Page 61 of Broken Princess

And once again, Pepper has given me a path forward.

Twenty-Three

Logan

“Looks like you’ve come up with a plan for our favorite toy.” Frankie says as I slide into my seat. I assume he’s talking about Jordanna being at the country club.

“I’m keeping an eye on her like you all wanted.”

“Is that all?”

“No harm in having a little fun while I’m doing it. Right?”

He smiles, thrusting his pelvis. “Oh yeah, man. I know what kind of fun you mean.”

Hal disregards the no smoking rule, and lights a blunt. He takes a long hit and tilts his head back, letting out a ring of smoke. “Maybe this time we can all get a turn. That tight ass. Man, I’d fuck it until it split wide open.”

He looks like he’s not paying attention, but I know Hal’s watching me through the smoke. “I got first on poppingthatcherry, but when I’m done, you’re welcome to try to get yours.”

I swallow the bile in my throat, and muffle the rage in my belly, at the thought of him going anywhere near Jordanna.When I’m done, there won’t be anything left for anyone else.

I pull into the driveway of my childhood home, and enter through the side door to avoid the staff, taking the back staircase up to my wing. I prefer my studio for unwinding, but this weekend I need a different sense of normalcy.

I haven’t seen my sister and brother since the holidays. They have a free weekend from school, and we’re using it to hang out. Here’s hoping Ava doesn’t expect me to play dress up. It was cute when she was three, but now it’s just weird. Unless we’re talking about Jordy in a dominatrix outfit. That’s just hot, and not at all the thoughts I should be having during a weekend of bonding with my siblings.

“Why do I have to do my homework if I’m on a break?” I hear my brother Hunter asking as I pass the second floor landing.

“‘Cause dad said.” Ava says an inflection on the end like she’s asking a question.

“I can do it on the ride back.”

“Dad won’t like that.”

“He won’t know unless you tattle, and I’ll pay you to keep quiet.”

“You have Hersheys?” The hope in Ava’s voice is unmistakable. She loves chocolate but her mother rarely lets her have any sweets.

“Of course, not.” Hunter scoffs. “But I bet Logan does and I’ll get them from him to give to you.”

“Why can’t I get it by myself?”

“Because Cruella won’t let you. My mom doesn’t care, so I’m the broker. You keep quiet and I’ll sneak you chocolate all weekend. Deal?”

She doesn’t bother defending the nickname Hunter gave her mother. It’s a fair description, considering her affinity for furs. “I want a big Hershey’s and Twizzlers, and salt popcorn with butter like my friends when they watch movies.”

Hunter’s mother is only slightly more tolerable than Ava’s, but other than her dad owning Light Studios, I’m not sure what she brought to the table. If her plan was to trap dad, she misplayed her hand. Though both the exes made some pretty cool kids.

“Deal.”

My dad would be proud of the negotiation skills of his two youngest progeny. Hunter’s brought loyalty and silence with the promise of junk food. As their older brother, I should say something, but the truth is, those are the same types of agreements Simon and I made all the time when we were their age. We’re still making bets and deals, but on a much larger playground.

I step into their playroom, tapping my finger against my chin. “And what doIget if I don’t tattle on either of you?”

“Logan!” They yell, launching themselves at me. Hunter grabs my arm, and Ava hooks around my leg as they both try to tackle me to the ground. It used to be easier to fight them off.

“Have you two gotten taller since Christmas?” I stagger over to the book nook with them still hanging on me and sink down onto the bench. “Now, tell me something, bud.” I say, eyeing Hunter. “Why don’t you wanna do your homework now?”

“Because I’m ready to have fun. Isn’t that why we came? For fun?”

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