Page 43 of Protected

The three of us have been hanging out for about thirty minutes when Logan strides onto the porch from the front door, followed by Trisha, who has been his constant shadow since our arrival.

She’s still trying for him. As far as I can see, he’s given her no encouragement, but she’s a woman who will want the most powerful man available to her.

And that’s Logan. No question.

I have no idea where Logan is heading or if he simply wanted out of the house. But he stops walking so abruptly Trisha almost runs into his back.

He makes an impatient sound and says in his normal blunt tone, “Look, Trisha, this is starting to get old. Do you always have to flutter around me like this?”

Micah makes a choked sound, obviously hiding laughter, and I raise a hand to cover my mouth.

I try so hard not to be mean and petty. I really do. But I don’t like Trisha. I like her even less now than I did when I first met her. And for a while I was worried Logan would give in, if only to have a convenient body in his bed.

But she’s now had that particular door slammed in her face, and I can’t help but be pleased I was here to see it.

Logan doesn’t wait for an answer. He walks off across the dark yard, the silver strands in his hair gleaming eerily in the light from the lantern on the porch.

Trisha watches him walk away, and I can see from herbody language exactly what she’s feeling. Anger. Frustration. A momentary hesitation as she decides whether to follow him or give up.

She gives up. I see it happen in the slump of her shoulders and the inclination of her head.

But then she straightens again. Shakes herself off. And turns around.

Toward us.

I see her eyes move between Micah and Deck. Once. And then again.

Until they land on Deck and stay there as she approaches.

My stomach twists. My hackles rise.

She smiles sweetly, completely ignoring me as she focuses on Deck. “Logan is always so busy, but maybe you can help me, Deck. Something is broken on my bed. Can you help me fix it? Pretty please?”

My hands clench into fists as Deck glances toward me quickly before he nods and stands up.

“Thank you, sweetie! I knew I could count on you.” She moves toward the front door, reaching for one of Deck’s forearms so she can pull him after her. “It won’t take long.”

Deck glances back at me over his shoulder, but I fight every instinct to be territorial and just smile and wave him on.

Relaxing, Deck follows the other woman into the house.

He would jump to help if anyone asked him. It has nothing to do with Trisha. I know it for sure.

But that doesn’t stop the simmering resentment I feel for her rising to a boiling point.

“Bad idea,” Micah says blandly. “She’s going to make a play for him, you know. Now that Logan isn’t happening.”

“I know.”

“But you’re not going to stop it?”

“Stop what? Deck went to help her with her bed.”

“We both know what kind of help in bed she’s looking for.”

“Stop it. Deck isn’t going to do anything. He’s a grown-up, and he can tell her no.”

“If you say so. She should have wised up and made the move on me instead. I wouldn’t have told her no.”

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