by Janie Marie
Ryder chugged his protein shake before taking a long drink of water, then sat his jug on the floor. “Your girl back home, or she get taken in?”
“She’s at home,” Logan told him, looking away from Janie’s horrible attempt to run and shoot properly on the game.
“Donna, così mi ucciderai!” Tercero muttered as Janie laughed.
“Tercero,” Janie sang as her avatar caught up to his, “you know I get all tingly and want to follow you into battle when you speak Italian.”
Logan watched Tercero send her an amused look, ignoring his girlfriend’s glare from across the room.
“It is I who follows you, tesoro,” Tercero said, winking at Janie. “I’ve told you before, think of me—for I am yours to bring.”
Logan glanced at Ryder. His rival was watching his brother like a hawk, but then he chuckled when Janie’s player ran into a melee.
“Morte,” Tercero muttered and chased after her.
“Stop flirting with her and save her ass,” Ryder told his brother, kissing Janie’s neck.
“Babe, I can’t fight good when you do that.” She giggled as Tercero did his best to keep her alive.
Logan glanced at Than, who was watching them as well, but he also took in the anger radiating from Tercero’s girlfriend. Was this how Kylie felt when he was with Janie earlier? He felt so much rage when Janie was with Ryder, and she wasn’t his girlfriend anymore. Dammit.
Elise, Tercero’s girlfriend, stood and stormed out of the room.
Archer chuckled, his eyes almost glowing as they settled on Janie. “Vicious little queen.”
“No one fucks with my boys.” Janie leaned forward to where Tercero was sitting on the floor and kissed his cheek. “And I’m sorry.”
“There is nothing to be sorry for.” He returned a kiss to her cheek. “And I meant it—I am yours in your darkest hour.”
She nodded, nuzzling his cheek a little too intimately before situating herself on Ryder’s lap again.
Logan sighed, irritated because there was real meaning behind what they were saying to each other, and he didn’t like thinking about what it meant. Not to mention, he didn’t like thinking about how close Janie was with Tercero—well, all the Godsons.
The tense atmosphere had nothing to do with their cryptic conversation though; something must’ve happened with Tercero and his girlfriend, and Janie was playing dirty. He smiled to himself. She was protective as hell. He could only imagine if Kylie did anything to piss her off. He didn’t want to see them fight, but he wasn’t sure how he was going to keep things peaceful because Kylie was too innocent to handle Janie.
“Sweet girl.” Ryder kissed Janie’s hair before shifting his attention to Than. “Did you tell him the shit you’re working on about the girl?”
Than nodded. “I filled him in when we got here. I’m a little worried about her being alone with Kevin, because Logan’s right, he should have noticed she was being hurt.”
Ryder looked at Logan, then over at the girls sitting at the table, talking. “Girls, get out. And don’t snoop. This isn’t your business.”
They all looked at him, annoyed, but got up and left as Savaş entered with a plate loaded with sandwiches and drinks. Monica snagged one of the drinks before muttering insults about Ryder being a jerk as she kissed her boyfriend goodbye.
“And make sure her cheating ass is gone before you leave,” Ryder shouted.
That explained it. Logan grimaced, wondering how the hell anyone was stupid enough to cheat on one of the brothers. The girl was lucky Janie didn’t skin her alive.
“What are you talking about, Logan?” Janie had abandoned her game and turned her focus to him. “I know Maura’s a bitch, but I didn’t think anything more of it—just that maybe they’d had an argument about Trevor.”
“Just tell them,” said Than, elbowing Logan.
Logan glanced at him before answering Janie. It wasn’t right to talk about Kylie like this, but he knew Janie might be her best support. “Maura’s been beating the shit out of her since her dad died. I tricked her into showing me how hurt she was. She was covered in bruises and scars. I thought maybe her ribs were broken, so I had Evander check her out. An X-ray showed four old fractures and tons of scar tissue from them being re-injured.”
“Damn,” Savaş muttered, then started eating.
“I’m sorry, Logan,” Janie murmured, her eyes going to Than before focusing on him again. “I thought it was weird that she kept her hood up, but you know I don’t really bother with girls at school anymore.”
“I know.” He smiled sadly because he knew why she didn’t bother anymore.
She grinned. “We’ll take care of her. I’m glad I fucked Maura up now.”
Logan shook his head. “You know you’re supposed to keep a low profile.”
She shrugged and curled into Ryder’s hold. “I screwed up. I always screw shit up, and then you guys try to keep me from getting hurt. You should just let me get in trouble so I won’t ruin everyone around me. I already hate what I’ve caused you all to do.”
Ryder kissed her cheek and whispered words they couldn’t hear into her ear.
“I know.” Her lips quivered.
The others all looked around like they were busy, but Logan watched them. He knew she would do this. That was why he hated himself for even dumping this on her.
“Baby doll,” he said, getting her attention and Ryder’s glare, which he ignored. “We keep you safe because we want to. And because the shit that happened shouldn’t have. It was our fault. I’ll always be here for you—both of you—but that doesn’t mean you go and put yourself in these kinds of situations. You have to realize it puts more than just you in danger.”
