Page 131 of Short, Lethal & Claimed

“I’m afraid, Daddy,” Caleb mumbled as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Everything’s going to be okay, min swete sunu,” Logan promised him as he continued moving back, pushing Jill and Caleb back while he shifted to protect Caleb just as the man in front of them pulled the trigger and-

Nothing.

“Run, Angel,” Logan said, watching as the men continued pulling the triggers before confusion turned to panic and they dropped their weapons to the floor and reached for their side arms.

“Logan, I-”

“Run!” Logan yelled, never taking his eyes off the men aiming their pistols at them as they began firing. When nothing happened, they dropped their weapons and pulled out crosses as the first signs of fear crossed their features.

“If anything happens to you…” Jill said softly as the small hand holding onto his shirt was gently pulled away seconds before he felt them move back.

“Get our baby boy somewhere safe,” Logan said when one of the men held up a cross as he moved to stop Jill from leaving.

Logan grabbed hold of his wrist and crushed it as he moved to block the others from going after Jill. He ignored the man’s bloodcurdling scream as he tightened his hold, forcing him to drop the cross as he slowly dropped to his knees. Once he was there, Logan reached over and wrapped his other hand around his throat and-

“Oh, God…” came the whimpered mumble as the human to his left stumbled back, his terrified gaze locked on the blood spreading across the tiles. Releasing his hold, Logan reached for the man trying to get away as the shifters quickly backed away.He considered allowing them to flee, but he couldn’t risk them coming back for his family.

“Please, I-” the human began only to scream when Logan reached over and grabbed hold of his shirt and dragged him closer before he sank his fangs in his throat.

Logan quickly drained him, knowing that he was going to need the blood before he was done. He dropped him to the floor and went after the shifter still holding up that fucking cross like it was going to save him. When the shifter moved the cross closer, Logan grabbed hold of his arm and twisted it, breaking it and-

“Daddy!” came the terrified cry that had Logan going still seconds before the scent of fresh blood reached him, making him swallow hard as his gaze swung to his left to find his little girl crying as the knife at her throat cut a little deeper.

“Daddy,” Emma sobbed, breaking his heart as he watched several drops of blood run down her neck.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. She’s not going to hurt you,” Logan said, swallowing hard as he watched the tears roll down her face.

“Which just proves that you never really knew me at all,” Elizabeth said coldly.

“I know that I’m going to rip your fucking throat out,” Logan said as he watched her every move, looking for the weakness that was going to save his little girl.

“Get Kale!” Elizabeth snapped as he noted the first glimmer of fear in her eyes.

“No,” Logan said, keeping his gaze locked on her.

“Get Kale or I’ll slit her throat!” Elizabeth bit out as her panicked gaze shot to the doors.

“Where’s the calvary?” Logan asked, following the move even as he found himself wondering if Gray had anything to do with their weapons malfunctioning.

“I don’t need them,” Elizabeth said with a pointed look down at the knife pressed against Emma’s throat.

“Don’t you?” Logan murmured, cocking his head to the side as he considered her.

“Not when I have her,” Elizabeth drawled.

Nodding slowly, Logan said, “There’s just one problem with that.”

“And what’s that?” Elizabeth asked, taking a step back and forcing Emma to go with her.

“You’re not leaving this house alive,” Logan said, allowing his eyes to shift silver as he took a step forward, matching the move.

Shaking her head, Elizabeth said, “You’re not going to risk anything happening to your little girl.”

“Which is why you never should have touched her,” Logan said, watching Elizabeth swallow hard as her gaze slowly turned terrified and-

“I didn’t have a choice, Logan,” Elizabeth murmured softly, allowing her bottom lip to quiver in a move that he remembered so goddamn well, letting him know everything that he needed to know.

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