Jack, it seemed, lived on the third floor. As I headed downstairs and neared the next landing, I realized just how big this place was. A gorgeous crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling to midway down, and a winding staircase edged with an eye-catching wrought iron balustrade made of leaf-like designs ran down the three flights.
The sounds of soft footsteps reached me. A familiar, burly guy in his late forties, sporting buzzed fair hair, appeared from the second-floor corridor. He slowed.
Heat rushed through my face. Doing the walk of shame, even metaphorically, wasn’t something I’d done before. My fingers tightened on my backpack straps. “Good morning…” Ugh, it was noon.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
He knew about me being hurt? “I’m okay now.”
“That’s good to hear. When Jack brought you in last night, he explained you were wounded and had fainted. I’m Cliff, by the way, caregiver for Jack’s grandfather.”
“Ray.”
“I know. I’ve seen you at Mulligan’s.”
Of course, the bar. I forced a smile. “I need to go. I have a family thing. How’s Nigel?”
“Resting.”
I nodded. “Please tell him I had to leave, and I’ll see him next week. Er, which way to the entrance?”
“I’ll get the driver to take you back.”
And have Ila accidentally see me getting out of a limo or something equally noticeable? “It’s all right. I’ll get a ride. What’s the address here?”
Nothing showed on Cliff’s stoic features as he told me. I summoned Lyft services, giving them the address, and followed him through the elegant house and out to the front driveway where I waited for my ride.
A while later, as the rideshare driver headed toward my dorm, my cell rang. At Jack’s name on the display, my heart thudded. I didn’t answer. Couldn’t.
Later. Later, I would call him. Maybe.
10
Ray
“We’re home.”
At my sister’s soft words, I forced my eyelids open and straightened, the pain in my ribs amping up again. Max brought the Range Rover to a smooth halt on the paved driveway in front of our cozy, two-story home in Millbrae.
It was just past three. The warm summer sun beat down on everything, making the white walls a little too dazzling that it hurt my eyes. Even the steep slate-gray roofline reflected the glare. I got out, and the heat hauled me into a boiling hug—or it could be my temperature was up again.
Sighing, I trudged the paved path set in a neatly trimmed lawn for the steps leading to the sheltered porch, my backpack dangling from my hand. I needed an icy drink to wet my dry throat, and so I could cool down.
The front door opened. And the strapping, six-foot-tall figure of Sean Logan—aka, Protector of the Logan women, and Dad to me—stepped out. His usually stern and beloved features broke into a warm smile. In his late forties, he still looked so darn handsome. Not an ounce of fat on him. Yep, he kept up histae kwon dotraining. But he’d cut his brown hair short again, no doubt in deference to the heat. Hazel eyes, ones I’d inherited from him, lit up. “Ray.”
He grasped me in a tight hug, and I clamped back a grimace of pain. He let me go, his brow creasing. Then his eyes settled on my jaw and narrowed. “What happened?”
“Overdid the training,” I said quickly, gingerly touching the dark bruise on my face. “Took a hit on the face.” I’d used the same cover-up story with Ila and Max. Well, hitting Oscar had gotten physical, right? And it was only a half-lie. Because if Dad knew the truth, there’d be hell to pay. He’d definitely go after the drunken jerk. At least Oscar was now behind bars, thanks to Jack. “And I have a migraine.”
Dad nodded. “It’s good you keep up your training. Go, take something for the headache, sweet pea.” He gave me a gentle rub on the shoulder, then glanced past me. “Ila—Maximus,” he greeted.
Despite feeling so dang miserable, I wanted to laugh. Two years later, and Dad still called Max by the name I’d first given him, from the horse inTangled. Hard on the outside but with a marshmallow inside.
Max heaved a massive sigh at my father’s teasing.
“Rr…Ray?” At the soft, slightly slurred voice, I turned.
“Mom!” I rushed over to where she stood in the doorway. She appeared far too pale beneath her naturally light brown skin despite her brilliant smile. At her gentle clasp around me, my heart squeezed in worry. “Mom, let me help you back inside.”
