?”

“It’s all for the annual business party tonight.” He stalks off, pushing a catering cart.

A dizzy feeling comes over me, and I brace myself along the wall for stability.

“Miss. You don’t look so well. You should lie down before the party.”

I’m not sure who said that because I was too busy trying to focus my attention on breathing properly. Slow, steady breaths. Slow and steady.

“She’s fine, Beatrice. Thank you.” My husband appears before me, dismissing the housekeeper.

“She’s right. You seem rather ill. You should rest before tonight. I need you looking your best.”

“Why? So you can pimp me out like one of your whores?”

I don’t expect it. I know what he’s capable of now, especially after last night, but it still doesn’t prepare me. The backhand to my face is quick, knocking my head to the side. I can already feel the trickle of blood from my lip. Same slap, more intense, different side.

Fucker.

If anyone saw it, they pretend not to notice.

“When will you learn? This is how it’s going to be from now on.” He cups the side of my face where he struck me and squeezes. A jolt of pain shoots through me. “Stop being so mouthy or this will be the result.”

The disgust shows on my face as I loathe this man down to my core. How is this my life? I tolerated it because I had to before, but now—now it’s different. I demand to do everything I can to fight my way out of here. And that’s what I’ll do.