‘I want to nullify the contract,’ Alessia rasped. ‘I’m willing to pay the penalty.’Logan chuckled. ‘Maybe you’ll change your mind once you know what the penalty is.’He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, before starting to nibble her earlobe playfully.Alessia had no strength to lift even a finger.She put up a token protest. ‘You are a beast.’‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’‘It wasn’t meant as one.’As retribution, he pounded harder.‘I was wrong,’ Alessia gasped. ‘You are not a beast. You are a beast in heat.’‘That’s an expression for female animals.’‘Then what’s the equivalent for males?’‘There isn’t one.’ Logan pecked her lips. ‘Males are always in heat.’‘As I’ve found out to my cost,’ she muttered.Alessia turned her head, and a chill of realisation ran down her spine.The bedroom windows had been open the whole time, their curtains dancing like ghostly figures in the night breeze.She shrieked. ‘Logan! The windows are open!’‘Darling, we’re on the top floor.
Logan stepped into the master bedroom, his footsteps softened by the plush carpet underfoot.The room was hushed, the only sound the gentle rise and fall of Alessia’s breathing as she lay curled beneath the covers.He couldn’t help but pause for a moment, admiring the serene sight before him.Sinking onto the edge of the bed, he gazed down at her with a mixture of fondness and reminiscence.It had been quite a night—one he would no doubt replay in his mind over and over again.And if she weren’t sound asleep, he might have wanted the night to continue.His phone vibrated on the nightstand.Logan picked it up when he saw Heath’s name flash across the screen and left the bedroom.‘Logan, I’ve got news. Jeramy’s been attacked in lockup, badly. He’s in the hospital.’Logan stood in front of the French window, his face impassive.He had little sympathy for a man like Jeramy, especially given the vile intentions he’d harboured.‘And how’s that my concern?’Heath’s tone tightened. ‘His testi
Alessia’s fingers danced over her phone’s screen, her thumbs working with feverish intensity.She had no time to spare as she typed out a text to Veronica, asking for an update on the situation.Her sister’s response came swiftly. ‘Still haven’t found him.’The car soon turned onto Willow Street, and the scenery shifted dramatically.It was a rundown street lined with old and dilapidated buildings, and the neighbourhood was known for its above-average crime rate and poverty.The street was named after the willow trees that used to line the sidewalks, but most of them had been cut down or destroyed due to neglect and urban decay.Terence pulled up in front of the Willowshire Court complex.Alessia leapt out of the car before it had fully stopped. ‘Thanks.’‘Is there anything I can do? Should I stay?’ Terence asked.Alessia considered the offer.If Milo was indeed missing, involving the police might be necessary and more useful.She offered Terence a distracted shake of her head. ‘No, t
Milo remained quiet, his once-restless energy quelled in the face of the turmoil he had inadvertently caused.He set down the tablet, his eyes downcast.‘You know better than this, Miles Jansen.’ Alessia’s voice was low but stern. ‘Why did you leave the house at six in the morning without telling anyone?’Milo played with his fingers. ‘I left a note.’‘A note?’ Alessia’s brows furrowed. ‘Aunt Vero didn’t see any note. If you wanted to make sure she saw it, you should’ve put it on the nightstand next to her bed, or stuck the note to her phone. She was scared out of her wits, Milo. You can’t just disappear like that.’‘I’m sorry,’ he murmured.Alessia’s eyes softened, but her unsmiling expression remained. ‘Even with a note, you shouldn’t have gone out at that hour. You’re just a kid. Where did you go?’Milo fell silent, his eyes flickering as he wrestled with the truth he held within.Last night had been a whirlwind of covert activities for the five-year-old.After he hacked into Aless
Alessia offered a weary smile. ‘Maybe.’Veronica’s gaze sharpened, an impish glint dancing in her eyes as she noticed something Alessia might have overlooked.‘Well, well, well,’ she practically purred, her fingers reaching to tug at the collar of Alessia’s dress. ‘What have we here?’Alessia looked down, and a flush of embarrassment blossomed across her cheeks as she glimpsed the telltale mark upon her skin.‘This is Logan’s handiwork, isn’t it?’ Veronica smirked knowingly. ‘Still want to deny you spent the night with him?’Alessia’s blush deepened. ‘Fine, yes, I spent the night with him.’‘Well, well, my dear sister,’ Veronica teased. ‘I had no idea things were moving so fast between you two.’Alessia shifted on the sofa, her legs tingling at the memory. ‘I... um, should go check on Milo.’‘Speaking of,’ Veronica lowered her voice. ‘It’s a good thing that you and Logan are together. Makes it easier when you tell him about Milo, don’t you think?’Alessia considered this and conceded
‘What do you think about having a mother?’ Logan looked straight at his son.Arlie blinked in surprise.After a moment’s consideration, he replied, ‘Sure.’Logan studied him, pausing before speaking again, ‘You don’t seem too thrilled, though.’‘No,’ Arlie shook his head gently, ‘It’s not a big deal to me. But, Dad, you do need a wife.’Logan was taken aback. ‘So, you’re not interested in having a mother?’Arlie shrugged nonchalantly. ‘It doesn’t really matter to me. I’m content with having you, Great-grandpa Albert, Uncle Penshaw and Sunny in my life. Besides, whoever you find should be someone willing to spend their life with you, not me.’Logan found himself surprised by Arlie’s maturity.His hand reached out to ruffle his son’s hair. ‘You’ve got a way of putting things that’s beyond your years.’Arlie acknowledged the compliment with a nod. ‘What kind of wife are you searching for, then? She must be pretty amazing to win you over.’Logan held his son’s gaze for a long while, then
‘Nothing!’ Alessia said hastily. ‘It’s just a little inconvenient. I live with my sister.’Logan was relentless. ‘Why? You don’t want to introduce me to her?’‘It’s not that. She’s already asleep. I don’t want to disturb her.’‘I’m sure even an apartment as small as yours has a living room.’‘It’s better if we talk outside.’ Alessia threw on a coat. ‘I’m already out the door. I’ll see you downstairs.’She hung up without giving him a chance to reply.Logan was pacing outside the apartment, smoking.He turned around at the sound of footsteps.He was clad in a dark silk shirt, which gleamed expensively under the streetlight.From his clothes to his shoes and his watch, the man seemed out of place in the shabby neighbourhood.Alessia slowed.He fixed his gaze on her. ‘Come here.’Her heart quivered.With every step, her nervousness amplified.She drew nearer to him.Oddly, she felt shy, more so than when she shared a bed with him.‘Um, thank you for driving all the way here.’ She glanced
Half an hour later, Alessia found herself once again drained of energy.Logan had left her breathless, her body sprawled inertly over the backseat like a puddle of water, hardly able to muster a blink.Logan, on the other hand, was tireless.He draped his coat over her and checked his watch. ‘Huh, still got fifteen minutes to spare. Slightly quicker than expected, but judging by that expression on your face, I’d say I didn’t do too badly.’‘S*x maniac,’ Alessia muttered under her breath.Logan was unabashed. ‘I have lots of lost time to make up for.’Six years, three months and two weeks, to be exact.He settled into the driver’s seat. ‘Buckle up.’‘I can’t lift my finger.’That elicited a smug smile from him.Logan carried her to the front passenger seat and strapped her in.He started the car and glanced at her. ‘How about coming back with me?’‘No. I want to sleep in my own bed.’This past half-hour had proven to be more taxing than the entire previous night combined.She barely mo