Chapter 4 #2
My pulse pounds behind my eyes as I pray I didn’t scratch my corneas with what feels like two pieces of sandpaper tucked behind my lids as I force my eyes open, holding out a teeny, tiny bit of hope that this isn’t actually happening.
Damn . . . No such luck.
With open eyes, it only takes a minute for him to come into focus.
Logan fucking Adler.
Ugh . . . gross. He’s lying next to me, his eyes closed in sleep, and his face beautifully relaxed.
Son of a bitch.
I look over my shoulder and find Serena lying on my other side like she’s done a million times throughout our lives, but this time Rafe is tucked behind her.
What the actual fuck?
“We’re in the penthouse suite,” I whimper as my pulse spikes painfully with each word. “There’s three bedrooms and two couches. Why are there four of us in one bed?”
Thankfully, everyone is clothed. Sort of. Logan’s shirt is off, and I’m pretty sure I slept with my face planted against his ridiculously chiseled chest.
He even smells good, which might just make me hate him a little bit more.
“The phone, Olive,” Logan groans as the offending device rings again.
He’s an asshole, but he’s right. I look around the room for my ringing phone and take a little too much joy in throwing my elbow into his nonexistent gut as I climb over him to get to the nightstand.
His hands go to my waist, steadying me as Pete’s name flashes on the screen, and the room immediately stops spinning. Shit. How much did I drink last night? “Everyone shut up.”
The morons behind me snicker, and I rip the charging cord from the phone and walk into the living area on shaky legs. “Good morning, Peter.”
Well that was cheerier than I thought I could manage at this point.
“Something you’d like to share, Olivia?” Guess we’re cutting right to it then.
I look down at the three-carat solitaire sitting on my ring finger next to a sparkling platinum eternity band, and maybe I squirm. Just a little. How the hell did he find out so soon?
I can play this one of two ways.
Cocky and confident or completely unbothered. I’m not really feeling either at the moment, but unbothered portrays more confidence than cocky ever has, so that’s my winner.
“Not before I’ve had coffee, Peter.”
The door creaks behind me as Logan steps out of the bedroom. Thankfully, his shirt from last night is back on now. I switch the phone to speaker so I don’t have to replay this whole thing to Logan later. Not sure I’m up for that just yet.
“Olivia—”
“Do we have a problem I’m unaware of?” I ask. The best defense is a solid offense on the ice or in a courtroom, so I’m making it work here too.
“I’m not sure about that, Ms. St. James. Or should I call you Mrs. Adler?”
At least I know we’re both on the same page. It might not be the best page, but I signed my name on it, so ready or not, here I come.
“St. James is fine. I don’t plan on taking Logan’s name—”
“Why the fucking hell did I have to find out my newest client and my star associate got married last night from a fucking email, Olivia?”
An email . . . Oh shit. An email.
I guess I did do that.
“Well Peter, I didn’t want to wake you and the partners up last night, and I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to keep it quiet.
But considering I don’t have a hundred and fifty-two texts from my family blowing up my phone, I think we did it.
” I pause for a hot minute, collecting myself before I straighten my shoulders.
I’ve got this. And as if knowing I need a push, Logan nods with a crooked smile.
I may hate my husband, but he sure is pretty to look at.
“Ironically.” I clear my throat and push on, “You told me yesterday I needed to be settled to be made partner. Well, Logan and I had already planned on getting married last night. We’ve been quietly together for quite some time and didn’t want to wait.
We also didn’t want to make a big thing of it.
We don’t want any of this playing out in the press like things tend to do when it comes to my family.
We’d like to keep Magnolia shielded from all that.
But I did want you to know, especially considering Logan just signed with you yesterday.
I hope you understand why we didn’t tell you before.
I didn’t feel it would be right if I represented him, but you, being the titan of this industry that you are, makes you the perfect agent for him.
We can discuss who will represent him once you retire next week. ”
Peter sputters on the other end of the line as my eyes lock with Logan’s.
He shakes his head and leans his hip against the window beside me.
Fuck. I really married this man.
“I hope you understand. Logan is fighting for custody of his daughter, so we’re requesting a protective order sealing the whole thing.
We don’t want his ex to play this out in the media.
It’s all going to be kept low profile. I’ll be filing everything once I’m home,” I tell him like it’s the most natural thing in the world for me to be protective of Logan and his daughter.
“I have a few favors to call in, but I think it should be taken care of on Monday. We’d appreciate it if you’d keep it quiet for now as well. ”
I hold the phone out between Logan and me and wait for Peter’s response.
It could either be good or very, very bad.
“Well hell, Olivia.” His deep baritone voice sounds practically giddy. “If you’d have bothered to tell us any of this before, I’d have included you in my meeting with Logan yesterday.”
I lift a finger to my lips, reminding Logan to be quiet when he looks like he’s ready to rip Peter a new asshole.
“I understand, Peter. But I’d already briefed him on what to expect and what to demand before your meeting.
I guess if I’d known you needed me to be settled to give me the partnership that had already been promised to me, maybe I’d have said something sooner.
But I’m sure we can talk about that as well once I’m back in the office next week.
” I swear to God, I’m holding my breath as I wait for his response.
Or more accurately, for what could possibly be his next excuse.
“Well now, that sounds like a good plan. Let me know if you need any help with sealing your marriage license or the custody case. I have a few friends in Pennsylvania who owe me a favor.”
Logan shakes his head and mouths, No. New Jersey.
Ahh . . . got it.
“Thank you. I may take you up on that. It’s actually New Jersey though. We’ll be living in New Jersey, and I believe Magnolia’s mother already filed in New Jersey,” I say slowly, watching Logan’s face as he nods his agreement. “So if you do have any connections there, I’d appreciate the help.”
“I’ll get you the contacts. And you’re heading back today?” Peter asks.
“Yes. The Kingston jet is taking off at noon,” I answer him while also telling Logan the plan he needs to be onboard with for this to work. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Yes. We’ll have to do dinner. You may not want to have the marriage be in the media, but you’ll have to get used to being seen together. I can help you both game plan that.”
Great.
“That sounds good. Thanks, Peter. I’ve got to get going now if we’re going to get out of here on time.” At least that part is true.
I end the call and smile as Logan slow claps.
I need coffee and a shower and a bottle of Advil.
“You are fucking frighteningly good at that,” he murmurs.
“And that’s why you’re going to do everything I say.”