Page 290 of Sin Bin

Callum led them to a lavishly furnished stateroom with a huge picture window and balcony overlooking the water. Their luggage was waiting for them.

“We set sail at five and return at eleven,” Callum announced. “Only select guests will be staying overnight. Dinner will be served at six. In the meantime, feel free to get some rest or enjoy the amenities onboard. If you’d like to go sightseeing, the driver can take you—”

“I don’t need to go sightseeing,” Logan grumbled. “I lived here for over two years.”

Callum smiled. “Of course. And you were born here. Toronto is your home.”

“I wouldn’t say all that.” Logan looked at Meadow, his expression softening slightly. “I’m sorry. This is your first time here. If you’d like to go sightseeing—”

“No, I’m fine.” She smiled. “To be honest, I’d rather take a nap and recharge before the party.”

“Same.” His lips curved with a hint of a smile, the first she’d seen all day. She clung to it like a lifeline.

“Your father will want to see both of you before dinner,” Callum said as Logan walked him to the door. “If you need anything—”

“We know where to find you.” Logan closed the door in Callum’s surprised face.

Meadow laughed—another first for the day.

When Logan came back to her, she reached up and took his face between her hands, searching his eyes. “I know being here is difficult for you,” she said gently. “But just remember you’re not alone. We’re in this together. You and me. All right?”

He nodded slowly, then brushed his lips over hers and whispered, “I don’t deserve you.”

“Probably not.” She smiled teasingly. “But you’re stuck with me, anyway.”

For the party that evening, she donned a rose gold Chanel dress that was short at the front and long in the back. The sleeveless bodice had a sweetheart neckline and a high back. She paired the haute couture dress with glittery high-heeled ankle-strap sandals.

She spent half an hour arranging her hair in an elaborate twist she’d seen in a black hair magazine. The end result was worth the time and effort.

“You look incredible.” Logan came up behind her, heart-stoppingly handsome in a black Brioni tuxedo. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, he put his arms around her waist and pressed his body against hers.

She closed her eyes and sighed, savoring his closeness and heat, soaking up the intimacy she’d craved all day.

He kissed her bare shoulder. “I have something for you.”

She opened her eyes, watching as he reached over her shoulders and draped a diamond necklace around her neck, his fingers brushing her skin as he fastened the small hook.

“Oh, Logan,” she breathed, reaching up to touch the dazzling strand of diamonds resting just above her breasts. “What a stunning necklace.”

“Nowhere near as stunning as you. But it’s a start.” He removed a rectangular black velvet box from his pocket and thumbed the lid open to reveal a matching diamond bracelet and earrings.

She gasped. “Logan, no, that’s too much—”

“Hush and put these on.” He handed her the earrings and watched her secure them in her ears. Then he fastened the bracelet around her wrist.

She turned back to the mirror. The exquisite diamonds sparkled in the light, and the shimmering fabric of her dress made her skin glow.

Logan stood close behind her, gazing at her reflection. “You’re a vision, cariño.”

She gave him a radiant smile. The way he was looking at her made her feel like a goddess. She basked in his adoration, fortifying herself for whatever lay ahead.

Thirty minutes before dinnertime, Callum returned to take them to Logan’s father. When he saw Meadow, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Cheeks flushing, he stammered out a compliment that had Logan narrowing his eyes and drawing Meadow possessively to his side.

Lucien Brassard was waiting for them in a private salon on the main deck. A pair of tuxedoed security guards flanked the entrance. They didn’t look happy to see Logan. The feeling was clearly mutual, judging by his scowl.

“Behave yourself, young man,” one of the guards warned.

Logan flipped him the bird before following Callum and Meadow into the salon. It was elegantly appointed with sumptuous leather furniture, richly paneled walls and expensive oil paintings in gold frames.

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