“Here we go,” she said as the limo pulled up at the hotel. There was a swarm of press and a group gathered out front, mingling.
“Fuck me,” Xander said.
As he offered her hand, Harper’s pulse raced when she caught sight of a big man, who, with his spikey blond hair, stood head and shoulders over the rest.
“Logan Marrock,” she breathed.
“I’ll have someone besides you to talk to,” Xander said, and he almost smiled.
“Perfect,” she said, but her stomach had tightened, wondering how she was going to get through the night with these two men. One, she wished would love her back, even as she couldn’t stop thinking about the other.
CHAPTER TWO - LOGAN
Notforalltheworld would he admit it, but Logan Marrock didn’t mind these shindigs. It amused him to put on the tux, shake people’s hands, and watch as they tried to compensate because he stood head and shoulders above them all. He had found some men did this by touching him a lot with slaps on the back or by putting more strength than necessary into the handshake. Logan smiled and went through the motions then laughed about it the next morning while he bench pressed 250lbs. He liked being in crowds. Even better, he enjoyed being on stage in front of a packed audience with a naked submissive at his feet, waiting for his rope.
It wasn’t the suit or the event or the crowds he minded; it was being here as his half-sister’s uncle’s right-hand man. Yeah, he couldn’t say that five times fast. As a representative of a company with questionable morals, even though he was going to play the long game, it chafed at him. But he knew how to keep his emotions in check—most of the time.
He sent Hana a quick text, telling her he would call her tomorrow. His half-sister had gotten a raw deal. His musician father had left his mother for the palm trees of Hawaii and then, years later, repeated the same feat, this time after having Hana. And Hana’s mom was the heiress to the famous SolCan company. Or she should be, except for Edwin, who refused to update an outdated clause about women inheriting. So, Hana’s mom, Paige, did what she could on an art appraiser’s salary, and Hana’s future wasn’t as bright as it could be.
Until Edwin realized that Logan, an accomplished mountaineer, veteran, and ex-search and rescue tech, could be useful to his benefit. A deal was struck, Logan would do some PR for the company, and Edwin agreed to pay for Hana’s school and give the kid access to her trust fund.
Logan gritted his teeth just thinking about it. In the press release for tonight, they splashed all his accomplishments on the pages. He didn’t care except for the worry that it would affect his job with Axis Management. Although when Team Stealth went in, nobody saw them. Or at least nobody who would run to the press. Usually. Except for that leak back in June.
He just had to make it through tonight and tomorrow morning he would be rock climbing, freestyle. If he timed it right, he could catch the sunrise on the bluffs.
Another clap on the back from Mr. Olson brought him back to the moment. He smiled widely and refrained from pushing his arm off of him. It wouldn’t look good to manhandle the VP of a major bank.
“So, you can get me in to see Ed next Thursday? I would make it worth your while.”
Logan laughed, knowing Mr. Olson meant that would be a prostitute or an insider tip, and leaned down to put his hand on the banker’s shoulder. “I’ll pass it on. Right now, I’m here to support the firefighters.”
“Yes, of course. I need to get in there. My wife doesn’t like to be sitting at the table too long without me.” Mr. Olson gave him a wave. As Logan moved to follow him, a car stopped and idled behind him. He turned, curious to see the next guests.
His pulse increased as he watched his boss, Xander Montague, give his arm to Harper Blake. “Hey, the party just got interesting.” Logan extended his hand to Xander, who in turn clasped his forearm, and brought him in for a man-hug.
“Thank fuck,” Xander said.
“Ares has the plague?”
“A security threat closed the airport.”
“I tried to get him here,” Harper added.
“I guess Superwoman is no match for airport security.” Logan grinned at her, watching how the flush spread across her cheeks ever so slightly. And he noticed how her gown hugged her bust just right and how it showed off her long legs. Her hair was in some kind of braided knot, and he preferred her mass of long, nutty hair down. If he could change anything else about what she was wearing, it would be to rip off that goldenxcharm that dangled above the hollow in her throat, the symbol that marked her as being under Xander’s protection. He would take that off in a hot second and puthiscollar around her neck.
“Let’s get in there and get this over with,” Xander said. He offered Harper his arm, and Logan bit the inside of his jaw, stifling down a wave of annoyance. He wanted her on his arm and in his bed. The way she looked at Xander as they walked into the space, told him maybe he hadn’t made those intentions clear as he’d thought.
When he had signed on with Axis Management, it was a present, gift-wrapped and tied with a bow. It kept him from eking out a living by teaching rock climbing and offered him the adventure his thrill-seeking spirit craved. Plus, he got to do it all with his buddies. From rescuing actresses to gathering intel on threats to the government, the missions varied enough to keep his interest. He owed his buddy, Jordan for getting him in with the company. That was how he’d met Harper, and from the moment he saw her, he wanted her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
A server asked for their names, then escorted them to a table in the centre of the room. Logan took the chair on the right of Harper.
“Sorry, um Mr. Marrock, your table is across the room.”
Xander reached out and deftly removed the two nametags. “There has been a mistake. Mr. Marrock is part of our party. As my brother isn’t joining us, we don’t need these place settings.”
The young man gulped, looked at Xander and quickly cleared two settings, and they all took their places around the table.
“Not bad for five hundred dollars a plate,” Logan said. He was expecting Xander to make a joke about how that was pocket change to him, or not worth the price of the dried chicken they were about to eat. Instead, his boss, sat with his hands resting on the table, staring blankly at the front of the room. Harper had her hand on top of his and was speaking quietly to him.
