Page 72 of Logan

“What did you tell the front desk?” he asked softly.

“I called to say that my husband brought my medication but that I still didn’t feel better, so I was checking out early.”

Nodding, he stood with his hands on his hips. “Okay, good. You’re doing good.” He winced before continuing. “I’ve arranged a flight for you from the little airfield here all the way to California.”

She nodded, or at least thought she did. Having looked in the bathroom mirror to make sure she had no spatters of blood on her, she knew her face was pale with dark circles under her eyes.

Logan moved toward her, moving as though he were approaching a wild animal. Kneeling in front of her, he placed his hands on her knees. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through or what you’re thinking. You did everything that wasasked of you on this mission and did it to the best of your abilities. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”

His eyes searched hers, but she kept her emotions locked down.

Continuing, he squeezed her thighs for emphasis, saying, “You saved my life, Viv. I know you’re battling with that, but you did the right thing?—”

Shaking her head, she stopped him. “You don’t have to convince me of that.” Sighing heavily, she said, “You were right…they were going to harm a lot of people. And it wouldn’t have stopped with this little hotel in the middle of nowhere.” Giving an unladylike snort, she added, “As a bioterrorism scientist, I know what they could have done. I just… well, you said it best… I was incredibly naive.”

“I’ve talked to Donald. He knows how everything went down. Your supervisor will talk to you when you get back…he’ll know certain things happened.”

Her eyes widened, and she gasped at the fear of others knowing she’d killed someone.

“All he’ll know is that we were successful, and you were forced to do some things beyond your training. He’ll have the number of a therapist who works with former military… someone who can help you as you deal with everything.”

Vivian nodded once more, fatigue pulling at her very core. Wanting to get off the emotional roller coaster and on to more practical matters, she asked, “What about my car?”

“I’ve already taken it to the little rental place here, and they were glad to get it with all the film buffs in town. I got your stuff out of it and into my truck.”

Standing, he assisted her to her feet. She leaned her head back and said, “And you? You’re going to go after Rashad?”

“Yeah… I have to get him before he leaves the country. As soon as we leave here, one of my men will set fire to the laundrycabin. It’ll look like an electrical fire, but it will help get rid of any lingering traces of the contaminant.”

Letting out another deep sigh, she nodded wearily as he picked up her bags, and they walked out of the little cabin. Without looking toward the woods, she allowed him to lead her around the outside of the hotel to where his truck was parked. Sliding into the passenger seat, she leaned back against the headrest, her exhausted mind ready to shut down.

Once at the airfield, he stowed her luggage in the small plane. The pilot approached, and she blinked in recognition. The pilot was one of the men who’d come to help Logan deal with the bodies. Her insides quaked as she locked her knees together to keep from sinking onto the tarmac in exhaustion.

“Viv, you’ve met our pilot, Cole, before. He will be taking you back. I’ll stay here with my other Keepers as we try to find Rashad. He’s also a paramedic and will be able to check your injuries.”

Cole leaned forward and offered his hand as well as a small smile. He, too, appeared to be approaching a frightened animal. Steeling her spine, she shook his hand. “Thank you for flying me home.”

“My pleasure, ma’am.”

She lifted her arms, showing the abraded skin, as she shook her head slowly. “I’m fine. I’d just like to get home.”

Cole climbed into the cockpit while Logan stood with her at the passenger door to the small plane.

Determined to face their goodbye with a modicum of control, she looked up at his rugged, handsome face, her heart skipping a beat for the millionth time since meeting him. Drawing in a shaky breath, she said, “Thank you for everything, Logan.”

Logan stood statue still, his gaze searching hers, before growling, “Oh, fuck it,” and pulled her in for a close embrace. Her body shivered against his, and she battled back the sob thatthreatened to explode from her lungs, even though she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Leaning back, she stared in silence at the moisture that had gathered in his stormy gray-green eyes. A tiny ounce of hope filled her chest that maybe, one day, she’d see him again. But he offered no promises, and the flare of hope died in her heart.

“Thank you, Viv. You kept me from skating on thin ice by myself.”

At those words, a sob rushed out, and she let go of him, her hand reaching up to cup his face. “Godspeed, Logan.” Inhaling a shuddering breath that filled her senses with his outdoor essence, she turned and climbed into the seat of the plane. Logan shut the door, and Cole made sure she was buckled safely. As the aircraft revved down the runway, she kept her eyes on Logan even though a tear slid down her cheek.

It was hours before they landed in California, and thankfully, Cole had remained quiet for the trip, allowing her the dignity to grieve the loss of Logan, as well as her naivety. It was only when they landed in California and had taxied to the hangar that Cole turned to her, his gaze soft.

“Ms. Sanders, I want to thank you for all you did back there. Logan told us how you handled your job perfectly, and we all saw how you got rid of the contaminants and saved his life with quick action.”

Uncertain what to say, she looked down at her clasped hands resting in her lap. “It was my pleasure to work with him.” She lifted her gaze back to Cole. “As we got to know each other, he talked about being a SEAL and then the accident that stole his career and his identity. I know he landed on his feet, working by himself for a while. But you should know it was easy to see that starting LSIMT and having the opportunity to work with his new team gave him a renewed purpose. He’s prouder of the new team you all are forming than anything he’s done in the past.” Shelooked back down and snorted. “I have no idea why I just said all that, but I guess I just wanted you to know.”

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