It’s not easy facing the man that almost raped you, but we both agreed that it’s the best thing.

Logan wanted me to stay home. I was the one that insisted, actually. He knew that I was right, which is why I’m in this car with him, riding uptown to see Spencer. Our little offer is going to have more impact if I’m in the room.

Still, it’s nerve wracking. I know I don’t have to be afraid, since Logan is going to be with me, but still. Spencer is unpredictable, and maybe he’s going to try something. Maybe he wants revenge for what Logan did to him, although I doubt it. Spencer has to know, deep down inside of him, that he deserved every single punch Logan smashed into his face.

Logan looks at me and frowns. He takes my hand and squeezes. “You sure about this?” he asks me.

I nod once. “Positive. Let’s just get it over with.”

He sighs and looks away. I can see the worry and stress etched in his expression, but that won’t stop me. Nothing is going to stop me. I’m going to see this thing through to the very end.

When Logan first called Spencer to set up a meeting, he tried to get us to come to his apartment. But Logan insisted that we meet somewhere public. Eventually we all agreed to sit down in a coffee shop near Spencer’s house. It’s a popular place called Mug Shots, which I can’t help but see the irony in.

The car pulls up outside of Mug Shots and Logan turns to me. “You can stay here if you want,” he says. “There’s no reason for you to come in.”

“Logan,” I say. “We discussed this. It’ll be better if I come. He should have to face me after what he did.”

He sighs. “Okay,” he says. “Let’s do this then.”

He climbs out first and I follow. The day is pretty hot but I’m wearing jeans anyway. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to be around Spencer in anything revealing. Logan takes my hand and we walk together into Mug Shots.

I look around the shop, my stomach a mess of nerves. It’s a modern design, even a little industrial, with a lot of exposed wood and metal. It’s one of those vegan-friendly places with fancy coffees, not the sort of place that I typically come, but Spencer chose it. Everything on the menu is more expensive than it should be, which I think is typical of places like this.

My heart starts beating fast as Logan leads me toward the back of the shop. It’s fairly crowded, which I guess shouldn’t surprise me. Young people sit in groups of two and three, plus a few people are sitting in front of their laptops doing work.

I spot Spencer at a back table. It takes me a second to recognize him because he’s wearing sunglasses and has a hat pulled down low over his face, but it’s definitely him. Logan is making a beeline right for the table, and suddenly I want to get the hell out of there.

But I have to be brave. We approach the table and stand there for a second as Spencer gazes up at us.

“I’m surprised to see you,” he says finally.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” I answer, not looking away. I won’t let him get the best of me.

He frowns. “Sit down. You’re drawing attention.”

“Feeling nervous, Spence?” Logan asks as we sit down across from him.

He grunts. “Not nervous, asshole. Just trying not to be seen.”

“Why?” Logan asks. “Try and rape someone else?”

“No,” he snaps. “Because of this.” He takes off his hat and sunglasses and I take a sharp breath.

Both of his eyes are ringed with deep purple bruises. His nose is crooked, clearly broken, and his jaw has a nasty yellowing bruise along the side. His eyes are both bloodshot. Frankly, he looks fucking terrible.

Logan grins at him. “I do good work, what can I say?”

“This is the reason I don’t want to be seen.” Spencer stares at him for a second before putting his hat and sunglasses back on. “What do you two want?”

“We’re here to offer you a deal,” I say.

He leans back in his seat. “Why would I want a deal? Look at what your fucking husband did to my face.”

“Listen up, cocksucker,” Logan cuts in, leaning forward. “Here’s the deal. You hand over everything you have on Everly. You promise not to get in the way of us again. You swear you’ll never, ever come near either of us. And in exchange, we’ll pay you $3 million.”

Spencer looks surprised. “Only $3 million?” He laughs. “I thought Everly here was worth more than that.”

Logan practically growls but I put a hand on his arm. “Three million, plus I don’t press charges for attempted rape.”

Spencer is quiet for a second. “You wouldn’t dare,” he says finally.

“Yes, she would, and I’ll back her up,” Logan says. “Even if I go to jail for assault, though I suspect I can beat that charge.”

“You’d ruin your deal. Hell, you’d torpedo your reputations.” Spencer shakes his head. “You’re bluffing.”

“Spencer,” I say, staring at him. “We’re not bluffing. You think I wanted to come here today and look at your disgusting face? You’re the last person I want to see. But I’m here so that you understand one thing. I’m not fucking around.”

He stares at me for a second and slowly a smile curls his lips. “I believe you,” he says.

“Good,” I answer. “Now take the deal and let’s be done with this shit.”

“I want to know one thing first,” he says.

“You don’t get to set terms,” Logan says to him. “Rapist piece of shit. I’m of a mind to press charges just to get you off the street.”

He grins at Logan. “Just one simple question.”

“Ask,” I say, wanting to get the fuck away from him and leave this chapter of my life behind.

“Is this real?” he asks, motioning at us.

I hesitate. I don’t now how to answer that. If he had asked me that question when this all started, and I had to be honest, I would have said no. I can lie again here and just say no, maybe that would be easier. But for some reason, I don’t want to lie.

“Yes,” Logan says immediately. “It’s real.”

I stare at him, surprised. He didn’t even hesitate.

Spencer nods. “Fine. Wire the money. I’ll send what I have.”

Logan opens my bag and pulls out the papers we stashed there. “Here’s a contract,” he says. “Binding you to this shit.”

Spencer frowns and takes it. He starts to read, but I interrupt him. “Don’t fucking read it,” I say. “Just sign.”

He sighs, flips to the last page, and signs it. “Whatever,” he grumbles.

We stand up. I’m having some pretty strong mixed emotions at the moment. I look at Logan and he nods at me.

“Goodbye, Spencer,” I say.

“Whatever,” he mutters again.

We take the papers and quickly walk out of the coffee shop. We got back into the car, and it starts driving right away.

Logan looks at me with a grin on his face. “We did it.”

“We did,” I say, and smile. “What you said back there…”

“I meant it.” He takes my hand and pulls me closer to him. He kisses me softly on the lips, and I kiss him back.

He didn’t hesitate. I just keep thinking that. He could have thought of something else to say, lied to Spencer, lied to me, but he didn’t hesitate. When it was time to put all his cards on the table, to be honest about what’s happening between us, he stepped up. He didn’t hesitate.

That’s the sort of man that I want. A man that takes what he needs and is honest when it’s the right thing to do. I need a man like that in my life more than anything else.

I need Logan. And it’s real. I know it’s real. We slowly break the kiss off and I look into his eyes.

“Let’s go home,” I say.

He grins at me. “Sounds good.”

I press my head against his chest and for the first time in a long time, I feel good. Really, really good.