I had to trust him. Moving quickly to the door Lawrence held open for me that led out of the tunnel and into another section of normal-but-still-extremely-large tanks, I was bombarded with anxiety.
As I passed through the doorway, Lawrence grabbed my arm gently. “This shouldn’t take long,” he said quietly, his smile easy but giving nothing away.
Unsure what to say in response, I smiled and continued out, stopping only when I heard the door shut behind me. I ran back, peeking inside the tiny window. I couldn’t see much, but I sure could hear the loud, gravely roar of Natasha’s name echoing through the thin door.
I swung back to see if anyone else had heard it, but the room behind me was empty. Wherever Logan’s family had disappeared to, it was out of earshot—likely for Oliver’s sake.
When I shifted back to the door, I saw Josh rushing in, winded.
“You slut!” he seethed, stalking toward her.
Lawrence stood a few feet inside the door, focused intently on the scene unfolding in front of him and not me propping the door open just enough to hear and see better.
Natasha attempted to pull away from Logan, but he held her tightly at his side. He even took a strand of her hair and wrapped it around his finger, smiling at Josh.
Is he taunting him? Why?
My temple throbbed with unanswered questions.
Josh stared at Logan’s arm wrapped around his girl. I wasn’t sure what he was about to do, but the expression on his face was manic.
“Josh, baby, what are you doing here?” Natasha asked, attempting to shove Logan away once more.
“Came to see my
girlfriend.
”
He swept his attention to Logan. “Gonna give her back?”
Logan shrugged smugly. “Depends on whether she wants to go back to you,” Logan said, completely at ease. “Maybe I’ll keep her a while longer.”
Natasha began to panic. I saw it clearly in her movements as she squirmed and shoved at Logan to release her. “Let me go, Logan.”
“Why? Afraid he’ll get the wrong
impression
?” His voice was dark and coarse. “I think it’s time you confess to your little boyfriend here. Tell him what’s been going on between us.”
Even from across the room, I could see Natasha’s eyes bulge. “Logan, what are—” she started, but he cut her off.
“Like how you fucked me just last night and the night before that and that. Does Josh here not know how you tell me he’ll never please you like I do?”
My eyes slammed shut, pain coiling in my gut. This wasn’t real—I knew that. He was goading them. Still, nausea hit me at the mere thought of it.
“No fucking way!” Josh growled. “You told me it was me and you. That you loved me—needed me!”
“I do!” Natasha slapped at Logan’s hands that still didn’t release her.
“Bullshit!” Josh roared. “I did your dirty work! That’s all you wanted. You lied to me, used me.” Josh’s face grew redder with every word he hissed. “Promised me we’d leave this shithole town! And here you are with
him
—the man you say you despise, the man you wanted in prison!” Josh was inches from her face now.
“Baby, calm down, please.” Natasha looked frightened, and now, instead of demanding Logan release her, she sought protection in his arms. But Logan didn’t offer any, stepping away as he pried her hands from his shirt.
“I killed a man for you and
this
is how you repay me? By sleeping with him? You fucking bitch!” Josh flew at her, but Lawrence and Jax were there instantly to flank each side, holding him back.
“Logan, he’s lying. He’s crazy!” She stumbled toward Logan. His arms were crossed over his chest, his face hard. “I never told him to touch Kurt. You have to believe me. Why would I do that?”
“Because you knew I’d never want you. Because I told you I was going to marry Cassandra, and you couldn’t stand it.”
He’d told her that? When? Before Kurt was killed, I didn’t know he’d even thought about marriage.
My thoughts were pulled away as Logan continued.
“So, tell me, how did you think it would play out?” Logan asked, way too calm for the conversation. “I’d go to prison, and you’d take Oliver? Or you’d play the supportive role until I let you get close enough, and then what? You thought I’d take you back?”
He placed his hands on her shoulders, his eyes locking with hers.
“I never loved you. I was too young to see I was nothing more than a boy in lust with an immature, ungrateful slut. The only reason I haven’t thrown you out of my life for good these past few months is because I wanted to believe you would do right by my son. But not anymore.” He dropped his hands. “I’m done.”
