“Right,” she breathed. “Okay. I’ll see you in an hour at the Starbucks on Fry and 290.”
“I’ll be there.”
She disconnected. He dropped his phone on the sofa and leaned back, scrubbing his face with his hands.
Which reminded him…he needed to shave and get going. Depending on traffic, it’d take every bit of that hour to get to Shae.
»»•««
Shae Walker bounced her knee as she searched the face of every man who came in the coffee shop. No one looked ex-military, or at least what sort of man she thought Logan had become over the years. He’d been her brother’s best friend, and she’d seen photos of Billy and Logan, arms slung over each other’s shoulders after some high school baseball or football game. Both tall and not quite filled out, boy-men, with huge grins, grass-stained uniforms, and dirty faces.
She didn’t lie to herself; she’d often imagined what Logan looked like now, and in her mind, he was larger than life, handsome as sin, and had a body so tight and hard you could bounce quarters off it.
Reality never matched imagination, and she knew it. She braced herself to be disappointed, although why she should be…she’d rather not explore.
When he called, she’d been reluctant to let him in, but something in his voice, his air of command, his sureness, wrapped her in a blanket of trust. Which was totally weird because she’d met very few men face to face who instilled that sort of trust. In fact, there’d only been two men she ever trusted completely—her father and Billy.
Billy was dead, and her father hated Logan with all the fires of hell.
This might be taking a risk, meeting a man she’d only spoken to on the phone four times in her life. But women met men in bars and coffee shops all the time and nothing horrible happened. Besides, she knew how to take care of herself if she had cause to do so. She was a daughter of Texas, after all.
She’d talked to Logan less than any of the men she’d met in bars or among friends, not that she did anything but talk. Not her style to go home with someone the first time she met him. Her men had to work for the pleasure of her company.
And it was a pleasure.
Her best friend Maddie would have a cow if she knew about it, but what Maddie didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt Shae. Maddie didn’t trust men. At all. Shae didn’t blame Maddie. Finding out your fiancé was cheating on you the day of your wedding will do that to a girl.
But this was different. Shae needed another set of eyes and ears, and maybe if she took a chance on Logan, something might…help. Because, right now, she really needed help.
She didn’t know much about Logan, but she knew enough not to believe all her father said about Logan leading Billy into death. She’d listened to the rants when some little thing set off her dad’s pain over losing his only son.
But she’d talked to Logan. Once a year on Billy’s birthday, and to some people it might not seem like enough to make a judgment about someone. Despite not having met him before, in a way, they had a shared history.
Logan had been Billy’s best friend throughout high school. Billy had died in the man’s arms. He called her every year on Billy’s birthday. She’d trusted Billy with her life. And Billy had trusted Logan with his life. In some weird way, that trust transferred to Logan.
Besides, she was crazy with fear, at the end of her rope, and all out of ideas.
But not hope.
Nothing could be worse than not having any hope. Hope was the one thing she could never give up. Not until she had absolute physical proof.
The door opened, and Shae looked up. A man dressed in a white form-fitting T-shirt and knee length dark green camo shorts, the kind with pockets everywhere, entered. Typical Texas outfit, complete down to the worn flip flops. He filled the doorway. Not so much bulky, but his very being took up space. Everything about him screamed military. Short buzzed dark hair, dark eyes scanning the place, taking in the situation, assessing. His sharp gaze landed on her, pinning her to her chair, sucking the air out of her lungs. They locked stares, and then he gave her a curt nod, all business and strictly military.
Logan.
Her nipples hardened under that intense stare. He was everything she’d imagined and more. She swallowed and fought the urge to run to him, throw herself into his arms and seek the comfort of his all too tempting body, those strong arms, and his full lips.
Logan had definitely grown the hell up.
And I need to hold the hell on. Take a step back and get a grip, girlfriend.
This was her brother’s best friend. By the unspoken brother/sister code, he was off limits. If her father knew she’d been in contact with him, was meeting with him, especially to talk about her dad, well, he’d have a conniption fit.
She had to remember Logan was just a welcome ear to bend. Someone to bounce ideas off, to listen to her crazy-ass fears, maybe offer some advice, but that’s all.
Not drag him into her bed.
He approached her table. “Shae?”
She nodded, and he pulled out a chair to sit. “Logan Speers. I feel like I’ve known you for ages.” He held out his hand for her to take, but she hesitated, afraid to let their skin touch, afraid of the reaction of her body to him. Afraid to give herself away.
How stupid would that look? He’d walked in the door and reduced her to a stammering teenager mooning over her older brother’s best friend.
Oh, hell no.
“Hello.” She stood and shook his hand, firm but quick. “Sit, please.” She motioned to the chair he held in his hand. They sat.
“Can I get you something?” Logan motioned toward the counter.
“Thanks. A coffee. Creamer and two sugars.”
Logan nodded and rose, made his way to the counter, and waited in the short line. With his back to her, she could take in all she wanted without worrying he’d catch her looking. And if she wasn’t careful, drooling.
