by Janie Marie
Taking a breath, Logan approached Janie’s side. He touched Kylie’s back first to alert her he was there. She nodded at him, breaking his heart because he knew that meant nothing had changed with them either, but he moved from her to Janie. “Hey, baby doll.”
She didn’t tear her gaze from Luc. Her bruised face and stitched cheek further wounded his heavy heart, but her anguished voice broke it. “He’s not coming back, is he?”
Logan leaned down, pressing a kiss to her head. He didn’t want to tell her he’d failed.
Tears slid down her cheeks, and he carefully wrapped his arms around her, but he reached for Kylie. He wanted her to know he wasn’t trying to be Janie’s replacement for Ryder.
But Kylie pried his hand from hers and put it with Janie’s.
It felt like he’d lost everything all over again, but he stayed there for Janie. He wouldn’t abandon her.
“If you’re hugging her because I’m a stupid asshole, you can stop.”
Janie tensed, and Logan straightened, turning to see Ryder standing in the doorway. It should’ve relieved him, but as he stood between Janie and Luc, he froze. The dread he’d felt in the room increased, and he felt weak because he wouldn’t be able to stop what was coming.
“Relax, I’m not here to pull the plug on Luc,” Ryder said, dropping a bag on the floor as he turned to Than. “Trevor’s duct taped in Sorrow. One of your officers is trying to extract him.”
Than bowed his head. “I’ll take care of it.”
Ryder nodded, returning his attention to Logan, but he dropped his gaze to Kylie. “Blondie, mind putting Grimm at ease so I can grovel at my baby’s feet?”
Janie sobbed, squeezing Logan’s hand before letting it go.
Kylie smirked at Ryder. “I mind you making your injured girlfriend fear losing not just your scary ass brother, but also never seeing your ugly face ever again. Don’t come here and think you can boss everyone around.”
Ryder stared at her, emotionless. Then he smirked and walked closer. “Well done, Blondie. Talking shit when it’s deserved.” When he was in front of Logan, he held out his hand. “Grimm, thank you.”
Logan wanted to tell him to get out, that it was too late. Not because he wanted Janie, but because the amount of love Janie had for Ryder terrified him. “Leave again, and I’ll hunt you down then leave you where you can’t come crawling back to her.”
“I expect nothing less from you, fucker.” Ryder looked nervous as hell.
Logan chuckled, shaking his hand. “Take care of her.”
“I will.” Ryder moved around him, casting a glance at Luc before getting on his knees in front of Janie. His eyes glowed with rage and sorrow as he took in her face. “Forgive me, angel. I simply forgot this dream is ours as much as it is your beautiful soul’s gift to the damned.” He carefully grabbed her hand, leaning down to kiss her broken fingers. “I also forgot my girl dreamed I was just a bad boy with one duty”—he grinned at her—“loving my goddess in the dark while the moonlight makes us glow. Together.”
Logan smiled as a cold pair of bruised fingers wrapped around his hand. As carefully as he could, he intertwined his fingers with Kylie’s, smiling even more when Ryder held up that emerald ring.
“You can be mad at me all you want, baby girl,” Ryder said, kissing the ring. “But you’re mine for longer than always. Will you still marry me in one of your dreams someday?”
“You sexy asshole,” Janie sobbed, making everyone laugh.
Ryder grinned, moving closer and sliding the ring on. “I’m taking that as a hell yes.”
“Hell yes,” she cried but gestured toward Luc. “Not the place, babe.”
The bastard laughed and leaned forward, kissing her, then he mumbled against her lips, “He gave you something when he rescued you. You have to give it back.”
Janie leaned away, covering her mouth as she looked back at Luc.
Ryder nodded, kissing her hand. “Everyone out.”
That night, in the presence of only Janie and Ryder, Luc Godson awoke from his coma and was expected to make a full recovery.
The next day, Logan had gone to the Godson mansion. The others were there too, making renovations to the main level for Kylie’s wheelchair.
Logan had been walking around the corner when he heard a pair of giggling girls crying out with ‘ow’ every few seconds. It was the first time he’d heard them laughing, so he peeked in without letting them know he was watching.
