She pivoted toward him and nodded. “Logan, I’m going to relax in my own home and go take off my shoes. Be right back.”
As she passed, he asked, “So that means you’re staying here?”
She winked at him. “You can’t get rid of me that easy Logan. I’m right where I belong.”
She went into the bedroom and made a point of taking off her flats where everyone could see.
Logan sipped his drink while they waited for Hannah to return and said, “Harrison, I can assure you, security is paramount for my wife and my family.”
Harry put his glass away from his lips and nodded. “I believe you. Just treat her right.”
Hannah deserved far more than he could ever offer. She deserved a hero and that wasn’t him, but he kept that to himself. Instead he said, “I’ll treat her like a princess.”
Hannah returned to his side.
Harry lifted his glass. “Then, cheers.”
The four of them toasted survival and Hannah’s presence made him hyperaware. She was too special and important. Letting her go was probably what was best for her, but he was a selfish man. He wanted to keep her, forever. Now he just needed to ensure she understood.
Chapter 18
Hannah put the glasses in the sink, noticing the tenseness of Logan’s shoulders. She quickly glanced at the clock and sucked in her breath. It was almost seven. No wonder Logan seemed nervous. Once she finished with the dishes, she sat beside him on the couch. “I love my brother, though he can be overprotective.”
Logan turned toward her. “I respect him for that.”
Of course, he would. She laughed. In some ways Logan was like her brother, protective and smart. She shook her head and said, “Your poor sister. She had six older brothers.”
A small smile grew on his face. “She seems to be the most stable out of all of us these days.”
Perhaps once he saw that everyone was okay, he could relax. She scooted closer, took his hand and said, “Any news on your father?”
Logan’s skin was as tight as a nut waiting to crack. “No, but with all of us wanting to see him individually, even if he’s here, it might take an hour or more.”
True, but until he arrived, there wasn’t much she could do for Logan. She pressed her knees toward him. “Are you worried?”
He let out a long sigh. “I am. My father was strong and healthy before, but prison wasn’t a good place. I can’t imagine him being all alone. At least I had my brothers.”
She’d never been in prison and couldn’t truly imagine being locked away, though she’d done it to herself for a long while. She pressed her hand on his thigh. “We’ll be here for him and your family. But tonight, do you think we can talk, just the two of us?”
His brow furrowed. “Sure.”
Drat, now wasn’t the time to bring up love. He had to be relaxed and in a good mood which meant after he saw his father. She stood and winked, exuding calm. “Perfect. I’ll get dinner in the oven. Whoever is picking out our meals is amazing. I never liked grocery shopping but now I just open the fridge and we have gourmet.”
Logan stood and followed her into the kitchen. “Elle’s people are on that.”
She kept her smile big and bright, and prayed everything was well with his father. She took out the food as he went to the sink. “Well, as I said before, I like your sister.”
They worked quietly as they prepared the chicken and mushrooms for dinner. She turned on the oven, and he got down plates to set the table.
The elevator chimed. Logan looked at her and cleared his throat. “Hannah, here comes my father.”
She checked the timer on the oven and walked beside him. “Let’s open the door then.”
“Hold my hand.” His fingers shook slightly. She squeezed his palm. Unlike at the bank where he’d been a hero, now he was scared? For his dad?
“Absolutely.” They reached the door. He took a deep breath, twisted the knob and pulled back, his body braced like they were in the bank, under fire.
As the door opened, she saw an older man that looked a lot like her husband, only with gray hair but the same broad shoulders. Ava grinned next to him.
Logan released her and reached out to hug his mother and then his father. “Mom. Dad. You look good.”
His father gently slapped his son on the back as they hugged. “You worked to get me out, son. I was told you had cyber issues last night and you were at the bank during a robbery?”
Hannah ensured the door was locked and then moved together to the living room. “Someone is out to hurt our family, Dad. We can’t let them.”
His mother stayed beside her and smiled.
“I thought giving up the crown was the answer to keep everyone safe,” his father said. “I never expected years later for any of this to happen.”
“None of us could.” Logan spoke like he’d had some part of his father’s decision, though he would have been a child then. He swallowed hard. “Dad, do you need anything?”
His father gave him a curt nod. “Your mother and I want everyone to come to our place tomorrow night for dinner. We don’t know your wife or Elle’s husband or any of your brother’s wives. Dinner together is a start.”
Logan came to her side and took her hand. “We’ll be there. Dad, this is Hannah—Hannah, my father, Ali Bentley.”
His mother then added fast, “Hannah’s parents were Howard and Elisha Hughes.”
His father’s face flickered, and he must have remembered them kindly. “I miss your parents, Hannah. Your brother helped Roy with the paperwork I understand.”
At least they had good memories of her parents. She nodded, “Yes.”
He pressed her shoulder for a second and leaned closer. “It is a pleasure to meet you and I’m happy you’re with my son.”
Logan’s father was clearly what Logan would look like in twenty-five years. She smiled and said, “Your son is one of the best men I’ve ever met.”
