Redemption Hills: The Complete Collection

15. Logan

FIFTEEN

LOGAN

The door rattled shut behind me, and I stormed to the elevator like there was no air left in the building, and I had two minutes to escape.

Sounded about right.

Because if I stayed in that apartment with her for one second longer, my lungs were going to fail.

Thirty fucking days.

Bullshit.

I knew as I rode the elevator down, with the way everything twitched and my spirit screamed, there would be no letting her go.

Whatever it took.

I’d been a fool last time, but I’d been a kid.

A fucking kid who didn’t have a clue.

She might have betrayed me, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t read what was written underneath, that I couldn’t see all the secrets that writhed in the depths of those fire-agate eyes.

A fire she kept raging like a fortress.

The girl shrouded in old pain.

I wanted to reach into her soul and rip them out.

It only made it ten-thousand-times worse after what I’d walked in on last night.

After what I’d given in to.

I wasn’t sure what the hell else I would have been expected to do, though.

After what had gone down outside Absolution, I’d been compelled to check.

It’d made me sick to think that bastard might have weaseled his way back to her and manipulated her into leaving.

Or worse.

The piece of shit was lurking in this city, that was for sure. Scum hiding in the shadows. Waiting for the opportune time to steal back what had never been his to take.

My car rumbled to life when I pushed the ignition button. The leather was cold, and the air was icy. I blasted the heater to compensate, and I pulled out of the garage and headed toward the mountains.

I took to the two-lane road that the last time I traveled it, I’d had no idea what was waiting for me. How my life would change in a split.

No warning.

And I was determined to find out why.

How the fuck Jarek Urso had ended up there.

Thirty minutes later, I was pressing the button at the security gate outside Haille Manchief’s home. It beeped and the voice came through. “Ah, Mr. Lawson.”

“Oz,” I said back.

He chuckled. “He’s not going to be surprised you wish to speak to him.”

“I doubted that he would be.”

“Come in.”

The gate buzzed and swung open, and I wound up the curved drive and came to a stop in front of the massive stairs. I hopped out and started up them. Oz opened the door before I made it to the landing.

“How is it problems follow you wherever you go?”

I roughed out a laugh, tossed a smirk in his direction. “I’m just appealing that way. Everything is drawn to me. You have seen me, right?”

He scoffed a teasing sound. “More like a magnet for trouble. I haven’t had to draw my gun in years, and the last two times you came around, things got interesting.”

“What can I say? I’m an interesting kind of guy.”

Oz laughed. “You’re something, all right.”

With a grin, I shook his hand as he welcomed me inside. The man was all affable smiles while his attention still seemed to travel everywhere, constantly on guard.

The guy took his job seriously, that was for sure. But it was no secret men like Haille Manchief traveled in dangerous circles. They had shady friends and even darker enemies. No doubt about it considering mine had been sitting across from me just a couple nights ago.

“Right this way.” Oz gestured down the hall, and he led me into a sweeping library where another mammoth fireplace roared.

The man himself was behind a desk at the far end of the room. He stood with an amused grin. “Logan Lawson. Welcome. I have been expecting you.”

I strode that way, reaching over to shake the hand he extended. “Haille. Thank you for having me.”

I sank onto the seat opposite him and crossed an ankle over my knee, trying not to fidget, to act like this visit didn’t feel like it was the most important I’d ever made.

A chuckle rumbled from him as he sank into his plush chair. “You know my door is always open to you. You’ve made me a lot of money, so in my book, that means we’re very good friends.”

The arch of his brow was pleased and intrigued.

“It’s my job, and I do it well.”

“So humble.”

I shrugged. “I see no reason to be.”

He laughed a rumbling sound. “No, not when you’re as good as you.”

Rocking back in his chair, he studied me with a sly grin on his face. “So, what is it I can do for you?”

Apprehension gushed through my veins. I sucked it down and attempted to play it cool.

“I need to know how Jarek Urso ended up sitting at your table two nights ago.” That shit came off hard, anyway.

Amusement played through his expression, his red cheeks puffing out. “I figured you would.”

He was far too pleased in my discomfort.

The twisted, sadistic fuck enjoying someone else’s pain.

I could see it written all over him. He was excited by the idea of Jarek and I actually fighting to the death.

May the best man win.

I intended on it.

I toyed with the seam of my pants, canting a glance at him when I asked, “I suppose it was clear enough he and I have a history?”

“Blatantly.”

“And did you know this when you invited him into your home?” There was a challenge behind it. Haille might hold the money, but that didn’t give him the go to toy with me.

“No, I got word from a connection that there was a very hungry player…someone in trouble who needed to flip his circumstances quickly.”

I let that seep in.

I’d already known it—had smelled the desperation oozing from Jarek. He was backed into a corner, and I just needed to figure out exactly what that slime had done.

Give it to Aster.

Set her free.

He cocked his head. “I couldn’t think of a better opponent than you.”

“You knew I’d win.” It wasn’t a question.

He almost shrugged. “You usually do.”

And he got his cut.

It was our agreement.

If I won, his cut was double what anyone else paid to play at his tables. It didn’t hurt me since I almost always came out on top, and he brought the highest rollers. The ones who had the most to lose.

Thing was, most of them didn’t care all that much if they did.

But a man like Jarek…one who had a knife to his throat? They’re the ones that got in over their heads.

Do or die.

Last chance.

Last ditch.

And I was going to be sure to see to it that it was his.

“What happened after I left?” I asked.

He cracked a smug grin. “He said he was going to ruin me.”

Clearly, Haille loved the idea of someone trying.

“Where is he now?”

He gestured toward the door on the far side of the room. “Oz has eyes on him. He left yesterday morning but returned in the afternoon with three men. It appears he may be…disgruntled.”

Disgruntled was likely a gross understatement.

“Judging by your face, I would say you already knew he had returned?” Haille rocked back in his chair, eyeing me like he was gauging my next move. Like he might want to wager on it.

“I had a feeling.” I itched, fighting the fury that simmered deep.

He laughed.

“Do you know where he’s staying?” I pressed.

“Downtown at the Shillhire.”

The Shillhire was an upscale hotel about a mile down from my place.

Fucker.

He wanted to play dirty?

Fine.

I was ready to get filthy.

“That’s all I needed to know. Thank you for your help, Haille. I appreciate it.”

“Always.”

Then his smile shifted as I started to stand. “I think the more intriguing question is what happened with you and the girl after you left?”

I rebuttoned my coat. “I took her home. Where she belongs.”

Then I turned and walked out.