Page 14 of Meaner Than Evil

“We do. But we share one common thing. We both love Logan.”

He turns to look at me, and I look him in the eye. He searches mine and sees the truth. “I meant what I said in there. I will return Logan to you, and I will destroy the evil bastards that took her.”

He pats me on the back and says, “I believe you will.”

Heavy footsteps cross the portico, and Special Agent Wilkerson comes to stand beside Banks. “This is the hardest part. Waiting.”

“Yes.” Banks agrees. “And trying not to think about what she is going through.”

“Sir, you just think about what I told you, and you’ll get through this.”

He nods and says, “Well, goodnight. I’m going to go hold my wife while she cries for the both of us.”

He backs away, and Special Agent Wilkerson steps into the gap. He waits until the front door closes, and Banks is inside. “Can I get you anything?”

“No. Thanks.” I stare up at the stars and remember making love to Logan on the beach with the peaceful sound of the gulf’s waves falling and then retreating. We were so young.

“What’s your plan?” He asks.

I cut my eyes at him. “Bring her home and kill all of them.”

His eyes flare wide, and he blinks. I know his mind is reviewing their rules of engagement, so I let him process it. He starts to say something and then thinks better about it. After a minute or so, he rephrases his question. “How do you intend to rescue her?”

I smirk. “That’s the right question.”

He smiles and waits for my answer. I take another deep breath and exhale slowly. “I’m going to buy her.”

He frowns. “But how?”

“He’ll auction her off, and I’ll win the bid.”

He stares out over the landscaped yard. “And if he doesn’t?”

“If he doesn’t, we will go in and get her.”

He nods. “But buying her ensures she stays alive?”

“Affirmative.”

My phone vibrates. It’s Meghan.I’m landing.

Will see you in a bit.

Roger that.

Logan

A bright light blinds me as a door swings open, and a dark shadow fills the void. The words “you are so fucked,” keep falling out of my mouth. The dark shadow flips the light switch, and I moan as pain shoots through my eyes and explodes inside my mind.

The dark shadow walks forward. Some unknown force lifts my head, and cool liquid pours into my parched mouth. “Drink. It’s water. You’re dehydrated.”

I swallow it, and then I gulp it. I’m so thirsty.

“Easy now. Not too much too fast. You had a bad reaction to the drugs.”

Hammer

The lights from a car flicker across my eyelids, and the sound of tires crushing gravel into the drive tell me that Meghan has arrived. I open my eyes and confirm it as she opens the car door.

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