Page 24 of Rhythm Of Redemption

“But it’s …”

“Just leave it,” Lou said, tugging on Logan’s arm. “You’re wasting your breath. Let’s get out of here.”

“Remember,” Detective Russell shouted after them, his voice echoing in the distance. “Don’t leave the island. Either of you.”

Lou rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “Oh, why don’t you just fuck off?”

With a firm grip on the steering wheel, Lou emerged from the driveway, her knuckles paling as her grasp tightened. Inhaling deeply, she tried to calm the storm of emotions brewing within her.

“Everything okay?” Logan’s voice carried a hint of apprehension.

The words exploded from Lou’s lips, laden with frustration and anger. “No, it’s not fucking okay.” She swerved off the main road, screeching the car to a stop. Twisting in her seat, her gaze locked onto Logan’s. “This might be your messed-up definition of normal, but let me tell you, that whole ordeal back there was anything but normal for me. I have never had so much as a parking ticket before, and now, in a matter of weeks, I discover that my fifteen-year-old daughter has been sneaking into clubs. Not just any club, mind you, but your club, where she collapsed and ended up in the damn hospital, possibly after someone spiked her drink with drugs.” Closing her eyes, she directed her fingertips to her temples, using deliberate, circular motions to soothe the relentless throbbing pain that radiated from within. “And now, on top of everything, I find myself under investigation for my supposed part in a multi-million-dollar money laundering ring. And it’s all your bloody fault.”Her words rang out, carrying the weight of accusation, a seething mixture of anger and betrayal.

“I understand that you have no reason to trust me or believe what I’m saying, but I want you to know that this really is a mistake.” His pleading gaze met hers, stirring conflicting emotions within her, and she found herself caught in the crossfire of sympathising with his situation and struggling to overcome the doubts nagging away in the back of her mind. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she reflected on her own past, recalling the sense of powerlessness and fear she’d experienced when her marriage had fallen apart. People who she’d thought were friends had distanced themselves when she’d been at her lowest, perhaps viewing her new single status as a threat to their own marriage.

Initially, when she’d agreed to let him stay, she had no idea her good deed would end up backfiring and implicating her in the sleazy goings-on. Part of her wanted to leave him on the pavement without so much as a backward glance. But what if he was telling the truth about it all being a mistake?

“Look, I understand that this is difficult for you,” he said in a sombre tone. “So, don’t worry about it. I’ll find somewhere else—”

“No, it’s fine. You can stay but let me be clear: if I find out that you’re involved in this or if you’ve lied to me, then you’re out. Got it?”

He nodded, a serious expression crossing his face. “Got it.”

The return journey was cloaked in silence, adding to the tension that hung in the air. Lou’s brow furrowed as she strained to catch a distant sound. “Did you hear that?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“Hear what?”

“That,” Lou replied, slowing down the vehicle. “That buzzing noise.” Logan shrugged, but then realisation struck. “Oh my God, it’s my phone,” she exclaimed, heat flooding her body as she remembered the previous evening and the reason why she’d muted the sound. “Can you pass me my bag? It’s in the back.”

Reaching for the bag, he noticed its contents scattered across the seat and floor.The phone began vibrating once again. “Quick, before they hang up,” she said urgently, her tone laced with anxiety and her stomach churning. It had to be Dani calling at this time. Something must be wrong. “Hurry,” she commanded as he fumbled on the floor behind him. Finally grabbing the phone, he pressed the answer button, but it was too late—the caller had already disconnected.

Lou swiftly pulled into a layby, her fingers frantically dialling Dani’s number. “Dani—”

“Mum,” Dani’s hushed voice sent a shiver down her spine. “Where are you?”

“Dani, what’s wrong? Is everything okay?”

“Mum, you need to come home right now,” Dani urgently whispered.

Panic surged through her, her heart thudding so loudly, she could barely hear herself think. “You’re scaring me. Just tell me what’s wrong.”

“There’s someone here, looking for you,” Dani revealed, the words sending a chilling wave through Lou. She cast a quick, apprehensive glance at Logan, wondering if this had anything to do with him and his shady connections. “A Serena Rice?”

A sinking feeling gripped Lou. “But she’s not due for another couple of weeks. Are you sure it’s her?”

“Positive,” Dani insisted. “And she’s not very happy either.”

Lou’s day had taken a major nosedive, spiralling into a complete disaster, and she couldn’t blame anyone but herself. That night with Logan had been a colossal mistake, and now she was paying dearly for her recklessness. Regret and frustration swirled inside her. Her original plan had been simple: drop off Logan and never see him again. After all, she was the yang to his yin, or so it seemed after all that shit with the police.

Then, just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Ms Rice had shown up out of nowhere, and thrown a spanner in the works. Which meant Logan couldn’t stay in the bungalow and now Lou was stuck sharing her bathroom with him. The whole situation was a mess, and she felt like a prisoner of her own foolishness.

“Is there a problem?” Logan asked, giving her a concerned look.

“You could say that,” she replied sharply, revving up the engine before pulling out into traffic on their way home.

As they turned off the main road, she sped down the driveway, not even bothering to park properly, and raced inside. Her heart sank when she discovered Dani had already shown Serena Rice to her bungalow. “Couldn’t you have stalled her until I got back? I haven’t even made the bed yet!”

“How was I supposed to know? Anyway, where were you? And why is Logan here?” Dani questioned.

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