Page 105 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

“Did he hurt you?”

She managed to shake her head, tearing her gaze away from the figure on the ground who had caused her such terror. In Logan’s arms, she was safe. She leaned into him, taking comfort from his strength.

So many lights flashed in her eyes that they blinded her.

“Show’s over, people. How about we head back inside? I hear the celebrity auction is about to begin and you’re not going to want to miss who you could get a date with.”

It was Adele, doing what she did best. She attempted to wave the gathering crowd away, but they mostly ignored her. What was happening here was far too juicy to ignore.

Logan needed to get Jane home to safety. He had to get that panic-stricken look out of her eyes. He tugged gently on her hands, but she didn’t move. There were too many people, too many cameras pointed at her. Her chest rose and fell worryingly fast. She was on the brink of another panic attack.

One that, he knew, would be recorded by the spectators here.

His mouth thinned into a line. No way in hell would he allow that to happen. He picked her up in his arms.

“Give her some space!”

No one moved, the guests crowding around them, each thinking his words hadn’t applied to them. A low growl burst out of him as he half jogged, half elbowed his way to their car. The last thing he heard was Adele’s voice demanding that the crowd stop filming them.

* * *

When they arrived home,Logan didn’t bother asking if she could walk. Scooping her into his arms, he carried her into the living room. Any protests she might have uttered were ignored. He settled her onto the sofa, covered her with a wool blanket.

Excited yapping drew close until a bundle of fur hurled itself at the two of them. Loki’s face shone with love at their return. He barked and licked and squirmed as Jane came out of her icy stupor to stroke him, his fur warming her frozen hands.

Logan set Loki on her lap and watched as Jane’s arms went around him automatically. Just being with the puppy was helping her to come back to herself.

“I’ll be right back,” he said.

“OK,” she replied. It was only two syllables, but it was more than she had said since they’d left the ball. He returned moments later with a tray of peppermint tea, a jar of honey, and a cup.

Pouring a cup of the tea, he stirred in a spoonful of honey and handed it to her. The smell of the mint cleared her mind, helping her come back to herself.

“Thank you.”

“I’ve never seen anyone go into shock like that. Are you sure you don’t want a doctor?”

“I’m fine. I was just scared.”

“I should never have left you alone.” He ran a hand through his hair. His jaw was clenched so tight, veins popped up from his skin.

“You weren’t to know he would come back.”

“But I should have known he’d try something. He all but warned me earlier, but I was too cocky, too sure of myself.” Reaching over Loki, he took her free hand, entwining his fingers with hers. “If anything had happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.”

His concern brought a lump to her throat. Her hand felt so small in his, like he could protect her from the world. Her heart was beginning to melt and there was nothing she could do about it.

She sipped the tea. The drink soothed her soul, chasing away the cold the attack and her flashback had caused. “This is good. Will you thank Kitty for me?”

He looked vaguely insulted.

“You think I can’t handle making a pot of tea? First you question my cooking ability — which I clearly proved — and now this.” He shook his head at Loki. “I can’t win, can I?”

Hearing the sad tone in his voice, Loki lifted his nose to the ceiling and howled, earning a tummy rub from him. Jane laughed.

“The two of you are incorrigible.”

Loki shoved his nose into her leg, encouraging her to join in with the petting.

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