With a quick turn, I removed the keys from the ignition. My hands were shaking as I took the gun from my purse. Locking the car doors, I hurried up the walk.
That’s when I saw a shadow flicker across the only room in the house that had a light on. It was Michael’s office and he often forgot to turn it off, but the movement was what frightened me.
I gripped the gun tighter.
Logan had said, “Shoot to kill,” and that’s what I planned to do.
Was it my imagination, though?
Tree branches from the wind maybe?
A red light seemed to be blinking in the study.
I stared through the window, trying to figure out what it was. I couldn’t. Was I really seeing something? Was it my imagination? When I saw the same shadow again, I knew what I seeing had to be real.
I scanned the dark street and my entire body started to tremble. Without a doubt, I had seen movement in Michael’s office. I was now certain that someone was inside.
I glanced back at the car and the thought of Clementine being alone terrified me. I started to run to get to her, but I tripped on a step on the pathway, which landed me on my back.
Pain tore through me and I wasn’t certain I hadn’t sprained something, but my fear was greater than the pain. Forcing myself to move, I got up and somehow managed to stumble to the car. When it was within reach, I used it for leverage to help guide me around to my door.
Once inside, I pressed my foot on the gas hard. I had to get out of there. About ten minutes later, when I reached a busy intersection and the adrenaline that had been pumping through my veins slowed, I slumped forward. Feeling the weight of everything going on, the only thing I knew for certain was that I couldn’t take the chance of anything happening to Clementine.
And that’s why I was going where I was going.
It was the only place I could feel safe.
LOGAN
I lifted the lid to my laptop and fired it up.
My fingers hovered over the keys.
I typed two words, four syllables, Michael O’Shea, and then hit the delete key over and over.
I made another attempt, retyping the same words.
There was a knock on my hotel room door and without overthinking it, I pressed send. I shut the lid to my computer and then grabbed my SIG. I approached the door with caution and stood to the side. “Who’s there?”
“Logan, it’s me, Elle.”
My heart thundered in my chest.
I knew her voice before she even said her name.
What was wrong?
What had happened?
I tucked the gun behind my back and swung the door open as fast as I could.
She stood there with one of those folding strollers that cradled a sleeping Clementine in it, a bag on each shoulder and her purse right at her hand.
Good girl.
My heart clenched as I allowed myself a quick look at her before scanning the hall.
She looked terrified. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know where else to go. The front desk had my name and sent me up. I hope you don’t mind.”
My eyes came back to her and our gazes collided. Again, I allowed myself just a quick glance. She looked to be physically unharmed. Without hesitation, I quickly stepped into the hall. Holding the door open with my bare foot, I looked to the right and then the left. I didn’t see anyone. “Elle,” I said, taking her bags from her and urging her forward. “It’s fine. But why aren’t you at O’Shea’s?”
Had my assumption been wrong? Was he incapable of caring for Elle and his daughter?
With urgency, she pushed the stroller inside. “He’s not there.”
“Where the fuck is he?” I asked way too loud.
Elle turned to face me.
That goddamn vulnerability was all I could see. I had to drop my gaze just to keep my distance. I felt an odd need to get close. See her even closer. Make sure she was really, truly okay.
“I didn’t know where else to go,” she said again, this time even more shakily.
The fear in her voice rattled me, and I stepped closer to her and grabbed her arms. As soon as my fingers wrapped around them, I felt a flame light from within me that hadn’t stirred in years. After that, I couldn’t stop the flood of feelings that were coursing through me. Seriously, what the hell was going on with me?
Control.
I was all about it.
I had to regain it.
I drew in a deep breath and let it wrap around me. With my armor in place, I slowly looked her up and down one more time. She didn’t appear to be hurt. “What happened?” I asked, making certain my voice was at an even keel.
Tension eased from her and she let out a relieved sigh. “Can I put Clementine somewhere and then we can talk?”
Keenly aware that the two of us being alone in a hotel room probably wasn’t the best idea, I shoved the remaining strange feelings I had deep down within me. Just a slight chink in my armor. Nothing to worry about. But the protectiveness that was surging under my skin might be. Needing to ensure her and the baby’s safety, I reached behind and turned the lock. The entire time I never let my gaze leave hers.
Forcing myself to be mechanical, a moment later I said, “Yeah, of course. Do you want to lay her on my bed?”