by Jaci Burton
She hung limp in his arms. As he stepped outside, she closed her eyes and lost consciousness.
He felt her pulse, which was thready, rapid one second, slowing the next. He had to get her to a hospital.
Gently depositing her in his car, he backed away from the inferno that was once her trailer, his fierce anger fading somewhat as he took comfort in the fact that Josh was still inside.
The evil was gone. He felt it. Back to hell or wherever it had come from. Now he had more pressing things to worry about, like making sure Sophie survived.
* * * * *
Sophie woke to the sound of voices. Unfamiliar voices. She was cold, her body trembling violently.
And her throat hurt so damn badly it brought tears to her eyes. The fact she really needed to cough didn’t help either.
Forcing her eyes open, she blinked against the harsh lights, taking in her surroundings.
The hospital. Emergency room. A nurse came over and smiled, adjusting the mask that delivered sweet, pure oxygen to her lungs. “Miss Breaux. You’re going to be fine. A little smoke inhalation and a few small burns, but otherwise you were very lucky.”
Lucky. Right. It all came back to her. Joshua, her trailer, the fact that he was some sort of demon and she’d never, ever known that. How stupid could she be?
Tears pooled and fell and she shamelessly wept for the man who had been her friend since childhood. There had to have been goodness in Joshua. He couldn’t have been completely evil, or she would have felt it. She was sure of it. But something happened to him along the way, something that triggered this. Sadly, she knew what it was.
Because she couldn’t love him. Not like she loved Logan.
Lying there on the bed and staring up into the lights, Sophie had to smile at the irony. Josh loved her, but she couldn’t return that love. And she loved Logan, who didn’t love her back.
What a mess.
No, a nightmare.
“You have a few people waiting outside to see you,” the nurse said. “Feel up to visitors?”
She nodded while the nurse pressed the remote and moved the bed so she could sit up. Waiting, hands clasped, she wondered if Logan was still here. Her memories were still a little fuzzy, but she did recall him carrying her out of the fire.
Blinking the tears back, she refused to dwell on what she couldn’t change.
The curtain drew aside and Logan stepped in, followed by his parents and Samantha. Samantha ran over and hugged her.
“Oh, God, Soph, I had no idea,” Samantha said, tears streaming down her face. Her friend squeezed her tight.
Sophie coughed and shook her head. “I didn’t, either. None of us did, Sam. It’s nobody’s fault. Joshua just hid it well.”
Angelina pressed a kiss to the top of her head and held her hand. “Some magic is discernable. Some isn’t. Your friend was very powerful. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“I know.” If it wasn’t for Logan’s heroics, she wouldn’t be. She turned to him, offering a smile. “You saved my life. Thank you.”
His expression was unreadable, but she sensed a tension within him. “And you saved my family’s life. I’m sorry I couldn’t save your trailer.”
She didn’t care about possessions. Things meant nothing to her. “Is Josh…”
“Dead? Yeah. And I’ve talked to the police, explained that Josh set the bomb in the hotel and then went to your trailer and tried to kill you, but we fought and he died in the fire. That’s all they know.”
She bent her head, studying her fingers, unable to even summon up a happy response that Logan finally believed she hadn’t planted the bomb. “Thank you.” Then she turned to Angelina and Galen. “I’m so sorry about Josh and the bomb. I had no idea.”
Angelina rubbed her arm. “Quit worrying about that, cher. Everyone is fine. You meant us no harm, which we knew anyway.” She pointedly glared at Logan. Obviously Angelina was still angry that Logan thought Sophie had planted the bomb. “Now, we want you to stay in one of the suites at the hotel until we can find you a new place to live.”
“She can stay with me,” Sam said, inching onto the edge of the bed and taking Sophie’s other hand.
“No, she stays at the hotel.”
They all looked at Angelina. “I wouldn’t sleep if I couldn’t repay you in some way for all you’ve been through. We have a doctor on staff at the hotel who can check in on you regularly, and we’ll all come and visit.”