“No!” Natasha gasped. “I didn’t have anything to do with this, I swear. I would have told you about Josh if I knew.”
“You’re gonna pay for this!” Josh yelled. “Was it all a lie? Just answer me that. Did you ever love me—even
like
me?”
The hurt tone in Josh’s voice was too much. The entire thing was overwhelming, and tears welled up in my eyes—angry, needing-to-kick-her-ass tears.
Jax retrieved his phone without releasing his hold on Josh’s right side. “Doubtful. I got some snapshots of your little tramp in some compromising positions with my sister’s douchebag ex-boyfriend Mark. Took it right after you two started up. Wanna see? Or maybe the one of her blowing the bartender down at Haven last week? Got some of that too.”
I didn’t miss the smirk Jax threw Natasha, whose face had gone pale.
After peeling his eyes from Natasha, Josh glanced at the phone.
“I loved you!” he yelled as he looked up from the phone, his rage snapping even further.
“Calm down.” Natasha held up her trembling hands, her legs shaking.
“You bitch! I’m taking you down with me! You hear me?” Josh struggled against the hold of Logan’s brothers, unable to break free.
“Logan, please. I’m sorry. I didn’t do this. You have to believe me.” Natasha’s hands went for Logan’s chest but he stepped back again, moving to stand in front of Josh.
“I know you killed Kurt,” Logan said to Josh. “My PI found you on the visitors list. And while you may have convinced the sheriff you two were old friends, I had it looked into. You’d never even met the guy.”
“Screw you!” Josh spat.
Logan brushed it off. “You got proof she asked you to do it?”
“Hell yeah, I do! I keep a stream of video going at my place for the parties. Have the entire thing on my computer.”
It was Natasha who propelled forward next, screaming incoherent threats. She beat her fists into nothing but the air as Logan pinned her back against his front. Her legs kicked, aiming for Josh but falling short.
Transfixed on the whole interaction, I didn’t notice someone behind me until a hand shot out beside my face, pushing the door fully open. I twisted back, startled to find Edward and Blythe frowning at the scene inside the tunnel.
“You need to call the cops,” I blew out, my adrenaline running high.
“On their way,” Edward replied, sounding almost bored before walking past me inside. Blythe took my hand and led me in behind him at her side.
Logan held Natasha with her arms pinned behind her back, Jax snickering at the empty threats she rattled off in stifled breaths. The look she sent him was lethal, but seemed only to intensify his laughter.
“You think you won, Jax? Well, why don’t you tell Logan that
you’re
the reason I came back in the first place?”
Jax’s laughter cut off. Natasha grinned, thrashing harder against Logan and adding, “Tell him—”
Blythe slapped Natasha across the face, silencing her.
“You listen to me, you trashy little whore.” Blythe took hold of her chin, commanding her full attention. “I’ve stood back and watched you destroy my son, tearing him down to a dark place only
his
son could reach him. I won’t let you hurt any more of my children—and you better prepare for a hell of a fight after the cops are through with you, because you will
never
see my grandson again.”
“Your
children
, Blythe?” Natasha cackled. “Is that what you tell yourself when you look at Jax? Or do you see the slut your husband fucked: Jax’s
real
mother?”
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth.
“What the hell is she talking about?” Jax’s stunned words fell out, his grip loosening around Josh’s arm.
Blythe closed her eyes, took a breath, then turned to face him. “Honey, I’m sorry. We’ll talk about it—”
“What’s the matter, Jax? Didn’t know?” Natasha taunted. My palm was itching for another swing at her. “Just like Logan didn’t know how much your cock enjoyed my attention when you convinced me to return home last summer?”
Jax’s ashen gaze flew to Logan, who said nothing, gripping Josh so tightly he could barely move. Either Logan already knew or he didn’t care, but the terror on Jax’s face was heart-wrenching. He was scared—I could see it, mixed with a flurry of hurt and confusion.
He released his hold on Josh, who used it to his advantage, whipping around and slugging Lawrence in the gut. He doubled over and Logan raced forward, dropping Natasha to grab Josh with the help of his father and Lawrence, who’d recovered instantly.
Natasha made a run for it, sprinting out the door with Jax on her tail. I leaned up against the glass, no longer noticing the sharks at my back. I didn’t speak until Blythe walked over shortly after the cops arrived to arrest Josh.
