Page 84 of Consuming Logan

She strode inside. Ava had gotten used to the smell of alcohol preceding Maribelle. This morning the air surrounding her scented of Chanel No. 5 and nothing else. Interesting.

Maribelle snapped, “You’re not family.”

Ash turned to go.

Ava spoke up, “Leave the coffee, please.”

He frowned but did as she asked. Was he concerned that stress, caffeine, and baby hormones were a bad combination? He placed the coffee on her desk and quietly slipped from the room. She wished she could follow suit.

“I’ll see you later tonight.”

Tyson’s eyes narrowed on the man.

Ava was quick to interject. “Ah no, I promised Monique I’d visit her after work, so no late nights for me.” She managed a smile.

Ash gave a nod, his expression pinched, and disappeared. With him gone, Ava focused on the glare-down happening between the big Irishman and Commando Barbie. If she’d known this would happen in her office, she could have sold tickets.

Tyson stepped closer to Maribelle, crossing thick arms across his broad chest. “I am, who I say I am.” He bent low, getting in Maribelle’s personal space. “She’s my family.”

Tears sprang to Ava’s eyes. Tyson stood his ground for her. God, Logan should be proud to have this man as his brother. This was twice he’d come to her rescue. Granted, the first time, with Logan’s research funding, happened before she was aware of his connection to the family, but still she was grateful. This time, there was no doubt he was protecting his brother’s family.

Maribelle waved a dismissive hand. “You can go now.”

Tyson laughed. The sounded bounced around the room like a pinball machine hitting the high score. Then he stopped abruptly. “You don’t command jack with me.”

Whoa. Talk about a titan against a titan. Ava didn’t have to fight in this cage match. She wouldn’t concern herself with Logan’s family anymore.

Chapter 31

Logan had to find Ava. The woman had hidden her tracks well. He called the job first. According to her staff, she’d been in the office earlier that day but had left with a man after a brief meeting with a female civilian. What man had Ava left with? Did he even have a right to question her choices? He’d made the wrong decision one time too many. Hiding the truth about his past with Brooke. Cheating was the worst form of betrayal and the fear of it happening again had stoked his insecurities. It had stolen his peace, his esteem, his confidence that he could build a lasting relationship with a woman he loved. He’d tried to fill the holes with control and selfish ambition, leaving a hollow chasm of never-ending doubt. Somehow his need to control a past he couldn’t change, had tainted his future. Rather than protect Ava, he’d chosen to shield his past.

After driving to her parent’s house and not seeing her car, he banged on the door until her father threatened to call the police. From there, he’d gone to Baker’s Pharmacy to see Aron who had the cops waiting by the register to escort Logan off the property. Damn, couldn’t they see he was trying to fix this? Did they care that Ava would be vulnerable to a second attack without him by her side? Bishop and Lance, the new recruits, had asked Logan to go home.

“Hell no,” Logan bellowed. Pointing at Aron, he said, “Would you do this if it was Zari. Huh, Aron?” Logan blew out a frustrated breath. “If it was your woman, would you want me calling the damn police.”

Bishop put a hand Logan’s shoulder.

Logan snatched away from his friend. “Get the hell off me. You’re helping him?”

Bishop’s lips thinned, his expression darkening. “I’m helping you too, fool. We could’ve arrested you the minute you became belligerent.”

Logan felt fire roar through his veins. “Arrest me then,” he challenged.

Before Logan could anticipate the next move, Lance grabbed his left arm, swung it behind his back, and twisted.

“Shut up,” Lance growled.

When Logan thought to resist. Bishop shot him a look. “Don’t be stupid.”

“Too late,” Lance muttered.

Logan met Bishop’s gaze. That’s when he recognized the concern in the other man’s eyes.

“Let me get you out of here, Doc,” Bishop whispered.

It was then Logan looked up to see customers staring at him, some with their cellphones out recording the entire scene. Shit. He must look like a lunatic. Ava would be so ashamed of how he handled her leaving. No doubt if he were arrested, the SCMC Foundation would be made aware.

Looking to Bishop, and then shooting a glare over his shoulder at Lance, Logan nodded.