Blackmailed by Her Bully

Hunter gritted his teeth.

This wasn’t working for his friend, nor was it working for Ava.

He had to bring them together one way or another, and he was getting tired of Logan’s mood. So far, he’d not killed anyone unnecessarily, but that didn’t mean they were going to have much longer before he snapped.

“You can’t touch her,” Hunter said. “Just be the friend she needs, but don’t lead her on, and don’t fucking take his place.”

“You guys called me, remember? What the fuck happened while I was busy?” Grant said.

“A whole load of shit that I don’t even know how to fucking fix!” Hunter ground out through his teeth. “Just do what you need to do. When I’ve got a better idea, I’ll call you.”

He left the apartment building, pissed off.

Slamming his car door, he sat gripping the steering wheel.

Logan was his best friend. His only friend. When he’d been left for dead, Logan had helped him every single step of the way. Even after he learned who he worked for, what he did, he still stood beside him, and Hunter swore a loyalty to always be there for Logan. To be the shield to guard him. He’d protect him with his very life.

No one had ever taken a chance on him before, not until Logan. He saw the pain his best friend was in. He wished he could bring Luke back just to kill him all over again, but this time, he’d go slowly, he’d make the bastard bleed.

Neither Logan nor Ava would admit their feelings for one another.

Hunter didn’t even know if they did love each other, but they had chemistry, and if he put Ava’s life in danger, Logan would come running.

He wouldn’t really go that far, but he needed Logan to snap out of whatever bullshit he was going through.

Chapter Fifteen

The beautiful, deep red dress left on her bed looked absolutely stunning. Ava wasn’t stupid. Either Hunter or Grant had left it. She’d closed the door to take a shower, and coming out, she’d seen it.

She didn’t know if she’d be able to fit into it. The material looked like it would be a snug fit.

She released the towel she had wrapped around her breasts, letting it fall to the floor. With her hands clenched into tight fists, she lifted her head. Turning to the side, she couldn’t really see if she was pregnant or not.

She wasn’t showing and could get away with wearing it. The fabric felt so lovely that she had no excuse not to try it on, at least once.

She stepped into the dress, lifting it up. She didn’t wear any panties or a bra, and stared at herself. Someone needed to do the zipper at the back.

With no choice but to go to Grant, she opened the door, stepping out. He sat at the dining room table, where he normally sat Friday nights.

It had been three weeks since he’d suggested she go to Logan’s nightclub. He’d not even offered the past two.

“Would you mind doing me up?” she asked, presenting her back to him.

“Nice,” he said.

“Oh, please, I know you put it in my room.”

“I did nothing of the sort.” He lifted the catch.

“You’re the only other person in my apartment. If anyone else got in, you’d be dead within minutes. You know Logan wouldn’t allow you to go slack on the job. How do I look?” She gave a twirl.

“Stunning.”

“I’m just going to go look.”

The dress was amazing. She didn’t feel like a slob either. For the past couple of days, she’d hung out on the sofa, eating.

She and Logan had met up for her doctor’s appointment, but he’d not given her the time of day, instead tapping away at his phone, ignoring her.

He’d talked to the doctor, and it would be her next appointment she’d get an ultrasound to show her the baby. She was really excited.

Logan had left her, and Grant had taken her home.

Being ignored by Logan was the worst. Actually, she no longer knew what the worst experience was anymore. She hated it all.

Running fingers through her hair, she stared at her reflection and wondered if he’d ignore her now.

Would it be so wrong to go and visit him? To show him what he’s missing?

Don’t be so stupid. This is ridiculous.

It’s just a dress.

You’re pregnant.

You should be home, relaxing. Watching reruns of television programs, ordering Chinese food, and being miserable.

Folding her arms, she looked down at the ink on her arm.

Never forget.

She had gotten the tattoo as a reminder to never stop fighting. Even when people laughed in her face and thought she was lying, she hadn’t turned away or given up. She kept on fighting.

Logan, he’d pushed her to one side, but rather than take it, she had to fight back. He thought he knew what was best for her, but the only person to know that, was herself. They were not stuck on some repeat piece of music. Their past didn’t have to define them. Sure, it had fucked them each up, but she was willing to see past his flaws, if he was willing to give her the chance.