Logan

Ben’s face goes white. Kurt Duncan is staring him down as if he’s won. As if he knows all our weaknesses. As if he has us in the palm of his hands.

It’s annoying, that arrogance. Something in me wants to wipe the smirk off his face even if it’s at my own expense.

“Well?” Mr. Duncan hikes one thick brow. “I’m waiting for an answer, Ben.”

“Here’s your answer.” I grab the envelope and tear it in half. The paper makes a satisfying rip. I watch the white pieces flutter to the tabletop.

Lauren scoots to the edge of her seat and scrambles to collect the scraps. “No! What are you doing?”

I glare at her, hating her even more for being so beautiful. Her red hair billows around her pale, oval-shaped face. Green eyes are fringed with thick black lashes. Plump pink lips flatten in horror. She could easily be a movie star or a model.

No wonder Harry couldn’t get over her, and Kurt Duncan screwed his own son over to have her. She’s a freaking goddess.

I nudge Ben in the side until he scoots out of the booth. He stumbles to his feet and stares at the floor, deep in thought.

I raise my chin. “You can do what you will. Ben and I don’t need your money.”

Ben’s blue eyes collide with mine. There’s a slight panic in their depths. I shake my head slightly, an instruction to keep his mouth shut. He purses his lips together. I can tell he wants to argue but he, miraculously, remains silent.

I follow him out of the booth, savoring the distressed expression on Lauren’s face. It’s clear she’s not used to hearing the word ‘no’. Someone so beautiful probably expects unlimited, unquestioned favor.

I’m glad I’m the first to put her in her place. For Harry’s sake.

Kurt Duncan rises slowly. He slips one hand into his pocket, his languorous movement revealing how unconcerned he is by our reaction. “You’re being emotional, Logan. Living with us is the best thing for Reece.”

“How do you know that?” I sling my purse onto my shoulder. “You haven’t even met her.”

“That’s no fault of ours.”

I inhale deeply. “You know what I think?”

“Please, enlighten us.”

My fingers curve into fists. “I think you don’t want Reece. You want control.”

“Then can I use your own words against you?” Kurt Duncan licks his lips. “How do you know if our intentions are pure or not? You don’t even know us.”

My gaze slides to Lauren. “I don’t need to. Someone who cheats.” I glance at Kurt. “Someone who steals his own son’s girlfriend. Those aren’t the types of people Harry would want around Reece.”

“Excuse me?” Lauren hisses.

“You’re making a mistake. Think about the child. Not your own feelings.” Kurt Duncan’s voice is a low, warning growl. “Sooner or later, Ben is going to screw up the way he always does. Wrecking a house and a few cars is one thing. Wrecking a child… is another.”

I feel Ben stiffen beside me. My chest squeezes painfully. How can a man talk about his own kid like that? And right in front of his face?

“Ben’s done a wonderful job so far. Reece likes him. Trusts him.” I run my fingers down my dress and admit softly, “So do I.”

Ben looks over at me. I avoid his gaze.

“Of course Reece trusts him,” Kurt says. “He acts like he’s only a couple years older than her. Whatever you think about me and my wife, we are in the right place financially, emotionally, and mentally to take care of a child.”

“I appreciate the advice, Mr. Duncan. I truly believe that you are all those things.”

Kurt sighs. “But?”

“But I don’t trust you. And given the way Harry didn’t assign you guardianship of his precious daughter, I doubt that he trusted you either.”

“Who do you think you are?” Lauren narrows her green eyes. “You hung around Harry like a needy puppy, pretending to be a family for five years. Did you think he would actually marry you? Is that what you were hoping for?”

Tears sting my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. How did she know? How could she tell I was in love with Harry? My heart bleeds, but I steel myself against the pain.

“Lauren, that’s enough.” Ben comes to my defense. “Logan was there for Reece all these years. She deserves our thanks. Not a scolding.”

“Why are you sticking up for her? Can’t you see she’s just using you to get Reece?”

I step in front of Ben. “Given the way things stand, I think it would be best if you returned to the States and gave Reece some time to adjust before you met her.”

“You can’t keep my granddaughter from me!” Kurt bellows.

“I can’t.” I glance at Ben. “But he can.” I arch both eyebrows in challenge. “It’s up to you. Will you send Reece with them? Or not?”

He swallows, Adam’s apple bobbing. I dig my fingers into my purse strap. Ben said he’s never been able to go against his father, but now’s as good a time as any to start. Reece’s future and happiness is at stake.

Kurt sits down and tugs on Lauren’s arm so she joins him. “Tell me the truth, Ben. Do you honestly think you can provide a better home for Reece than we can?”

Ben licks his lips. “Maybe not.”

“Then what are we arguing for?” Lauren throws her arms in the air. “It’s settled.”

“Dad, I… I can’t. Harry knew what he wanted. It was his dying wish to have me take care of his daughter. And I’m going to honor his request. Reece stays with me. In Belize.”

I smirk in victory. You go, Ben.

