Page 178 of Wicked Minds
“Hey!” Logan protests with a pout.
I point a finger at him. “Don’theyme. I haven’t heard you disagreeing with them.”
His nose scrunches. “I’m not going to disagree with protecting you.”
“I don’t need protection in my own apartment,” I argue, though I can tell it’s a lost cause.
Setting the popcorn aside, Logan gets to his feet and comes to stand in front of me. His touches are so gentle as he cups my face. “We just need to know you’re safe. This is more about us than you. It’ll give us peace of mind, so we’re not constantly blowing up your phone.” He glances over his shoulder. “And prevent Grayson from getting it in his head to kidnap you again.”
The asshole snorts but doesn’t dispute Logan’s words, so I feel the need to lean around his large frame to glare at Grayson. “Don’t even think about it,” I hiss.
“No promises, Tempest.”
“I hate him,” I mutter so only Logan can hear.
He chuckles. “So, Shortcake, will you appease the overbearing needs of three protective assholes?” He gives me those puppy dog eyes, and how the hell can I resist?
“I hate you too,” I pout.
He only grins. “No, you don’t. You love me.”
I huff out a breath even as my lips stretch into a smile. “I take it back.”
“Nu-uh. No takesie backsies.”
The moment is interrupted by the ringing of my phone, and lifting it, my face lights up when I see it’s a FaceTime. “It’s Aurora.”
“I wanna say hi,” Logan says, moving to stand beside me as I answer the call and Aurora’s face fills the screen.”
“Mommy!”
“Hey, baby!”
“Hi, Aurora.” Logan waves at the screen.
“Baby, you remember Logan from last week?”
Aurora’s face scrunches up. “Yes. His favorite color is wrong.”
It’s a struggle to bite back my laugh, and I can tell Logan is the same. “You know, I’ve been doing some soul-searching, and I think you’re right. Pink really is the best color.”
“Obviously,” my three-year-old says with all the attitude of a teenager.
This time, I can’t hold back my snort.
“Tell me all about your week,” I ask her.
“Come on,” Royce says quietly, shoving Logan out of the camera’s view. “Let them have some time.”
He drags Logan away as I move into the living room and settle on the sofa. Aurora regales me with everything she’s been up to this week.
After a few minutes, I peek up and notice Grayson standing in the doorway, his eyes intent on my phone screen with a rare sheen to them.
Catching me looking, his gaze shifts to me, and I only hesitate for a second before waving him closer.
“Sweetheart, I want to introduce you to someone.”
Grayson warily comes to sit beside me, and I shuffle closer so I can get him in the camera. “This is Grayson. My… friend.”
