by Janie Marie
The hostess’s expression fell as though she couldn’t comprehend the idea.
“I had plans to take her away on a surprise trip, but some stuff came up, and I had to change our plans last night.” He gave the girl a nervous smile. “I was still going to try to be romantic by taking her on as many cheesy first dates as I could fit in one day. It was a dumb idea. Lunch was supposed to be the first date, but the wait will ruin the other dates.” He let out a sigh. “Sorry, baby. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
The hostess looked like she was about to burst into tears.
“Thank you anyway”—he looked at her name tag—“Hela.”
“Wait,” the hostess called when they turned.
“Yeah?” He looked over his shoulder.
She blushed and looked around before gesturing for him to come closer. “I have a spot on our balcony. It’s reserved, but their time isn’t till one o’clock. I’m sure I can stall them while you have your meal.”
“Really? I don’t want to cause you any trouble. It’s my fault things didn’t work out like I planned.” Logan’s surprise was exaggerated, but Kylie could see just how much this girl was buying it.
The hostess shook her head with a proud smile. “It’s no trouble. I’m sure your girlfriend loves the thought you put into her day—I would.” She turned to Kylie. “I know it’s not what he wanted to do for you, but I hope our cafe pleases you.”
She nodded, smiling even though she didn’t like this girl swooning over Logan. “I’m sure it will.”
Logan placed a kiss on her head.
Hela grinned, snatching up two menus. “Right this way.”
“Thank you so much.” Logan took Kylie’s hand and followed the young woman.
Kylie looked around as they passed the line of people waiting, shaking her head when she heard Logan chuckling.
“Nice, Grimm,” she said, quieting when the hostess beamed up at her.
“I didn’t lie,” he murmured before giving the girl a million-dollar smile. “Thank you again. You might’ve just saved my relationship. Obviously, the man who calls you his knows how to make you feel like you’re his world.”
Oh, Lord.
“I don’t think it’s possible for you to ruin anything.” Hela blushed as Logan pulled out a seat for Kylie. “I don’t have a boyfriend anyway,” the girl rushed. “I’m hopeless. I kinda fell for the wrong guy, and he’s hung up on a woman he considers his queen.” The poor woman looked dazed. “Um, I’ll get your waiter and tell the kitchen you’re a VIP, so they’ll rush your meal.”
“Thank you.” Logan sat, his gaze falling to Kylie. “I’m lucky she’s letting me try to show her how much I love her.”
The girl sighed before covering her red cheeks and rushing off.
“You better start talking to me like that.” Kylie laughed, her own cheeks probably as red as the hostess’. “Where did that charm come from, Grimm?”
He smirked, opening his menu. “Baby, I’m charming as fuck. That’s why you love me.” He scanned the menu before closing it.
“You already know what you’re eating?” She watched him grin.
“Steak and potatoes. I need my energy today. And tonight.” His smile was sinful. “I told you I’m the best present, Hood. I meant it.”
Logan held the passenger door open so she could get out. He was checking his phone as he took her hand to pull her up, but he smiled and kissed her as soon as she stood upright. “You look so pretty, baby.”
She smiled against his lips. “Thank you. For the clothes and lunch.”
He gave her a sweet kiss before gesturing to the building behind him. They hadn’t gone far from the restaurant, but she had no idea where they were.
“Oh, there’s a lot more for Kylie Day.” He chuckled, pulling her along until the building sign came into view: Prince Center for Arts.
His cheeks pinked a little. “I remember when we met, you were sketching.” He paused. “I took a guess that because you’re an amazing artist, you might enjoy art.” He gestured to the building. “This is one of the Legacy foundations. The Prince family wanted to display and preserve their history, so they made a gallery. It’s expanded over the years to become one of the most coveted art centers in the country.”
She was in awe that he was really thinking about her, trying to figure out her interests.
