Page 148 of Logan

LOGAN

“What the hell happened to your head?” Liam enters the conference room first, where I’ve called everyone to gather.

“Long story. You’ll hear it all in a minute.” I wave off his question, settling into my chair at the head of the table.

“Are you okay?”

I nod. “I’ll be just fine.”

The noise from outside tells me that Cora and Lucas have arrived too. I recognize their voices rising and falling in familiar banter as they approach.

They enter and take their seats at the large table. Cora slides gracefully into the chair to my right while Lucas sprawls in the one across from her.

“I’m curious.” Cora leans forward, resting her elbows on the polished wood. “I hope this isn’t some bad news.Oh, what happened to your head?” Her gaze zeroes in on my injury, a small frown marring her pretty face.

“Yeah, I have to admit I’m a bit curious, too,” Lucas says. “You never gather us all together like this in the middle of the week.”

“Just wait, and you’ll know everything soon.” I let a note of authority creep into my voice, used to being obeyed.

Dad enters, shoots me a hard look, but doesn’t say anything before taking his seat. Tension radiates off him in palpable waves.

I take a deep breath, preparing myself for what’s to come.

“I gathered you all today because I have news,” I say, moving my eyes over everyone in the room. My family. The people closest to me. I meet each of their gazes in turn, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. “I have two topics on the agenda.”

Liam narrows his eyes, and a crease appears between his brows. I have a feeling he’s trying to guess what’s coming. He knows about the video, so he has an advantage over the others, and I’m sure Dad is also guessing what’s about to come.

“I don’t know where to start, so I guess I’ll just spill it all.” I lick my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. “About a week ago, at the company event, someone filmed me having sex in the office.” The words leave me in a rush, hanging in the air like a guillotine waiting to fall.

I look at the stunned face of Cora in front of me. Shock slackens her features, eyes wide and mouths agape.

“You fucked someone in the office?” Cora says. “That’s something more like what Lucas would do,” she shoots our brother a reproachful glare.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Lucas hardens his face and turns to Cora. Annoyance flashes across his face at her jab.

“What do you expect? Isn’t it true? Every other day an article is published about you and your exploits. You’re a whore of the male variety.” She arches an eyebrow.

“Cora!” Dad cuts off the argument between them with one shout, and the table falls silent.

I continue. “This woman works here?—”

“What?” Cora jolts in her seat. “You fucked an employee? That’s not like you. Wait, is this the girl I met at the event? The one you talked to me about?” Her words tumble out in an excited rush, eyes bright with realization.

“Cora,” Dad warns again. “Let him speak.”

She sits back down.

“Yes, she works here. But the reason I’m telling you all, is because it’s not a one-time thing. I love her.”

“Oh God! I’m so happy for you.” Cora leaps from her seat and hugs me. “I thought it would never happen. You’re already old,” she says with a wide smile on her face and hurries to return to her seat. “Sorry, I had to.” Joy radiates from her, pure and infectious.

I roll my tongue in my mouth. Nerves flutter in my stomach as I gear up for the next revelation. “And because I overstepped my authority, and acted irresponsibly, I hereby submit my resignation.”

A jumble of voices erupts from the table as everyone starts talking at once. Chaos descends, each of them clamoring to be heard over the others.

“Quiet!” Dad shouts, slapping his hand on the table, his booming baritone cutting through the clamor like a whipcrack, and everyone falls silent. “I ask that you reconsider, Logan. We can fix the situation.”

I shake my head. “I’ve given this a lot of thought. Plus, some of the things that have happened recently made me realize my future is not here. I want to start a new company, one that will produce products that contribute to society, and Sloane will help me with that.”