Logan patted her leg. “If you’re sure you don’t need to get checked out, we should get going.”
Julie nodded wordlessly. Partly because she didn’t know what had gotten into her and partly because it still hurt to talk.
He backed away; she tucked her legs back into the car so he could shut the doors and get back into the driver’s side. “Do you need something to drink? Or painkillers? We can stop somewhere.”
“I would kill for some ice cream,” she whispered before realizing that probably wasn’t the best choice of words, all things considered. But Logan didn’t seem to notice as he pulled back on the freeway.
“I’m sure we can find some. Think you can find an ice cream place on your phone?”
Julie nodded as she pulled out her phone, but she didn’t pull anything up. Instead, she stared at the black screen as her adrenaline faded and left exhaustion in its wake.
“You still hanging in there?”
She didn’t answer as she replayed the scene once again. All she could see were the millions of ways she’d handled it wrong. She never should have gone outside in the first place. She’d jumped to the completely wrong conclusion and never even assumed she was in trouble.
And then she could’ve screamed! He’d put the gun away and there had been plenty of time for her to get someone to know she was in trouble, but she’d thought he was letting her go. God, how stupid had she been?
Then once he’d started to choke her, she might as well have helped him. She thought back to the scratching and clawing she’d tried, none of it working. She should’ve punched him or kicked him in the groin or something. But every single logical center in her brain had shut down and pure panic had set in. It was only through dumb luck that Logan had found them. Luck. The only reason she was alive now. That was horrible.
She glanced down to her phone. Maybe she was in over her head. No amount of money would really make up for this. She could call Nathan right now and tell him she was out. If they found out what happened, they wouldn’t judge her. This was supposed to be a hard job, but not life-threatening.
Logan reached over and set a hand on her knee. “This won’t happen again,” he promised. “I’ll make sure of it, okay?”
Julie studied him carefully. Did he know what she was thinking somehow? No. If he knew she was thinking of bailing, he would’ve told her she was in more danger than ever. He didn’t want her around, and considering the shit he was into apparently, she was just going to get in the way.
But could she trust him to keep her safe? He had made quick work of the guy who’d tried to kill her. One minute, his hands had been around her neck; the next, he’d been on the ground. It hadn’t really been a fight considering Logan had always had the upper hand.
Julie hadn’t stood a chance and Logan didn’t even put up much of a fight. No. Logan was a dangerous man to be around, but he was on her side. What if she hadn’t noticed the man following them? They’d still have a tail and have no idea.
So even though things hadn’t been ideal, they were in better circumstances now than they had been before. She’d helped him. She’d helped him in a stupid way, but she’d still helped him. Maybe there was a reason for her to stay. They probably worked better as a team. Especially when she remembered that Logan hadn’t been out in society for ten years. What if he made a stupid mistake because he didn’t know better? What if he still had that guy’s phone on him and he’d been found the next time he stopped?
His hand was warm and firm on her knee, and she remembered that moment while they were stopped on the shoulder. Damn it. That almost pissed her off more than the attempt on her life. She wasn’t mad at him. She was mad at herself. She’d never once in her years in public relations been tempted by a client. Not even for the slightest millisecond. But now, when faced with what could be her biggest client ever, she was thinking of kissing him? Maybe it was just her body’s reaction to nearly dying, but she couldn’t use that as an excuse. She needed to get control of herself ASAP before she did something she’d regret forever.
As subtly as possible, she adjusted her position in the seat so his hand was pushed off her knee. She glanced at him to see whether he looked upset, but he seemed to have no reaction at all as he brought the hand up to the steering wheel. He probably didn’t mean anything by it. Touch was a natural way of giving comfort, and Lord knew that she wanted comfort right now. She just wanted a lot of comfort.
Even though he probably hadn’t gotten laid in ten years, he hadn’t shown any hint of being interested in her after she made her legs-closed policy clear. Which would make things even more awkward if she started to throw herself at him now.
But one thing was for sure now. He was going to Colorado with purpose, and that purpose was undoubtedly dangerous. And now she was along for the ride.
Logan looked over to Julie and it seemed as if she was sound asleep. He’d hoped to make it into Denver that day, but it was getting late and he didn’t see any benefit to getting there at one in the morning over noon the next day.
And seeing the bruises darken on Julie’s neck gave him an extra flash of guilt. The least he could do was get her a bed to stay in for the night. He didn’t have her phone to help him as long as she was in a deep sleep, but he could read the signs for where the motels were along the highway. Once he saw an exit with a few good options, he pulled off. Julie blinked a few times as he turned off the freeway, the brakes probably waking her up.
“What are we doing?” she mumbled.
“I’m getting us a place for the night.”
“Are we in Denver?”
“Not yet. We’ll get there tomorrow.”
“But—”
“Denver can wait.”
She sat up and squinted out the window, still trying to get her bearings. “Where are we going to stay? How many stars are there?”
He pulled into the parking lot of the first motel on the right. “Well, it looks like it has electricity and four walls. That has to be at least one star, right?”
