“I think your girl’s a little nervous, Logan,” Jared observed.
“Can’t say I blame her,” Scott said. “It’s really spooky knowing some creep’s watching you.”
Logan’s hands fisted. “And when I find him, he’s going to wish he never heard her name. Listen, I’ve given you his description, so both of you be extra alert. I don’t think he’ll bother you, but once he realizes she’s missing, I don’t know how he’ll react. You’ve got my cell number. If anything happens, no matter how insignificant you think it is, call me.”
“When will you be back?” Scott asked.
Logan hadn’t told them where they were going, and both seemed smart enough not to ask. He saw no reason not to answer Scott’s question. “Not sure yet. Regan has an appointment with her pediatrician a week from Thursday, so we’ll be back in time for that.”
“I don’t much like the idea of a cult involved in this,” Jared said.
“That makes two of us.” Logan stood. “You both know what to do.” He picked up his empty glass, walked inside, and set it on the table. Grabbing the ball cap that matched the one Jared wore, he put it on, walked out of the house, and got into the passenger side of the car.
“You okay back there?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, Double-O-Seven, over and out,” Dani answered from her prone position on the backseat.
He grinned. “You do know where all Bond’s girls end up, don’t you?”
“Oh yeah.”
From the way she sighed her answer, Logan thought he just might lose his virginity in Pensacola. Long ago, he had made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t sleep with a woman he didn’t love. He’d been tempted to break the vow many times since then, but the boy who was determined to be a better man had stood fast.
Well, both he and the boy were in love with the woman he was taking home with him, so he prayed it was finally going to happen, please God. He still had to talk to Mrs. Jankowski, but he was beginning to believe that if he and Evan had thought to have a conversation about Dani’s future should something happen, Evan would have slapped him on the back and said, “I trust you to do right by her.”
Scott walked out of the cabin, and Logan ducked his head, keeping his eyes closed when the overhead light came on. As soon as the door closed and darkness descended again, he opened them and peered out into the night. No hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he was confident they’d gotten away with their ruse.
Scott sat there a few seconds, then started the car. “Now what?”
Logan refrained from rolling his eyes. “Now you drive us to the airport.”
Dani considered herself a world traveler. From as far back as she could remember, she’d flown here and there with her parents, always in first class on a commercial airliner. But as she looked around the lush interior of the Learjet Logan had chartered, she—used to what money could buy—was impressed.
How the hell could he afford it? Somehow, she would have to find a way to reimburse him without wounding his pride. Whatever the cost, it would be worth it to see Logan’s home, to meet the people who mattered to him. She peered out the jet’s window at the twinkling lights thousands of feet below.
The question she kept asking herself with no clear answer reared up again. What did she want from him? At first, it had been to keep her and Regan safe. She had no doubt he could do that.
But did she want to have an affair with him? Yes. God yes. Without her understanding how, she’d started thinking she wanted more. But what did that mean? Was she thinking long term?
She could almost see them growing old together. Deep in her heart, she knew Evan would approve. Her husband had always wanted nothing more than for her to be happy. She could have been happy with him forever, but he had left her—had gone and died.
Sometimes she resented him for that. He could have left the SEALs before that last mission, as his six years were up. Yet, because his team needed him, he’d reenlisted even after she’d told him she might be pregnant. Well, she’d needed him, too, but that hadn’t seemed to matter.
“We’re flying over Montgomery,” Logan said.
“How do you know?” His mouth was inches from hers as he leaned forward to peer out the window. If she turned her head, their lips would meet. Her heart did a funny little flutter, the way it had when she was first falling in love with Evan. She resisted the urge to kiss him.
“By the position of the stars.”
He sat back in his seat and she missed his warmth. “I don’t believe you. Fess up, you’re just guessing.”