Gathering them all back into the box, he went to lift them when his cell phone rang.
Hunter was calling him.
“What is it, you couldn’t wait until I returned home?” he asked. He’d wanted to take his time, explore the town, to see if anything had really changed.
Nothing had. It was still the same as ever before.
He hated it on sight.
When he was done destroying Ava, exacting his vengeance, he’d move on, and leave this town to rot. There was no one here who offered him anything.
“They’re here. They’ve arrived and want to know when the fun starts.”
“They’re early.”
“It’s Luke, you know how he gets.”
Logan looked down at the picture. Something didn’t feel right to him, and he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was.
“Make sure they leave Ava alone. When she meets them again after all this time, I’m going to be the one in charge.”
“Will do. Do you want a guard on her door?”
“No. It would only draw attention to where I’ve got her. She’s nowhere near their rooms. Keep an eye out but don’t say anything.”
“Is there something else going on here?” Hunter asked.
“No. It’s fine. I’ll be home soon.” He ended the call and stared at the picture he’d placed on top.
Why would she cut out all trace of Luke? It made no sense to him.
Putting the photo back, he closed up the box and carried it out to the waiting car. Putting it in the trunk, he ignored the women staring at him, climbing behind the wheel. He took off, heading back to the house. It was on the outskirts of town, large, and surrounded by acres of forest. Beyond the forest were metal gates, and it provided enough seclusion that if Ava got away, she wouldn’t get far. If his men didn’t find her, his dogs would.
The metal gate opened up, and he drove down the long driveway, seeing one car parked at an angle in front of the doors.
Luke, as always, was unpredictable. He liked to think of himself as the leader of the group, but to Logan, he was just another tragic case of too much money and no attention. Unlike himself, who didn’t rebel due to a lack of caring, Luke liked to be the center of the party. He wanted all eyes on him, and of course, Logan was more than happy for people to think Luke was the king, when in fact, he wasn’t.
Entering his home, he heard the noise coming from the office. Hunter was at the stairwell, typing on his cell phone.
“How long have they been into my good whiskey?” he asked.
“From the moment they arrived. Luke’s the one who has been asking if you’ve gotten her. If she’s here. He wants to know when he’ll get to see her.”
“He’s interested?”
“Won’t stop talking about it.”
He handed Hunter the box. “Put these in my room and let Ava know her presence will be needed for dinner.”
“What do you want her dressed in?”
“Nothing,” he said. “She hasn’t earned her clothes yet.”
“Do you think it wise bringing her down for your friends to see?” Hunter asked.
Logan had started to walk away. He paused and stepped back, going toward his friend.
“Did I in any way give you permission to think you could tell me what it is you’re thinking, or your judgment?” Logan asked.
Hunter was a close friend, even closer than Luke, Riley, or Marvin had been in recent years, but that didn’t mean for a single second he wanted to hear what Hunter had to say. This wasn’t about him.
In this, he was an employee, nothing more, nothing less.
“I apologize.”
“You should. Now, go and get my dinner guest.”
He turned his back and entered his office to find Luke already sitting in the boss’s chair behind the desk, drink in hand, as well as a cigar.
“Well, well, well, the man of the hour has finally decided to grace us with his presence. Whatever should we do?” he asked.
Riley and Marvin moved toward him, shaking his hand, slapping him on the back. Part of him had to wonder why he even dealt with Riley and Marvin. They were all part of his life and had been there for him in their own way, but he’d been more distant with Riley and Marvin. They’d gone separate directions.
“How you doin’?” they each asked.
“Does no one give a fuck about progress here?” Luke asked, getting to his feet. “I don’t know if you lazy fuckers have forgotten, but we’re not here to make a social call. We’re here for one purpose only, and do any of you really know what that is?”
“What is wrong with you?” Logan asked.
“Did you find her? Was she still in Crow Valley like you said?” Luke asked.
He stared at his friend, and for the first time since being back home, he felt a wave of need to protect Ava.