The thought made that smile of hers double in size. Oh yeah. She was going to have some fun making those guys grovel.
But only for a day or two. Because Logan was right. She never could stay made at any of them for long.
Although after having experienced Logan Hayes makeup sex first-hand, Natalie thought perhaps she’d need to pick the occasional fight. On purpose. A few times a month, at least.
She considered waking Logan up from his peaceful slumber for Round Four when she heard something that sounded like it came from downstairs. She froze but almost instantly began shaking Logan’s shoulder.
“Logan,” she whispered near his ear.
“Hmmm?” His voice was rough from sex and sleep.
“I think there’s someone in the house.”
Those seven little words were all that was needed for Logan’s eyes to fly open. At first, she didn’t hear anything more and was afraid she’d imagined it. But when the sound reached them once more, she knew she hadn’t.
In a lightning-fast move, Logan shot up into a sitting position as he automatically reached for the gun on his right. Holding the black pistol he’d kept on the nightstand closest to him steady with one hand, he used the other to toss the covers from his naked form.
“Stay here,” he whispered the stern order as he stood from the bed. “Lock the door behind me and call nine-one-one.” Using one hand, he picked up the same jeans he’d worn earlier and put them on with relative ease.
“Wait, you’re leaving me here?” Natalie removed the covers and climbed up from her side of the bed.
Like Logan, she’d fallen asleep completely naked. But with her clothes still piled nearby, as well, she was dressed in seconds.
“Need to know you’re safe.”
“Yeah, well I need to know the same about you,” she countered.
“Damn it, Nat.” Those striking blue eyes found hers as he whispered back, “No arguing.” A shake of his head. “Not about this.”
Crap. “Fine. But if I think you’re in trouble—”
“Just shut and lock the door behind me.” He started to leave but turned back at the last second to pull her in for a hard, fast kiss. “Don’t answer it for anyone but me.”
And with that, he was gone.
Fear turned her veins to ice, her pulse spiking to an alarming rate. Hands trembling, she did as Logan had asked and called nine-one-one. After relaying the pertinent information to the attentive emergency operator, Natalie had hung up to call Archer. After waking him up, she hurriedly filled him in, too. And then…
She waited.
And she waited.
Just when she thought Logan and the intruder had gone outside, the sound of a struggle preceded glass breaking from somewhere downstairs. Her heart flew into her throat, and seconds later…
Bang!
A loud, deafening eruption of sound came from somewhere downstairs. One she’d recognize anywhere.
No!
Natalie shot up from the mattress and sprinted to the door. She grabbed the knob, her slight hesitation stemming from her trust and loyalty to Logan.
He’d asked her to stay put, and she’d agreed. But…
What if he’s hurt? What if that bullet hit him, and he’s down there right now, bleeding out?
An image she hadn’t pictured in a really long time filled her vision. One created by things she’d read and heard but had never actually seen.
Hunter, lying in the dirt. Shot and bleeding out. Only this time, Natalie realized it wasn’t Hunter’s face staring up at her.