“I’m going to check on my grandsons. You coming?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I’m going to wait for Logan…if you don’t mind.”
She gave me an almost-relieved, genuine smile. “Not at all. You’re good for him.” It was all she said before stepping away, with Edward there to meet her as they walked out together.
Logan slumped down on the bench after a while of talking with the police. I sat beside him, my arms encasing him instantly, holding him close. His head was down, and he didn’t make a move to look my way.
When I moved to speak, I noticed he was staring at his phone. I could see it clearly: a text from Jax.
I wasn’t fast enough. She grabbed a cab. Sorry for everything. Always the fuck up. Tell Oliver I love him. I’m done with this shit.
“Logan, I’m sorry about Jax.”
He didn’t reply as he pulled me into his arms, burying his face in my hair, where he sighed.
“Is this why you allowed Natasha to come today—to turn Josh against her?” It was all making sense, but why would he do it during such a special event as Oliver’s birthday party?
“Yes. Only Jax, Lawrence, and my father knew. Natasha will never be allowed near my son again. I thought it only fitting on his birthday, since she’s missed every one before it.”
I hugged him closer, my head resting against his shoulder. “Poor Oliver. He’ll be heartbroken when he finds out she’s gone.”
“He’ll be hurt but he’ll eventually accept it. When he’s older, I’ll be honest with him.” Logan shifted back. His knuckles swept over my cheek, a soft but tight smile on his lips. “Besides, he has me and he has you. Nothing else matters, sweetheart. It’s over now. We win.”
Always the strong one.
He stood and helped me up.
“Let’s go give Oliver the birthday he deserves,” he said with a hint of a smile.
I nodded in agreement. Oliver’s lively enthusiasm was exactly what we needed. I knew we’d talk about Jax later, but for now we had a birthday boy to entertain.
Logan was right: Nothing else mattered.
Chapter Thirty-One
Together
There are many moments in time I wished I could undo or rewrite, but with Natasha on the run, I knew everything was playing out the way it was supposed to.
Oliver and Charlie had been oblivious for the hour or so most of us had been missing from the birthday festivities, with Julia and Katie doing a great job of distracting them with every tiny reef in the tanks. When we finally entered the party room, which was filled to the ceiling with balloons and streamers, Oliver was too focused on his gifts and giant cake to notice his mother was missing.
That moment occurred when he opened her present: a giant stuffed dinosaur. It was incredible how instantly Logan was at his side to reassure him that Natasha had to leave, but that she told him to make sure Oliver knew she loved him.
Oliver may have frowned, but it was brief, and after that day it got easier every time he’d ask about her. Logan reiterated patiently that she couldn’t stay any longer, and after a couple weeks, Oliver stopped asking. He seemed to understand in his own way. The only person he continued to ask for was Jax, who was still MIA and responding to no one’s calls.
Turned out Julia wasn’t his twin—a fact Blythe had hidden when she took him in as a newborn just weeks before Julia was born. Logan remembered her going away to give birth and not meeting Jax until the same time he did Julia. What Blythe did for Jax—for her entire family—left me in awe. It was a completely selfless act. Whether she was Jax’s birth mother or not, she was his mom, and she’d raised him well.
It wasn’t my place to intrude on the heartbreaking family discussion that had been held after the party, so I’d taken Oliver and Charlie to play in another room while Edward and Blythe sat their children down to explain.
I received a goodbye text from Jax shortly after Oliver’s birthday.
Keep Logan from turning the little prince into a geek. He needs freedom. Make Caleb take him to the batting cage. He likes sports. Maybe hunting when older. Gonna miss that kid. Take care of em both. I’ll see u around sometime sister.
Sister?
I smiled. Yeah, he was exactly what I’d imagined a brother would be like.
I replied instantly.
Come home and take him yourself. We miss u.
Nah, need some space. Got some shit to work out. Can’t screw off forever. Time to live a little. Maybe someday I’ll come back. He better have u knocked up by then.
Tears streamed down my cheeks. Was he really gone for good? I shook the thought from my head, typing feverishly.
How long does Logan have to fulfill that request?