He looks back at me. There’s an apology in his voice and in his blue eyes. “But I don’t think it’s right to keep them from her either.”

My jaw drops. “Ben…”

“Reece deserves to meet her grandparents. They deserve to have a place in her life. We are her family.”

“Biologically,” Lauren says, her tone dripping with disdain.

“That’s right, son.” Kurt nods.

“Fine.” My chest heaves. “Do whatever you want.” I turn on my heels and stalk toward the exit.

“Logan! Wait!” Ben chases me down and catches up with me in the foyer of the restaurant. We’re alone. Our footsteps echo against the walls. He clamps his hand on my elbow.

I wrench my arm free and spin. “What? What do you want from me? You’ve already made up your mind so I don’t need to be here.”

“Why are you getting so angry? I didn’t say they could take her.”

“And you think letting them near Reece is a good idea? After your dad just tried to buy me off?”

“It’s what he does.”

“Am I supposed to accept that?” I snap. “He’ll stop at nothing to get Reece.”

“That may be true.” Ben winces. “Look, that’s exactly why you can’t leave.”

“Watch me.” I stomp toward the door.

“Think about Reece!” Ben yells.

I stop, my hands suspended in the air and hovering above the doorknob. My shoulders heave as I struggle to breathe through my grief and fury. “That little girl is all I think about.”

I hear Ben’s footsteps thudding closer to me. Feel his presence hovering over my shoulders though I don’t turn around. “She’s going to meet them. She’ll be confused. Overwhelmed. She needs someone who’ll be there for her. Who’s always been there.”

“Get Lydia. She’ll do just as well.”

“It’s not the same, and you know it.”

I turn slowly. Ben is in my personal space. His eyes are a fiery, burning blue. Here’s a guy who lost his brother and gained a child all in one day. His father just delivered a verbal beat down and threatened to take away his financial support.

He needs me.

I shake my head, too self-conscious to give in to him. “I can’t go back in there.”

“Why?”

“They broke Harry’s heart.”

“And they’ll never get a chance to apologize. Isn’t that punishment enough?”

I look away. “Your dad will try to come after Reece.”

“I won’t let him.” He takes my chin in his hands and gently lifts my head. “Anything else?”

It’s embarrassing,” I whisper. “I made a scene. I can’t go back in there.”

“We’ll say you went to the bathroom.” Ben takes my hand. “Come on.”

I tug him back. “Are you okay? Your dad was pretty harsh.”

His smile turns brittle. “That’s just the way he is.”

I pull his arm again so he’s forced to look at me. “You’re not going to wreck Reece’s life, Ben. You’re not going to wreck your own either. I won’t let you.”

His lips curve up in a small smile. “Is that a promise?”

I nod.

Ben lets out a weary breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

Though I don’t like it, I follow him back into the restaurant and slide into the booth. Kurt blinks in surprise. Lauren glowers. The fact that she’s angry with me actually makes me feel better.

A woman’s instinct is akin to a superpower.

Mine tell me that Harry loved Lauren, even to the day he died. And that pisses me off. But the fact that Lauren’s furious says she suspects Harry’s relationship with me might not have been platonic. Which makes me feel like I just won a million bucks.

“Let’s start over,” Ben says. He slides the remnants of his father’s check back across the table. “No bribing. No threats. No drama.”

Kurt Duncan slides his hands beneath the table. I notice him trembling and realize that he might be trying to hide his tears.

Lauren scoots closer to him, a hand over his shoulder. I look away in disgust.

I don’t think I’ll ever warm to her.

Finally, Kurt composes himself. When he looks at me again, it’s without that cocky veneer that he wore when we first met. I can see Harry in his face, in the shape of his mouth and the depth of his eyes. The Duncan men have an uncanny resemblance.

“My son.” Kurt sniffs. “Was he… happy?”

“Yes.”

“Was he healthy?”

“Yes.” I tilt my head. “He would pull some long hours at the hospital. He also ate out a lot. Like all the time. Apart from that, he was good.”

Lauren’s expression tightens as if she’s trying not to show how she really feels. “Sounds like Harry was lucky to have you.”

Kurt Duncan looks out the window. “I know how you feel about me. About what I did.” He moves his gaze to me. His pale blue eyes are wide, imploring. “That’s why I need to take care of Reece. I want to make up for my mistakes.”

I stare at my hands, lulled by his sincerity.

“I want to spoil her. Give her the bedroom with all the toys she could ever want. Take her to amusement parks and musicals. I can offer an experience she’ll never get in a city as small as this one.”

I glance over at Ben. His jaw is clenched and he’s staring at his napkin. The sight of him jolts me back to reality. Kurt Duncan has a silver tongue. I was almost wooed by the pretty picture he painted. But if he wasn’t there for his sons, why should I take the chance that he’ll do better with Reece?

“I appreciate your honesty, Mr. Duncan. I do. But Belize is where Reece belongs. And Ben is who she belongs with. I believe in him.” I stare him straight in the eyes and challenge. “Why don’t you?”

Kurt Duncan remains silent and never gives me an answer.