Dark Moon Falls: Logan, page 5
Madison stretched, her hands going to her lower back. “God, I’m so stiff,” she groaned, her eyes closed as she bent her back to stretch her muscles even more. Logan tried not to gawk at her large breasts as she arched her back, pushing them out even more, though that was probably not her intention. “I feel as if all I’ve done lately is sit around on my backside.” She blew out a deep breath as she settled back in the chair, and Logan jerked his attention away from her luscious globes. “I’m not used to being so sedentary. Do you think we could go for a walk at least?”
Logan turned his gaze to the back door. He had just completed a patrol of the area and discovered nothing suspicious. He debated within himself for only a moment before nodding. Turning back to Madison, he said, “Sure, I don’t see why not. I forget not everyone’s a hermit like me.” He tapped the top of the kitchen table. “A walk sounds nice.”
Eight
Logan helped her down the steps to the leaf-strewn ground, taking a lung-filling deep breath the moment her feet hit the earth. She ignored the long blade hanging at his side, knowing the weapon was a smart move for their protection. She had seen him wear it every time he left the cabin and imagined it was a natural part of his wardrobe, although he didn’t wear it outside.
Dax bounded off the top step, hitting the ground, tail wagging as he turned to watch her, his mouth open, tongue lolling in his enthusiasm. It was the first time she had ventured outside since she found herself on his front porch, and the sun peeking through the branches overhead caressing her upturned face felt almost religious. She had missed the fresh air, the cool evenings, the brisk mornings. Living in the Pacific Northwest meant nature was your backdrop, and Madison could never get enough of its beauty. As Logan led her to the path from his back door out into the woods around his cabin, she thought how she would love to be able to live in a cabin like this—just with the stipulation that she got out once in a while
Then, it dawned on her that Logan had not left the cabin since finding her, either. She cocked her head to the side as she glanced over at him briefly. “Do you not have a job to go to?” she asked, wondering why she hadn’t been curious about it before. “I haven’t seen you leave since I woke up. Not that I’m complaining.” She smiled over at him again as he moved between a couple of oaks. “I’m not sure how I would have managed without you there helping me to get around. But, surely I’m keeping you from something. Someone?” Hopefully, that wasn’t too obvious.
Logan reached down, picking up a long, thin branch, and handed it to her to use as a walking stick. “I clean several businesses in Dark Moon Falls after hours. I’ve let Lyall and the others know I’d be missing a couple of days, so nothing to worry about.” He glanced at her, smiling, as they continued walking. “And no, there isn’t someone else you’re keeping me from.” Did he sound sad when he said it. “My brother died a couple of years ago. He was the only family I had left.” He shrugged. “It’s just Dax and me now. Quiet, but it works for us.”
Dax pranced around Madison, sticking closer to the blond rather than Logan.
Logan shook his head. “Well, it works for me,” he said with a slight chuckle. “Obviously, Dax prefers more company than me and a few squirrels.”
Madison saw his smile, but even that couldn’t hide the sadness she detected in his voice. “Is there a reason you prefer being out here all alone?” she asked before she could think better of her prying question. She found herself more and more curious about what drove this man, this strong, virile man, to live out in the woods all by himself. What had happened to him?
They continued walking in silence for a while, and at first, she thought Logan wasn’t going to answer. Then she heard the slight sigh slip past his lips as he slid his hands into his pockets. “My brother died in a crowd,” he told her, glancing up at the darkening sky. “I wasn’t able to get to him in time because of the amount of people around.” He took a deep breath. “I haven’t actually been a fan of crowds since.” He glanced around the cottonwoods and maples as if he inspected everything around him. “It’s easier to watch your back in a setting like this.”
“I’m sorry,” she said as they walked, her heart aching at the pain he suffered, the pain she heard in his voice, the pain that drove him to hide from the world. “I can’t even imagine what that must have been like.”
He nodded, but remained silent.
