“It was all him.”

I stare at Logan, hardly able to believe what he’s saying. “He told you that?” I ask.

“He told me everything.” Logan can barely control himself. I’m glad he’s not driving. We left the Winterfields right after dinner. Logan claimed that Alexa wasn’t feeling well, although that’s probably not a great lie to tell, since the nanny would know. Still, we called a car and are hurrying back to civilization.

As soon as we were back in the car and Alexa fell asleep, Logan told me what happened with Spencer. I can’t believe that Spencer would have the balls to go up to Logan and actually admit to all of that. And I’m amazed that Logan was able to restrain himself. I know Logan isn’t the kind of man to let that sort of thing just slide, but he had to do it.

“He wasn’t doing all of that to get at me,” Logan says. “He says he’s doing to get… you.”

I stare at him. “You’re joking?”

“I wish I were,” he says, his face blank and serious. “But he won’t ever get near you, Everly. I promise.”

“Holy shit,” I say softly. “That really was him in the park. He’s been following me.”

“Maybe,” Logan says. “He definitely hired someone to hack your phone, though.”

“That asshole.” I don’t know if I should be afraid or angry. I feel a little bit of both. “What the hell do we do?”

“Right now, nothing.” He leans toward me and takes my hand. “I’m going to take care of this. I promise.”

“But he knows,” I say, eyes wide. “He can ruin this.”

“I won’t let him,” he says firmly. “I got you into this mess, but I won’t let it destroy you.”

“Logan,” I say, shaking my head.

“No, Everly, listen. “I’m not going to be the kind of man that uses and abuses people for my own gain. I won’t do it. I’m going to do whatever is necessary to keep you out of this.”

I sigh and shake my head. I can’t help but smile a little bit. Logan’s sincerity is a little addictive, and I can’t help but feel a little relieved. I feel like if Logan is on my side, absolutely anything is possible. He really can keep me safe and make sure that Spencer doesn’t get away with anything.

But still, I don’t know what he can do. Spencer said he wants something, though he didn’t specify what, but I think I can guess. The bastard wants me.

Can I do something like that to help Logan? Can I actually… give myself to Spencer?

The thought makes me feel sick. I know Logan will never, ever ask me to do that. I know I can’t sleep with Spencer, that’s for sure. Logan would never allow it, anyway. But maybe I could do something else. Something not so bad, like go on a date with him or something like that.

But I can’t imagine a man like Spencer will be satisfied with a nice, chaste date. He’s going to want more. He’s going to want absolutely everything.

We get home late that night. Fortunately, I’m able to get Alexa into her crib without waking her, and we both go to bed exhausted.

I wake up the next morning later than usual, and for a second, I panic. I’m supposed to get Alexa normally. I quickly get up, get dressed, and go to take care of Alexa. I can’t believe I didn’t wake up on time, but it makes sense once I’m out of the room.

Logan is up and he’s already taken care of the baby. He smiles once I walk into the kitchen.

“Morning,” he says.

“Morning.” There’s coffee and pancakes already stacked and ready for me. “Did you cook?”

“Sure did.” He’s holding Alexa in his arms and rocking her softly. “Thought you’d like to sleep in a little. And I haven’t made you my famous pancakes yet.”

“Famous?” I ask him, smiling and pouring myself some coffee.

“Well, famous in my own mind.”

I grab a plate and a short stack before sitting down to eat. The pancakes are delicious, and the coffee is perfect. Logan walks over and joins me, holding Alexa in his arms.

“Listen, about Spencer,” he starts, but I shake my head.

“We don’t have to talk about it,” I say. “I trust you.”

He sighs. “Okay. I just feel like we didn’t resolve anything last night.”

“We didn’t. But there’s nothing to resolve.”

He watches me, a concerned expression on his face. “Are you okay? You seem… fine.”

I laugh a little bit. “You think I’m not okay because I seem okay?”

“I know that sounds stupid.”

“Just a little bit,” I say, smiling.

“But we found out some heavy shit last night. And you seem okay.”

“I guess I mean it when I say that I trust you,” I answer slowly. “If you say you’re going to take care of this, I believe you. Any man that can cook pancakes like this can probably do anything.”