“We still have other dates.” He glanced between her and the building. “I know you’re not thrilled about my family history, but I wanted to show you something positive that the families have created. And, um, I kinda hoped you’d like to see some of the art.”
“Logan,” she whispered, suddenly too emotional to process what she was feeling.
“Is something wrong? Do you not like art?” He looked so cute, and all she could do was pull his face down to hers.
As usual, he took control, tugging her closer before lifting her enough her feet dangled a few inches off the ground. “I guess you like art?” He smiled against her lips and kissed the corner of her mouth before lowering her.
“I do.” She couldn’t keep her dreamy smile from showing. “I just can’t believe you remembered something so small. I don’t think I’ve been able to draw since that day.” Honestly, she didn’t like her drawings. They were nothing compared to his.
“I try to remember everything about you.”
Her smile hurt so much, but she smiled wider and let him pull her up the steps.
“We have to hurry.”
Kylie let go of Logan’s hand and walked over to an area in the gallery that caught her eye.
Logan came up beside her, his body heat warming her. She smiled as she studied the charcoal sketches. They were beautiful depictions of fairy tales. They were the classics, not the American tales. She’d already seen the entrance to that exhibit, but Logan seemed to know she wasn’t interested in diving further into that world. For all she knew, there was a shrine to Janie in there.
Kylie shook her head. She needed to focus on today, and she needed to give her Janie hate a break.
“These are amazing,” she whispered, still captivated by the small collection. “Do you like these?” She didn’t look away and walked closer to one of Red Riding Hood. “This artist is very passionate about their work, especially this one,” she said as she pointed to the painting of Little Red Riding Hood lying on the forest ground. She was surrounded by blood as the figure of a man leaned over her. Both were completely oblivious to the menacing eyes watching from the shadows. Something about it seemed familiar, but she didn’t know why because that’s not how Little Red Riding Hood’s story went.
Logan didn’t respond.
“They must have been so sad—angry,” she said. “This meant something to this artist. I think something tragic happened to them. There’s so much pain. I wonder who it is.”
She dropped her eyes to the signature: L. Grimm.
“Only Janie and Nick’s cousin, the curator here, know I showcase my art,” he said quietly. “Now you do, too.”
“Logan,” she whispered.
“I want you to know as much as you’d like to know about me—minus the stuff I’m not allowed to tell you.” He gave her a soft smile. “I know it bothers you my life is so entwined with hers, but if you want to know me, she’s a part of me.” His gaze drifted to the picture. “That’s her.”
Her eyes widened. “She’s your Red Riding Hood?”
He smiled sadly as he touched the glass. “I needed a way to express my pain. It’s not enough, but this kept me from getting into worse shit than what I got myself into. There are things I have to tell you, but not today. Still, I wanted you to see this—a glimpse of the real me. No lies. Just me.”
Kylie darted her eyes to the drawing. It was heartbreaking. The girl did look like Janie, but she was dead. “This is the part of her that died.”
He nodded, his hand trembling as he touched the face on the drawing. “Our breakup wasn’t what people have gossiped about.” He never looked away f
rom the drawing. “We’d been broken up for almost three months when she came to the gym to talk. I saw her across the room. She had a little box in her hand. I recognized it. It was her forever box—that’s what she called it. It was just memories of us. She’d started doing it when she was maybe six or seven, whenever we’d have to go weeks without talking. I’d draw her a picture, and she would write me a letter. They were cute little kid things. I was kind of embarrassed, so I would read them and hand them back to her. She kept all of them like a silly girl.”
Logan pressed his lips together, exhaling as he squeezed his eyes shut. “Just before she’d come to see me, Mark had told me something about her. Something that changed everything about our breakup. I was devastated, because it meant I’d fucked up. All the pussy and partying I’d done since losing her was just extra pain I’d inflicted on her, and she would find out. I knew, though, she must’ve had hope the rumors about me were just that—rumors. Instead of facing her like a man, I was a coward.
