Page 14 of Burned By My Mate

Fifteen minutes later,his truck roars up the driveway. I barely make it to the front door before Logan is there,throwing it open like he’s ready to tear someone apart. He takes one look at me andhis entire body goes still.

“Tell me what happened.” His voice is rough,dangerous.

I swallow. “There was scratching at the door. Then a bang. When I looked out the window… nothing.”

His jaw tightens,blue eyes flashing.Heknowssomething. I hug my arms around myself,hatingthe fact that I feel vulnerable.

“You think it was them? Red Fog?”

He exhales, rubbing a hand over his face before stepping past me, checking the door and the locks. His whole body iscoiled, tense.

“I don’t know,” he admits. “But I don’t like it.”

I watch as he moves through the house, checking the windows, his entire presencebristling with control.He’s pissed. And beneath that?

Something else.

Something that looks a hell of a lot likefear.

The realization rattles me. I’ve only known Logan for a day, but already, I’ve learned one thing—he doesn’t rattle easily.

I step closer to him.

“Logan.”

He turns to face me, expression guarded.

“Tell me the truth,” I say. “How bad is this?”

For a second, I think he’s going to brush me off. But then, something in his posture shifts, and hesteps closer. Close enough that I have to tilt my head back to keep eye contact.

“I don’t know why they did it,” he says, voicegravelly, low.“But I know one thing—whoever torched your house isn’t done.”

A chill runs through me.

“How do you know that?”

His jaw clenches.

“Because if it was random, they wouldn’t be back.”

My stomach drops.

I don’t know what’s worse—the fact that he’s probably right, or the fact thathe looks like he’s ready to tear someone apart with his bare hands.

I shake my head. “So, what do we do?”

Logan’ssilent for a long moment. Then he says, “You stay here. With me. I’ll keep you safe.”

I exhale, gripping my arms tighter.

“For how long?”

He steps even closer, his presenceoverwhelming.

“As long as it takes,” he says. “Until I know you’re safe.”

I should say no. I shouldpush back, but something in his voice—something raw and certain—makes me hesitate. Logan isn’t just trying to protect me. He’sclaiming me, and I have no ideawhat to do with that.

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