When We Met

CH 17 Rosaline

I searched Logan's eyes, trying to discern any hint of deception behind his hushed confession. His penetrating stare seemed to bore straight through me as if he could see into the darkest corners of my soul. A shiver ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the cool air of the room.

"Why should I trust anything you say?" I countered, my voice laced with suspicion. "You're the one who had me bound and dragged in here like a prisoner."

Logan leaned forward, his warm breath fanning across my face as our bodies moved disconcertingly closer. "Because I think deep down, you know I'm not the cold-blooded bastard I've been portraying." His gaze flickered down to my lips for the briefest moment before returning to lock with mine. "I need your help. This endless cycle of violence and revenge has to end before more innocent lives are lost."

My heart thudded heavily in my chest as the intensity between us became a palpable force. I found myself wavering, a part of me desperately wanting to believe his words were the truth. But years of conditioning by my mentors screamed not to let my guard down so easily.

"And if I don't help you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow defiantly. "What then, Logan? Are you going to torture me? Kill me?"

His eyes narrowed infinitesimally as he seemed to consider his response. When he spoke, his voice was low and full of a quiet intensity. "If you don't help me...then we're both damned to drown in the bloodshed."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the chamber. I watched the rise and fall of his muscular chest, my mind wrestling with indecision. Could I really trust this man whose family had been at war with mine for generations? Or was this all simply an elaborately woven manipulation?

Only one way to find out. I drew in a steadying breath and held his smouldering gaze once more.

"Alright, Logan..." I began slowly. "You want the truth? Then untie me and I'll give you more truth than you can handle..."

Logan's eyes widened briefly at my bold request before that mask of intense determination resettled over his chiselled features. For a tense moment, I wondered if I had pushed too far, called his bluff. But then he gave an infinitesimal nod and stood, turning his back to me as he retrieved a set of keys.

My heart stuttered as he knelt before me, the warmth of his body enveloping me in his close proximity. I felt his calloused hands grazing my skin as he worked the key into the restraints binding my wrists. With a solid click, the metal cuffs fell away, allowing my arms to fall forward, the pins and needles of returning circulation pricking my limbs.

Before I could fully reclaim my freedom, Logan's strong hands clamped around my upper arms, forcibly holding me in place as he leaned in so close I could taste the whiskey on his breath.

"Don't try anything foolish," he warned in a rugged murmur. "You may have charmed your way out of those cuffs, but I can just as easily put you back in them...among other things." His hooded gaze flickered down to my lips once more.

I felt a shiver of both fear and something more insidious trill down my spine at his subtle threat laced with heated promise. Mustering my courage, I met his intense stare unwavering.

"I want this bloodshed to end as much as you do," I stated, keeping my voice carefully measured. "But you have to understand, my loyalty is to my family first. If you want my trust, you have to earn it."

Logan's jaw clenched, but after a moment's taut silence, he gave a tight nod and released me from his grip, stepping back to give me space. Rubbing my slightly chafed wrists, I rose to my feet and began slowly pacing the room, gathering my thoughts before speaking once more.