Holy hell, the man was…delicious. She wanted to lick him all over, taste him, and maybe even give him a bite or two on those broad shoulders. And was that a tattoo peeking out from under the sleeve of his T-shirt? Shae had a thing for tattoos. Not a lot of them, but just one or two. Discreet. Hidden where only she would know.
Did he still work out? Had to in order to look that fit and fine.
Normally, Shae didn’t lose her mind over men, no matter how good looking they may be. It took more than looks to impress her. Intellect. Humor. Kindness.
So far, she’d only seen confidence, determination, and intelligence in his eyes.
That body was a no-go zone. In her head, her mind begged her to forget her rules, and her body backed up her mind’s opinion. Her body wanted Logan.
She lusted after him. Lusted. It was a word she rarely used, but it sprang to her mind unbidden.
But that’s not what she was here for. Not what he was here for, either. He’d come as Billy’s best friend, to help his little sister.
For what she needed, she’d settle for his intellect and hope for his kindness in wanting to help. She was sure he could fire a weapon, use a knife, or fight hand-to-hand; that’s what he had been trained to do, right?
He looked completely capable of doing all of that, and more.
It was the more that worried her.
Chapter Two
Shae dropped her gaze as Logan moved to the pick-up counter, grabbed two coffees, brought them back to the table, and placed one in front of her as he took his seat.
“So, let’s talk. What’s got you so upset?” Logan took a sip of the dark brew and leaned forward, his total concentration focused on her. Like a fucking laser beam. Had to be why she tingled. Why sparks flew up and down her nerve pathways, lighting her up. Why she could barely remember how to speak.
She swallowed and got a grip.
This was it. If she told him her fears and he laughed at her, she’d just die. She eyed the door and the clear path to it, then turned her focus on Logan.
“It’s my d-dad. You’re the last person to
give a shit about him, I get that.”
“Yeah. I know, and in a weird way, I get it. But I’m not the villain here.” He shook his head. “Your dad never listened, not to Billy, and certainly not to me. But I want to help you, so shoot. What’s up?”
Her voice dropped. “He’s missing.”
“Missing? What do you mean? Like not answering his phone?” He didn’t laugh, and it gave her courage to continue.
“All I know is he left Houston two weeks ago to go to the company’s office in Brazil. I’m not sure you know, but he’s an oil executive. His company has an office there, and every summer during college I lived in Brazil with him.”
“I think I remember Billy mentioning it.” Logan shook his head, frowning as if remembering.
Shae nodded. “My dad wanted Billy to go to college. Be an engineer and follow in his footsteps. Billy had other plans. I wasn’t there all the time, but I do remember them arguing.”
Logan took another sip of coffee. “The last fight, after graduation, was pretty ugly. Billy told me about it. It really shook him up. He was pissed as hell at your dad.” He grimaced. “But he never stopped loving his father, Shae. You and your dad were his whole world. Kept him going over there.”
“Thanks. However, Dad never got over what he saw as Billy’s betrayal.” She reached across the table for Logan’s hand, but halted. “He just couldn’t get it, that Billy wanted something different. He hated that Billy put his life on the line when he didn’t have to and wasted his life overseas for nothing.”
Logan stiffened. “None of us had to. It wasn’t for nothing. We did it because we felt it was the right thing to do.”
Shae reached out and touched Logan’s arm. “I’m sorry. My dad’s anger and pain…well, it belonged to him. I don’t think it was a waste. I don’t believe Billy died for nothing. I can’t. Billy enlisting…I expected that from him, you know. In my eyes, Billy, and you and the other young men, were heroes.”
“Thank you.” Logan gave her a brief nod.
“When Billy was killed…something in Dad just died.” She wiped at her eyes with the back of one hand. “Maybe a little part of me did too.”
Logan put his hand over hers as it rested on the table. Warmth, strength, and comfort came through in that simple touch. She turned her hand over, and they threaded their fingers together. For a long moment, their gazes locked, not sexually, but in mutual grief at the loss of her brother and his best friend.
She wasn’t alone. Someone else grieved Billy’s loss and understood the hole it left in her life. Shae smiled up at Logan, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze and then removed his hand from hers.
“Had your father mentioned anything he might have been worried about? At work or in his personal life?”
“No. That’s what has me bothered. He was looking forward to the trip, seeing his old friends and co-workers there.”
“And once he got there?” Logan looked genuinely concerned, and hope rose in Shae’s heart. At last, someone didn’t think she was crazy.
“He emailed me when he arrived, and again a few days later, just to let me know he’d settled in, opened the house and aired it out, that sort of thing. That was the last time I heard from him.”
“So why do you think he’s missing? Maybe he’s just busy? Did you contact each other every day?”
“No, not every day. I emailed him back and didn’t get an answer. It was odd, you know, because he’s always so prompt to reply.”
“Did you call him?”
“Of course I called him!” Shae’s voice rose and hardened. “Every day for a week. Left messages, got nothing in reply. Then I called the company’s office there, and they kept putting me off. He’s out of the office. In the field. Can’t be reached.” Logan tensed and she exhaled. “Sorry. I’m just so…”
“Understandable.” Again, he took her hand, but his grip conveyed more than sympathy. Heat like she’d not felt before scorched its way from his palm to hers.