Janie sighed as she played with the hem of her shirt. “I didn’t mean to. That bitch was asking for it.”
Logan leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “You already know Ryder isn’t cheating, and he knows you’re not. You need to think shit through and not let them get to you.”
Her eyes lit up like fire. “You’re one to talk!”
Ryder tucked her head under his chin as he rocked her.
Logan looked away. That was a low blow on his part, one that hit a nasty wound.
“Why don’t you just go talk to the detective,” she spat, fighting Ryder’s hold. “Get them to pull the tapes and put me away so I won’t be a bother to you. I deserve it, don’t I?” Her pretty eyes welled up with tears as the gold and green within them roared like flames. “I was the one who did it, right? I’m always the one, aren’t I? Aren’t I?” she yelled. “I did all of this! I’m why we’re here. And I fucked it all up.”
“Stop,” Ryder yelled, pinning her hands down as she tried to break free.
Logan squeezed his eyes shut. He knew the others were watching him. They knew the truth, too. They knew this would come to pass, and it was his fault. Not hers.
“No,” she screamed. “It’s all my fault. Just put me out of my fucking misery because he’ll always think it’s my fault.”
“Well,” came a different voice from the hallway, “we are here because of you, but this wasn’t your fault.”
Logan looked up, his blood running cold at the sight of two silhouettes.
“I know for certain you were not the one who went after anyone. Isn’t that right, boys?”
Janie settled, wiping her tears as she sat straighter. “Hey, Luc.”
Nineteen
MY GIRL
Kylie stared at the pasta on her fork, rolling her eyes as Kevin let out another frustrated breath.
“Are you refusing to answer me?” he asked.
She looked up, doing her best not to glare at him. “I’m not having sex with him, Kevin.”
He looked relieved and returned his attention to his plate. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you two to see each other anymore. At least not while we’re trying to clear up this matter with your sister. Perhaps not until you finish school.”
“N
o,” she said before she could stop herself.
Kevin glanced up, surprised. “Kylie, I just want what’s best for you.”
“So does he.” She believed in her choice to be with Logan. No one was going to take him from her, not when she’d just gotten him.
“You barely know him, sweetheart. Look what dating him has already caused. Your sister is in the hospital because his ex-girlfriend got angry. What is going to happen to you if she decides she wants him back? Don’t ask me to sit back while my daughters get bullied over a boy who is more than likely filling his bed with other women.”
“He likes me, not her.” She was so angry she nearly cried. “We’re going to be together forever.”
Kevin set his napkin down, a disbelieving laugh leaving his lips. “I have never heard you sound more like a silly girl than you did just now. Do you really think he intends on staying with you after you give him what he wants?”
Kylie’s heart hurt, and she looked down at the table, letting the words tumble out. “I might be a silly girl, but I trust Logan. And I know I’m more than that now.”
Kevin took a drink of water before staring her down. “You’re not seeing him while you live here.”
She gasped. “You can’t stop me.”
He held his hand up. “Just listen to me. I’ve never tried to be a father to you—I’m sorry for that. I just thought it was wrong under the circumstances. It’s different with Maura because she’s Lorelei’s blood. But you were just . . . Well, I’m sure you understand what I’m getting at.”
He looked at her like she would accept his reason for not stepping up as her father. “It was a bad decision to be distant with you; I see that now. But you have to let me fix it. Let me try. I don’t want you going down the path Logan will take you. I tried to stay out of it, and I was going to, but this incident with your sister only proves that I need to step in and protect you. He’s trouble, and he has already caused a rift that we still need to mend. Christ, Kylie, Maura said you pulled a knife on her!”
Kylie let out a sarcastic laugh. “And you really believed her? She’s crazy! Did you even listen to what I told that cop?”
“I listened to every word.” He sighed, rubbing his forehead. “My point is, you two have never been this way before. I thought the Trevor boy was the reason for her drop in mood. So when I saw Logan, I figured the anger she’d developed would end. Clearly, I was wrong.”
“You’re wrong about a lot of things,” she muttered, “and you’re blind if you think this is the only time Maura has had a problem with me. It’s laughable, really—I don’t know why I’ve stayed silent. But I’m not going to bother relying on you. You’re still sitting there thinking this is over a boy. You can’t even see what’s really been happening, and that’s all because you’re so absorbed with your wife.
“Well, you can go play house with those two crazy bitches because I don’t want you to be my dad. I don’t want you to pretend you suddenly care. You had the chance to take care of me, and you failed. And guess what? I found someone who saw that I needed help, and he’s been trying to help me from the moment I met him. I’m going to keep seeing Logan, and you can’t stop me!”
She didn’t wait around for his response. She slammed her hands down and pushed herself up from the table, throwing one final glare at Kevin before storming out of the dining room. Her blood was boiling. Her heart was racing as it pounded away in her still slightly sore chest. She couldn’t believe the nerve of him. He had no right to come along now and act like he wanted to be her father.
Kylie stomped her way upstairs, her legs shaking so much she feared she’d collapse. She felt like she was going to explode. She felt like she had to fight and run all at the same time. He wanted to take Logan from her!
