“Don’t you need to be out there in the situation room, or whatever you call it, giving orders?”
“No, my people know what to do.”
“How often do you go yourself?”
“Go where?” He knew damned well what she was asking, and the answer could erect a brick wall between them, or an even bigger wall than what already existed. Her eye roll implied he was stupid. Likely so, considering he’d fallen in love with his best friend’s wife.
Her lips turned down in a frown. “Never mind. I don’t think I want to know.”
“You know, I could walk out the door and get run over by a bus. Life is full of uncertainties.”
Her glare left no doubt of what she thought of his reasoning. “Yeah, you go do that.” She took a deep breath and let out a puff of air. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I don’t want to lose my heart to you, Logan. If I did and something happened to you, I couldn’t bear it.”
Did that mean she had feelings for him even if it wasn’t love? “What do you want?”
Her eyes shifted away, and when she turned back, the sadness was gone. “I don’t know. I won’t deny I’m attracted to you, extremely so. I think we should spend the time I’m here just enjoying each other’s company, see what happens. I refuse to allow myself to fall in love with you, though, so no need to worry there’ll be any tears or begging when all this is over.”
Did she have any idea how much her words hurt? He could have her on her terms or not at all. Could he live with that? It was very possible there would be tears and begging, but they would be from him, not her.
He shot up from the chair. Going to his desk phone, he picked it up and punched in Buchanan’s extension. “Be in my office in five with what you’ve found out so far.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Logan scowled when Jake walked in with Maria at his side. “I don’t recall asking for anyone other than you, Romeo.”
“Oh, shut up, Logan,” his sister said.
He turned his glare on her. “Exactly when do you need to return to Tallahassee, because I gotta tell you, I can’t wait.” If for no other reason than to put distance between her and Buchanan.
Her smile was sugary sweet. “I can only guess what has you tied in knots.” She sent Dani a significant look. “I’ll be out of your hair in two weeks, dearest brother. Now, do you want to know what I’ve found? If not, then I’m outta here and off for an afternoon at the beach.”
“Brat,” he growled. He was antsy, might just crawl out of his skin, couldn’t get Dani’s words out of his head. I refuse to allow myself to fall in love with you. She’d suggested they just spend time together and see what happened. They were both single and there was nothing wrong with an affair. It was what men and women did, right?
At least it was what normal people did if the talk among his men was any indication. To hide the fact he’d never been with a woman, he’d learned to joke with them, sometimes claiming he had a hot date, then checking into a motel room—alone—where he’d spend the night. Not something he was proud of looking back on. Why hadn’t he manned up and just told them his personal life was none of their fucking business?
Now the opportunity to rid himself of his cherry sat next to him, and he was hesitating because he wanted love to figure into his first time. Was he being honorable or just plain stupid? He drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair, hating his indecisiveness.
Dani rested her hand over his. How did her touch calm him, and how did she know he needed calming? “What do you have, Buchanan?” he asked.
“Not much. I talked to Turner a few minutes ago, and he’s going to see a woman who used to live across the street from the Prescotts. He’ll call as soon as he meets with her. She did tell him on the phone there were twin boys.”
Dani jerked her gaze to Logan. “Evan had a twin and he’s stalking me?”
He shifted his chair to face her. “That’s what it looks like, but it appears there’s more to it.”
“Like what?”
“That’s what I’m hoping we’re about to learn. Anything else?” he asked Buchanan.
“Whoever set up the dummy companies is very clever, but we’re—no, Maria’s getting there.” He glanced at Dani. “Put Maria in front of a computer and there’s nothing she can’t find.”
Logan turned to Maria. “Talk to me.”
“Wait, what do you mean, dummy companies?” Dani asked.
Buchanan answered her. “When we ran our guy’s license plate number, it came back as owned by a company called Gateway, which is owned by The Way.”