This time, she pulled away. Logan was…what? A friend? Like a brother?
Off limits.
Logan sat back and put his hand on the coffee cup. His gaze searched hers, and for a moment, she wanted to lean into him, seek comfort, and…something more…physical.
But more was a no-no. Right?
Right. She needed to focus on finding her father, not throwing herself at this man who came to help her. What was wrong with her? She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“What do you think? Am I nuts to be so worried?”
“Not at all. Had your father ever broken contact with you for this long?”
“No.”
“Ignored your emails and phone calls?”
“No. Never.”
“And no warning he’d be out of touch for a while?”
“None.”
“Then I think you’re justified in your concerns.” He smiled at her, and she smiled back, couldn’t help herself, couldn’t keep her heart from beating faster or her body from wanting him. Lusting for him. She needed to get some control and fast, before he saw her for the silly younger sister or the hysterical female she was trying so hard not to be right now.
“Thanks. It means a lot, you not laughing at me.”
Logan jerked back. “Why would I laugh? Shae, this may be more serious than you think. What worries me is why would the company stonewall you? Doesn’t make sense.”
“I know, right?” Shae looked down at her coffee, now grown cold.
Logan cupped her chin in his large, warm hand, brought her head up, and gazed into her eyes. “Now, take a deep breath and tell me what you think is going on.”
Shae inhaled, never losing eye contact with him. “I think my father’s been kidnapped.” It took all her strength not to lean into his touch.
He pulled away and ran his hand over his face. “That was about the third possibility on my list of things that could have happened.”
“So…you think?” Her voice caught, but she continued. “What are one and two on your list?” She grabbed the edge of the table with both hands, not sure if she wanted to hear this, but knowing she had to listen to whatever Logan would tell her.
“One, he’s dead. But if he were dead, why keep it a secret? Two, he’s injured. But if he were in a hospital, injured, why keep it a secret? Surely someone would contact the company or you. My third guess? He was kidnapped. But if he’s been taken, why not contact you and ask for a ransom? But you haven’t received any request for ransom, have you?”
“No. Nothing.”
“Then it really is a mystery. You were right to be concerned.”
“That’s what I thought. So yesterday, I called and asked the vice president of the company point blank if my father had been kidnapped, and I got ‘disconnected.’” She made air quotes with her fingers. “When I redialed, I couldn’t get through to him. Today he won’t answer my calls. I think he’s blocked my phone.” Shae didn’t bother to hide the pissed off in her voice.
“Shit. That’s not good.” His lips tightened into a straight line.
“I’m going crazy with worry, Logan. I know you can’t help me, no one can, but I really appreciate you listening to me. Not laughing at me or telling me it’s nothing to worry about.”
“What are you going to do now, Shae?” Logan tilted his head at her, eyebrows raised.
“What else can I do? I’m going to book a flight down there and check it out myself.” She meant it. She’d already decided to take some action before she met with Logan. “I need to see for myself what’s going on. Go to the office and speak to someone, anyone, who will talk to me.” She banged her fist on the table, and their cups rocked.
Heads turned, and she steadied her cup and took another sip.
“No. That’s not the smartest thing.” He shook his head at her as if she were a child telling him of some wild plan.
“I am not stupid.” Her image of him shattered. How dare he? She stood, her hands flat on the table, and leaned toward hi
m. “I’m not Billy’s little sister anymore. You don’t have to keep calling to check up on me. Just forget what I told you.” She snatched up her purse hanging from the back of her chair and shouldered it.
“Shae, don’t go!” Logan reached for her, grabbed her hand, and held it just hard enough to stop her but not hurt her. The touch and the command in his voice electrified Shae, and she trembled as she froze, her heart thundering.
She looked down at him, and her gaze drifted to where their hands met. His chest rose and fell as he pulled her back to her chair. Shae sat, bewildered at how she’d gone from pissed off to wanting to obey this man. This oh so perfect sort-of-stranger.
Logan took her hand in both of his and scooted his chair closer.
“Lord. I never said that you were stupid. What I’m saying is going into a situation you know little about is foolish and reckless. You could wind up in trouble yourself, and what good would that do your father?”
“I don’t care what happens to me.” She shook her head. “Logan, I have to do something. The company won’t help me. And if he has been kidnapped, I understand the government won’t do a damn thing to get him back, it’s their policy. If I have to pay a ransom, I will, no matter how much. No one will help me, so I have to help my father somehow.” More than anything, she wanted him to understand how desperate she’d become.
“I’ll help you.”
Shae froze as relief flooded her. She’d never dreamed he’d want to help her, and she had no idea if he could, but she was grateful for the offer. It was, he was, sweet. She gave him a small smile and touched his face with her free hand.
“Thanks, Logan, but you have a life, a job. I can’t ask you to do that. I’m going to handle this myself, no matter what the risk. I just wanted to talk to someone.”
Brave? Maybe. Foolish? Definitely. But she had to take action, or she’d never be able to live with herself.
Logan cocked an eyebrow up. “You have no idea what a mission like this would encompass. But I do.”
Logan Page 2