Still, I’ve seen what Nero can do. So when we step outside, even though it’s a warm afternoon, I shiver.
As we step toward the sidewalk, a black sportscar pulls to the curb, splattered with mud. The door opens, and Olivia steps out, handing the keys to the valet. “Have it out for me by eight,” she barks at the poor guy, who nods obsequiously.
Then her glare shifts to me, her lips curled into a snarl. I return it.
I watch her strut through the revolving doors, new worries spiking in my chest. Is she going to see Caleb? For what? Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll put him in an even worse mood.
Perfect.
“We should get a car,” Logan says, pulling out his phone.
“Do you mind if we walk?” I ask. “I could use the fresh air. Clear my head.”
“Sure,” he nods, and we
stroll in silence. “It is safer this way,” he adds. “I know it seems weird, having a bodyguard, but Caleb’s right. We don’t know what Nero is planning next.”
“As long as you don’t mind playing babysitter,” I joke.
He grins. “You’re not a baby. Hell, with everything you’ve been through, my money’s on you in a fight.”
“That’s sweet,” I say with a snort. “A total lie, but sweet.”
We walk a ways further, until I see a line snaking out of my favorite Thai place. “Are you hungry?” I ask.
Logan pauses.
“Let me guess, you’re under strict orders to take me straight home,” I sigh.
He looks around, then cracks a grin. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
We grab a table and settle in with spring rolls, Pad Thai, and delicious hot and sour soup. I make a fool of myself diving into the food, but Logan takes his time, and I realize that’s because he’s keeping his eye on the exit, scoping everyone who walks through the door.
“You were a cop, right?” I ask, curious about Caleb’s closest friend.
Logan nods. “For a while. Now I’m freelance. Investigations.”
“Babysitting.”
“That too.” He smiles.
“So how long have you known Caleb?” I ask curiously.
“Fifteen years, now. We were roommates in college.”
My eyes widen. Logan is the first person I’ve run across, besides Olivia, who knew Caleb before he became CEO. There is some potentially juicy information here.
I push aside the carton of Pad Thai. “So what was he like? You must have some stories.”
But Logan shakes his head. “Sorry, kid. Bro code. Stronger than any NDA.”
“Come on,” I urge. “There must be something you can share. He’s so… Mysterious. I sometimes look at him and wonder what he was like, before his parents died, and he had to deal with all this Sterling Cross stuff.”
“A lot more fun, for starters,” Logan says. “But I guess we all were, when we were younger. He used to be the king of pranksters, believe it or not. He was always fucking with someone on our floor.”
“Really?”
He nods. “He actually almost got kicked out because he filled the RA’s room with popcorn. Like, to the top.”