Irresistibly Charming

by Victoria Pinder

  And the government didn’t or couldn’t claim that? She narrowed her eyes. “Does your family have just valuables or money there too?”

  He whispered near her ear, “I don’t want to discuss that publicly.”

  The older gentleman took out a pad of paper and made his way to them. She quickly whispered back, “Now, that sounds like a means to get your money. You need to be careful, Logan.”

  “Possibly.” He nodded.

  The royal connection seemed like the obvious one to his family being in jail, though they needed to find out and be sure.

  Logan wrapped his arms around her and said, “Today we’ll get you both. A simple one and one from my family vault.”

  Last night and today he’d mentioned money first. She nodded as the man came toward them. “And then the bank.”

  “Yes.” Logan squeezed her hand and turned toward the older gentleman. “Mr. Miller, this is my wife, Hannah.”

  So he knew the jeweler. His mother again? Miller said, “You just missed your brother Oliver and his new wife.”

  Okay, so the jeweler probably knew the entire family. Hannah’s heart eased.

  Logan held out her hand to the glass for Miller to measure her finger. “I’m sure we will all be coming to see you,” Logan chuckled. “We need one for today from your store, and a blue diamond in a cushion style from our collection.”

  Mr. Miller slipped a ring around her hand and had her perfect size. “We can order that.” He wrote down the size number and the blue diamond cushion, then waved toward the case, “Please look around while I contact the office in London.”

  “Sounds good,” Logan said. “Ready, Hannah? See anything you like?”

  Right. She headed toward a column of cushioned diamonds and lifted one that was clear, and probably 2 carats that she could wear to the grocery store and not freak out if something happened to a crown jewel. “This one is nice.”

  Logan nodded. “Mr. Miller, we’ll take what my wife picked out.”

  The jeweler took the ring and motioned toward one of his staff who went to the register. “It’s always a pleasure to work with you.”

  Mr. Miller said they could pick the ring up tomorrow and the blue diamond in a week. Logan signed for it and they went back to the car.

  Outside, the January Miami heat was intense until they went into the air conditioned car where her skin chilled. Logan joined her and she said, “That was sweet of you, actually. Logan, I was hoping-”

  However the driver literally did a U-turn on the beach and she almost fell out of her seat and went to the other side. She laughed as they were dropped off at the front door of the bank like they were there to rob it. She scooted out and Logan followed her.

  He placed his hand on her lower back and led her inside, as he said, “Let’s see the banker.”

  “Okay, but we could have walked,” Hannah said, still laughing.

  “Safety first. My uncle and aunt died last year and we all thought it was likely murder. With our arrests, and these divorce contracts, we’re not taking chances.” Logan pointed right to the side doors. “We’re going to the office. Once we open the account, we’ll go to your old one and close it down. Don’t give anyone the transfer information.”

  Fair. Her heart lifted that his name could be on the account too. She didn’t need him to simply give her money with no access. She kept that thought to herself while she asked, “How am I opening the account?”

  They went inside a banker’s office. “Welcome,” a coiffed lady stood and outstretched her palm.

  Logan shook the banker’s hand first as this was the bank that his family used and told Hannah, “I’ll get you a cashier’s check.”

  The woman then shook her hand.

  Logan told her, “I’d like to open an account for my new wife.”

  They all sat down. The woman said, “I’ll need identification and the marriage license if you’re both to be on the account.”

  Hannah felt goosebumps grow on her arms. She looked around while Logan took out his driver’s license. Then, like she was living in a movie, she saw men with machine guns inside the bank. Her entire body went cold, and she reached for Logan with trembling fingers. She tried to speak but couldn’t. She cleared her throat but then regretted making a sound. Logan looked at her, his caring brown eyes unthawing her vocal chords enough for her to spit out the words, “There are men with guns coming toward us.”

  Logan turned around and stood, blocking her and the banker from view. This couldn’t be the end! After her parents had died without warning, she was certain that life was meaningless without love. Logan had no idea how she felt.

  Chapter 17

  The bank had two big windows on both sides of the entrance next to the double glass door they’d walked in from. The men with guns came in from the same front and he had no idea if the back had any exits. The bank had a line and tellers in the back, but on the sides there were small offices with clear glass doors. Logan and his wife were in the third office toward the back, and Logan used his body to block the women from being seen through the door. No one needed to see Hannah. He heard the banker open something, but he didn’t have time to look as he said, “Hannah, get behind the desk.”

  The banker said, “This way to the vault.”

  “You have an escape plan?” Hannah scrambled around him and toward the banker.

  Men with black ski masks and automatic rifles were scanning the bank, but goosebumps grew on his arms.

  They were here on a mission and it might not be a bank robbery. With those weapons, he assumed the mission might include murder.

  The banker quickly said, “We have seconds.”

  Hannah grabbed his hand. “Logan come. Fast.”

  “You first.” He waved her to get further back.

  He kept his eyes on the doors and window. One of the men turned toward him and held his gun higher.

  His body tightened and braced for impact.

  Hannah called out behind him, “Get in here. Now!”