“Thank you, Angelina, but I couldn’t take up space for one of your paying guests.”
“Don’t be silly,” Galen added. “We’d really like you to stay at the hotel.”
Angelina nodded. “You’ll be pampered. Sam, you can come stay with her. Think of it as a vacation.”
Sophie looked to Sam, who shrugged. “Sure, why not? Change of scenery is always a good thing.”
“Good. It’s settled then. Logan, bring her to the hotel when she’s released. Now you rest and we’ll get out of here.” Angelina kissed her, as did Galen, then they left.
Sam said, “Are you sure this is okay with you?”
Sophie nodded. “It’s fine. We’ll have fun together.”
“Okay, honey. I’m going to go finish up things at the shop. When Logan called and told me what happened, I just ran like hell out of there and only locked the door. It’s a mess and I need to close up. I’ll pack some clothes. You and I can wear the same stuff until we can get you some new ones.”
Sam hugged her, then stopped in front of Logan, taking his hands in hers. “You saved my best friend’s life. I’m in your debt.”
Logan nodded and Sam left.
Uncomfortable silence filled the small room. Sophie laced her fingers together and stared at them, not sure what she and Logan had left to say to each other.
“Doctors say you can be released in about an hour. I’m going to go make arrangements. I’ll be back soon.”
She nodded and watched him leave. A strange emptiness filled her.
She’d lost Josh, someone she had thought of as family.
And she never had Logan to begin with, but his polite, amiable manner towards her told her that he wanted nothing more to do with her.
In the blink of an eye, she’d once again lost two people she loved.
Life would never be the same.
* * * * *
Logan had been wrong, on so many counts.
He flipped the cell phone closed and slid it into his pocket, pacing the hallways of the hospital like a caged animal desperate for release.
Yeah, he was desperate to get away all right. Desperate to get away from himself.
He’d been wrong about Sophie’s motives, her magic, her reasoning for seeking him out. Then, instead of gratitude he’d accused her of criminal acts. Acts that she hadn’t been responsible for.
Which had led her right to Josh. And Josh had almost killed her. If Logan had taken her, claimed her, he doubted Josh would have done anything to stop him. While the bastard was powerful, he wasn’t stronger than Logan, and Logan would bet that Josh knew that from the moment they met.
Then again, if it hadn’t turned out this way, then his family would have continually been in danger.
What a goddamn clusterfuck.
Which was why they shouldn’t be together. He didn’t trust her, and didn’t trust his own instincts around her. She could have died because he was more worried about protecting his cold heart than he was about protecting Sophie.
That ended here and now. After she recovered, after she’d had some time to rest, he’d go to her, reason with her and tell her they could never be together.
He laughed. Right. Like she’d even want anything to do with him after what he’d put her through. After accusing her of trying to blow up the hotel, she probably hated him right now, which really solved all their problems.
Or at least would solve hers. She needed much more than what he could give her. She needed a man’s trust, someone who embraced her magic, the wonderful gifts she gave to those she love
d. She’d tried to give those gifts to him and he’d thrown them back in her face.
He didn’t deserve her.
If she despised him, she’d no longer insist they were meant to be together. She’d stop seeing him, hounding him, making him want her, need her, desire her in ways he’d never desired another woman.
She’d go her way, and he’d go his.
And he’d never see her again.
Why did that thought offer no comfort?
Chapter Sixteen
Sophie adjusted the pearls around her neck and tried to focus on the bride, not her nervousness at seeing Logan today.
It had been a week since the fire, and she hadn’t seen him once. After her release from the hospital, he’d driven her silently to the hotel and delivered her into the arms of his mother. Between Angelina and Sam, she’d kept busy, mostly trying to convince both of them that she was fine and felt no harmful effects from the fire.
Her healing powers were above average anyway, and with the herbs and potions from her shop, the minor burns were already gone.
