Page 57 of Logan

Cortez grinned, and Dixie had to fight the urge to slap him. She knew he was onto her, that she likely had something from her father’s house. But she couldn’t let him know she had any idea what he was talking about.

“Let’s go.”

“Can I use the bathroom?” Dixie asked, hoping for a moment of privacy.

Cortez sighed irritably. “Fine. Take her to the bathroom,” he instructed one of his men.

“I don’t need an escort,” Dixie protested.

“Do you think I’m stupid enough to let you roam around alone?” Cortez snapped back.

“Maybe not quitethatstupid,” she muttered.

“Watch what you say, Ms. McCarthy,” Cortez said.

“Fine, but he is not going in there with me,” Dixie insisted.

Cortez nodded in agreement, and the man led her down a hallway. As they passed different doors, Dixie strained her neck to try and spot Logan. Finally, they stopped at a door and the man gestured for her to enter. Dixiestepped inside and quickly locked the door behind her. She walked over to the window and tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Damn it.” She finished her business, rushed to the sink and washed her hands. She opened the door cautiously, but the man was gone. She tiptoed across the hall to a closed door. She glanced over her shoulder before quietly opening the door and peering in. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Logan, tied up in a chair with his head down.

Quickly, she ran to him, whispering his name. “Logan? Please look at me.”

He slowly lifted his head, and she gasped at his swollen face. One eye was completely closed, his lip split, and there was dried blood under his nose.

“Dixie, you have to get out of here,” he said through clenched teeth.

She wrapped her arms around him but pulled back when he groaned.

“God, Logan, I thought you were dead. When that man shot you…” She put her forehead against his and cried.

“My vest stopped the bullet. Please, get out of here before they come back. I don’t want you hurt.”

“They want me to find a journal that my dad had. I don’t know where it is, but they think it will implicate Cortez. He’s after it because my dad told his cellmate he could put Cortez away.”

“It’s probably your dad’s attempt at getting a lighter sentence if he can turn in Cortez to the FBI. They’ve been trying to catch him for yearsfor embezzlement and money laundering. Cortez uses powerful connections to manipulate men like your dad into doing illegal acts for money.”

“So, my dad thinks if he turns in Cortez, he’ll get a plea deal?”

“That’s likely his plan. The cellmate must know Cortez and got word to him. Are you sure you don’t know anything about it?”

“I don’t know where it could be, but right before Dad was arrested, I took my mother’s small desk to use for my computer. But I’ve been all through the drawers and don’t remember seeing any type of journal.”

“That has to be where it is. It could have a false bottom in one of the drawers. Do not let them near it if possible. If they find it, we’re both dead.”

“Logan, I’m so scared to leave you here.”

“I’ll be fine. Just do what they say.”

She lightly kissed his sore lips. “I love you, Logan.”

He stared into her eyes. “I told you I wouldn’t tell you again unless you asked me to.”

“I’m asking you.”

“I love you, Dixie. I always have and I always will. Please believe me.”

“I do. I do believe you, Logan.” She lightly kissed his lips. “If we get out of this, you’re going to marry me, Logan Townson.”

---