He grins at me. “Told you they’re famous.”

“That’s not what famous means.”

He shrugs and leans forward to kiss me softly on the lips. “I just don’t want you to be afraid.”

“I am, a little bit. Spencer is creepy. But at least we know now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Before, it was just a hunch.” I lean back for a second, sipping my coffee and trying to put it into words. “I mean, when I saw him at the park, I really freaked out. And the email was hanging over my head that whole time, too. But now… I don’t know. It doesn’t seem so bad.”

He smiles softly at me. “Why?”

“I guess it was the not knowing that drove me insane. But now we know. There’s a name and a face. There’s a person that we can fight against. Before, it could have been anyone, but now we know, and that makes it better at least.”

He’s quiet for a second before standing up and carrying Alexa over to her little swing seat. He places her in and turns the lights on before coming back to me.

“You’re an impressive woman,” he says.

“Of course I am.”

He pulls me against his chest and kisses me, long and slow.

I revel in that kiss, letting myself forget my troubles for a moment. But like everything else lately, that kiss slowly comes to an end, and I’m forced back to reality.

He smiles at me, and in that smile I see something that I didn’t expect to see. It only lasts for a moment, but I swear it makes my whole spine shiver with delight.

He looks at me like he never wants to look away. It’s hard to explain. There’s this longing and desire evident in his eyes, the sort of longing that I’ve never seen from someone before.

But as quickly as I notice it, he looks away and it’s gone. His phone is ringing, and he walks over to the couch to pick it up.

“Hello?” he says. I watch his face as he cocks his head and listens. “That’s really good news, Chester. I have to say, you’re not going to be disappointed. Yes. Yes, of course. Yes, we’ll do that soon. I’m very excited about this. Thank you, Chester.” He hangs up the phone and looks at me.

“What?” I ask him.

A huge smile breaks across his face. “He signed.”

I stare at him, eyes wide. “Get the hell out.”

“Seriously, he signed. I can’t believe it.”

“He actually signed? I thought Spencer was going to stop that.”

“Apparently not.” He laughs and walks over to me. “He signed!”

I jump out of my chair and run over to him. I dive into his arms, slamming against his chest, and hug him as hard as I can.

“Oh my god, I’m so happy!” I say, not sure whether I want to laugh or cry. Relief floods over me. “Is this really over?”

“I guess so,” he says, joy still in his voice. “My god, I thought this would never happen.”

“I’m so happy for you, Logan.”

“It’s all thanks to you.” He stares into my eyes. “Seriously, Everly, thank you.”

I wave my hands, dismissing him. “I didn’t do a thing. This was all you.”

He laughs and kisses me again before checking his phone. I’m still smiling as his enormous grin turns suddenly into a mask of confusion.

“What?” I ask him.

“I just got a text,” he says softly.

“From who?”

“It’s Spencer.” He shows me the phone.

It’s a picture of Spencer holding up the sexy selfie picture that I never wanted anyone to see. He’s grinning in the photo.

Dread fills me again and my smile disappears. “What’s going on? I thought Chester signed?”

“There’s more,” Logan mutters. “Spencer says that if I really want this deal to go through, and if we want to keep your private photos private, we better give him $1 million and…” He trails off, a huge frown on his face.

“What?” I ask him. “And what?”

“That fucking bastard,” he whispers.

“Say it.”

Logan’s eyes stare into mine. “And a date with you.”

Those words tear into my chest. I don’t know how I can possibly go from totally ecstatic with joy and happiness to suddenly horrified.

“It’s not going to happen,” Logan says firmly.

“Logan…” I say slowly. “We have to do it.”

“No.” He reaches out and takes my hair, pulling me against him. “Nobody gets to have you but me. Do you get that?”

I bite my lower lip. “Logan…”

“No,” he says more firmly. “Fuck Spencer and fuck Chester and fuck everyone else. You’re not doing it.”

I stare into his eyes, and I believe that he won’t let me.

But I also know that I have to do this. Somehow, I have to convince him to let me. Because otherwise, Spencer is going to fuck things up for everyone. And I don’t want the city to pay the price, let alone Logan and Alexa.