Julie reached for her phone. “I can—”
“Just give me my credit card and I’ll get the room.”
“But—”
“Julie, I am not afraid to take it from you by force.”
“You’re cranky,” said Julie even as she reached into her bag and pulled out the credit card. “They might need a valid ID. Maybe I should—”
“They’re not going to need an ID.”
“I’ve booked more hotels than—”
“Look at this place, Julie. Do you think they ask for ID?”
She bent forward to look at the older structure in front of them. “Well, I’ll be out here in case you need me.”
“Good to know.” He got out of the car and headed inside. No one was behind the counter, but there was a little bell on top of the aged wooden counter that he rang.
He looked over his shoulder and saw Julie still in the front seat. The soft glow on her face told him she was back on her phone. Maybe it was a good thing he didn’t have one yet, considering how addicted Julie seemed to be to hers.
“Hey,” said a guy as he came up behind the counter.
Logan looked the young guy up and down. He was skinny and wore tight jeans and a T-shirt with some band he’d never heard of. At least he assumed it was a band. The most noticeable thing was the overwhelming smell of pot coming off the kid. Even though he hadn’t been around the stuff for a decade, apparently the smell was something that had stayed with him. “Hey,” said Logan. “I need one room with two beds.”
The kid’s eyes darted to the windows and back as though seeing who was in his car. “No problem. I just need a credit card and ID.”
Logan handed over the card.
“Do you have your ID, man?” The kid took the card and typed into the computer in front of him.
“Not on me,” said Logan.
“I kind of need it.”
“I don’t think you do.” Logan had gotten more than a crash course in in
timidation over the years, and he stretched to his full six-foot-five height and made sure the biceps and chest he’d honed over the years stood out through the T-shirt he wore.
“I don’t think I do either.” The kid continued to type in the computer.
Logan gave a quick smile but didn’t say thanks. Saying thanks implied you were grateful. Staying quiet implied you deserved something. Hell, if Walter was still around, he probably would’ve been damn proud of the man Logan was today. He finally had the son he’d always wanted.
“Okay. You’re in room eighty-four, Julie. I hope you enjoy your stay,” said the kid sarcastically.
Logan took the key and the credit card with Julie’s name on it. He gave the kid a quick nod before he turned back to the car, where Julie was still on her phone.
“You didn’t need an ID?” she asked as soon as he was in the car.
“Nope.”
“That makes me happy and terrified about our rooms at the same time.” She was talking a bit louder than before and he hoped that meant her throat was feeling better.
Logan backed the car out of the space and drove around the motel, looking at the numbers until he found #84. “Room,” he corrected.
“What?”
“After today, I think we should stick close.”
“So we’re sharing a room then.”
“I asked for two beds.”
“That’s not going to bother you?”
He twisted the car around so he could back in. This would help them unload easier and would hide the license plate from any curious people driving by. “I’ve been sharing a room for the past ten years. Besides, you don’t smell nearly as bad as my last cellmate.”
Before she could respond, he got out of the car and opened the trunk. As far as compliments went, she’d heard worse. She got out of the car and looked up at the night sky. It was only about eight at night, but the sun was already long gone. She had a hard time getting signal, so her GPS had never told them quite where they were. It was such a strange feeling: not really knowing where they were going, where she was, or what the goal was.
She’d been much more comfortable with all the strange questions back when she didn’t think that strangulation was on the table.
Then she realized Logan was already coming back for the second load of luggage, and she rushed to go and help. But he had already grabbed the suitcase and taken it in the room, making her feel extra useless at the moment.
“Come on in,” he called.
She hesitantly stepped inside and looked around this room they got with no ID. It wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t as bad as the horrors she’d conjured in her mind. There weren’t cockroaches roaming freely on the walls or dark stains all over the bedspread.
Even so, the ceiling had evidence of water damage, the carpet had seen better days, and the sink was in desperate need of an update. But it was more than enough for one night.
“Did I do okay?” asked Logan.
“The roof hasn’t caved in yet. I consider that a win.”
“Good.” Logan smiled, and once again Julie felt her heart speed up. Good grief, the momentary attraction was turning into a full-blown crush. She needed to get this under control before things got out of hand. Maybe the oxygen had been cut off long enough to cause brain damage. That was a perfectly logical explanation for the thoughts going through her head.
Before she could go over other possible reasons for her insanity, she caught a glimpse of her reflection. “Holy shit,” she muttered as she walked toward the mirror, where she could get a better look at the bruises now visible around her neck. “Ugh. That’s nasty.”
“I’m the one you should be feeling bad for. Everyone’s going to think I’m the one who roughed you up.”
“My heart aches for your plight,” she said sarcastically.
“Does it hurt?” he asked, suddenly dropping the joking tone.
Julie shrugged. It didn’t feel pleasant, but she was happy she was alive. For that she would take a little bit of pain.
“You can take the shower first if you want,” he offered. “I’ll get settled out here.”
