Page 53 of Logan (The Valeur Billionaires #1)

Chapter Forty

SLOANE

“ L ogan.” I hurry to his side, burying my face in his chest as I sob. “I was so worried.”

“Don’t cry, baby. I’m perfectly fine.” He strokes my hair.

I lift my head, taking in the stark white bandage wrapped around his head. “They stitched you up.”

“Yeah.” He lifts a hand, touching his head. “Guess it’ll leave a scar. That bothers you?”

I shake my head. “Of course not.”

He shrugs. “Then it won’t bother me.”

Anger surges through me as I remember the sickening crack of metal on bone. “I can’t believe Johnny hit you with a shovel!”

“Well, it wasn’t exactly a shovel. More like a trowel. But not a fair fight, that’s for sure.” Logan grimaces. “My instincts saved me. I dodged the worst of it. Just a few stitches and a headache, that’s all.”

“That’s all?” I stare at him. “Logan, you could’ve died! And why did you insist on driving in that condition? You should’ve let me.”

He gives me a lopsided smile. “You were shaking like a leaf, baby. Didn’t think it was safe.”

I smack his shoulder, glaring. “And driving with a blow to the head is safer? Logan, I nearly passed out from worry.”

His expression softens, his eyes going warm and liquid. “No one’s ever worried about me before. I’m used to taking care of myself. Doing things on my own.”

My heart clenches at the quiet admission. I climb onto the bed, careful not to elbow him, and settle into his lap. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close as I burrow into his warmth.

“You promised me you wouldn’t kill him,” I murmur into his neck.

“And I kept my word.” He sighs, his breath ruffling my hair. “I’m sorry I let him provoke me into a fight. But I’d do it again. I won’t let anyone talk about you, to you or treat you that way. Not after what he did, sending that video.”

I stiffen, pulling back to look at Logan. “He’s the one who filmed it? Sent it? You’re sure?”

Logan nods. “He sent the video, he admitted that. However, he swore up and down he didn’t film it. Claims someone else sent the file to him.”

I frown, confusion warring with anger. “And you believe him?”

“Yeah. He was terrified, Sloane. I think he was telling the truth. ”

“Then who? Who would do this to us?”

His jaw clenches, a muscle ticking in his cheek. “I don’t know. I had someone scan the elevator cameras, but he found nothing.”

“Shit.” I slide off Logan’s lap and begin pacing the small room. “This is all my fault. My fault you got hurt, my fault you might lose the company...”

“Sloane.” His sharp tone stops me in my tracks. “Come here.”

I shake my head, wrapping my arms around myself. “No. It’s because of me?—”

“Sloane.” A warning note enters his voice. “Get that pretty ass back over here. Now.”

I obey, letting him tug me back into his lap. He cups my face in his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“Listen to me. You are not to blame for any of this, you hear me? I don’t give a fuck what happens to me or the company as long as I have you.”

“But what will you do?” My voice cracks, thick with unshed tears.

He shakes his head. “I’ll figure it out. Shit, the phone. Where’s the phone I took from him?”

I blink at the abrupt subject change. “Johnny’s? I think it’s still in your car.”

“Good. Thought I lost it for a second. I need to give it to Sam, make sure he didn’t send that video to anyone else.”

“Who’s Sam?”

“Someone who works for me. If I find out Johnny lied...” His eyes go cold and flat. “It’ll be the end of him.”

I shiver at the icy promise in Logan’s words. “You need to focus on recovering. ”

He waves a dismissive hand. “I’m fine. I told you. They’re just running a few more tests, then I’m out of here.”

“I really think you should stay. Just to be safe.” I nibble my lip, worry gnawing at my gut.

He arches a brow. “Trying to get rid of me already?”

“No, of course not.”

“Good.” His arms tighten around me. “Because you can’t. Even if you leave me, even if you say you don’t love me anymore... I’ll still do everything in my power to keep you safe. To watch over you, even from afar.”

Something warm and fluttery unfurls in my chest. “What if... What if I cheat on you?”

He scoffs. “Won’t happen.”

“How do you know?”

His eyes are serious, intent on mine. “Because I know who you are, Sloane. It’s part of why I love you.”

I swallow hard. “And if I want to leave? You’ll let me go?”

“Do you? Want to leave?” There’s no accusation in his voice. Just quiet acceptance.

“No. But what if I did, someday?”

He sighs, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’d be taking my heart with you. But I’d never force you to stay if you were unhappy with me.”

“And if you’re not happy with me?”

A slow, sweet smile curves his lips. “That’s not going to happen either.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re very sure of yourself.”

He touches his forehead to mine, his eyes lambent and full of promise. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. You’re it for me. Beginning, middle, and end. I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me.”

I reach out to the bed beside me, my fingers grazing the cool sheets.

I crack my eyes open, blinking against the morning light filtering through the blinds.

Logan is gone, the indentation of his body still visible on the mattress.

How did he slip away without me noticing?

He’s supposed to be the injured one between us.

Last night, I convinced him to stay and rest at the private clinic, but only after threatening to leave.

I spent the night with him there, but apparently, even a hit from a fucking shovel isn’t enough to make him sleep in.

He could have died. My throat tightens at the thought.

I could have lost him before we even started.

God, I almost lost him. I press a hand to my chest, feeling the ache of that possibility.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

His deep voice startles me. Glancing up, I meet Logan’s clear blue eyes as he stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed.

“You look sad.” He tilts his head.

“I was thinking about what happened yesterday and how I nearly lost you.” I fidget with the hem of the blanket.