  He stepped back and followed her voice. She grabbed his arm and pulled him with her. In the same moment, he saw a man stare at him directly through the glass door and his gaze didn’t waver. Logan’s heart raced. He turned toward his wife and her skin almost glowed with her goodness even as he said, “They saw me.”

  Her face went white.

  The banker waved at them. “This way, both of you.”

  They followed her down the dark hall that only had a few lights on. As they neared a metal door, Hannah gripped his hand and asked, “Where are we?”

  The banker pointed toward an older woman in her fifties. “In the vault. This is my supervisor, Ms. Perez.”

  If the men were after him, Logan endangered all of these people with his presence.

  His heart stopped. He shouldn’t be here. The man with the gun’s gaze told him with the lifting of his weapon that he’d been recognized.

  Hannah stayed at his side. “So, what do we do?”

  “We wait until the police get us out,” Ms. Perez said.

  Hannah gripped his hand. “So we’re on lockdown?”

  “Yes,” Ms. Perez replied with a shake in her voice.

  Logan kept his lips sealed. His wife’s safety mattered more than his own. He’d not let anyone get hurt because of him. If possible he’d surrender himself to save these people.

  Hannah took her hand back. “I’m texting my brother.”

  He needed to let his brothers know that there could be a problem with getting the money to Roy right now. The bank wasn’t exactly working. He took a deep breath and nodded. “Good idea. I’ll text my family.”

  Ollie responded first. Stay safe.

  I have the money but it needs to be transferred.

  Right now your life is more important.

  A bank robbery was never in his thoughts as to how he’d die. A banker yelped. He turned and stared at the black and white screen that showed three of the four men with guns backing up.

 
Were they leaving?

  But then a customer in the lobby clutched his heart.

  Had he been shot?

  He hadn’t seen or heard any bullets being fired. Logan asked, “What’s happening?”

  “Mr. Bentley,” Ms. Perez said, “these men were here for you.”

  He knew that. Logan crossed his arms as Hannah came to stand beside him. “How do you know?”

  Ms. Perez moved the camera and they saw a note with the name Logan Bentley over the older gentleman who was unconscious or dead on the floor. “They left you a calling card.”

  Hannah brought her knuckles to her mouth to stifle a scream. He hugged her. “Hannah…”

  “Oh my God!” She wept into his side.

  He rocked her as the camera turned and the fourth gunman walked out the door. “Hannah, don’t look.”

  “We can’t just sit here, Logan.” Hannah clung to him but dried her tears.

  Ms. Perez let out a deep breath. “The police are here—they must have chased the gunmen away.”

  Right now that man on the floor was his responsibility just as much as getting the money to his family.

  No one should have been hurt. If he thought for a second this might happen, he’d never have put Hannah or anyone in danger.

  Ms. Perez buzzed the police in. Hannah stood beside him, but as the police began to escort the bankers out, he said, “Go with them. Get back to our condo and wait.”

  Hannah, her face pale, stood in front of him. She clasped her trembling hands together. “You need to come!”

  This situation was his responsibility to resolve. He refused to budge and nodded toward the officer coming their way. He squeezed his wife’s shoulder. “I can’t, honey, but I will see you soon.”

  Hannah placed her hand on his cheek. “Logan, the cops can’t arrest you. You didn’t do anything.”

  He leaned down and kissed her, then motioned he’d go with the officer. “Relax, Hannah. These cops know I didn’t pull the trigger but I need to talk with them. Trust me.”

  “Hurry back.” She hugged her waist as he took a step forward to go with the policeman.

  Ms. Perez followed him and went to talk to the officers in the main bank while reassuring worried customers. Paramedics worked over the prone older man. Logan saw no sign of blood. He must have had a heart attack—the man’s face was pale, but he was still alive. Logan handed one of the EMTs a business card. “Please ensure this man has all the medical treatment he needs and send the bill to me.”

  The policemen gestured for them to take a seat in Ms. Perez’s office. Logan explained his purpose at the bank.

  “Why would they target you?” the officer asked.

  “I don’t know.” And that was the truth.

  The policeman took notes, and asked Ms. Perez questions, then they left.

  “Did you still want to make that withdrawal?” Ms. Perez asked.

  He nodded and picked up a pen. “Yes. Let’s finish the paperwork.”

  Ms. Perez said, “I have your wife’s driver’s license.”

  She must have gotten it from her employee when they were all trapped together. If he could send a messenger back with the papers for her to sign, he’d accomplish his goals despite the attack on the bank and him. Ms. Perez handed him a paper and he stared at it. “Do what you can so she just needs to sign.”

  “I’m still here,” Hannah said from behind him. She’d come inside with a policeman who waited until she waved at him to go back out of the bank.

  Hannah now had more color in her face and she stood without shaking as he said, “I thought you went home.”

  She took his hand. “I couldn’t get in the car and go quietly. Not without you.”

  Ms. Perez slipped Hannah’s driver’s license to her along with a paper.

  Logan took a deep breath. “We’ll talk later. Sign and let’s finish why we came.”

  Ms. Perez typed information into the computer, transferring funds with quiet efficiency.

  Then she slipped him a paper that his father’s account was now full.

  Roy could access the cash.

