Page 41 of Viking

I laugh softly, reaching up to gently push him back, though my fingers linger on the solid warmth of his chest. “I think you already know exactly how I feel, Logan.”

He smirks, his eyes lighting up with that familiar spark. “Oh, I know. But I like hearing you say it.” He leans in just a little closer, his lips brushing mine with a teasing promise.

I smile. “Fine, yes. I’m smitten.” Then I press my mouth to his.

Langley AFB

May 29, 2024

0950

Logan

Townsend wraps up the morning briefing, and I scrub a hand down my face. We’ve got a couple of weeks until the next flight demo, which hopefully means fewer hours in the cockpit and a few more hours of actual sleep. I lean forward, grabbing the navy-blue coffee mug in front of me.

As I take a sip, my eyes catch on Lila. She’s packing up, getting ready to head back to her office. She glances my way, gives me a small smile. I flash one back—quick, barely there—before hiding it behind my mug.

Movement pulls my attention across the room. Dalton, arms crossed, smirk in place. His gaze follows Lila as she walks out, and the look on his face says he’s got me figured out.

The door clicks shut behind her, and he shakes his head. “And here I thought she was going to end up with Ryan.”

Ryan gives me a look, already knowing where this is going. He’s the only one I’ve told. Still, he grins. “And why’s that?”

I exhale sharply, rolling my shoulders back, feeling the weight of it pressing down. “Just let it go.”

Dalton just leans forward making eye contact with Ryan. “Because,” he begins louder than necessary, “Logan has a reputation."

Ryan laughs. “Girls love Viking.” He throws in a mock swoon as he says my call sign, clutching his chest like he’s about to faint.

I take a sip of coffee, trying to ignore them.

“Well, now I’m curious.” Dalton smiles into his mug, then takes a sip.

I drag a hand through my hair, sighing. “It’s complicated.”

Townsend lifts a brow. “Complicated how?”

I shake my head, but I know they’re not letting this go. And maybe it’s time. So, I give them the short version. Reaper. How I lost him. How it was my fucking fault. Then Vegas—six years ago—meeting Lila without knowing who she was. And then the part I hate admitting out loud. “I should regret it,” I mutter. “Should be able to walk away. But I can’t.” I glance between them, jaw tight.

She’s it for me. I don’t say it out loud but I knew it when she waltzed into this very room for the first time. She has to be because why else would she have been brought back into my life for a third time?

Silence. Townsend’s arms stay crossed, his expression unreadable. Dalton just tilts his head like he’s piecing it all together. Ryan, of course, already knew, but that doesn’t mean he won’t stir the pot.

Townsend finally speaks. “Yeah, I figured.”

I frown. “You did?”

He smirks. “You’re not as subtle as you think, Viking.”

Dalton snorts. “Not even close. And, honestly? Neither is she.” That earns a low chuckle from the table, and some of the weight in my chest eases.

Ryan cuts in before I can respond. “Have you thought about what’s going to happen when she finds out?” When, not if. “About Reaper?”

I exhale through my nose, my jaw tightening. I knew this was coming. “Yeah,” I say, meeting his gaze. “I have.”

“And?” Townsend prompts.

“And I don’t know,” I admit. “I know I need to tell her. But I don’t want it to be the thing that defines everything else.” I rub a hand over my jaw. “I didn’t know who she was in Vegas and now that I know, I just—I don't know how she can forgive me for Reaper-”