But oh God.
When she’d found out Logan was a Greyson, the closest to a royal family that California had, she was stunned. Maybe that deceit could’ve been forgiven. But then celebrity news outlets went crazy reporting about Hollywood’s newest darling, actress Isabo Reese, being seen on the town with the heir to the Greyson empire, Logan Hunter Greyson. It had broken Hayley’s heart to find out that her blue-collar boyfriend was really a wealthy playboy. His betrayal had wounded her to the core, and her pride would not let him explain. She’d left him, fleeing to her brother’s apartment and soothing her aching soul with tears and ice cream.
Seven days after what she believed to be one of the worst moments of her life had been proven wrong. Maria’s murder had changed everything.
And life had never been the same.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
Her love for Logan still pulsed in her veins--a poison slowly destroying her. How could she risk her heart again with the man who’d shattered it? “Oh, Logan. It’s too late.”
Logan watched Hayley flee down the hall. His heart ached. No matter what excuses he told himself, he couldn’t justify the secrets he’d kept from her. The first time he’d seen Hayley Nelson had been at a charity event to support building new women’s shelters. She’d worn a pearl colored dress with an open back that sat right above her shapely rear end and flattered her ample curves. Her dark brown hair had been styled in an Audrey Hepburn style up-do, and her hazel eyes mesmerized him.
He’d planned to dazzle her with his five thousand dollar tux and his custom-made Rolex...and of course, his well-honed charm. Then he overheard Hayley speaking to another woman about the opulence of the event:
These one-percenters really like being wooed for their donations. Imagine how much good we could do if all the money spent on the hotel and the food and the entertainment went directly into the shelter’s coffers? Maybe we could end homelessness.
She was right. The money wasted to prepare the lavish fundraisers was better spent on the community. He’d walked away without introducing himself, feeling ashamed of his own artifice and entitlement.
He hadn’t been able to rid his mind of the beauty with a heart of gold. But he hadn’t wanted to come to her dressed in Armani and driving a Porsche. He decided he wasn’t going to help people at a distance anymore. He wanted to get his hands dirty, do the work so many volunteers gave up weekends and evenings for. And his first day at the Greyson Homeless Shelter he met her, Hayley Nelson.
They had six months of happiness before Hayley found out he hadn’t been honest about his true identity. Worse still, he had no chance to explain the situation with Isabo. For a week, he tried everything to connect with Hayley—Facebook, texts, phone calls, Snapchats, everything short of carrier pigeons.
His apology was this island, this house, and if she would have it, his heart. He’d paid craftsmen, architects, drywallers, woodworkers, gardeners and many more to work day and night on the project. For the last six months, he’d done nothing but try to bring Hayley’s dream house to life.
When it was finally finished, and his attempts to find Hayley failed, he’d gone to the Los Angeles FBI office and demanded to see Ben.
That’s when he’d learned about the murder of Maria Santos and that Hayley had witnessed the horrible act. She could’ve died, too. The thought of her losing to some psychopath’s bullet put terror into his soul. Whether she wanted him back or not, he would not let anyone hurt her. Ben agreed that Hayley would be better protected on a private island. And he’d admitted, “She misses you, man. She won’t admit it, but she does.”
Ben had given him hope that Hayley might love him still. He wanted nothing more than to win her heart again.
He would tell her the whole truth. If she still didn’t want anything to do with him after that, he would honor her decision. When Rodrigo Santos was safely behind bars, he would leave the island and let her find happiness.
Even if it was without him.
Five
The nursing home walls felt like they were closing in on Betty. If the FBI agent connected Ellie to Santos, how long would it take for her sister’s ex to send someone to finish the job?
“Ellie?” She stood next to her younger sister’s bed and stroked her cheek. “I had a very interesting conversation with an FBI agent. His name is Ben Nelson—and yes, he’s very cute. I’m going to help him take down Rodrigo. I know, I know. It won’t change what he did. Just like I know closure is something we can never truly have. But there’s a real chance he’ll go to prison. He won’t hurt another woman.” She leaned down and brushed a kiss on Ellie’s forward. “I’ll see you soon.”