“I’m not lying,” Janie told Kylie. “Ryder’s ass is divine.”
“Yeah, well,” Kylie said, “I’ve never seen it in the flesh.”
“And you won’t,” Janie said, giggling but wincing. “Ow, fuck. But if this works, you’ll agree with me.”
Logan frowned as they struggled to kick their blankets off their legs.
Kylie was in awful shape still, not able to move as much as Janie, but she was doing her best to throw tissues onto the floor. “Logan will always be the sexiest man to me.”
“He is sexy,” Janie said. “But ass is the argument. I love Logan, but I will literally bite Ryder’s ass.”
“You have that in common, I think.” Kylie chucked the remote. “Okay, I’ll study Ryder’s ass for scientific reasons. You may do the same to Logan. You’ll owe me a Dr Pepper when you realize Logan’s ass is sexier.”
Janie’s look was deadly. “Not my Dr Pepper.”
He almost laughed.
Kylie let out a loud sigh. “You’re totally hurting Ryder’s feelings by having no faith in him right now.”
“Oh, shut up.” Janie giggled, throwing her water bottle. “Okay, get your phone ready before we pass out from our meds. Maura’s gonna be sad she missed this.” She tilted her head back, yelling, “Babe! Logan! Come help.”
Logan ducked out of sight and intercepted Ryder.
“You’re supposed to be taking care of them,” Ryder said, darting his eyes to the room opening. “Why are they fucking giggling?”
He chuckled and explained what the girls were up to.
Ryder smirked. “Janie wins.”
Logan rolled his eyes, snatching Savaş’ arm as he walked by. “Come help for a minute.”
Savaş listened to the plan as Janie and Kylie yelled out again.
The big Godson brother laughed but agreed to help. Then the big bastard walked into the room where the girls were, wearing only his bright red briefs. “Ladies, the boys sent me. How may I be of service?”
Ryder and Logan barely stayed quiet as Janie and Kylie both gaped at Savaş. Then they realized the girls were taking in the outline of Savaş’ dick.
“Horny ass,” Ryder roared, storming into the room. “Babe, you’re not supposed to look at his dick.”
Logan chuckled, walking up behind Kylie. He put his hands on the top of the sofa, leaning over so his face hovered over hers. So fucking beautiful. “Hood, you’re busted.”
She laughed, trying to shove him but not putting any effort into it. “I was betting on you.”
“Oh, I heard everything. But I also saw your eyes glued to Savaş’ anaconda.”
She howled with laughter, but then cried.
Logan put his hand over where she clutched her stomach. “Relax, Hood.”
She shivered, and it wasn’t from pain as she looked him in the eye. He completely tuned out Ryder arguing with Janie as she kept pointing out things Savaş could pick up for her.
“I really want to kiss you,” he whispered.
When she licked her lips instead of leaning away, he grinned.
“Is that an invitation, Hood?” He put more of his weight on his hands and lowered his face.
Still, she didn’t move back, and instead, she fisted her hand in his shirt and pulled him down the rest of the way. “Better than Heaven,” she whispered against his mouth.
He chuckled, savoring her sweet kiss, but he didn’t want to hurt her; she was struggling to keep her breath already. “Damn, Heaven and chocolate? Making me feel like a king, ba
by.”
He looked up to find Ryder and Janie staring at them. His baby doll had the happiest smile, and it was because he was happy and falling in love.
Ryder smirked at him. “My girl has a bet to win, Grimm.”
Logan laughed, giving Kylie one more kiss before unbuttoning his jeans. “Well, let’s give them plenty of samples.”
His old rival clapped his hands, giving Janie a big kiss before tugging his shirt off. “Good thing I didn’t go commando today.”
It was the first huge step forward in Logan’s relationship with Kylie. The second had been her prom that took place only weeks after her release.
She had still been limited to mostly using a wheelchair, but he wanted to take her. After all, he’d missed his Senior prom because he’d broken up with Janie just a week before it.
But the day of this prom, Kylie felt too sick to go. It sucked; he’d looked forward to taking her and to seeing Janie have a good time with Ryder.
