Hewasscared, because he didn’t believe in coincidences. The same woman falling victim to two acts of violence in one week…
Unrelated, my ass.
“I’m assuming that was Detective Knox?” Natalie’s soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
“It was.” Logan nodded. “He just called to let us know the techs came up empty on prints.”
Only ones found had been hers…and his. A fact that—minus it leaving them empty-handed on a lead—had made him far happier than it probably should have.
But after the way he’d fucked things up between them last week, the two hadn’t spoken in days. For all he knew, Nat had met someone in that time, and the two had been…
“I figured as much.”
With a defeated sigh, she slid onto one of the two bar stools across the counter from where he stood. Elbows resting on the smooth granite, she dropped her head between her shoulders, holding it steady with her hands.
“Hey.” Logan watched and waited, but when that chocolate gaze of hers remained concealed, he gave a softly ordered, “Nat, look at me.”
After filling her lungs with a deep inhale, she slowly lifted her head and met his stare with one that pulled at his heart.
“We’re going to find out who did this.”
“How?” A half-shrug. “You just said the police don’t have anything to go on.”
“I said they didn’t find any prints,” he pointed out. “The lab is still working to test the swabs they took from the doorknobs and other surfaces. We might get lucky and get a DNA hit from one of those.”
“Maybe.” She slid back off the stool and onto her feet. “Would it be okay if I took a shower? I’d really like to just…wash this day away.”
“Of course. Everything’s still in the same place as the last time you stayed here.”
Natalie had stayed in his spare room a couple of nights last year while her carpet was being replaced with hardwood. She’d originally planned to stay with her sister, but when Tessa came down with a bad case of the flu, Logan had offered to let Nat stay with him.
To save her money on a hotel, that was all. It definitely had nothing to do with him seizing an opportunity to keep her close. He was too honorable a man to pull a stunt like that.
You sure were quick to offer, though. Then and now.
Fine. He may have taken advantage of an unfortunate situation back then. But this… This was different. This was about Nat’s safety.
And that meant everything to him.
“Thanks.” Natalie started to walk away, but he stopped her.
“You hungry?” He wasn’t, but he knew she’d gone straight home from work, so she had yet to have dinner.
“Oh, um…” She faced him a with slight frown. “I don’t know.” Her hand went to her bloused mid-section. “I haven’t really thought about food before now.”
“When was the last time you ate?”
“I had a protein bar from the employee breakroom at like…ten-thirty, I think?”
Logan glanced at his watch, cursing beneath his breath when he saw the time. “That was eleven hours ago.” He dropped his hand back to his side. “Go. I’ll make us some supper while you shower.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Not a debate, sweetheart.” The endearment slipped out. “Now go.”
Her brown gaze held his a moment longer before she turned and walked away. He waited in place, his eyes following her every step until she vanished around the corner and into the hall.
Once he could no longer see her, Logan got to work making the promised meal. Half-an-hour later, the pot of spaghetti noodles was steaming hot, the jarred sauce was simmering, and two small bowls were filled with freshly washed and torn lettuce mixed with a little ranch dressing and shredded cheddar cheese.