  Logan filled out a second withdrawal slip. “This money goes into Hannah’s new account.”

  Ms. Perez took the paper and said, “Two minutes.”

  As they waited for Ms. Perez Logan patted Hannah’s back. “I need to trust you to follow directions.”

  She met his gaze, placed her hand on his chest and said, “And I need to know you’re coming home too. You did well ensuring that older man is taken care of.”

  No one should die because of him. Logan’s heart beat grew faster, but he squeezed her side in a gentle embrace while they waited for the banker. “I hope he just suffered from anxiety or something like that, and that he’s fine and able to go home to his family.”

  Hannah didn’t say another word, but she stared at him like he was perfect.

  The expression made his heart steady though she shouldn’t have that much faith in him.

  Ms. Perez then slipped them papers and said, “Here you are Mr. Bentley, Mrs. Bentley.”

  Hannah read the receipt. Logan’s shoulders lifted as a weight eased. “My wife has her new account.”

  Ms. Perez nodded.

  Hannah handed the paper back and said, “Joint account. I want my husband to have access.”

  Logan twitched and stared at his wife. He turned toward her, “I don’t need-”

  “You do.” Hannah insisted, and Ms. Perez typed. “Then when we’re done, we need to get home, to your family and find out why someone wanted to shoot you. What if the others are in danger too?”

  The way she stared at him again made him feel bigger than he’d ever felt. He swallowed, unsure how to respond to this, but said, “I won’t fight you, Hannah. I’d lose.”

  She smiled brighter. “Glad you know that.”

  Ms. Perez typed and then handed them both papers.

  His father’s account was confirmed, and his name was also a signatory on Hannah’s account.

  Hannah slipped her arm in his. “We’re finished.”

  Ms. Perez waved them off and they went outside. Their driver waited like nothing had happened. Hannah got inside and he followed.

  Soon his father would be with them and his family would be complete. Hannah’s hand on his gave him a sense of belonging which was strange, but he kept silent.

  As they neared their building, Hannah squeezed his fingers. “There are police surrounding the condo building. Do you think the gunmen are there? Is your family okay? Has anybody texted you?”

  He checked his phone. “No.”

  The last thing he needed was a worried wife. They were probably protecting his family, just in case. “Or,” he shared, “this could be about my father getting out of jail and not have anything to do with what just happened at the bank.”

  Hannah scooted closer to him at the same time the driver brought them to the front door. “Could they get in here too?”

  Anything was possible, but he kept the thought to himself. Instead he squeezed her hand gently. “We have security measures, but it’s good the police are making their presence known. We can figure this out.”

  “Right,” she agreed. She then let his hand go and scooted out of the car. He followed, and no one stopped them as they headed inside the lobby.

  Hannah walked next to him but stopped as she saw Harrison’s worried face with Roxy tucked in his arm, waiting for them by the front window. She turned and said, “My brother is here.”

  Logan should have expected him. If Elle had texted him that she was in trouble, he’d drop everything. He placed his hand on Hannah’s back as they joined her family. “Harry, Roxy, please come up,” he said. “We’ll get a drink or something.”

  Harry nodded and they all walked toward the elevator. “I’ll need one after your text. Those men intended to kill my sister.”

  “She’s unharmed,” Logan assured him as they walked inside the elevator and the doors closed behind them.

/>   Harry crossed his arms. “She shouldn’t have been in danger at all.”

  “I agree,” Logan said fast.

  No one said anything else and they got off the elevator on his floor and directly into the condo.

  “My sister should come home with me,” Harry declared as Logan closed the door. “Until you find out who is behind this.”

  His mind raced, and he was at a loss for words because he couldn’t imagine Hannah anywhere but at his side.

  Hannah crossed her arms. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here with Logan and his family.”

  Her brother turned toward her. “Hannah, be reasonable.”

  If he was her brother, he’d have the same thoughts. Logan wasn’t sure what to say so he walked past the siblings that seemed ready for a showdown.

  Roxy followed him.

  Hannah dropped her arms and tapped her foot. “Harry, don’t even think about trying to change my mind.”

  Roxy joined him. “Logan, let’s fix those drinks while these two duke it out.”

  Fair enough. He’d promised drinks. He walked to the bar and found glasses he placed on a tray while Roxy checked out the selection of wine and liquor. He waited for her choice and asked, “Roxy, how did you meet Harrison?”

  Roxy pointed toward a French red. “He rescued me at a family party. He talked to me because he missed his sister.”

  In time, perhaps, Harry might come around and like Logan. He needed Hannah to remain his wife, but wasn’t sure how to express that to her family. He opened the bottle, ignoring Roxy’s searching gaze. “Hannah’s way too good for me. I don’t know what she sees in me.”

  Roxy laughed which filled the air as neither sibling said a word. “That you’re devoted to your family and you’re a good guy. I can see why.”

  Harry and Hannah stared at them so Logan finished pouring and took the tray with the glasses toward the coffee table in the living room. “Let’s go find out what the Hughes have decided.”

  Roxy took one of the glasses and followed him. Logan walked over to his wife and offered her a glass. She accepted, and then he offered one to Harry. Done with serving, he put the tray down and asked, “Hannah?”