Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 142783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
He didn’t love that he’d be doing it alongside Jarek. That asshole couldn’t be trusted. But maybe it was the exact opportunity he needed in order to show Aster’s father that Jarek needed to go.
Logan wanted it.
He wanted it.
And this was his one chance.
He had to take it.
“I’d be honored, Sir.”
“Good. I have hundreds of men at my disposal, and I chose you to accompany Jarek. This is a mission of the utmost importance. The heirloom is priceless, but more so, it is a personal treasure to me. Its transport is very sensitive, and only the three of you will know its details. Do I have your loyalty and your word, Mr. Lawson?”
“Yes, Mr. Costa. You have both.”
Unease trembled in his guts. Trent would be furious, but this was the best way for Aster. For their child. For him.
It would allow them both to maintain connections with their families, but more so, it ensured their safety.
Their comfort.
A good life.
He excused himself and rushed down the hall, newfound purpose pushing his steps forward. He nearly tripped when the hand flew out from a doorway and jerked him to a stop.
“Aster,” he breathed, slipping into the room where she was concealed. “What are you doing?”
“Hiding.” She let go of a small smile, but it was filled with worry.
He took her precious face in his hands. “And soon we won’t have to hide any longer. I just spoke with your father, and he’s asked me to retrieve a shipment tonight. He said he chose me over a hundred other men.”
Pride brimmed in his spirit, while surprise filled her agate eyes. “What?”
“This is my chance to prove to your father that I’m worthy of you.”
“I don’t understand. I thought—”
“I was going to find you to let you know my brothers want to skip town. Leave forever. But that means hiding forever. And I don’t want that for you, Aster. We’ll constantly be looking over our shoulders, running, always worried about being discovered.”
“No, Logan.”
He pressed on, too excited by the prospect. “Yeah, it sucks this job is with Jarek, but you know what that means…it means your father is placing me on the same level. This is our chance.”
Trepidation shimmered across her skin. “No, Logan, I don’t like it. I just want to leave. I want to leave this place and never look back.”
“But I’ll be able to provide for you. For our baby. And you won’t have to leave your sister and your father behind. Don’t you see? This chance came on the same day as we would have to leave. It’s fate. This is an opportunity that isn’t going to present itself again.”
“No, Logan, I just…” Aster stepped back. Dread radiated from her being. “I don’t trust it. I don’t.”
He rushed back for her, so reckless, the two of them in the house. But it was time. Time.
“You have to trust me.”
“Please, Logan, if you love me, let’s just go with your brothers tonight. I don’t want any part of this world. I don’t care about the money, the only thing I care about is our family. Please.”
Logan stepped back. “I gave your father my word. I have to, Aster.”
“Logan,” she begged.
He gripped her by both sides of the face. “You have to trust me.”
“And what if it goes bad? What if something happens to you?”
“I will come back to you. No matter what.”
“Promise me.” It wheezed from her lips.
He dipped down and uttered the words he’d promised her time and again.
“Even if I can’t see you, I’ll know you’re there, and I’ll find my way to you.”
“And there is no place my heart won’t find you. My North Star.” Sadness filled her voice when she whispered it, and she touched his chest.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back…tonight. Meet me at our spot at one.”
“Okay.”
Logan wavered outside Nathan’s doorway where his brother had a suitcase open on the bed packing his clothes.
Logan struggled to breathe, his spirit in an upheaval. He’d been so certain of his decision when he’d sat in Andres Costa’s chair, but actually saying it out loud—doing it—made him feel like he was taking an axe and splitting himself in two.
His heart on a chopping block.
Nathan felt his presence, and he slowed to look back at him in question as he tucked another stack of shirts into his suitcase. “What’s going on, man?”
Clearly, it was radiating off Logan.
The dissention of what had to be done.
He stepped forward, unease firing from him like bullets through the room. He roughed a hand through his black hair. “I’m not leaving with you guys tonight.”
Nathan stilled, a rush of hurt and disbelief radiating from his pores. “What?” he finally managed.
Logan felt like he had a ball of shredded glass in his throat. “I’m staying here, with Aster. I have an opportunity to do this right. Gain the respect of her father. I have to take it.”