“I watched her start to smile at me, then I pulled Gloria onto my lap. I smiled at her, kissed her lips, then kissed across her cheek so I could mark her neck. Then I heard a cry and a thump. She was gone. I shoved Gloria away and went to retrieve the box she’d left. She had a letter for me because she didn’t want to get too emotional and forget what to say. That was the day before her rape.”
A breath rushed out of him. “I’d gone to California that night, but everyone knew, and no one bothered to call me. Then about four weeks later, Ryder showed up at the gym. I had no idea what was coming, but I followed him outside. He was pissed I hadn’t come to see her. I had no idea why he thought I would, then he flew into a rage, shouting at me in the parking lot, asking how I didn’t know she tried to kill herself, that she was raped—and that she’d had a miscarriage.”
He swallowed hard. “I fell to my knees. I thought my heart had stopped beating as he continued verbally beating my ass in a way only Ryder Godson can.”
He traced his fingers over Janie’s hand. “He threw a picture down at me. I puked as soon as I saw what it was. It was a picture of her clothes. They were covered in dirt and twigs. Ripped and bloodstained. But you could tell there was something else. Someone had ejaculated on them.” He took a deep breath. “Do you remember the picture of my mom? She was wearing a red hoodie. Janie had been wearing it that day.”
Kylie covered her mouth.
“She’s the Little Red Riding Hood who died. They killed her in those woods, and I was off fucking women I didn’t even know.
“She tried to kill herself. Luckily, Ryder and the boys were with her. And after that, Ryder hasn’t left her side.” He tapped the drawing of the hunter. “He told me to come see her—that she needed me. Of course, I went. She was living with him, which filled me with so much rage and sorrow. I looked through the doorway to his room, and this is what I saw. Her hunter leaning over her as she stared upward—like a dead angel—until he kissed her.”
Logan smiled, a beautiful but heartbroken smile. “He told her it was time to wake. I thought she was dead until she suddenly blinked. Then he told her someone was there to see her. And she took a deep breath and said, ‘You found Logan. Is he okay?’”
His eyes turned red. “She was asking if I was okay. She’d been worried something had happened to me—that that must’ve been why I hadn’t come.” He took a deep breath and blinked a few times. “I walked over, and she smiled, but it wasn’t the girl I loved anymore. She was a ghost of that girl. I begged her to forgive me and promised I wasn’t leaving her ever again. I told her I would take care of her, that she was still my baby doll. Then her eyes went blank, and she said, ‘You don’t have a heart anymore, Logan Grimm. I don’t see the man I love anymore. Just like I don’t see myself when I look in the mirror.’”
Logan caressed the drawing. “I told her I’d try—that I just wanted my silly girl to smile again, and she said, ‘I just want you to be you—the Logan you want to be.’ I told her, ‘I can only be that man with you, baby doll.’ Then she shook her head and looked up at the ceiling like a dead angel again as she whispered, ‘She died in the woods.’”
Kylie forced herself to move, to hold him as he struggled not to cry.
He wrapped both arms around her, hugging her tight. “I always thought I’d be her hero. She looked up to me. All the men in her life were abandoning her, but she had me. Then I got jealous, and I became the wolf instead of the hunter. It was always Ryder. She died, but she breathes for him.”
Logan looked away from the drawing. “He’s been giving me the chance to find her. If I find her, I find what good she believed I was capable of.”
Kylie covered her mouth, nodding as tears blurred her sight. “I’ll help you. I’ll help you find her.”
She swore she saw a faint smile in her mind, and she was so stunned by what she’d said, by the unimaginable sadness and pride swirling within her.
Logan stared at her as if she’d just saved his life, then pulled her to him. His body was tense, but he seemed to be breathing easier, and that made her heart feel light.
“And they’re so beautiful, Logan. Thank you for sharing this with me.”
He pulled her back and dipped down to give her a sweet kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She caressed his cheek. He wasn’t crying, but she could tell he wanted to. “I mean it, Logan. I’ll help however I can.”
