He’s not holding back with his kisses anymore either. It’s like he’s been unleashed and letting himself show affection.

And I want it all.

Logan

I can’t take my hands off of Sierra. Something about seeing her terrified for her life makes me want to hold her and never let her go. But the gnawing reminder that she was put in that situation because of me has me hesitating. Will she forgive me for pushing her away so cruelly? Should she?

Fuck no.

What kind of man would I be if I kept her around if it only puts her in danger?

Not the kind she deserves.

After giving her the answers she wants, explaining the new cameras installed in the alleyway to catch Hale when he would inevitably show up, I take her to the station. She tries to stall. She wants to wrap those perfect, long legs around my waist again, and I want that as much as she does, but my head keeps reminding me that I’m a piece of shit if I let her back into my life.

In Murph’s car on the way to the station, I feel her watching me. I can read the questions on her face. So, I reach across the console and take her hand.

We don’t speak, even though I have a thousand fucking apologies docked and waiting. But I don’t have the guts to utter even one. Because once I get those out of the way, then we’ll be moving on to the “what’s next?” question we’re both thinking about. And I know that what’s next is going to break my heart…again.

Her parents are standing outside the station when I pull up. Her mother looks like she’s been crying by the red patches across her pale skin. Her father looks pissed, seething with anger, his nostrils flaring and his eyes wide.

I’m not a fucking coward, but if I were, I wouldn’t even bother getting out of the car. Sierra is the first one out, and her parents are on her in a flash. Her mom has her tied up in a tight hug as her father just lays a hand on her back.

When I get out, I see Rafe in the station. He gives me a head nod, and just as I’m about to head in to speak to him—and get as far away from the awkward encounter I would face with Sierra’s parents—a voice booms in my direction.

“Son.”

I turn to see Sierra’s dad, a tall, broad man glaring at me. Great.

“Stay right there.”

Her mother seems to notice me for the first time, and her face contorts in a grimace like she’s about to start crying even more. Then, she’s running for me. And I actually flinch. This tiny woman wants to rip my fucking face off, and I don’t doubt she could.

Instead of going for my eyeballs, she wraps her little arms around my neck and pulls me down for a hug. Which is more shocking than having my eyeballs ripped out.