Page 79 of Bloom: Part 2

“Well, they can’t have you.” I took Logan’s face in my hands, angling his head so he had no choice but to look directly at me. “I won’t let you go with them.”

“Bloom, it’s too dangerous for me to stay in Smoky Vale.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

“To marry you.”

“Then we’ll do it just like we planned.” I kissed his lips. “And we’ll figure out everything together. You’re not alone anymore, Logan. You have me and the rest of my brothers. There’s no reason for you to run anymore. Not when we’ve got your back. The Agostis can fuck off all the way to hell, but no way they’re coming near you.”

Logan sighed. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you. To protect you by keeping you out of it.”

“Well, that didn’t work, and you had a marshal about to hand you over to someone we still don’t know the identity of.”

Logan cupped my cheek, shook me a little. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will.”

“I mean it, Bloom. My life’s nothing without you.”

24

LOGAN

Bloom bit into his sandwich, sitting cross-legged on the island, while I loaded the dishwasher. I shook my head but didn’t reprimand him that the chair was for sitting. I was too grateful…too happy…too worried that he was sticking by me no matter what. Given his dedication to his club and brothers, I’d thought he would hate me for betraying my family.

I’d forgotten that for Bloom, family wasn’t blood but the people who took care of you.

“How’s your sandwich?” I asked.

“Good. I can’t stop eating them.”

“And you said your brothers had a bottomless pit. Seems you’ve learned a lot from them.”

“I can’t help it. I never had enough food as a child, so I put away as much of it as I can right here.” He patted his stomach.

I closed the dishwasher, hit the Start button, and walked over to him. I raised the hem of his shirt.

“Hey!” Bloom sucked in his belly and sat upright.

A spurt of laughter forced its way out of my lungs. “What are you sucking in? You don’t even have a gut.”

“I do from eating all this food you’ve been feeding me. If you continue to treat me this well, I’m gonna get fat.”

“And you think that’ll make me love you less?”

“It won’t?”

“Of course not.” I lowered my head and planted kisses over his tummy. “I love youforyounot for your body.”

Bloom dropped the bread on to the island, grabbed his shirt, and yanked it over his head. “Let’s do it.”

“Sorry, sweetheart, but we need to hit the shower, then go to the Reapers clubhouse.”

He wrinkled his nose. “You don’t owe them any more explanation.”

“My explanation is still a bit murky after last night. What were you thinking going after Joel like that?”

“Ah, Logan, don’t start.” He hopped down from the island, picked up the rest of the bread, and stuffed it into his mouth. “Race you to the bathroom!”

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