Logan shook his head. “Hannah, don’t talk me up. Dad, I’m just glad you’re home.”
His father straightened as he turned toward Logan, “Don’t cry son, not in front of your new bride.”
Her husband was emotional? She squeezed his hand and glanced up. His eyes seemed glassy, and her heart melted.
Logan pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and calmed down. “I wouldn’t.”
He was sexy with the almost-tears look. His father shouldn’t have said that, but she kept her opinion to herself.
His father stood taller, like he was in the military. “I know. I have to go see the others. Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to seeing you both.”
“Absolutely.” Logan pressed his hand to his father’s back and walked with him to the door. Hannah stayed beside him.
Once he said goodbye to both of his parents and closed the door, Hannah’s heart beat faster. “Your father looks wonderful.”
“He lost weight.” Logan walked next to her back to the living room and motioned toward the couch.
She sat. “He’ll gain it back.”
He sat beside her but then immediately drew her in for a kiss. Her heart melted. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight as he demanded her every attention. He broke the kiss long enough to say, “Hannah, I need you right now.”
She could feel his erection. She ran her hand through his hair and held his gaze. “Logan, you did amazing today. You were willing to die to protect me.”
His hands ran down her thighs and his body clearly craved hers. She grew softer from his touch. “You deserve better than what you have.”
He leaned closer and took another kiss. Her body ached for him as his hands went inside her shirt, sending flames through her as he pressed against her backside. As his next kiss ended, he kissed her chin and neck. “I just want you.”
“You have me.” She arched backwards to give him better access to all of her.
His fingers lightly traced her belt buckle. “Do I?”
“Absolutely.”
He then unbuckled her jeans and tugged them a little.
“Okay, we can talk tomorrow,” she said. “I need you too right now.”
Less than a minute later he removed all her clothes and lay her back on the couch as he stared at her with a brightness in his eyes. “You’re beautiful without clothes.”
Wow. She never thought or imagined she’d want him back so much. Love bloomed inside her and she would show him—if not with words, then with deeds. Right now, he needed her and she needed him.
He stripped off his clothes and his incredibly strong and chiseled body turned her on. As he came toward her again for another kiss she said, “Just hold me. You make me feel alive.”
And as he touched her, she was complete. He was her everything.
Chapter 19
Hannah finished her coffee and stared at the bedroom door. For once their roles were reversed and she was awake before him, but it was after ten. She was supposed to meet the other wives for coffee, but her shoes and sweater were still in the bedroom.
She washed her cup, ensured there was plenty of coffee for her husband and then entered the bedroom. Logan put the pillow over his head to block out the beautiful sunshine that poured into the bedroom. She sat next to him and placed her hand on his washboard abs. He turned toward her, lifted the pillow and she winked at him. “Logan, you slept.”
He stretched, yawned and sat against the headboard. His entire body was warm, but the gleam in his eyes made her melt too. He took her hand and kept it in his lap that was only covered with the sheet. “I needed it, I guess.” He let her go and the warmth in his expression cooled slightly. He sighed. “I should get to work and check on progress. My brothers still need cash and who knows what my mother’s medical expenses might be. It might be better to take her home.”
“Home?” She asked as he stood and stretched again next to the bed, letting her see his muscular backside.
He turned, winked that he saw her staring at his bum and shook it a little. She laughed but then he said, “Hoshkell, though that’s probably not possible. She’d be more peaceful in her gardens.”
While she’d always had nice homes, she’d never dreamed of a palace. She couldn’t imagine what their lives were like as children, but it had to be so different. He walked toward the bathroom, so she stood, fixed her black pants to ensure she had no wrinkles and said, “Well, I promised the women I would host a get-together, but because you were finally sleeping and not working, I texted Sarah and she’s happy to have everyone there instead. So I’ll be upstairs for a few hours.”
He turned toward her and had no care that he was completely naked. “Okay, come back for lunch?”
Nothing would keep her away. Today they’d have no drama and she’d tell him that she loved him. The air was too full of energy. Today was right, but for now she nodded at him and headed toward the door. “Absolutely. I want us to have time, alone, to talk.”
He called out. “Duh, duh, duh…” She turned toward his song of doom with her eyes widened, as he said, “That sounds scary but whatever you want.”
Her pulse raced. He didn’t need to see the conversation as negative. She lowered her head. “It’s not scary. Relax, but for now I should go.”
He leaned against the door frame for a second, but then he stood straighter. “We’ll talk. I promise to listen, after I make sure I haven’t lost all my money from another cyber worm.”
Fair. Logan worked harder than anyone she knew. She then smiled at him and nodded, “Go to work.”
With that he went to the bathroom and she headed to the door. She found her phone on the kitchen counter and quickly texted her friends, as she was a few minutes late. Sarah, I’m on my way now.
Out in the hall, she closed the door behind her and she felt like she waited forever once she hit the elevator button. Someone must be moving or something because she’d never been kept this long. She texted Sarah again. The elevator is being slower than usual.
Sarah texted back, No worries. You’re last.
