I froze when Logan walked out of the back room. But it wasn’t him that stopped me cold.
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It was the older version of him following a step behind. It was like someone had taken Logan and weathered him about twenty–five years. Same piercing green eyes, same dark curls, same stubborn jawline.
Same way of taking up space like the air owed him rent.
His father. Had to be.
Scarlett elbowed me. “Breathe, Hailey,” she muttered. “Dad doesn’t bite. Much.”
I forced air into my lungs just as Logan reached us. His hand landed on the small of my back, warm and steady. “Hailey… this is my old man. Talon, Hailey.”
Talon’s gaze swept over me, lingering on the tattoos peeking out from under my sleeves. “So you’re the girl turnin‘ my son into a damn knight in shining armor.”
I arched an eyebrow. “More like a savior complex in a leather cut.”
Logan choked on air next to me. Talon threw his head back and laughed – a deep, rumbling sound that shook his broad shoulders. “Oh, I like her.”
I felt heat creep into my cheeks.
Talon’s laughter settled into a warm smile, and I felt myself relax a little. He reached out a hand, rough and calloused, and I took it. His grip was firm but still gentle. Like he was sizing me up, but not in a threatening way.
“Nice to meet you, Hailey,” he said. His voice had the same gravelly edge as Logan’s, but softer somehow. “Any girl who can manage to tame my son has my respect.”
Logan grumbled something under his breath. He was tense, his hand still resting on my back like he was waiting for something to go wrong. I leaned into him, hoping it would help.
“She’s trouble,” Logan said, but I could hear he smirk in his voice. “Don’t let her fool you.”
Talon chuckled again, shaking his head. “Trouble’s the best kind of company. Always keeps you on your toes.” He glanced at Scarlett, who was leaning against the bar with a smirk of her own. “Hellcat, Trina looks busy. Get us a round of shots, would ya? Let’s celebrate.”
“Never too busy for you, Nash,” Trina said with a smirk, appearing across the bar with a bottle of Jameson and five shot glasses, pouring one out for each of us. “Where’s Laura? You finally kill her with worry?”
Talon gave a hearty laugh, his green eyes crinkling at the corners. “Nah, she’s back at the house. Probably redecorating somethin‘ Woman’s never satisfied. She’ll be around soon enough, though.” He took the shot Trina slid across the bar and raised it in a toast,
“To Hailey. May she continue keepin‘ my boy on his toes.”
I hesitated, picking up my glass. I could still feel tension radiating off Logan. Scarlett clinked her glass against mine with a wink, and I forced a smile.
“Cheers,” I murmured, tossing the shot back. The whiskey burned its way down my throat, warming me from the inside.
Talon leaned on the bar, his gaze flicking between me and Logan. “So, Hailey, I hear you’re the reason half the club’s gettin‘
13:04 Mon, Dec 22 Mej
Chapter 21
involved in this mess tonight.” His tone was casual, but there was a definite edge to it.
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I swallowed hard, setting my glass down. “It’s not exactly how I wanted things to go,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “But we need to get it over with.”
Talon studied me for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly. “Fair enough. But you know, if you’re gonna run with wolves, you better be ready to rip and tear.”
I met his gaze head–on. “I’m ready.”
Logan’s hand slid up my back, a silent reminder of his presence.
Scarlett leaned over the bar, grabbing the bottle of Jameson. “Dad, don’t scare her off. She’s the first girl Logan’s ever brought around.”
Talon chuckled, shaking his head. “Not tryin‘ to scare her, Hellcat. Just makin‘ sure she knows what she’s getting into.” He turned back to me, his expression softening. “You’re tough, Hailey. I can see that. But that alone isn’t gonna keep you alive in this world. You gotta be smart, too.”
I nodded, absorbing his words. “I’ll keep that in mind,” I murmured.
He grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. “Good girl. Now, let’s have another round before ya saddle up.”
Logan shifted beside me, his hand dropping from my back to grip my waist. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “You good?” he whispered.
I turned to face him, my heart pounding as I looked into his eyes. “I’m good. Just… stay close, okay?”
His lips curved into an almost–smile, and he pressed a quick kiss to my temple. “Try and stop me, Ace.”
Scarlett poured another round of shots, and Talon raised his glass again. “To family,” he said, his voice loud and commanding. “And to the ones who make us better.”
I clinked my glass with his, then Logan’s, and downed the shot. Logan followed suit, his eyes lingering on me like he was trying to figure out how I’d won over his dad so quickly.
Talon gave us both a nod. “Now, you two got business to handle.”
Logan’s grip on me tightened, and I felt the tension creeping back into him. Yeah. We’re headin‘ out soon.”
Talon’s eyes narrowed. “Be smart, kid. And watch your back.” He glanced at me, his gaze steady. “Both of you. Bring yourselves back without any extra holes.”
I nodded, suddenly reminded of the weight of the gun tucked into my waistband. “We will.”
Logan exhaled, his hand leaving my waist to take mine. “Come on. Let’s get ready.”
I followed him upstairs, my heart pounding as we climbed. The whiskey gave me a little bit of courage, but the reality of what we were about to do was getting heavier by the second.
Logan was silent as we reached his apartment. The moment the door closed behind us, he turned and pulled me against him, his forehead dropping to mine.
“You good?” he asked, voice rough.
I sighed. “Yeah.” I took a minute to revel in his touch. “Your dad’s a charmer.”
“Evidently,” he muttered into my hair. “He’s usually only like that around my mom. Total 180 from what I expected out of
him.”
Chapter 21
“Yeah…” I said, smiling faintly. “Not really what I expected either.”
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Logan huffed. “Yeah, well. Don’t let the charm fool you. He’s still Talon Nash… infamous asshole. We butt heads constantly.”
“Probably ‘cause you’re the same frigging person,” I murmured under my breath.
He let out one short, sharp laugh. “Whatever… wouldn’t know. We talk with our fists.”
I laughed, looking up at him. “Case in point.”
His thumb brushed over my cheek. “You sure about this?”
I knew he wasn’t talking about his dad anymore.
“I have to be,” I whispered. “I got myself into it.”
–
His jaw flexed. Then he kissed me – hard and fast, like he was trying to brand the feeling into my skin. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark. “Let’s get you dressed.”
I changed into a pair of skinny jeans… better support for the pistol in my waistband. Logan grabbed a dark gray hoodie from his closet and tossed it to me. “Wear this. Loose enough to hide the piece.”
I tugged it on and the fabric swallowed me whole. It smelled like him – leather and smoke and spice.
Logan strung a sheathed knife onto his belt, strapped his holster under his arm, then checked his phone. “River’s outside with Mason. Monty and Link are already headin‘ over there to relieve the prospect. Keep eyes on the place.”
My stomach twisted. “Matt’s there?”
“Not yet. We got some time. We gotta swing by Jake’s office downstairs and grab comms… Earpieces. I need to be sure I can hear everything that’s goin‘ on in there.”
I took a shaky breath.
Logan caught my chin, forcing my gaze up to his. “Bananas,” he said quietly. “Say it, and we’re in. No hesitation.”
I nodded.
He kissed me again, quick and fierce. Then he shrugged into his cut and opened the door.
“Let’s go end this.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