“You don’t have to do anything.” He glanced at the drawing. “I think she’ll find herself without me.”
A crushing feeling consumed her. That meant he would never find himself.
“There’s more for you to see.” He took her hand and led her away, but she peered over her shoulder, unable to look away from the dead girl.
“Mr. Grimm, a pleasure to see you.”
Kylie turned around as Logan pulled her to his side with one hand and reached out with the other to greet a handsome man. He wore a black suit, suggesting perhaps he worked there considering most guests were dressed casually.
“It’s good to see you as well, Cale.” Logan shook the man’s hand before gesturing to her. “This is my girlfriend Kylie. Kylie, this is Cale. He’s the curator for the gallery here and a friend of my family’s.”
Cale smiled as he reached out for her hand. She took it, and instead of shaking it, he surprised her by lifting it to his lips for a kiss. “Ah, just as lovely as you described. It’s a pleasure, Kylie.”
She blushed and nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too.”
Logan cleared his throat and pulled her a little closer as Cale laughed at him and stepped back.
“Did you do as I asked?” Logan spoke with a slightly more unfriendly tone.
“Easy, champ.” Cale lifted his hands in surrender. “Just admiring your lady. And yes, I have it in the back.”
Logan relaxed. “We need to hurry. Can you take us back there?”
“Of course,” he said, turning on his heel to lead them away.
She tried to glimpse back at his art.
“I have three buyers interested in the entire collection,” Cale told Logan. “They’re in a bit of a bidding war since I haven’t given your answer.”
“Three?” Logan asked. “The last time you called only one buyer was interested.”
“You sound surprised. I told you you’re talented. The other two just put in bids yesterday. I knew you were coming, so I thought I’d tell you in person.” Cale turned to wink at her. “You’ll have to boost his confidence, sweetheart. All his cockiness goes right out the door when he hands over his art. Perhaps a few lovely words of praise from you will give him what he needs to finally announce he’s a successful artist.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Just get me the drawing already.”
Cale chuckled and held the door open for them. “Take your time.”
She barely heard Cale leave after he revealed a charcoal drawing in the middle of the crowded back room.
Logan pulled her
closer and lifted his fingers to the image of a girl under a hood who stood in the shadows of the dark forest. “I send Cale all my work, but this one isn’t for sale.”
She looked away when she could feel his stare.
“I want to give it to you.”
“Really?” Her breath left her as she looked back at his drawing. It was beyond beautiful, and even though the girl was clearly hurt and sad, she was strong.
“Remember how I told you we believe there’s always two?”
“Yeah.” She watched him slide his fingers down the girl’s wavy hair. Her face was mostly hidden, but she stood tall even though her clothing was torn and her arms were bruised.
“The story my dad would tell me always involved two girls. The first died.”
“Like Janie,” she whispered.
He nodded. “I think my mom knew, and that’s really why she opposed our relationship. She knew something would destroy her and me. But she believed my real destiny would come much later. I’m not replacing her with you. I just think I was always meant to love and lose her. But this”—he touched the drawing—“this is my girl. My Little Hood. She lives—escapes darkness. She doesn’t make the same mistakes as the first Red Riding Hood. She learns; so does her hunter. And the wolf—she kills him.”
Her eyes widened. He didn’t want to be the Big Bad Wolf because, to him, the wolf destroyed everything he loved. Even himself.
“I think I was drawing you, Hood.” He dropped his eyes to her. “You’re stronger than you know. You’re able to live and stay innocent despite what’s been done to you. You travel through the dark, but I think you know how to get out—you just fear the fight between you and the Big Bad Wolf. But you managed to defeat your wolves. They’ll pay for what they’ve done. And you’ll come out of the woods, stronger than you ever imagined.”
She swallowed, not sure she could talk. Janie was his Red Riding Hood, but he believed there were two. And she was the better of the two. The stronger Red Riding Hood.