Yes, she’d lost her trailer and all her possessions, but what did stuff matter, anyway? Although she felt guilty staying at the hotel without paying, something Angelina assured her was no problem at all. In fact, if Angelina had her way, she’d move into one of the penthouse apartments at the top of the hotel.
Permanently.
Which wasn’t going to happen, of course. She was surprised Logan hadn’t already tried to evict her.
“You’re not supposed to be frowning on my wedding day.”
She looked up into Lissa’s smiling face. “I wasn’t.” At her pointed look, she said, “Okay, maybe I was. And you’re right. How are you feeling?”
Lissa grinned. “Ready as I’ll ever be. Lord, this has been a whirlwind. I’ll just be glad when it’s over. I’m ready for some warm sand, ocean-lit water and five days worth of sex and mayhem.”
Sophie laughed, her heart filled with joy and love for Lissa and Aidan. Much as she’d rather begin the process of distancing herself from this family she’d grown to love, today was not the day.
Regardless of Logan’s determination to keep his distance, they’d have to occupy the same space today. She had to deal with it, he could too.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Lissa said, a blush staining her cheeks.
Lissa was gorgeous in her full white gown; satin, pearls and tulle took up at least half the room. Her blonde hair had been swept into an updo, and small ringlets framed her face. Her blue eyes sparkled with love, brightening her whole face. Truly, she was a beautiful bride. “Aidan is one lucky man. I hope he never forgets that.”
“Not that we’d let him,” Shannon said, coming up and giving Sophie a quick hug. “And you don’t look too bad yourself.”
Sophie laughed. She actually felt pretty today. Being in the company of the Storm family always made her glow with happiness. Besides, who wouldn’t feel gorgeous in the bridesmaid’s dress? Off-the-shoulder lavender velvet hugged her body, the sleeves ending in a wide bell at the wrist and the straight skirt slit up one side. She just hoped the low neckline wasn’t too low. The long string of pearls dipped into her cleavage. Then again, Lissa picked out the dresses, so they had to be okay. She just wasn’t used to showing as much skin as she was in this dress. They’d barely had to alter the dress since she was the same size as the girl who was originally going to be in the wedding.
The next hour was spent in preparation for the event. The church was beautifully decorated, and Lissa peeked out now and then to see the people piling in. Sophie felt way out of her element here, and more than a little nervous at seeing Logan again.
Finally, it was time. They gathered in the lobby of the church. Bridesmaids, groomsmen and Lissa’s father all arrived.
Sophie caught sight of Logan and her breath halted. Lord, he was beautiful in a tux. The man looked like a born and bred aristocrat no matter what he wore, but when he dressed up like this, he literally took her breath away.
As if he felt her staring at him, he turned his head. He didn’t smile, didn’t frown, his expression giving nothing away of his feelings.
He’d gotten pretty good at masking them, too, because she couldn’t feel him. Maybe too many other emotions swirled through the lobby right now.
It didn’t matter anyway. Today was Lissa and Aidan’s day, and she’d simply have to push her feelings for Logan aside.
The music started and the long walk down the aisle began.
“You ready, partner?” Brett asked as he stepped next to her.
Refusing to dwell on the pain, she smiled brightly. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
The wedding went off without a single mishap. The glowing white aura around Aidan and Lissa was so bright she almost had to turn away. Love filled the church. Sophie shed a few tears as Aidan and Lissa recited their vows, promising to love each other forever.
She couldn’t help but glance at Logan while those words of love were exchanged, wondering why commitment came so easily to some while it was so incredibly difficult for others. In her heart, she knew she and Logan belonged together. But she couldn’t do anything about the fact that he didn’t return her feelings.
Unrequited love sucked. Even though Josh wasn’t who she thought he was, she felt a new sense of empathy for how he’d felt about her. He had loved her, back when he was a different person, and she hadn’t been able to love him back.
