Then the blood-splashed memories of last night hit me hard, and I grab the doorknob. Death follows this man everywhere. Are my kids in danger? Is he putting the school at risk by being here?
His gaze travels from my white knuckles to my face. “Arabella, sweetheart, I assure ye it’s nothing but lunch.”
Before Lucy can ask any questions, I give him a big, fake smile. “That’s so sweet of you…Logan.Let’s eat outside, there’s a nice bench with some shade on the other side of the school.”
I know everyone in the front office is staring as I not-quite drag him out the door. I canna blame them. A hugely muscled man with the face of a supermodel and a suit that costs more than my year’s salary is going to look as out of place at the Wallace School for Exceptional Children as a Disney princess would be at a sex dungeon.
My smile drops as soon as we’re out of sight. “What are yedoinghere!” I smack his shoulder and I’m pretty sure it hurts me more than it does him. “Coming to my school after ye- ye-”
“Decapitated the two men trying to kidnap and murder ye last night?”
“Which was your fault!” I hiss. “What the hell have ye dragged me into?”
“That’s not really fair, lass.” He puts the takeaway bag on the bench and seats himself, smiling at me pleasantly. “Ye did insert yourself, though I am deeply and forever appreciative of your warning.”
The bloody faces of those men in the alley hits me again and I sit down heavily. “Are ye putting my students in danger by being here?”
“No. I understand your concern, though. I thought it was time we talked. And ye dinnae bring anything for lunch today.”
“Are youspyingon me?”
“People are peering out the windows, eat your beef and broccoli. I promise I’ll explain if you take a bite.” He hands me a box and the smell is divine as he opens the lid. Sesame, soy sauce, a bit of garlic… “Dig in, sweetheart. Here’s a fork.”
“I love beef and broccoli,” I admit, scooping up the first forkful of crisp broccoli and tangy steak. The salty bite explodes against my taste buds and I groan in pleasure. Damn him, he’s right, I was too stressed to remember to pack anything to eat today.
“I know,” he says amiably, opening a container of Kung Pao chicken.
My chewing slows and I’m not hungry anymore. “Like how ye knew where I lived?”
“Like that, aye. I thought I’d finished off those two at the gala before they reported back to their boss, but someone noticed ye talking to me.”
“So those two last night at my place, they were…” I clutch my fork, sauce dripping off the beef and onto my sweater, “They were there to kill me.”
“Well, kidnap ye to an isolated location and then kill ye.”
Closing the lid on my takeaway, I set it aside and focus on my breathing.
“Hey, sweetheart. Hey now.” Logan puts a finger under my chin lifting it so I have to look at him. “I should have been there sooner. I’m so sorry ye had to go through that. Ye put yourself in danger to save me, and I owe you a debt for life. Aye, they targeted ye because of me, but those two arseholes are a good cautionary tale. No one’s going to go after ye now that you’re under my protection.”
I’m acutely aware of the heat radiating from him, the side yard is chilly and my thigh is pressed close to his. He’s huge, and the substantial feel of him is comforting.
“Tell me why this happened,” I say flatly. I canna let this man’s gorgeousness and soothing words distract me.
“Ye must know I canna tell you much, and that’s for your own safety, sweetheart. The short answer is, a bad man is angry at me for taking something away from him. Something he stole. He was trying to make an example of me.” He chuckles like that is the most hilarious thing in the world. “I made an example of the pricks he sent after ye instead. He’ll not bother ye again.”
He’s looking into my eyes, his hazel gaze is sincere.
And he’s lying to me.
There’s tension in his fingers holding my chin and he’s unnaturally still, like he’s trying to avoid showing any ‘tells.’ It’s an old poker trick.
“What if I say I dinnae believe ye, Logan MacTavish?”
He puts his lips to my ear, it must look like he’s kissing my cheek because Daisy, a student teacher, makes a little “Aww,” face as she stares out her classroom window.
“I will tell ye that if I am not the one looking after ye, a team of my men are. I will not compromise your safety again.”
The lights flash in the school yard, indicating lunchtime is over.