It had appeared fate was against them all.
“Ryder called a few minutes ago,” Kylie told him when he took her some medicine. “He and the boys won’t make it.”
Logan’s heart pained. “That sucks. Maybe I’ll drive her to stay with Luc at the hospital then come back to take care of you.”
Kylie gave him a sweet smile. “Don’t miss your second chance to go to prom, and don’t ruin hers again just because bad things happen. Go make a happy memory with her. I’ll be fine.”
“Baby,” he said sadly, but in awe of her kind heart. He wanted to argue, but it did seem like fate had given him another chance to right a mistake from his past. He kissed her then rested his forehead against hers. “Do you know how much I love you?”
Her smile was angelic. “More than forever is what you’ve whispered in the dark.”
“Exactly,” he confirmed, his heart pounding. He didn’t know she’d heard him tell her that.
“Back atcha, Man-boy.” She traced his lips, her smile widening. “Go help her get ready. I’m sure she’s already a mess. Just promise you won’t grab her ass. I saw you checking hers out.”
He laughed, leaning away. “I was not. You tricked me into looking at her when Ryder spanked her for voting for Savaş’ ass.” He kissed her hot cheeks. “So beautiful when you blush, Hood. All pink, just like your pretty ass is gonna be when you get better, because I’m still spanking you for voting for Ryder’s that day.”
Her face reddened even more. “I couldn’t help it. He did some of his voodoo on me.”
“Yeah, you looked dazed.” He sighed, thinking about her suggestion to take Janie. “You really want me to take her?”
“I do,” Kylie said. “Make it up to her.”
His heart warmed, and he could only smile.
“Hurry.” Kylie shooed him. “Go before she starts crying. She already had some of her makeup on.”
“I promise to make it up to you too. We’ll have our own celebration when you’re able to get up.” He gave her one more kiss and left her to find his best friend who, sure enough, was crying in her room. “Oh, baby doll.” He wrapped an arm around her as she let out little hiccups. “Where’s your dress?”
“I threw it away,” she blubbered.
“So emotional and dramatic.” He went and retrieved it for her, smiling at the white and gold dress. “I bet you look like a goddess in this. Did you show Ryder?”
She shook her head. “He told me to surprise him. They should’ve skipped this job.”
“You know they can’t.” He laid out the dress, smoothing the spots she’d bunched up. “I want to take you.”
She sucked in a breath and stared at him with dull olive eyes.
Logan caressed her wet cheeks. “I remember how you shopped for your prom dress before we broke up, and I ruined that moment for you. So I want to take you.”
“But Kylie . . .”
His throat felt tight and he swallowed so he could finish what he wanted to say. “Kylie wants me to have this second chance with you. I never thought about what I took from us until she pointed it out just a moment ago. I broke your heart, honey, and I can’t sit by and allow a shitty day do it to you all over again. Will you let me take you to prom? If I get Ryder’s permission?”
Surprisingly, Ryder had agreed. So after Lorelei got her and Maura ready in record time, and they took the classic prom pictures, he found himself at the hotel where the prom was taking place.
“I can carry you,” he said when she clung to him tightly; she was still recovering from her massive surgery too.
“I got it.” She peeked up at him, her hazel eyes glowing with happiness even if she was still sad about Ryder. “Thank you, Logan. I feel stupid for wanting to come so bad—I don’t even like any of the people that’ll be here, but thank you. I don’t remember ever getting done up so pretty. I feel like a princess.”
Kissing her fingers that were still healing; she’d broken most of them during her fight, he felt like her hero. “You’re welcome, babe.” He chuckled as his eyes went to the gold makeup she’d put over her healing cheek, then the amazing dress she wore. It was a white flowy Grecian style with intricate gold detailing sewn into the bodice. Her hair had soft waves he wasn’t used to seeing on her, and a delicate gold headpiece that had a little silver half-moon over her forehead. “You look like Ryder’s goddess.”
“Yeah?” She beamed at her dress. “I see this dress in my dreams. If I could marry him, I’d want to wear something like this because he reminds me of a sexy Greek god.”
