“Okay?” Logan’s face transforms, hope flooding through his features as he gently squeezes my hands. “You’ll come with me?”
I nod again, my voice barely a whisper. “I’ll come with you.”
He blows out a shaky sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging. “Thank you.”
He releases my hands, then reaches for one of them again, sliding his fingers through mine. The gesture is so simple, so gentle, yet it feels monumental. Instinct screams at me to pull away, to run, to bolt in the opposite direction—but I force my feet to stay planted. I force my body to stay upright.
“We’re leaving now?” I ask.
He gives me a hopeful smile, the kind that almost makes me believe everything might actually be okay. “Right now.”
The next thing I know, I’m following him around the corner to a black SUV parked in the shadows. He opens the passenger door, and I climb in, my legs shaking so badly I almost miss the step. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might crack my ribs as I buckle my seat belt with trembling fingers.
Logan walks around the front, gets into the driver’s seat, and starts the engine. The low rumble fills the silence between us.
“It’s going to be okay,” he says, turning to me. His eyes are so earnest, so full of conviction. “I promise you, it’s going to be okay, Tessa.”
I give him a weak smile, unable to form words.
If I’m honest, I don’t believe him.
But more than anything, I want to.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
LOGAN
Tessa is quiet on the drive to my condo. She stares out the window with her arms wrapped around herself.
There were several options for places she could stay, but when it came down to it, I knew I wouldn’t rest easy unless I could see her with my own eyes and know she was safe. At my place, she will be. I won’t let anything happen to her.
We park in the underground garage and take the elevator up in silence. The doors open directly into my condo, and I hold my hand out to guide her inside.
“Home sweet home,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
She steps in slowly, her eyes sweeping over the open-concept space—the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, the modern kitchen with its granite countertops, and the plush sectional sofa.
She hesitates near the door. “You’re not afraid he’s going to look up your address and show up here?”
It’s a valid question. One I’ve already considered. “I’m hoping he thinks you just ran off,” I tell her honestly. “I’m hoping he doesn’t suspect Layla or me. She’s going to play dumbif he asks questions and try to throw him off the scent. But regardless, I have security coming over tonight, so if he does show up, he won’t get in.”
She nods, but she doesn’t look reassured.
I offer her a drink, and after a moment’s consideration, she settles on a glass of water. We head into the living room and take a seat on opposite ends of the couch. She perches on the edge like she might bolt at any second, while I’m trying to look relaxed even though my entire body is coiled tight.
She takes a small sip of water, then sets the glass down on the coffee table. Her hands are shaking.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea, Logan,” she says finally, shaking her head. “I’m already regretting it.”
“I know,” I say gently. “It’s a scary step, but it needed to be done. No matter when you leave, it’s not going to be easy. We’re going to get a restraining order against him and make sure he stays far away from you.”
She doesn’t look convinced. If anything, she seems more hopeless.
“I don’t think a piece of paper is going to keep him away,” she says quietly, her voice hollow. “The thing about Preston is that he has connections and money, and this God complex where he thinks he can do anything he wants.”
She scoffs softly, bitterly. “And really, he’s been able to do anything he wanted his whole life, so it’s not surprising he feels that way. His father owns half the real estate in this city. His money lines the pockets of local law enforcement and politicians. They control so much.” Her voice falters, cracks. “I just feel like I’ll never truly be able to get away from him.”
