Page 44 of Logan

Choking down the bite, he took the drink she held out. Finally, clearing his throat, he nodded. “Thanks. Sorry about that.”

“I suppose what we’re talking about is hardly a topic for dinner conversation.”

“My fault,” he said. “I’m the one who asked. Let’s take our drinks into the living room.” Standing, he placed the pizza plates into the sink and grabbed another beer. Refilling her wineglass, he followed her to the sofa, sitting next to her.

She twisted her body so they were close, but she faced him. Taking a sip of wine, she smiled. “What else do you want to know?”

“Back to what they’re cooking up. Right now, does it look like I would be safe going in soon?”

Leaning back, Vivian tapped her nail on her wineglass as she thought. Hesitating, she opened her mouth and then closed it.

“Come on, spit it out.”

Looking down at her hands, she said, “It would be so much better if I could go in and?—”

“Not happening,” he growled. “Jesus, Viv. Don’t you get how dangerous these people are?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course I do. I didn’t say I was going in. I’m just terrified of telling you the wrong thing and something happening to you?—”

Pulling her closer, he said, “Not gonna happen. You’ll keep watching until you have a better idea of what we might be dealing with. Then, and only then, will I go in and get what you need. And we won’t do that until you instruct me on what to get and how to get it. Okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed.

He stared into her chocolate eyes and knew he’d do anything to keep her safe. He just hoped he could keep her from finding out what his entire mission was tasked to be.

26

While Logan finished working on the helicopter, he watched as a couple climbed out of a small airplane and listened to them as they excitedly talked about the scenery they had viewed. They thanked the pilot, and he grinned, thinking of the number of trips he had flown with tourists. He recognized it wasn’t a bad gig, but he could now look back and see it was just a career stop-gap between being a SEAL and running LSIMT.

Turning the wrench, he tightened the last bolt and glanced at his watch, wondering how Vivian was doing. His thoughts turned to her often, and even with all his training, he seemed unable to call a halt to her entering his mind constantly.

Grinning, he thought of their new sleeping arrangement. They might have to contend with the dip where the two mattresses were pushed together, but they’d slept much more comfortably than when they were in the twin bed. Hell, the sex was better since they weren’t afraid of breaking the bed. So far, they had spent the past few nights curled in each other’s arms after making love long into the night. Sex with Vivian had surpassed anything he had ever encountered. Sweet sex. Fun sex. Adventurous sex. Wild sex paired with soft kisses.Damn.

“Hey, Preacher!”

Looking up, he saw Iggie walking toward him. Waving, he tossed his wrench and headed his way. Shaking hands, he asked, “What are you doing over here?”

“I promised Sally I’d take her on a trip for our anniversary and heard some folks in the bar talking about going up to a lodge in Nome that’s supposed to be fuckin’ gorgeous.”

“Sounds nice.”

Iggie dropped his chin and stared at his boots for a moment before adding, “We can’t be away from the bar too long. I was just going to take her for a night…but, uh…it’s kind of a long drive.”

He grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. “You looking to fly?”

“Well, I was hoping you could take us in your helicopter.”

“You don’t want a plane?—”

“Nah. Sally doesn’t care much for flying, but I hoped that maybe you and Vivian would come with us. You two being newlyweds and all… I figured you’d like a nice night out.”

“When are you thinking about going?”

“This weekend?—”

“Hell, man. You don’t plan too far ahead, do you?” He laughed, shaking his head. Dropping his chin for a moment, he stared at his boots, the guilt of mixing work with pleasure having never occurred in his career. The chance to give Vivian a night in a nice lodge, on a real bed that didn’t separate when they turned over. It would make a perfect way for Viv to have a real chance to get away for a break.It’s just one night.

He uncrossed his arms, placing his hands on his hips. Glancing at his boss, he caught the man’s nod and stuck out his hand toward Iggie. “Well, all right. It looks like we’re taking a trip this weekend.”

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