Page 11 of Winter's End

“Now, I know I was being watched and cornered; they probably pegged me as an ‘in’ a long time ago. Just like they used us as bait today. I was fucked up and willing to do whatever it took to keep my reputation intact. I’m not that man anymore.”

He rubbed his neck absently as he spoke, the whole truth finally spilling out of his mouth. I wanted to hate the man who had been a Grade-A asshole from the first day we met, but I somehow couldn’t. Winter obviously couldn’t if she finally succumbed to his—whatever his appeal was.

“The money I owe Georgio is due a month from today.” He laughed caustically. “I won’t get a cent of Hillary’s inheritance, and Carson was my insurance policy, but now I’m taking him down too, which means I’m still fucked.”

“So, no, I don’t want to be a part of your made-up gang-bang family. But the FBI is going to make sure we’re all in this together and frankly, I don’t trust any of you to keep her safe. Especially now that Kellan Carlos, the Columbian Commando, has his eyes on her.”

Commando! That was his nickname. Nice ring to it. Catchy.

Not the focus of that diatribe, though. Logan, as arrogant as ever, was at least opening up; no more lies to put barriers between us. That guy needed a hug; one day I might give it to him.

“But make no mistake, Princess. That wasnotthe last time between you and me. I don’t give two shits about these guys, but I wantyou, and I’m going to have you.”

“Bullshit.” My usually calm-and-collected Drew stood from the couch and folded his arms across his chest; the out-of-character, aggressive display caused another hit of arousal to spiral down my spine.

He stood toe-to-toe with Logan, an inch taller and markedly larger when they were standing side-by-side. Or in this case, front-to-front.

“I call bullshit,” he repeated, his hazel eyes flashing in challenge. “Travis’ quick thinking has saved your life twice now; in the basement and from your overdose. Shane trusted you and handed you the evidence to get yourself a nice ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card for when this hell is all over. Winter’s given you the benefit of the doubt far more times than you deserve.”

He released a finger from a clenched fist and poked a viciously glaring Logan in the ribs.

“Who else do you have in your life, Logan? A fake wife? An asshole friend who tries to date-rape women? Don’t pretend that you don’t need people who give a shit about you.”

Fuck me and this man. Fuck us together. I liked this side of Winter’s Hardy Boy. Maybe my Hardy Boy now, too?

Travis made his way over beside Drew, the two of them a united front.

“You think you’re going to maintain your sobriety without people to help you?” Travis said. “How many times can you call Hillary in a day, Logan?” Travis’s voice had gone quiet. My heart squeezed, knowing it would secretly kill him if Logan fell off the wagon, too.

Oh, hell, I should say something too, if we were officially inviting Logan into our Buried Alive clusterfuck family of love.

“I’m not even mad at you, man.” I leaned over and rested my elbows on my knees, seeking his eye contact and holding him there.

“I get you were trapped. We’re all trapped now. You want her?” I nodded my head toward a very concerned-looking Winter, still seated on the couch across from me. “It’s obvious she wants you, and we’re a package deal. This is our family. If you plan on being in Winter’s life, you’re going to have to count on us being there, too.”

“So, what? We get matching tattoos and sing kumbaya?” Logan broke out his trademark douchebag sneer and pushed Drew back a step.

“Maybe.” I matched his sneer with a smirk of my own. “Put your shield away, Captain America. We’re all friends here.”

So enthralled by the display in front of me, I didn’t hear Cam come back in. He was suddenly in view out of nowhere, his hand wrapping around Logan’s throat in a tight grip. Logan spluttered beneath his hold, but refused to back down. His eyes darkened into defiant slits as Cam loomed over him.

“Are you gonna make good on your promise and take Carson down?”

His fingers twitched against Logan’s reddening skin and the smaller man spluttered for air. I wasn’t sure if Cam was capable of committing murder tonight, but I didn’t want to take the chance. I was about to leap off the couch to Logan’s rescue when Cam abruptly let go. Logan slumped on the floor, wheezing on his knees.

“Fuck you, Chase.” Logan rubbed at his throat as he let out choked coughs. “I told you I would take him down, and I meant it.”

“Then I—we,” he corrected, “will help you.” The large boxer turned on his heel and faced a shocked Winter.

“I’m going to need more time, Little Violet. I didn’t …” His piercing blue eyes crinkled in pain. “If I’m going to share the woman I love, especially with someone likehim, I’m going to need more time.”

She drew in a sharp intake of air at that confession, tears brimming on her eyelids. In commiserating silence, we all watched Cam walk out of the room, his footsteps fading drumbeats down the hall.

Internally, I sighed and moved to pick up the pieces of my Snow’s crestfallen face.

So, we were a full-fledged family now. A dysfunctional family of misfits, with massive baggage and a potential prison sentence.

Sign me up.

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