“Is it hopeless?” Ellery squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to hear the answer.
“I haven’t given up yet,” Josiah said. “But before I go out on a limb to help you get him back, I need to know if you’re in this for the long term. Because I don’t think Logan can handle another rejection.”
“The truth is I didn’t know how much I cared about Logan until he was gone.”
“It’s nice that you care.” Josiah’s voice had a sharp edge. “But I’m asking if you love him.”
Ellery struggled to swallow, gulping air. She couldn’t avoid the question any longer. It was time to admit the truth. Tears stung her eyes as she rasped her answer.
“I do. I didn’t want to admit it, and I tried to prevent it. But it happened, just like I was afraid it would.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Josiah said.
“There’s nothing to be glad about,” she said, her shoulders heavy. “Whatever Logan felt for me before the breakup, it’s gone now.”
“I don’t think so,” said Josiah. “The last time we talked on the phone, Logan sounded like a robot. The only time I heard a hint of the real Logan was when he asked about you.”
“Really?” Her throat was so tight, she had to force the word out.
“He wanted details. He asked about your law school classes. How you were handling the stress. I’m telling you, he still cares about you, even if he refuses to talk to you.”
“But Allegra’s with him all the time now. I don’t stand a chance. Especially if he’s quit talking to you.”
“That’s why this Limitless gig is so important. Not just for all the people the fundraiser will benefit, but also to shake Logan out of this stupor he’s in. I’m so glad you accepted.”
“I hope I don’t chicken out.” Her hands shook, adrenaline shooting through her system as she imagined the event. “I know you told me people would love me at these events. That most of them will be magically different from every other person in the world and appreciate these hideous marks on my skin. But honestly, I don’t believe you.”
“Then why did you agree to model for me?”
“Because I’ve got to learn to live with who I am now. I figured this would be a way to make myself get over being self-conscious.”
“You’re even tougher than I thought you were.”
She could hear the respect in his voice. Respect she didn’t deserve.
“Right now, I’m about as tough as a toothpick,” Ellery said. “But I’m working on it. I don’t think I can do it if Logan decides to come, though. I’ll be too worried that he’ll be comparing me to Allegra the entire time.”
“That’s exactly what I’m counting on.”
CHAPTER 24
Yet another night had robbed Logan of much-needed sleep. He splashed water on his face, wincing at his derelict reflection in the mirror. A glance at his watch showed the time as 7:05. He didn’t have time to shave—no doubt Mack, the always prompt head of E-Force Security, was already waiting for him at the breakfast table.
There were decisions to be made. Josiah had called four days ago, crowing about Ellery’s participation in the upcoming Limitless fundraiser. He suspected Josiah had been purposefully goading him, enticing him to attend.
And Josiah’s plan was working.
Since then, Logan had been itching to go, arguing that the highly publicized function was an unlikely place to be targeted. Mack, however, countered that Logan wouldn’t be able to resist speaking to Ellery, and such a conversation could destroy the protection of her anonymity. Stubbornly resisting Mack’s advice, Logan had continued the debate on a daily basis.
Bleary-eyed, Logan stumbled down the hallway into the kitchen, and Mack entered from the family room, the whites of his bloodshot eyes accented with dark circles that testified of a similarly rough night.
“Good morning,” Mack said in a loud, cheery voice that belied his appearance. He grabbed a piece of paper from the counter, hastily jotted something on it, and slid the paper in front of Logan.
His heart skipped a beat.
Don’t say anything. Your house is bugged.
He jerked his head toward Mack, who pressed a finger to his lips and shook his head.
How had someone gotten in to bug the house? Since Chester’s revelation, Logan hadn’t allowed any strangers on the grounds, taking deliveries at the gate.
“I’ll make us some coffee.” Mack moved to turn the water on in the sink. “I like to let the water get hot before I put it in the coffeemaker. Makes it faster.”
Jake, the youngest of Mack’s three brothers, strode into the kitchen and whispered something in Mack’s ear before disappearing down the hallway.
Mack, who had a body about the same size and hardness as the truck that was his namesake, and Jake had been Logan’s almost constant companions for the last ten days. Always wearing a brooding expression, Jake was practically a clone of Mack, but much more intense and introverted. A glimpse of the darkness lurking behind Jake’s severe gaze was like looking in a mirror, and Logan suspected he’d had trauma in his past.
With the water running full-force in the sink, Mack came back to whisper in his ear. “We put a secret detail on your stepdad. Last night we caught this on camera.” He whipped out his phone and showed him a series of pictures. Even in the dim light, he could clearly see Chester’s face. He didn’t recognize the other two men, but one had a gun in his hand.
“Dimitri?” Logan whispered, as all the implications whirled in his mind and dread settled in his chest.
“We’re running them through facial recognition,” Mack said. Then he turned off the water and announced in a regular voice, “That’s hot enough.”
“I’ve got some dark-roasted beans,” Logan said, rising from the table to grab the coffee beans from the freezer. “Let’s have fresh grounds.”
Soon the grinder was making plenty of noise to cover their conversation.
