Page 126 of Poet & Protector

He appeared genuinely relieved that I didn’t object, which to be honest, I found deeply irritating. His hesitation and seeming vulnerability that had come out of nowhere were a lie, even if he believed he was being sincere.

Nothing could change the fact he was about to become my master and I had no option other than to go along with whatever he had in mind. Logan knew that, but he insisted on this…fantasy. I didn’t understand what he was doing.

“We hang out,” he replied. “Do homework, maybe order pizza or whatever sounds good, then we play some video games or pool. And we talk. I hope it will leave us with a better sense of each other.”

He paused, then hit me with that shy expression again. “And I hope you’ll have a good time.”

Was this…was Logan Bane trying to have a date with me?

That was insanely messed up, but it was also much better than the alternative. I wasn’t comfortable with what he was proposing, but if he wanted to act like we could have some sort of normal relationship, I’d roll with it and see what happened.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

“Do you need to get that?” he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Yeah, the Logan I know is right there, lurking beneath the surface.

I would have to play this very carefully.

“No,” I told him. “Whatever it is, it’s not important. I didn’t have anything going on tonight.”

He smiled, liking that answer. I noted his response, tucking it away. As much as I didn’t want to be here, I might be able to use it as an opportunity to learn about Logan, how to read him, predict and maybe even affect his actions. Any ability I had to influence him could help me and my entire pack enormously.

My phone buzzed again and he frowned.

I hesitated, then said, “Unless it’s my parents. They’ll expect me for dinner at some point.”

Logan shook his head. “They won’t.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “They were told it’s Haldis business and not to expect you back tonight.”

I had to check my reaction because my entire body clenched with apprehension.

Not to expect me back tonight. As in, I would be with Logan all night?

There was someone else who would be looking for me later. It was Wednesday. I always met Nev at the Bunker Wednesday nights, but that wasn’t until late and I’d assumed I’d leave Logan’s house at some point. The fact that I wouldn’t meant…

I squeezed my eyes shut briefly, then forced them open. I couldn’t freak out in front of him.

“Okay, cool.” My answer was definitely a croak, but Logan didn’t notice or didn’t care. “Like I said, I don’t have anything important going on tonight.”

Another smile. “Lucky for me.”

On cue, my phone buzzed yet again. Shit.

Logan’s smile vanished and he didn’t bother masking his irritation. “You’re either very popular or Neville is trying to track you down.”

“Not Nev,” I said quickly. “Ansel. He’s always messaging me after school. We have a kind of never-ending chat. He’s probably wondering why I’ve gone AWOL.”

Logan scanned my expression, likely trying to gauge how honest I was being.

“Do you mind if I message him quick, so we don’t have to keep hearing my phone?” I asked nervously. “I can silence it after that.”

“Go ahead,” Logan replied. “I wouldn’t want Ansel to keep worrying about you.”

I grimaced and pulled my phone out. It was a good thing Logan and I were on opposite sides of the couch, facing each other and not side by side, because there was no way he could sneak a glance at my screen.