Would she feel this miserable for the rest of her life?
Shaking off the melancholy, she smiled brightly when Father John pronounced Aidan and Melissa husband and wife. Aidan swept his new bride into a passionate kiss, lingering so long that Father John had to clear his throat to pull them apart.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Father John announced. “I’d like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Aidan Storm.”
A huge round of applause echoed throughout the church. They stayed afterward and took what seemed like hundreds of pictures. The entire time, Sophie felt Logan’s gaze on her, yet she refused to look at him again.
What was the point? After the wedding reception she’d go back to her job, find a new place to live, and start her life again. She wasn’t the type of person to pine over someone who didn’t care for her, and there was no reason to beat her head against an impenetrable wall.
She’d tried to win his love, and failed. It was time to move on.
They left the church and rode in limos to the hotel. The main ballroom was decorated in lavender and cream, paper bells, balloons and streamers draped along the rafters and walls. The band began to play as Aidan and Lissa entered. Sophie walked in with Brett, and they were required to dance the first official bridal party dance.
Brett held her close, smiling at her the entire time. Yet she sensed turbulent emotions flowing through him. Happiness, yet a tragic sadness that tugged at her heart.
“You like weddings?” she asked.
He shrugged. “They’re fine for other people. How about you?”
“Yeah, I have to admit that I really do like them. But I’m a sucker for romance.”
Brett laughed. When he laughed, he relaxed, and some of that dark aura that surrounded him dissipated. She wished she could help him, but there never seemed to be a right time to ask him what made him seem so unhappy on the inside.
Quit trying to save everyone, Sophie. You can’t do it. Leave him alone.
Deciding to take her own advice, she let Brett whirl her around the dance floor and tell her jokes. Laughing out loud made her feel much better anyway.
* * * * *
“Logan, you’re squeezing the breath out of me!”
Logan blinked and looked down at a glaring Shannon. “Sorry.”
He’d been so busy keeping watch over Sophie and Brett that he’d hardly been aware he was dancing with his sister. The way Brett held her close, the easy way he made her laugh out loud, shouldn’t irritate him.
But it did. Big time.
“She’s dancing with Brett.”
“So what? Go cut in. You two have unfinished business.”
He rolled his eyes. Like every member of his family hadn’t already told him that. Twice. “Leave it alone, Shannon.”
“Oh, please. Look who’s talking. As if I’d had any choice when the family was trying to push me into Max’s arms.”
“Seems to me I recall you going quite willingly.”
He winced when she stomped on his foot. “Dickhead.”
“Love you too, Sis.”
She laughed. “Seriously. You love her. She loves you. You belong together. What’s the big damn deal?”
He turned his gaze from Sophie to his sister. “I hurt her, Shannon. Do you know how much I hurt her by not believing in her? What kind of a man does that make me? Do you think she even wants me in her life after the things I said to her?”
“We women can be extremely forgiving. Look at all of us. We love you, despite the fact you’re an overbearing, cold-hearted, anal-retentive pain in the ass.”
He arched a brow. “You’re so sweet. Stop. I’m blushing.”
Grinning, she said, “That just means I love you and you know it. Now quit acting like such a baby and go talk to her.”
“When I want advice, Shannon, I’ll be sure not to ask you. Now let it go.”
She shook her head. “You’re going to end up old and alone, Logan. And cranky as hell. I swear to God if you get any grouchier with old age, one of us will have to smother you in your sleep.”
“Ah, nothing like seeing my children get along so well.”
Logan turned to his mother, who looked radiant as usual. “Shannon started it.”
Angelina laughed. “Uh-huh. I’m cutting in.”
Shannon stepped back. “It’s not going away until you deal with it, Logan,” she said, then headed toward Max, who grinned at her approach. His mother slipped into his arms.
“Want to talk about it?” she asked.
“Does it seem like I want to talk about it?”
“No. Which means you should. At least to me. I know how you feel, Logan.”