Get settled? It wasn’t as if he had a lot to unpack. But he was trying to be nice and she wasn’t going to give him a hard time about it. “Okay. I won’t be long.”
“Take your time. I’ll see if I can find some good food places that deliver.”
Probably a good idea. Even though her massively overpriced foundation could cover the bruises on her neck easily, she wasn’t in the mood to go out and have a sit-down dinner.
“You’re okay for now?” she asked.
“You’re asking me if I’m okay? I’m not the one who nearly died today.”
“Yes, but—”
“Just go take a shower, Julie. I’ll be out here.”
Okay then. She grabbed her pajamas out of one of her suitcases and went for the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She tried to act normal as she turned on the water and stripped out of her shirt and yoga pants. Except normal went out the window when she realized she was naked and there was only one locked door between her and Logan Farrell.
There was only one locked door between him and a naked Julie. Logan sat on the bed and tried to ignore the direction his thoughts had taken. He needed to stop thinking this way. Hell, the poor woman had almost died today. The last thing she was thinking about was fucking someone perverted like him.
He grabbed the remote, turned on the television and mindlessly flipped through the channels. But he couldn’t focus on any of the shows flipping by. He never should’ve gone with Julie in the first place. The second she’d shown up at the prison, he should’ve blown her off. What would he have done if he’d driven off without her at that gas station? If he hadn’t been there when she needed him?
The channels switched at a rapid pace and he realized he clenched the remote so tightly that the channel button was mashed in.
The water cut off much faster than he expected. Obviously Julie didn’t believe in happy ending showers like he did. He sat up straighter and finally settled on some random channel as he listened in for what was happening in the room next to him. But as hard as he tried to listen, she didn’t make any noise before the door creaked open and her head poked around the corner until she could see him on the bed.
Logan sat up straighter. “Good shower?”
“The water was warm but there was pretty much no water pressure. Um, I feel kind of stupid, but I forgot to grab my shorts. Do you mind if I...”
“No problem,” he said quickly before realizing he had no idea what he was agreeing to. Was he offering to get her shorts or—
Julie quickly ran to her luggage in only a tiny towel wrapped around her body. The side facing him was fully covered, but in the mirror, he saw the flash of skin exposed where the towel’s ends didn’t meet.
He took a deep swallow as his eyes followed her as she knelt by her luggage and, with the hand that wasn’t carefully keeping the towel wrapped around her body, rummaged through her bag.
“Got it! Sorry about this.”
He held his breath. She was either going to back up to go into the bathroom or she was going to turn and— Yep. She turned and he was able to glimpse the side of her body as she ran back into the bathroom. He wished he could’ve looked in some other direction to give her modesty, but he hadn’t been able to look away. Apparently jacking off once while imagining her hadn’t done nearly enough to stop this little obsession.
Then she was back in the bathroom. Logan closed his eyes as his head fell back against the headboard. Fuck. He threw the remote on the bed and stood. He grabbed the keys and slid into his shoes before he snatched Julie’s phone and walked outside into the cool air. They were in higher elevation already and the difference in temperature was evident.
He opened her phone and put in her password. She hadn’t told him but he’d been around her long enough to know it by heart. Once he was on the main screen, he managed to find the contacts list and s
crolled through until he found the first name he recognized. Alex.
He touched the green phone icon on the screen and the call connected. It only took a few rings for Alex to answer. “Hey, I hadn’t heard from you all day. I was starting to get nervous. How is he doing? Is he giving you trouble?”
“I haven’t given her any trouble,” said Logan.
“Shit. Is that you?”
“Do you know any other guys you’re paying Julie to follow around?”
There was a momentary silence over the other end. “You’re mad.”
“I’m pissed in general. Who is Julie?”
“Didn’t she tell you? She’s our public relations person.”
Logan shook his head. “I know what she does. Who is she? Why did you hire her? What the fuck are you expecting her to do with me?”
“She’s supposed to help with your transition since you refused to talk to any of us. She’s going to get your phone set up, get your driver’s license and arrange for a place for you to stay.”
“Anyone could do that. Why send Julie? What are you worried about?”
“Is this a trick question?”
“No. It’s an honest fucking question. Why Julie?”
“Because you’ve been a caged animal for the past ten years and I had no idea who you are now or what you’re capable of.”
“You had no right to send someone out here with me.”
“Out where? Where are you, Logan? Why don’t you come to New York? You don’t even have to come to work or anything. We’ll get you an apartment and get things set up for you. It’s going to take a while but we can get a new normal going for you. All I want to do is he—”
Logan hung up the phone. That had been a mistake. He couldn’t go back home. Not yet. Not until he sorted some things out. The main question was whether he was going to drag Julie along with him the entire time. If he’d left her back in LA, there wouldn’t be a problem. But now whoever was following him knew Julie was with him. Which meant she could be worse off without him.
Remorseless (Fractured Farrells: A Damaged Billionaire Series Book 3) Page 5