Hannah glanced at the stairwell. She was only two floors up, but she’d never used the stairs here. She pressed her lips together, but then heard the elevator ding.
She let the thought go, held her phone in her hand, and took a step to get inside when she saw the blue eyes of Reverend Jensen and the black steel of his gun.
She froze immediately. She couldn’t move or think.
Jensen lifted his gun and said, “Get in this elevator, Hannah. We need to talk.”
If she went, she’d die. Her throat constricted but she jerked backwards. “No, we don’t.”
The gun clicked but didn’t go off. He pointed it toward her heart. “Then I’ll shoot you and go upstairs to get the other women.”
If she ran backwards, she’d never make it to her apartment. He’d have a clear shot at her.
If she ran to the stairs, he could easily shoot her down.
He held the gun with steady hands. “Get in.”
Her heart raced, but she entered the elevator.
No one else was going to be hurt. She clutched her phone behind her. “What do you want, Jensen?”
The elevator went down like they were heading to the first floor as he said, “You betrayed me. You set the police against me and didn’t follow through on our simple contract. I need to know why you lied.”
Ice felt like it formed at the base of her spine and layers grew up from there. She backed herself to the wall and asked, “Why I lied?”
He lowered the gun for a moment as if genuinely confused by her actions. “Yes, I’m about to be arrested.”
The elevator was close to the ground level now. She faced him, one hand at her waist, the other hiding her phone behind her back. It was all she had to get help with. She swallowed and asked as the elevator stopped, “For something that has nothing to do with me. Where are we going?”
He came beside her, and her blood went as cold as her bones. “You’re getting me out of this building now that I’ve left a present for my niece, Sarah.”
Present? She walked with him but met the gaze of security. She wished they could mind read her silent cry for help, but they noticed nothing wrong. She slowed her steps but Jensen dragged her out of the lobby, his arm through hers hiding the gun he had pressed to her side. “But all the women are with her, right now.”
He laughed at the door and shoved her into the hot Miami sun. “Good, then my bomb will have a master effect.”
Her skin crawled as she took a moment to understand his words. She clasped her heart and asked, “Bomb?”
He pointed toward the side visitor parking lot. “Now let’s go.”
For one second, he turned away from her and she typed fast. Sarah, there is a bomb outside your door.
Sarah typed back fast. Where are you?
Tell Logan I love him. She hit send and realized Jensen stared right at her.
She bit her lip as he grabbed for her and took the phone. “No more ruining my plans.”
He tossed her phone toward the beach and sand, then he put his hand on her back and tugged her forward. She felt tight and sick to her stomach. “Jensen, taking me hostage and hurting the others won’t help you.”
He pushed her toward a ten-year-old Chevy truck. “You won’t live long enough to care, Hannah. I need you as collateral to get to the airport.”
This car would never outrun the police. She’d seen the news enough. If she went further, she was dead anyhow. All she could do was hope they stopped the bomb upstairs. Her heart thrashed in her ears, but she lifted her chin. “You could have just escaped without stopping to hurt any of us.”
His face reddened. “Women are supposed to be men’s helpers, not destroyers. I didn’t believe you were Delilah reborn when I introduced you to a simpler life.”
She listened to her heart and hoped she found the right words. “Look. I was never married before. I can’t help that my husband treats me right and he’s everything I ever wanted—of course I helped hi
m. It is my duty.”
This time Jensen held up the gun and motioned it toward the truck. “I am still going to kill you.”
She cringed and her body trembled, but she took a step back, away from the truck as she shook her head. “I’m not going with you.”
He took a step closer to her and pointed the gun right at her heart. “You were always the most troublesome with all your demands. Get in, now.”
If she went she died. If she stayed she died. She took a step back and prayed.
“My wife isn’t going anywhere.” Logan’s voice came from behind her and he brushed his hand lightly against her back. She had no idea how he’d snuck up on them, but her heart leapt that he’d come for her.
She turned her head and saw he was in dark blue cotton pants and a white t-shirt, his hair damp from the shower. He looked strikingly handsome in the bright sun. “Logan.”
In the corner of her eye, she saw the metal from a gun flash in the sunlight. Jensen said, “The man who ruined my life.”
Logan placed his hand on her sides and pulled her further back. “Jensen, the police are everywhere. You won’t get off this street, never mind all the way to the airport.”
Jensen cocked his head. “Then I guess I get my revenge the old-fashioned way.”
“No.” She screamed and without thinking she reached for a nearby car door and opened it as the gun shot rang in the air.
Logan brought his arm over her head and huddled with her, but the shot must have ricocheted. She didn’t feel anything. People at the beach screamed from beyond the parking lot. Hannah looked through the car door that protected them both and saw Jensen drop the gun and clutch his bleeding shoulder. She was about to run out toward him when Logan grabbed her. “Hannah, get back here.”
Right. She couldn’t help the man who’d tried to kill her and Logan. She traced Logan’s face and felt warm for the first time, despite how close they were to the blue waves that crashed against the shore. For a moment it seemed as if they had all the time in the world. She held his cheek in her palm. “He was about to shoot you.”
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