A Better Man (The Heartbreak Brothers 3)

find out what the hell was going on.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He lifted it out, exhaling audibly when he saw Courtney’s name on the screen. Without saying a word to Paris, he accepted the call, turning on his foot and retracing his steps through the kitchen and back out to the alley.

“Hey,” he said softly. “You okay? I’ve been trying to call you.”

“I know.” She sounded far way, her voice a gentle echo down the line. “Sorry. I was caught up at the hospital.”

“How’s Carl?” He almost didn’t want to ask. Maddie’s phone call had made it sound bad.

“He’s okay,” she told him. “It was a flesh wound. The bullet got him in the arm, but went clean out the other side. I guess they’re looking for it at the gas station right now.” She breathed out. “He’s going to need to rest his arm for a while, and they’re keeping him over night, but no permanent damage.

Logan’s body sagged with relief. “That’s amazing news. God, I thought it was bad when Maddie told me.”

“I did, too.” Her voice was rough. “I thought the worst.”

He ran his tongue across his lip, thinking out their next move. “Does that mean you still might be able to make it to the opening?” he asked. “I could check the flights for you. What are you, about thirty minutes away from the airport? You’d probably arrive a bit late for the first course, but you wouldn’t miss too much. And tomorrow I can make sure you are able to rest.”

“Logan…” She sighed. “I don’t think I can make it.”

He swallowed. “I’d really like it if you could. I want to make sure you’re okay. Pamper you a bit. You’ve had a hard time. You could do with some relaxing.”

“I should stay with Mary and Ellis. They need me.”

Her words stopped him short. His chest tightened. “I need you,” he told her, his voice low. “I want you here with me.”

“I know.” She breathed unevenly. “I know you do. I know you need me. Everybody needs me. But I can’t be there for you. Not now. I have to take care of Mary and Ellis. It’s my fault Carl’s injured. The same way it’s my fault that Shaun died.”

Logan frowned. “What do you mean?”

“He asked me to marry him. I said no.”

Logan blinked. It felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. “Carl asked you?” His voice was loud. It was so damn wrong, but he felt himself getting jealous. Angry, even. “When did that happen?”

“A few days ago.” Her voice was small.

Logan frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me? Did he get upset with you? Did something else happen?” He could feel his muscles tighten at the thought. “Damn it, Courtney. That man is bad news.”

“That man is in a hospital bed. And I’m not the only one hiding things. He told me he stopped you for speeding.”

His gut clenched. “It was nothing. It didn’t matter.”

“But you should have told me.”

“I know.” He already regretted saying anything. “I just… I don’t like him. And I know you’re worried about him, but I’d prefer if you stayed away from him. He’s only going to cause trouble.”

One of the kitchen staff walked out, carrying a large trash can to empty into the dumpster. His eyebrows lifted as he saw Logan. He hurried over to empty it, then scurried back into the kitchen.

“I can’t stay away from him completely. He’s my brother-in-law. And Mary and Ellis’s son. I don’t go out of my way to see him, but it’ll be impossible to avoid him all of the time.”

“He’s not your brother-in-law. Not any more,” Logan pointed out. “And I just want you safe. You and the baby.” It was killing him to be so far away. He felt helpless.

“Carl isn’t going to hurt me. He’s family. And so are Mary and Ellis.”

Logan sighed. “I get that, I do. But they’re the past, Courtney. Us and the baby, we’re the future. That’s why I’m giving up the restaurant business to be with you. It’s my job to take care of you both, to make sure you’re okay. Just help me with this until I can be there, okay?”

“Are you asking me to stop seeing them?” she whispered softly. “Is that really what you’re saying?”

His chest felt tight. “No,” he protested. “I’m just asking you to think carefully. I know they’re important to you, but they’re not really family, are they? You married into them.”