Blow(29)

When I was younger, I was terrified of the cries in the night; unlike my sister, I wasn’t able to block them out by pretending to make wishes on dandelions.

As I grew, though, that changed. Anger ate away at me and I found myself spending my time praying I wouldn’t turn out like him. After all, my sister had. And addictive behaviors were hereditary. Funny how I’d worried I’d be a sex addict. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

In fact, it wasn’t until Charlie and I broke apart that I really understood that I could repress desire. That was not healthy either, though. It bred loneliness in a way I hadn’t really noticed until tonight, when Logan had lit me up from the inside and I realized just how alone I was.

Tossing and turning, I knew sleep was impossible, so I got up. Moving around, I felt uneasy and found myself crossing the room. For some reason, I peered out the window.

It was dark, but I swore I saw someone out there.

I squinted.

It wasn’t just someone that I saw.

My mind had to be playing tricks on me.





LOGAN


Emily.

Dead Emily.

Elle might bear an eerie resemblance to Emily but she was nothing like her. Unlike Emily, I could tell Elle hadn’t been sheltered, coddled, or treated like a princess. She didn’t think she owned the world or that it revolved around her. No. Rather, she wore a protective shell and had a fierceness about her that I knew grew out of need. A need to not only protect her physical well-being but her emotional one as well. She was strong and independent and didn’t seem to rely on anyone except herself. I hoped that continued to hold true, because relying on O’Shea would be a mistake. It wasn’t something I could prove. It was something I felt.

After I left my father’s, I had an overwhelming need to check on her. To make sure she was okay. I just doubted the slashing of her tires was a coincidence. There was something going on, but what, I had no f*cking clue.

That was going to change.

The street was void of people as I pulled down it. I was easing by her place and noticed a light was on upstairs. Slowing, I looked around. The glow of that light illuminated a dark figure in the bushes.

I jerked my SUV to the curb and flew out the door. It was darker than f*ck. The streetlights didn’t do shit to overpower the gloom of the weather. Whoever it was had already moved around the building before I reached the sidewalk. I was almost certain the perp was unaware of my approach. Quietly, I skimmed along the sidewall, the rain steadily falling and blurring my vision with every passing second. As I blinked the water away, I saw movement. The figure had just rounded the building. I ran and then stopped at the corner to peer around to the back. The perp stood on a small porch, two steps high. He had something in his hand. I pulled out my SIG Sauer and hugged the wall as I quietly crept along the brick. I’d jump him and find out who the hell he was and what he was doing here.

Suddenly, the back porch light flicked on and the door opened.

Elle appeared in the entry.

“Stay inside,” I snapped.

The figure, covered in black from head to toe, jumped down the two steps and took off at a dead run into the small park that butted up to the back of the building.

I tore after him.

“Logan!” Elle screamed.

I turned back, my heart in my throat. “Close and lock the f*cking door.”

“No, Logan, don’t. Leave her alone.”

Her?

By the time I turned back, there was no trace of anyone having been there. Bay Village was dense with row houses, iron gates, and so many alleys. I had no idea where the perp had gone once he’d—she’d?—slipped into the park.

I tucked my SIG back inside the waistband of my jeans. “Fuck.”

Elle stepped outside with a small gun in her hand pointed at me.

“Put that away,” I ordered.

She stared at me. “What are you doing here?”

I stopped at the base of the stairs and surveyed the area one last time. There was nothing but the darkness. “Let’s get inside.”

She steadied her arms and kept her finger on the trigger. “Why did you do that?”

I wanted to get out of the f*cking vast space. “Elle, let’s go inside and I’ll explain.”

She was still pointing her .22-caliber at me.

Impatience took over and I mounted the porch stairs.

Her hands started to tremble.

I knew she wasn’t going to shoot me. “Give me the gun, Elle.”

She didn’t move. “No. Tell me what you’re doing here.”

To pacify her, I raised my hands surrender style. “I went to see my pop after I left you and on my way back to my hotel, I found myself needing to make sure you were all right.”

She shook her head. “Why?”

“I don’t know. I can’t explain it. It was a feeling. But it’s the truth. I was driving by when I saw a light on upstairs and then saw someone near the front door. That’s when I got out of my SUV, but they were already around the building.”

“Why were you after her?”

I looked around again. “Who?”

She moved her shoulders as if the position was uncomfortable. “My sister.”

I gave her a puzzled look. “You think that was your sister?”

“I’m . . . I’m not sure.” Her hands were shaking even more now.