16. Paris
Paris
Currently, we’re in Logan’s room at the Sinners clubhouse he uses on nights he’s unable to make it home.
Hours after the attack at his place and while in Logan’s arms, my body still trembles.
My mind still races, replaying everything that happened, and what could have happened if the Petrovs found me hiding in his closet.
Even though I’m safe now, the events of today play over and over in my head, not allowing me any peace.
Logan’s arms are wrapped so tightly around me, like he’s scared if he releases me, I might shatter into a million broken pieces.
He’s refused to leave my side even though sooner or later he’ll have no other choice.
Although, I’ve managed to keep my shit together because I’ve already cried enough to last a lifetime, I much rather stay in the safety of his embrace if that’s where he wants me to be. It’s certainly where I want to be.
He’s been quiet since he coaxed me out of my hiding place.
I’m sure he’s blaming himself for what’s happened.
He just seems like that kind of man, but there’s no one to blame for my circumstances but me.
I’ve brought down the Petrovs onto my own head by fighting for my freedom.
Logan’s done nothing but try to help, just like he’s doing now.
When we first arrived, Logan warned me about some things I might see and if it makes me uncomfortable in any way to let him know so he can handle it.
While I’m glad he’s looking out for me, he must have forgotten what my life was like with Nikita.
I’m used to half-naked women, and men fucking like rabbits anywhere and everywhere.
So far what I see when we walk in is tame to what happens at Nikita’s.
At least the women are here because they want to be here, not because they’ve been forced to pay a debt or have so many drugs in their systems, they’ll be compliant with their circumstances.
“I’m sorry about King interrogating you like he did.” He kisses me on the top of the head, again. “He had no right.”
I met King earlier, and while he tried to be cordial, he’s not happy I’m here.
When we showed up, Logan went straight to his office, and King did not hide his disdain for this situation or hold his tongue.
He blames me, which pissed Logan off. I thought they were going to get into an actual fight, but some of the other men separated them before they could come to blows.
I don’t want him fighting his brother because of me.
I’ve brought a lot of problems to the Sinners’ doorstep and their Prez, as Logan refers to him, is not happy with the attention I’ve brought to his club.
Even though I can’t blame him, what’s done is done.
I did what I needed to do to get away, and Logan did what he felt he needed to do by helping me. I didn’t force him into this situation.
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m just glad you’re here with me.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be.” He sighs. “So, do you want to talk about what happened?”
I really don’t want to, but the weight of it all might lift if I just got it off my chest.
“They almost caught me, Logan. I barely had time to hide. Just a few more seconds and they would have taken me. I would be dead. I don’t want to die. I thought I did, but I really don’t.”
I’d just made it into Logan’s closet when I heard those thick Russian accents.
I’d been in his room looking for one of his t-shirts to wear.
His scent calms me, and I’d been antsy most of the day.
So, as I searched for one, their voices reached my ears.
I only had seconds to react and not alert them to my presence.
I hid inside the closet after grabbing the knife he kept in the top drawer of my dresser.
I just knew they would find me, but when they entered the dark closet, they didn’t waste time looking through the cabinets.
Thank God.
He sighs, tightening his embrace. “But they didn’t. You did good, baby. Trust me, they’ll all pay for this.”
“What are you going to do?” I snuggle deeper into his embrace. I can get used to being in his arms.
“It’s club business. It’s best if you don’t know.”
He leans down and gently kisses my forehead, his lips soft and warm against my skin. However, before I can respond because I have no idea what club business means, a sharp rap echoes on the door, interrupting the conversation.
He groans, and for the first time since all this happened, he lets me go, and I immediately feel the loss of his presence.
I’m quickly becoming attached to Logan and I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.
When all this is over, I have no intention of remaining in Oakland.
I don’t believe it will ever be safe for me here, even if Nikita is no longer around. So, what will that mean for us?
Cursing, he pushes himself off the bed, then walks to the door.
I close my eyes and try to relax as much as I can, attempting to push down the rising fear going through me.
I’m still freaking out about what happened and how close I came to being in the hands of the Russians again.
I’m not sure even Logan will be able to save me next time.
“What the hell, Reaper? Where the hell have you been?”
My eyes pop open as a beautiful woman pushes past Reaper into the room.
A wave of bitter jealousy washes over me.
Her flawless alabaster skin seems to glow without a single blemish.
Her hair, a vibrant, fiery red, falls in thick, loose curls halfway down her back.
Her body is to die for, and she looks exactly like someone Logan would be attracted to.
Who is she?
When she sees me, she stops in her tracks, glaring at me. “And who the hell are you! And what are you doing in here?”
