Page 144 of Poet & Protector

“Kind of?” Logan scoffed.

I had no idea if he would believe all these lies, but I had to try.

“Yes.” I went all in and hoped Logan would buy it. “And it’s not fair for me to see both of you at the same time. I should have realized that sooner. What Neville and I did today was immature and thoughtless. We’re wolves. We get a little animalistic sometimes. I’m sorry.”

The excuse spilled out like I was describing some angsty love triangle instead of trying to protect my mate from a psychotic sexual predator who thought he owned me.

Logan watched me closely, searching my face for signs of deceit I hoped I was hiding.

When he slowly shook his head, I knew I’d failed.

“I wish you wouldn’t insult my intelligence, Mason; it’s infuriating,” he said. “You and Neville are deeply attached to each other. It is both obvious and unacceptable. I’m going to ensure he understands that.”

What do I do? What do I do?

I thought my heart would explode, its every beat unbearably painful.

“Let me end things with him,” I told Logan. “I’ll do it. I’ll make sure he understands.”

“That’s not enough.” He was losing patience with me. I had to bring him back around somehow.

“You said you would give me whatever I asked.” I almost choked on my next words. “If I pleased you.”

His eyes narrowed. “If you’re about to ask me to let you keep Neville⁠—”

“I’m not,” I insisted. “I’m going to end it. You have my word and you’ll have me. Only you. But don’t hurt him. That’s all I ask. Give me that, Logan.”

He pursed his lips. I had his attention now.

“Give me a reason to please you,” I whispered. “Show me you meant what you said. I promise you won’t regret it.”

“Why would I believe you?”

There was no turning back. I had only one path forward. I didn’t spare a thought for what it might ultimately cost me. All that mattered was protecting Nev.

I closed the distance between myself and Logan. Swallowing the stones in my throat, I slowly ran my hands up his torso and splayed my fingers against the hard musculature of his chest. He shivered when I stroked my thumbs along the inner curve of his pecs. Heat bloomed in his irises, melting the cold, vengeful glint that frightened me so much.

Everything about this was torture. Unbearable. My strategy was working, but it was the hardest thing I’d ever done. And it was about to get worse.

“You don’t have to believe,” I told him. “I can prove it.”

Leaning in, I kissed him. No hesitation. No chance for him to doubt my intent. His lips parted and I slid my tongue between them to slowly touch and tease while letting him taste me.

At the same time, I fought the sob welling in my throat as he kissed me back, demanding more. Everything inside me screamed against what was happening. I was kissing Logan. A real kiss. Anything less and he wouldn’t trust me. Anything less and he’d go after Nev.

Even so, I loathed myself. But not as much as I despised Logan.

The glass slipped from his grasp, shattering when it struck the floor. His palms molded to my hips, dragging me forward until I was pressed against his body. One of his hands kept me anchored to him while the other slid up my waist, over my ribs, my shoulder, my neck. His fingers tangled in my hair and tugged hard, making me gasp at the sudden stinging pain.

“End things with Neville tonight—” Logan spoke the words against my lips, “—and I won’t hurt him. You belong to me, Mason. No one else can touch you. Make him accept that, or he will suffer.”

I pulled away cautiously and he let me put space between us. “You want me to call him now?”

That would be awful; pretending to break up with Nev while Logan listened. Speaking the words. Hearing Nev react when he could only guess as to why it was happening. But if it convinced Logan to leave him alone, it would be worth it.

“No.” Logan stepped away from me. “You should meet him somewhere. I don’t care where or how, so long as it happens tonight.”

“I’m not staying here?” I hadn’t even entertained that miraculous possibility.