Page 132 of Short, Lethal & Claimed

It was over.

“And how’s that?” Logan asked, taking a step closer and watching as she matched the move by stepping back.

“I needed Kale’s blood so that we could be together,” Elizabeth said, her panicked gaze shifted to the doors.

“Do you really expect me to believe that?” Logan asked, watching as she took another step back.

“I loved you so much, Logan, and the thought of losing you one day was just too much for me to take. So, when I saw Kale shift, I knew that it was our only chance. I did what I had to so that we could be together,” Elizabeth said as the first tear rolled down her face.

“How noble of you,” Logan murmured dryly, moving to take another step closer only to go still when Emma cried out as the scent of her blood hit him.

He swallowed hard as he watched another drop of blood race down her neck.

“I’m sorry that it took so long to find you, Logan, but I need your help. I need Kale’s blood so that we can finally be together,” Elizabeth rushed to explain as she took another step back.

Never taking his eyes off her, Logan said, “I was never supposed to leave that alley alive, was I?”

He watched her mouth work soundlessly and-

Didn’t see the stake coming until it was too late.

CHAPTER 64

“Mommy?” Caleb whispered as he trembled in her arms.

“It’s okay,” Jill whispered back as she paused by the entrance of the tunnel leading to the dining hall.

“I want Daddy,” Caleb mumbled sadly as he laid his head on her shoulder.

“I know you do, sweetheart,” Jill said, taking in the large, dimly lit room and made sure that none of Elizabeth’s men were waiting for them before she quickly made her way to the other side of the room.

“What about Emma and Shane?” Caleb asked as she paused by the door.

“They’re going to be fine,” Jill promised him, trying not to panic as she slowly exhaled while she carefully glanced out the door to make sure the coast was clear before she made her way into the hallway.

“I don’t like that lady, Mommy,” Caleb said as Jill paused halfway down the hallway and opened the laundry room door.

“I don’t like her very much either, sweetheart,” she said, quietly closing the door behind them before she placed him down on the floor.

“What are we going to do?” Caleb whispered.

“First, we’re going to get you into some dry clothes,” Jill said, glancing back at the door before she shifted her attention to the dryer.

“And then what?” Caleb asked as she opened the dryer and searched through the clothes she threw in this morning.

“We’re going down to the basement to see what we can find to help Daddy and then, we’re going to get you somewhere safe,” Jill said as she settled on a pair of his teddy bear undies, one of Shane’s tee-shirts, and a pair of Shane’s socks.

“What about Emma, Mommy?” Caleb mumbled sadly.

“Daddy’s going to keep Emma safe,” Jill said as she helped him pull off his wet clothes and tossed them aside.

“And Shane, Mommy?” Caleb asked as he grabbed his teddy bear undies and pulled them on.

“We’re going to find him, sweetheart, but first, we need to get you somewhere safe so that I can help Daddy,” Jill promised him as she struggled to hold it together. “I’m going to need you to be a big boy, okay?”

“Okay,” Caleb said as he held up his arms so that she could help him pull Shane’s shirt on before she helped him with the socks, completely engulfing his small legs.

“Ready?” Jill asked when she was done.

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