Why didn't she trust him?
Moving her in with him was a no-brainer. Yeah, he probably should've told her about the extra detail he'd put on her. Which he only did because he couldn't be her bodyguard every second of the day. His choice had saved her and their baby from Trevor.
Why couldn't she accept that he'd made the right call?
He wasn't perfect, but if he had one talent to his name, he knew how to keep people safe. She conveniently ignored his valid concerns. Instead of understanding, even a trace of gratitude, she'd handed him empty accusations. Worst of all, she'd put him in the same scumbag league as her ex. He didn't deserve that slap in the face.
He entered through the garage, threw his keys on the kitchen counter. He roughly discarded his coat and called to her. "Allison, we need to talk."
She showed up minutes later with a suitcase in hand. "For now, you've said all I need to hear."
His gaze fixed on the suitcase. Its significance triggered a rising tide of volatile emotion. "That's it. You're leaving."
"I wanted a life with you, Logan. Not a golden cage." The hurt in her eyes twisted his insides.
"This is not over."
"Sorry," she returned, "you've used up your chances to make decisions for us. From now on, my choices count, too. I'm not going to be a bystander in my own life."
He spread his arms. "You're blowing this all out of proportion."
She gave him a steely stare. "Am I?"
"Yes, damn it. I'm not Trevor."
"Could've fooled me."
Rage exploded in him. "Don't you dare compare me to him." He spoke through clenched teeth. "I'm not the enemy here, Allison."
"You're not acting like my partner. I won't be ordered around to satisfy your need for control."
His face went hot. "I have never controlled you."
"I need time apart. To figure out if we have anything left worth saving between us."
That hit him like a punch to the chest. For a second, he couldn't breathe. "Why are you punishing me for doing what I'm best at?"
She looked away.
"Allison, I make a thousand judgment calls a day." He was the CEO for a reason, and he was good at his job. "Do you expect me to stop before I decide anything and run it past you?"
"Only the decisions that affect me."
"If that's your criteria, then by all rights everything needs your stamp of approval. Because what I do, every day, affects my life with you. You're a part of me."
A tear slid loose, gliding down her cheek. "There has to be a balance, Logan. We need a separation. To figure out where we can compromise. If we can compromise."
Angry and hurt and frustrated, he lost his temper. "Compromise? You've already packed your bags. I should've figured this was coming. The going gets tough, someone gets too close, and Allison runs. That's why you keep your shit in boxes. You need your freedom so goddamn bad, you can't see when something's worth sticking around for." He whipped his arm toward the door. "Fine. Keep running. I'm done chasing something that doesn't want to be caught."
Her face went white. "That's not fair."
"You want to talk about not fair? I've given you everything. I don't understand what the hell you want from me!"
The hurt and sadness in her eyes pummeled him. "I hope someday you will."
It felt like everything he'd ever wanted was slipping through his hands. His heart shredded. Stubborn, selfish pride took hold. Instead of saying I love you, stay , he retaliated. "When you walk out that door, we're over."
"I'd hoped what we mean to each other was stronger than ultimatums." Another tear, then another cascaded down her face. "I was wrong."
Then she left.
The click of the front door latch sounded like a cannon.
This wasn't happening.
"Fuck." His shout echoed through his house like a bullet shattering stained glass. "Fuck!"
He paced every square inch of his home. He bit his thumb nail down to the quick. He didn't even know what the hell he was trying to figure out.
All he knew was he had just watched his future walk out the door. And he wasn't sure he could get it back.
CHAPTER 11
Logan spent the next thirty-six hours straight at work.
He didn't go home. He didn't shave. He took showers at the nearby gym after working out. He wore jeans and long-sleeved t-shirts, told the receptionists to hold his calls or take messages. The rare moments he left the confines of his office, he glared at anyone who approached him.
He became a recluse in his own life.
He didn't stop to care.
Work had piled up while he'd been home taking care of Allison. He had enough to keep him preoccupied for weeks, if necessary. Anything to escape the emptiness growing inside him.