Page 99 of Coff

“You don’t want to hear what else he has to say?”

I’m not surprised he heard the conversation since my brother was yelling most of the time.

I shake my head. “My brother is good at twisting words. He’s going to keep talking until he’s not at fault.”

Logan watches me, and I know he wants to continue our conversation, but I just can’t right now. In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve watched my husband die. Even if I didn’t love him, I’m still not sure how to process that. I’ve been shot at. I discovered my brother and best friend have lied to me for years. Then to top it off, the only man I have loved gave me a toe-curling orgasm and then made it clear I needed to do all the sacrificing in this relationship. I’ve sacrificed for everyone my whole damn life. First my dad, then Nelson, and now Duke. With Manzia as my last name, I’m expected to fall in line.

I need to process everything. “I’m going to take a nap.”

“Oh. Okay,” Logan says.

I put the rest of my clothes back on and slip under the covers. Somehow, remaining naked doesn’t feel right. To my surprise, I drift off to sleep quickly.

I jolt awake to the sound of Logan’s phone ringing. “If it’s Duke, I’m not talking to him,” I say as I yawn.

Logan answers the phone from across the room. “You sure?” he says several times. When he ends the call, he shoves the phone into his pocket but doesn’t say anything.

I sit up. “Something wrong?”

He turns to face me. “My brother confirmed it’s safe for you and Duke to go home.”

“Just like that? It’s safe?”

He nods. “Apparently, whatever Brian did to get the word out that Nelson set up the guys in the warehouse worked. He said they are going after Nelson’s family now.”

I let that sink in for a moment. “Do you trust that information?”

He sits on his bed. “I do. I may be having some issues with my brother, but I trust him on this.”

I want to ask why, but I don’t. Knowing we have to part ways again, I need to start distancing myself. And while my life no longer being in danger should be good news, it doesn’t feel like it. I avoid his eyes. It’s the only way I can keep my emotions in check. It’s probably for the best that we get as far as possible from each other. If we can’t agree on how to be together, then the sooner we cut our ties, the better.

“Let’s go then.” I stand and put on my shoes. Then I walk to the door.

He doesn’t move for a moment, then the car keys jingle in his hand.

We’re silent as we drive to my house. He pulls up and turns off the engine.

“Delaney.” He’s staring out the windshield, and talking about the inevitable is the last thing I want to do right now.

“Don’t make this worse than it already is,” I say. I reach for the door, and he grabs my wrist.

“I can’t let you go again.”

I still. “Logan, you won’t move for me. And I can’t move for you. We need to say goodbye before we get hurt again.” I chance a glance in his direction and am surprised by his glassy eyes.

“It’s too late for that.”

I blink back the tears that threaten.

“You said you can’t move for me. Why can’t you? Before, it was your dad, but he’s gone. What’s stopping you?”

“Everything I know is here. My brother, my friends, my job.”

His brows shoot up. “Everything? What exactly would that be? The brother and best friend you aren’t speaking to? The job as part of a crime family? Or maybe there’s something else you haven’t told me?”

I shake my head. “There’s nothing else, Logan.” Then I turn to face him. “Why can’t you move here? That’s what you agreed to do twelve years ago. But now it’s off the table?”

He shakes his head. “I have a job I love, friends in New York. Friends you would like if you just gave it a chance.”

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