“Not happening,” she said to herself, slamming and locking her bedroom door. She let out a growly scream, knowing full well she sounded psychotic, but she needed to let her rage out. It had been so easy to get attached to Logan. So fast. So powerful.
Of course, it had a lot to do with the fact he was the first person to really notice her. The logical part of her knew it wasn’t normal to become so attached so quickly. In fact, she used to scoff at the stupidity of girls claiming they were in love after just becoming a couple, but she couldn’t help herself from craving exactly that with Logan.
“Maybe I’m being crazy,” she whispered as she fumbled through her pockets to pull out her phone. She had his contact pulled up before she knew it, her trembling fingers hovering over his name: Logan Stolemypanties Grimm.
“Maybe Kevin’s right, though.” Her eyes burned as her emotions made her start to crack. “Maybe Logan will leave right after we have sex. Maybe Janie will snap her fingers, and he’ll go running to her.”
She sat down on her bed, staring at his contact. She wanted to believe in the words she’d said to Kevin. She wanted to believe in Logan, in what they could become. But what if she was being a silly girl? What if she had been driven mad over everything that had happened to her? What if she was just a crazy girl with an out-of-control crush? Obsessed? God, she could hardly believe she’d just been hoping to brush up against Trevor two weeks ago.
The notification light began blinking, and she almost dropped the phone. Her breath hitched as she slid the lock off to read the message.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: I’m almost done baby. Just checking to see if ur ok.
She laughed out a slight sob and started her response, a smile on her face as she struggled to contain her happiness. She had to keep faith in him. She was hurt, not crazy. She was just reaching out to grab the hand being held out to her. She wasn’t becoming obsessive.
I’ll be better when you come, she replied.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: What’s wrong? Did something happen?
She smiled, shaking her head even though he couldn’t see her.
I’ll tell you when I see you. I’m fine.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Are you safe?
I’m fine! Just an argument with Kevin. It’s fine.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: He didn’t hurt you?
NO!
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Calm your tits woman. I just wanted to make sure you were ok.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Did you take your bra off yet?
Her heartbeat sped up, and her smile stretched wider.
Logan.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Panties?
LOGAN!
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Scream my name again, baby. I’m almost there.
She laughed and started pulling off her shoes.
You’re disgusting.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: We’ve had this conversation already.
What conversation?
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: I’m SEEEEEXY Hood. Sexy! Aren’t I?
She couldn’t stop smiling.
You’re an idiot. And aren’t you supposed to be doing something?
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Not doing anyone til you’re 18.
She rolled her eyes.
Are you coming?
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: No. Why? Are you naked? I might bust a nut just thinking about you.
“Fucking pervert,” she muttered, smiling.
You’re sexy.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Be there in 20.
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Kylie, Kylie, let down your hair.
Kylie rubbed her sleepy eyes as she read the message. It was already near midnight, and she’d given up on Logan coming over.
She sighed, texting back, What? Are you finally here?
Logan Stolemypanties Grimm: Open your window.
She went to her window. Peeking out, she saw Logan sitting on a tree branch a few feet away.
She grinned and pushed her window up for him. “Why did you want my hair?”
“I was trying to be romantic.”
She didn’t know how that was romantic. It gave her the creeps.
He rolled his eyes. “For
get it, Hood. Just move so I can climb in.”
Frowning, she stepped back and held her curtain so he could get through. He lifted himself in quite easily. She tried to stay calm, but when he turned to lower her window, she pounced. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his back.
Logan chuckled as her arms squeezed him from behind, but when he turned, his smile fell. “What’s wrong?” He placed both hands on the sides of her face. “Baby, what happened? Did he hurt you? Is Lorelei here?”
She frowned, happy but overwhelmed. All her fears over what could be coming finally began to hit her. “I’m just happy you’re here,” she said, her voice cracking as she tried to pull him closer. “I thought you changed your mind.”
“I didn’t change my mind. I just got held up.” He pulled her head to his chest as she hugged him tightly. After a few seconds of just savoring his hug, she sighed and lifted her head.
Logan didn’t waste time and pressed his lips to hers. And, finally accepting that he was there and holding her, she smiled against his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I swear I need these lips more every second,” he said, kissing her over and over.
Kylie smiled with him. He made everything better.
He backed her up to the bed. “Did you follow orders?”
She giggled as his hand slid under her shirt to find no bra.
“Good, little Hood.”
“Ew,” she said, smacking his hand when he tried to squeeze her breast.
“Ew?” He frowned and lowered his hands to her hips just as the bed met the back of her knees. As her eyes widened a little in anticipation, Logan smirked, then lowered his lips to her neck and eased her onto her back.
“You sound like a creepy old guy.” Her head ached, but she tried to push the pain away, as well as her nerves. That was hard, considering Kevin was downstairs.
Logan brushed his lips over hers. “I’m not that old. And I think you mean freaky, not creepy.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Super freaky.”
She glided her fingers across his chest before holding his face between her hands. “Kevin said I can’t see you anymore. I told him I was going to see you anyway, and he can’t just start acting like my dad now.”
