My jaw clenches as I grit my teeth so hard it’s a miracle they don’t crumble to dust.
Demetri lands his hand on my shoulder. “It’s the only way for you.”
I bow my head and close my eyes because, damn it all to hell, he’s right.
And I’m about to do just that—damn it all to hell.
Only I won’t be headed in that direction.
“You have my permission. Find a way to make this work. Get on with it.”
14
Logan
Skyla and I shower, dress, and speed over to Nicholas Haver’s old place all in the span of fifteen minutes. I’m groggy, exhausted, and you can add very cranky to that list. We should be in bed, sleeping and screwing for the next few days. And instead, we’re cleaning up a pile of Chloe Bishop’s shit. I am not amused. I could almost forgive her for chopping off my head in the Faction war, but for pulling me out of bed the day after my wedding to Skyla? Unforgivable.
We park just in time to see a crowd emerging from the new facility where the old barn once stood and we hop out of my truck.
“Logan”—Skyla takes my hand—“I can’t think straight. I have no idea what the hell is going on. Laken mentioned Chloe was outing me? And lying about it? Honestly, I didn’t sleep a wink last night, and well, that’s sort of both our fault. My mind isn’t in the right place to process any of this.”
Several people give Skyla a double take as we head into the thick of the crowd. And the first friendly face we see belongs to Ellis Harrison.
“Dude.” He moans as he pulls Skyla into a quick embrace. “I tried straightening them out, but there was footage.”
“Footage of what?” Skyla and I ask at the very same time.
Ellis winces as he glances back to the facility. “Okay, you remember that so-called movie of Chloe getting shut down by Gage last year? The one Rory used to show us at that birthday party I threw for you?” He nods to Skyla.
She huffs, “How can we forget?”
“Yeah, well, Chloe had one of you and Gage the night you died before you left your body. It showed you falling limp after Gage smothered you. And it showed Rory’s ghost stepping into your body—and your soul leaving.”
“How?” She gives a hard blink.
I take a breath. “That was no natural footage,” I say as I look to Skyla. “Rory utilized the same supernatural methods she did last year to destroy Gage. Only this time, she’s out to destroy you. I’m guessing Rory set Chloe up with the footage.”
“Shit.” Skyla lets out a heavy breath as she surveys the crowd. “Make this long story short, Ellis. What the hell else did Chloe just do?”
Ellis looks right at her. “She told everyone she’s you. That you’re Rory, and that’s why you’ve been acting strangely—demanding everyone call you Your Grace. I won’t lie, Chloe acted just like you. There wasn’t one stitch of Chloe Bishop running around in there. And before you ask, yes, I stood up and defended you. I told them about the switch that transpired just before your wedding. Laken and Coop, even Wes vouched for you, but it was too late. People are all mixed up. They don’t know what to believe.”
Skyla shakes her head as she looks to the quickly diminishing crowd. “Why in the hell would Chloe do this?” She speeds into the building, and Ellis and I are right behind her.
The room is nearly empty, and Skyla stops off at the first familiar face she sees, Dr. Booth, her old psychiatrist. He’s been with Laken’s mother for a while now. Skyla and I have always thought of him as family.
“Skyla?” He winces.
His dark hair is thick, and his dark glasses and friendly face have always reminded me a little of Barron.
“Yes, Dr. Booth, I promise, it’s me.”
“So much has happened.” He shakes his head, confusion written on his face. “It’s hard to know what to believe. We saw the film. It’s incredible to see something like that. I don’t know how she did it, but it was otherworldly, fascinating. It certainly paints a picture of how far Gage will go to get his way. We all knew he loved you. It’s a quizzical move on his part.”
Skyla closes her eyes. “He doesn’t love me, never did. Why would Chloe split Celestra like this?”
He shrugs. “I’m afraid you’ll have to ask her yourself.” He’s about to leave, and Skyla blocks him.
“You believe me, don’t you?”
