Page 144 of Keeping Kasey
The last time I saw him, my blood-soaked hands were shaking as I put pressure on his gunshot wound in Detroit.
It’s an image I still have nightmares about—that is, when I’m lucky enough to have nightmares.
“You ready to wrap it up?” Damon asks, closing his laptop and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.
“Yeah, in”—I check the time—“four hours.”
His eyebrows draw together for only a moment before his face settles in an exasperated realization. “Logan didn’t tell you.”
“Tell mewhat?”
“I’m going to kill him,” Damon mutters, then sighs. “Logan and James have to go to a reception tonight for an ally family.”
“I don’t see what that has to do with me.”
Something about my snarky tone must amuse him because he smiles as he shakes his head.
“Logan doesn’t want you here unless he’s here, too.”
“That was nowhere in our deal.”
“It’s the order I was given.”
“Sounds like your problem, then.”
“I think you’ll feel differently when we get to the manor.”
“I’m not going to the manor,” I snap, the finality in my tone cutting through the room.
Ford mutters to himself, too low for us to hear, so Damon and I ignore him.
Damon lifts placating hands. “You’re not staying the night, but Logan figured you’d want to spend a few hours with Kane while he and James are gone.”
I open my mouth and immediately close it again.
I hate that manor, but I love my dog, and one night with him was not enough.
“And before you get all defensive about mebabysitting, I have work to do, so I’ll be in my office all night,” he says. “You’ll be alone, just the way you like it.”
I had been about to comment on his babysitting.
I cross my arms over my chest. “So you get to work, but I don’t?”
He shrugs. “I’m not in charge, Goldie.”
Logan knew about these plans and didn’t tell me. He knew I wouldn’t want to leave the base until I’d done as much as possible in one day, so he left it to Damon to tell me.
Every time I think I can’t hate Logan more, he surprises me.
True to his word, Damon stays in his office the whole night, with the exception of making us dinner—a seared steak he proudly told me Elise taught him how to make.
I spend the evening sitting in the living room with Kane curled into my side on the couch. A mindless sitcom plays on the TV, but I barely pay attention.
Even with Logan out of the manor, I can’t shake the feeling that disaster is about to strike. I’m on edge all night, so after a few hours, when Damon asks if I’m ready to return to the hotel, I tell him I am.
He turns on a nineties station and taps his finger on the steering wheel to the beat. He’s so relaxed and unbothered—even as I’ve been short with him all day.
Damon isn’t innocent, but I don’t think he ever meant me any harm, and he certainly isn’t malicious toward me now. It’s the only reason I offer him a sliver of goodwill.
