Page 97 of Brutal Kingdom

I should probably object and be a good host, but I don’t. I go back to my bed and reread the last line I wrote, falling quickly back into my typing rhythm, to finish my paragraph. When I’m done, I walk into the living room, settling on the couch, to watch Logan work. I’ve always found it oddly comforting and weirdly domestic for him to fix our plates.

He drags the coffee table closer to the couch and puts a plate of sushi on it in front of me, then goes back to get the rest of the food. While we eat, we talk about the progress I’ve made on my paper and in the inheritance case, and I tell him about Penn’s request to see me. He doesn’t tell me what I should do, or what he would do in any of those situations. He just listens. Sensing I’m all talked out, he turns on the television, pulling me to his side, and we spend the rest of the evening watching the Die Hard movies. I must’ve fallen asleep, because I wake up in the middle of the night in my bed. Logan’s gone, but his scent lingers in my clothes.

He fed me and tucked me in. Him doing shit like this is the reason I can’t cross his damn name off my list.

I need coffee. Last night, Jordanna and I stayed up late talking. It’s the fourth night this week, and the lack of sleep is getting to me. I haven’t wanted to end our calls early because she’s opening up to me again. It’s not perfect and we still have a lot of things to work through, but I feel like we’re finally on the right path. Our shared dislike of Bella brought us back together. The feelings we’ve unsuccessfully tried to bury are why I know this time we’ll stay together.

She’s in line ahead of me, with Kassidy, Rocco, and Rumi. The female part of the Fiore twins went from following Bella like a little lamb to acting like she’s a nuisance to be around. If Jordanna were anyone else, I’d say the switch is because she bad mouthed Bella and manipulated Rumi. That’s probably the story Bella will share if ever asked about what happened to her number one fan. But everyone can see Jordanna’s nicer and more fun to hang around.

In public, Jordy refuses to give me the time of day. Keeping up appearances of our ongoing conflict. In private, she lays her head on my shoulder and tells me how she feels about graduation and confesses that since coming to Van der Borne University, she’s less certain of what she wants to do in life.

We haven’t slept together since The Rift. I think we’ve come to an unconscious agreement to ignore the sexual tension that’s there. I’m struggling, but I’m doing it because I want her to know there’s always been more to our relationship than explosive chemistry.

I’ve just sent her a good morning text when my phone rings.

“What’s up, dad?”

“We need to make some progress on this marriage contract. Do you have time to come by the house this weekend?”

I turn in time to see Noel and Sterling joining Jordanna and her friends at their table. The cafe’s still not as crowded as it used to be, but it’s picked up since Noel and Sterling have shown they’re still hanging here. God, I hate those two.

Okay, dad’s talking about this marriage contract. Yup, not interested, so I tell him a lie. “I’m heading to the city this weekend. I’d be happy to come by next weekend and work through it.” Next weekend won’t work, because he’s out of town on business.

“Look son, the Lance’s are proceeding in good faith, but I’m hearing grumblings that they’re accusing us of trying to back out of this agreement.”

“Grumblings from who? I thought we weren’t telling people.”

“We haven’t, but you know your uncle Alex. He and Edward Corbin were at a function where he asked Johnathan how negotiations were going. He told them they stalled, and he wasn’t sure we’re serious about moving forward. We need to send some revised pages back to them, before your uncle takes this to the rest of the board.”

A few pages of revisions that I know they won’t agree to. I can do that. “Yeah. You’re right, dad. I’ll come down on Friday.”

We end the call with me, my good mood ruined. Great. Bella’s father is getting impatient and my dad’s tired of hearing my excuses. They’re ready to make things official, so any hope I have of keeping this quiet lies with me working this out with Bella.

I knock on Bella’s dorm room door, knowing this is gonna be the biggest lie I’ve ever told.

“Logan?”

The last thing I want is to catch her in her bra and panties. Which is what I’ve done. But if I’m gonna sell it, I have to sell it. I swallow the vomit creeping up my throat. “Heading out?”

“Yes. The girls and I are going shopping. What are you doing here?”

Stepping into the room, I cross to her sofa taking a seat. She has one of the few regular singles in this dorm. It’s one of the perks of running the school.

“So listen, I wanted to talk to you about things. I know I’ve been resistant to our arrangement but you have to know it’s not about you.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No. Not really. My dad and I had an understanding, and he totally reneged on it. So my actions have been to piss him off. Not you, and I owe you an apology for making this whole process difficult for you.”

She takes the seat next to me. “What are you saying, Logan?”

“What I’mnotsaying is that I’m ready to tell everyone we’re getting married.” When I see that pissed off look cross her face, I quickly add, “The board would never believe that we’re suddenly engaged. We need them to think this is real or they’ll still wind up supporting Uncle Alex’s petition to put Aiden in charge.”

“You’re right. So what do we do?”

“We start by being seen out in town together, away from the group. Let people infer we’re dating.”

She’s unimpressed by my idea. “That’s the suggestion I gave a few days ago.”

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