Page 102 of Accepting Fate
Thank fucking god.
I give her a moment to process everything that I just told her as well as the last few months. Slowly, I can see the pieces clicking into place as Logan connects the dots. "So, that’s why you were with Lily and Alana and then Isabella?"
"Yeah. I’m sorry for involving you with Isabella but you were amazing with her, just like you were with Lily and Alana.”
"It’s my job, Bear. I love my job and I love helping people.”
"I know, Angel. And that’s why I knew that day in the hospital that I had to know who the beautiful green-eyed nurse was that looked like she wanted to take the pain away from those victims.” Pausing, I reach for Logan’s hand. "We have been doing this for years and have helped a lot of people. I don’t regret anything I’ve done to help them, and I never will. I’m sorry if that scares you but I want you to know, I will always protect you and I will never stop helping those that need help escaping their demons.”
Her eyes shine with unshed tears. She abandons her wine glass, stands, and throws herself in my lap, burying her face in my neck.
Tangling my arms around her, I hold her tight. She leans slightly back so she can hold my face in her hands. Her green eyes stare into mine and a smile spreads across her face. "You’re a good man, Grayson Tyler Hayes. Thank you.”
"For what?”
Her eyes shine with what I know is love because I look at her the same way. "For being you. I know I’m bad at expressing it but I’m so happy you’re mine.”
"Likewise, Angel.”
"Hey, can I ask you one thing?”
"Anything.”
Logan’s hand falls to the hem of my shirt and slips under. "Do these have something to do with Eliza?”
Her fingers dance along the lines of my tattoo of the willow tree then to the grandfather clock.
"Yeah. I got the willow on the four-year anniversary of her death.”
Her head tilts to the side a little like she’s confused. "I understand the tree but not the man holding the gun.”
"That’s how I killed him. I shot him and watched the life drain from his eyes. That tree was our favorite place. I couldn’t step foot in that direction for over a year. When I killed him, I decided that place needed to be remembered in a better way. I didn’t kill him under that tree, but I got rid of the parasite that took her away. I got it to remind myself that every person we kill isn’t for nothing. It reminds me that we are doing this for all the people in the world who are just like Eliza. Everyone who didn’t get the chance to get revenge.”
"And the clock?” Logan asks hesitantly.
"It’s to symbolize the memory of the victims,” I tell her, my voice dropping low. "The ones whose time on earth was stopped before we got a chance to save them.”
Tears shine in Logan’s eyes and her head falls to my neck. Her body shakes as she sobs. Slipping my hands under her shirt, I run my hands up and down her back, feeling every scar.
Don’t worry, Angel. When I find out who did this to you, these scars will be your tattoos of revenge.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Logan
Drivingdownthewindingroads to The Hideout may be my new favorite thing, especially on days like today. As soon as I woke up this morning and saw the weather, I cashed in my favor from Laura and called out. I usually would just suck it up and go in, but I have been working my ass off and I deserve a day off on a nice day.
After learning everything about Grayson and what he does with his brothers, things have been surprisingly perfect. If you would have told me last year that I would meet a guy who helps kill people, I would have run away to freaking Alaska.
When he told me about his tattoos, I fucking lost it. How did I find a man who takes people out of this world that are just like the one I’ve been running from?
My birthday is only a few weeks away and I’m wondering if Grayson was somehow sent to me by my mom as a way of her telling me it’s time to let it all go.
Gray had a mission last night and didn’t get back until late this morning. He didn’t want to wake me, so I woke up to a text saying to call him later. As soon as I got off the phone with Laura, I called him and told him the good news. We are going on a hike, but he had some things to finish up at The Hideout and asked me to meet him there when I was ready.
I roll my windows down and the warm June air hits my face. The fresh, airy smell of the trees and the sounds of the two-lane highway fill the car. Although the sound of nature is nice, I turn up the radio when I hear “As Long As You Love Me” by the Backstreet Boys start playing. It’s perfect because I just so happen to be wearing my black and white Backstreet Boys t-shirt that Allie sent me for my birthday last year.
I’m so lost in the song as I pull into the driveway, I don’t notice Noah running up to me until I’m parked next to Gray’s bike. I turn off the car and jump out and when I turn around, I’m met with a very angry Noah who is standing in front of me with his hands on his hips.