Reaper walks toward me, then blocks me from her view. “It’s none of your fucking business who she is. And you know better than to burst in here. Get the fuck out!”
“I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me who she is, Reaper! I’m your old lady!”
He moves so quickly by the time I register what he’s doing, his hand is wrapped tightly around her throat as she claws at his arms.
“You don’t wear my patch you stupid bitch. And don’t you ever fucking talk to her. Matter of fact, don’t you even look at her.”
“This bitch has no idea who you are,” she chokes out, her cheeks flush as she struggles. “You think she’ll let you do the things to her that you do to me?”
He visibly tenses, his jaw clenched.
“I’ll kill you.”
The threat slips off his tongue with such deadly calm I believe him when he says it. I scramble off the bed, and rush to Logan’s side.
I place my hand on his arm. “Logan.”
He looks down at my hand that’s resting on his arm, his eyes lingering before lifting his gaze to meet mine. His eyes are like soulless black pits devoid of any emotion other than pure rage.
I take a deep breath and release it to calm myself down. He’s scaring me right now, and I’m not the one who’s getting choked out.
“Logan.” I gently squeeze his arm. “I’m fine. Now, please let her go before you hurt her.”
His jaw ticks and the war raging in his eyes is very visible. He closes his eyes and with a deep breath he releases the woman, slightly pushing her away, which causes her to stumble as she grasps her neck where an angry handprint decorates her pale skin.
“You son of a bitch.” Her voice is strained, and her pale skin is now flaming red with fury and from being deprived of air. “You could have killed me.”
I think that’s the point.
His nostrils flare as he glares at her. When he takes a step in her direction, I grip his face, bringing his attention back to me. “Stay with me. Don’t focus on her. Keep your eyes on me.”
He takes a couple of deep breaths, but he doesn’t remove his gaze from mine. Some of the darkness dissipates from his eyes, as he nods.
I look at the woman while he’s somewhat calm as she glares daggers at me. “Please just go.”
“Bitch, you don’t…”
I grab him again when he goes after her. “Don’t, Logan.”
“Get the fuck out, Lila,” he says with pure venom dripping from every word. “Before I fucking kill you!”
“Me!” she screeches. “You’re throwing me out?”
Does this woman have a death wish?
“You know what? Fuck you, Reaper!” she screams when she sees nothing will change his mind. “You bastard! You’ll pay for this.”
When she rushes out the door, I release a breath and the tension flooding his body dissolves.
“You alright?”
He pinches the bridge of his nose, his eyes are tightly shut, before he rakes a hand down his face. “Sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize to me. It’s not like we’re together, Logan. You’re free to be with whoever you’d like.”
The words, though true, burn like acid on my tongue, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Jealousy ran hot through me as soon as the beautiful redhead demolished our little bubble of peace we created for ourselves. Although I have no right to be jealous of anyone, I can’t help the way I feel.
“She’s just one of the girls who can’t take the fucking hint.”
“What does she mean you can’t do things to me that you do to her?”
His nostrils flare before he pinches the bridge of his nose again. Then he looks at me.
“I like to do certain things during sex.”
Curiosity flares inside me.
“And you did those things with her?”
“What the fuck is going on?” King shouts from the threshold of the door before he can respond. “Lila’s downstairs raising hell.”
Of course she is.
“Keep her the fuck away from Paris and from me King, or I swear I’ll fucking kill her.”
King narrows his eyes and all I want to do is hide from his glare.
“Church in ten,” he says, then leaves, slamming the door behind him.
I release a breath, flopping down on the bed. “He really doesn’t like me. I’m sorry I’ve caused all these problems, Logan.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it, Paris. I could have walked away. I chose to help you. And don’t worry about King. He’s a fucking hypocrite, and a bastard to everyone who isn’t his wife, including me. So don’t take it personal.”
“But…”
“But nothing. This is on me, not you.” He takes a deep breath and releases it. “I’ve got to go. I shouldn’t be too long. Stay here and I’ll have one of the prospects bring you something to eat.”
I’m not hungry and I really don’t want to be stuck in another bedroom but with what just happened with this woman, this might be the best place for me to be right now.
“Okay.”
He kisses me on my forehead, then walks to the door.
“Hey, Logan,” I call out before he can leave, and he faces me. “I want to finish our conversation.”
He looks at me for a moment like he wants to say something but then thinks better of it. He gives me a curt nod, then closes the door behind him. Falling back on the bed, I release another long breath and close my eyes.
“Paris, what in the hell have you gotten yourself into?”
I can’t wait for this disastrous situation to be over and done with.