“He’s marrying you one day, honey.” He breathed out when they finally made it inside. The place looked like a real fairytale forest. He didn’t have it in his heart to tell her Ryder had paid Nick for it to be done this way just for her.
After pictures and walking Janie past her old enemies, he pulled her close for the dance he should’ve had with her his Senior year.
It was hard to hold her and not Kylie, but he refused to let her down. So he hugged her as they danced into the night. He finally knew what she’d meant when she talked about their love changing. He’d never not love her, but for them it was the best love to see each other with the one they were meant for. So as he ran his fingers through her hair, he forgave himself for all he’d done to them. He’d never hurt her again.
“Mind if we cut in now?” asked a familiar voice.
Logan lifted his head and the wind rushed out of him.
Kylie was there, and she wore the most breathtaking satin red ball gown. Ryder was helping her stand.
“It’s the closest I could get her to what your perverted mind imagines as his Little Red Riding Hood,” Ryder said. “But I told her to show off her tits for you.”
Kylie laughed but focused on Logan. “I lied about being sick, and he lied about being out of town.” She gestured to Janie. “We didn’t mean to make you cry, but we wanted you to experience the prom you missed. You know, let you find your little hood in the woods.”
He couldn’t believe it. Kylie and Ryder had teamed up to help him find his baby doll in the woods.
Ryder winked at Janie. “Let me help the blonde, baby girl, then I’ll come sweep you off your feet.”
Logan laughed, turning to Janie. He kissed her cheek. “Love you, honey. Thanks for coming to prom with me.”
She grinned back before turning to Tercero. The Godson brother looked too pleased to have her.
Ryder shook his head at Janie when she blushed, looking between Tercero and Ryder in their tuxedos. “My adorable hoe. Go have fun with my twin. I’ll remind you who King Boyfriend is on the next song.”
Kylie scolded Ryder, but Logan couldn’t care about anything else. He took Kylie’s hand and raised it to his lips as Ryder kept her upright with the special supports they used when moving her. Logan probably could hold her himself, but not without causing her tremendous pain.
Logan flicked his gaze to Ryder.
“Pretend I’m not here, bitch,” Ryder said. “Just don’t grab my dick when yo
u try to grab Blondie’s ass.”
“Asshole,” he muttered but focused on Kylie and shut out the world around them. She really did look like the sexiest and most beautiful Red Riding Hood, especially with the fairytale decorations. “You look beautiful, Hood. Thank you for tricking me. I loved making it up to her, but I’m so fucking happy you’re here.”
“Just hurry up and kiss me already, Man-boy.”
He chuckled but leaned down, kissing her perfect lips. The way she made him feel was almost magic, like he’d lost his entire world but found paradise in the depths of Hell. She taught him how to forgive himself and to embrace his family, and his friendship with his best friend. She was his Little Hood and he wanted nothing more than to always be at her side.
He danced with his girl for what felt like hours, but she smiled the whole time.
“You fucking dick,” Ryder roared, yanking Logan out of his bubble with Kylie. “Tercero, I’ll rip your damn head off if you kiss her again.”
Logan grinned, carefully getting Kylie out of Ryder’s hold. His old rival, he realized, had let him have more than one dance and his sneaky brother had stolen a kiss from Janie.
“You got her?” Ryder asked, darting his menacing gaze down at Kylie. It was still a shock to see Ryder give any consideration to another person, let alone Kylie.
“I got her. Go.”
Tercero smiled faintly at his brother. “She was hungry for a kiss, brother. I couldn’t help myself.”
“You looked great with her, Logan,” Kylie said.
He smirked, walking her toward the wheelchair that wasn’t too far. He could see the pain she was hiding now. “I look better with you, Hood, but I won’t deny I’m sexy in this tux.”
“Uh oh,” she said once she was seated.
Logan turned around to find the Godson brothers, minus Ryder who had Janie pressed against a fake tree in the fairytale woods, kissing her senseless. But it was the three other Godsons that had him frowning. “What the fuck is this?” he asked them.
They put down a padded chair and pushed him aside as they helped Kylie up.
