A short fuse that was at its end.
His bastard jaw clenched, and his hand wrapped so tightly around a tumbler I was sure it would bust.
Logan shifted to send a smirk Jarek’s way.
Gauntlets and games.
This was so messed up. So wrong. And still, I remained on his lap like I was chained.
So foolish because I could run, but I couldn’t get away.
Jarek tossed back the rest of his whiskey before he shoved to his feet and tossed some cash onto the bar. His stare remained locked on us for one brutal beat before he stormed out and into the lobby of the hotel.
“This is wrong,” I whimpered, still holding onto Logan. I was worried if I let go, I would float away.
“Is it? Or is this exactly what you wanted?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Logan.”
“Men are motivated by three things, Aster. Money, women, and power. He’ll have none of them left when I’m finished with him, and you, Little Star, will be mine.”
My arms curled tighter, though the words climbed free of where I wanted to keep them locked. “Thirty days, Logan.”
It was all we had.
We were nothing but a time stamp.
One that might cost him everything.
Anger vibrated along the hard flesh beneath his suit.
My mangled, tattered heart flapped in the wind.
He let his arms fall to his sides. “You can get off my lap now.”
Shame burned through my body when I finally pulled away. Cheeks hot, I fumbled back to my side with a slick of humiliation burning me through.
I just couldn’t pinpoint what brought on the shame.
The server showed up with our meals just then, and I edged back, embarrassment tinging my cheeks.
What had I let him do?
Degrade me?
Is that what this was really about?
A show of hand?
A vendetta he would do anything to avenge?
Did he hate me that much?
I stared at my food.
“Eat, Little Star,” Logan said, no emotion in his voice other than the inflexibility of stone.
My head dipped, and I at least found the self-preservation to make one request. “Please, don’t call me that.”