“Baby.” He crosses to me in two swift strides and pulls me into an embrace, his strong arms encircling me. “That’s behind us now. You won’t lose me that easily.” He presses a kiss on the top of my head. “Though I do like the idea of you worrying about me.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

I thump his shoulder. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

His eyes sparkle with mischief, a smirk playing on his lips. “If you want me to fuck you, Sloane, all you have to do is ask.”

“I...um, that’s not what I meant,” I stammer, feeling a pleasant warmth spread low in my belly, accompanied by the familiar tingling between my legs. I clear my throat. “You need to rest.”

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “I don’t rest. It’s not who I am.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to get that.” I sigh, untangling myself from his arms and getting to my feet. “Where did you go?”

“I had someone bring me clean clothes.” He gestures to his fresh attire. “And I gave Sam the device to work on. He thinks the file was sent from a computer, which means Johny lied to me. I need to pay him another visit.”

“Don’t you dare.” I step in front of him, placing a hand on his chest. “You’re not going near him again after what happened yesterday.”

“Nothing will happen to me. I was distracted yesterday. Rookie mistake. It won’t happen again.” He covers my hand with his own, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin.

“You mean you were distracted because of me.” I lower my gaze as sparks of guilt churn in my chest.

Grasping my chin, he tilts my face back to his, his eyes intense. “Anytime you show up, you’ll have my full attention. If it costs me my life, at least I’ll die with you as the last thing I see. Worth it.”

Bending down, he kisses my lips, gently at first, but the kiss quickly ignites. His tongue delves into my mouth, and I moan as his body presses against mine, his hardness evident against my stomach. I thread my fingers into his hair, pulling him closer.

“Ahem.” The clearing of a throat brings me back to reality. I jump back, breaking the kiss.

I shove Logan off me and run a hand through my hair, my cheeks burning as I look at the smirking man in the doorway.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt,” the man says, holding up his hands in apology, but the amusement is clear in his eyes.

“It’s fine, Sam. What did you find?” Logan reverts to his usual cool demeanor, straightening his posture and crossing his arms.

“As I suspected, the file was sent from his computer.” Sam steps into the room, holding out a tablet.

“Fuck.” Logan exhales, rubbing a hand over his face. “The son-of-a-bitch lied to me. I should’ve killed him yesterday. I’m sorry I let you down, Sloane.” He turns to me, his expression contrite. “And Sam, I’ll get you that computer.”

“Hang on,” I interrupt. “Just hold your horses. Sam, can you hack into his computer remotely?” I ask, turning to the other man.

“Yeah, I suppose I could.” Sam nods, tapping on the tablet.

“So you can handle it without Logan getting hold of the actual device?” I clarify, hope blooming in my chest.

“If he hasn’t put up firewalls. From what I saw, he’s no computer whiz.”

“No, he’s not. Perfect. So you don’t need to go anywhere near him.” I give Logan a warning look, squeezing his arm for emphasis. “Sam here will deal with it remotely. ”

I turn back to Sam and ask, “And has it been released online?”

“From my search, it doesn’t appear so. But I need to check the computer—that’s the source. The file could just be waiting to be sent out,” Sam explains, his fingers flying over the tablet.

“Do it,” Logan says. “Let me know immediately if you run into any issues.”

Sam agrees and leaves the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

“So where were we?” Logan grips my hips and spins me to face him, a wicked grin on his face.

“Logan.” I place my hands on his chest, trying to maintain some distance between us.

“What?” He quirks an eyebrow, his hands sliding lower to cup my ass.

“I’m not having sex with you in the middle of a clinic,” I state, even as my body responds to his touch.

“Why not?”

“Are you seriously asking that? Someone just walked in on us a minute ago,” I scold him, glancing at the door.

“So where then?” He nuzzles my neck, his breath hot against my skin.

My mouth falls open in shock. “You’re really serious?”

“I don’t joke about sex,” he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe.

“You have a concussion, and you’re thinking about sex?” I gasp, tilting my head to give him better access despite myself.

“I’m always thinking about sex.” He chuckles, the vibrations sending shivers down my spine. “And it’s just a headache. ”

Well, at least he’s honest. Now I’m thinking about sex too. Damn him. “Car?”

His eyes widen, darkening with desire. Grasping my hand, he tugs me outside, navigating the hallways with single-minded determination.

In the blink of an eye, we’re at his vehicle, and he unlocks it, yanking the door open.

“Fuck!” he curses, raking a hand through his hair.

“What’s wrong?” I peek inside and recoil, my stomach turning at the sight.

The driver’s seat is covered in dried blood, the makeshift towel from yesterday crumpled between the seats, the rust-colored stains standing out starkly against the light leather. All my desire evaporates in an instant, replaced by a cold dread. I wrap my arms around myself, suppressing a shudder.

Logan rests his forehead against the door. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I ask, placing a tentative hand on his back.

“For disappointing you twice today.” He straightens, turning to face me.

“You didn’t disappoint me.”

“Of course I did. You wanted to come, and I didn’t give you that.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. He glances around the parking lot, his eyes calculating. “We could still go back to the clinic.” He suggests, a hopeful note in his voice.

I shake my head. “No.” The thought of getting caught again after that video makes my skin crawl.

“Then home. To my place?” He takes my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

I nod. “And what about your Porsche?” I ask, gesturing to the bloodstained interior .

“I’ll buy a new one.”

“Because of the blood on the seats? Can’t you just get it cleaned or replaced or something?”

“No. You’ll always be reminded of what happened, and I never want to see that look on your face again.”