Page 25 of Logan

“Do you want to press charges?” he asked, his voice hard and serious.

Dixie’s eyes blazed with anger as she turned to face the man who had just had his hands all over her moments ago.

“Yes, she hit me,” the man shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at Dixie, then to his forehead where a stream of blood ran down his face.

Logan looked at Dixie, a mix of frustrationand sympathy in his eyes. “I’m sorry, but I have to take you in.”

“Are you serious? He touched me inappropriately,” Dixie hissed through clenched teeth.

“I understand that” Logan replied calmly. “But there are no witnesses to support your claim. You cannot take matters into your own hands. He has his drunk buddies backing him up and no one else saw him do anything. I have to arrest you for assault.”

Dixie slammed her tray down on the table, causing everyone in the bar to jump at the loud sound. Her frustration and anger were physical.

“Can I at least get my purse?” she asked, trying to maintain some sense of control.

“Yes, ma’am. Mark, go with her,” Logan said.

Dixie let out a sharp breath and gritted her teeth. “I don’t need an escort. I’m not going to run.”

“It’s protocol,” Logan replied with a hint of regret in his voice.

“You know what you can do with your damn protocol, Logan Clinton Townson,” Dixie spat before pushing through the crowd and down the hallway toward the office. She entered and walked straight to the safe, retrieving her purse from inside. As she stood up to leave, she noticed Scarlett entering the room.

“Dixie, are you alright?” Scarlett asked with concern etched on her face.

“No, I’m being arrested,” Dixie replied bitterly, shooting a glare at Mark who kept his eyes glued to the floor.

“For what?” Scarlett asked, shock evident in her voice.

“Assault. I hit him and there are no witnesses to support my claim. A bar full of people and no one saw a thing. He had his hands all over me, Scarlett. I know we deal with this kind of thing a lot, but that man was way out of line. His buddies lied for him.” Dixie shrugged helplessly. “So, now I’m being arrested.”

With one final scowl directed at Mark, Dixie made her way out of the office and back to where Logan stood, still watching the group with a stern expression, while the group of men sat laughing in the corner. She fought the urge to smack every single one of them as she walked by. She stopped in front of Logan and glared at him.

“Turn around, place your hands behind your back,” he said.

“Is that necessary?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He motioned for her to turn her back to him.

“And you wonder why I hate you,” she murmured.

“I’m just doing—”

“Yeah, I know, you’re just doing your job. That’s your answer for everything.”

Once the handcuffs were on, she marched through the crowd and out the door, not caring if Logan followed her or not.

****

As they stepped outside, Logan took herelbow in his firm grasp, but she shook it off with a fierce jerk.

“I do not need your help,” she said, her voice laced with irritation and defiance.

“Tough. I can’t risk you making a run for it,” he replied calmly.

Dixie laughed derisively. “Yeah, like I could outrun you.” She tried to pull away again, but Logan spun her around to face him.

“Don’t make me add resisting arrest to the list of charges, Dixie,” he snapped sternly.

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