They walked on, Madison allowing Logan to be alone with his thoughts while she remained alone with hers. At least now, she knew the reason for his stoic behavior. She couldn’t imagine watching your brother die right in front of you, to be so close, and being unable to do anything about it.
“Logan!” a female’s voice rang out, slicing the silence of the woods, shattering Madison’s thoughts.
Madison watched as Logan came up short, turning toward the sound of the voice, waiting. Madison noticed he didn’t call out in return, however. Still, he didn’t seem worried, his posture relaxed, so she assumed he knew whoever searched for them. Somehow, that kept the panic from reaching Madison’s nerves. At least, for the most part.
After a few moments, a curly, dark-haired woman with pale green eyes slipped from between two cottonwoods, her hand on the hilt of a blade at her waist, much like Logan’s. Dax darted away from Madison’s side to greet the newcomer, his tail wagging. The woman smiled briefly at the German Shepherd, reaching down to scratch his head. “Who’s a good boy?” she said. “Keeping Logan from getting lost in his own backyard, aren’t you?” She then glanced up to Logan, her expression shifting from welcoming to grim as she approached, her head tilted to the side as she studied Logan. “Do you think this is a smart idea?” she asked as she drew nearer. “Being out in the open like this? All anyone needs is a second to get a shot off. Not even Dax can save her from a gun he can’t see.”
Madison saw Logan cock an eyebrow at the other woman as he slid a hand into his front pocket. Dax padded back over to Madison and sat down at her feet, his tongue lolling. “Something you know that I don’t?” he asked. “I’ve done a patrol of this whole area. No one is near.”
“I’m near,” the other woman said, lips pressed into a thin line. “All it takes is for someone to come in after your patrol, and you know it. If they’ve been watching you, then they very well might know when you do a scan of the area and move out of the way until you’ve finished.”
Logan chuckled as he dipped his gaze down to the earth. The sight of his smile warmed Madison’s heart and brought a tingle to a couple of other spots as well. He smiled so rarely. “Did you come all the way out here to criticize my skills as a protector, Samira?” He glanced back up at the other woman, the corner of his mouth twisted up into a lopsided grin. “Or do you have another reason for being out here?”
Samira rolled her pale green eyes as she moved to lean against one of the cottonwoods. “Levi sent me out here,” she said. She glanced at Madison for a brief second and then back to Logan, her brows pinched with hesitation, her expression troubled. With a sigh, she said, “Barnett told Levi…” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Logan, but the man leading the rogues who killed those campers is Doyle Carter.” She kept her gaze locked onto Logan’s as she spoke.
Madison turned to see Logan’s reaction, and her breath caught in her throat at his pale, blank face. Whoever this Doyle Carter was, Logan definitely had a past with the man, and it wasn’t good.
“How does Barnett know Doyle is involved?” Logan asked, his expression unchanged as he kept his focus on Samira. “Did they find something?”
Samira nodded. “Enough to make him believe Doyle is back around Dark Moon Falls. Someone also dropped a body off at the hospital—a wolf.” She glanced over at Madison. “Appeared like he had been stabbed with a piece of wood. He was dead when they tossed him out of their car.” She nodded, a look of appreciation on her face. “Nicely done.”
Madison gave the other woman a puzzled look pinching her brows. “Thanks?” She wasn’t sure how she felt about being complimented on killing someone. It definitely hadn’t been her intention to kill anyone, just to keep from being killed herself.
Samira shrugged. “Hey, it was either him or you.” She then turned back to Logan, her expression turning serious. “Levi doubts Doyle has left Dark Moon Falls. He thinks Doyle will wait it out until he gets a chance to take out your witness.”
Logan shot Samira a look. “That sounded a little...cold,” he said. He then introduced the two of them, Madison assumed so the other woman wouldn’t call her the witness again.
Samira shifted as she crossed her arms over her chest. “You know what this means, right?” she asked. “We can finally get that bastard who killed Dusker. We can finally take Doyle down.”
Madison turned to Logan, her brows pinched with question. “Who is Dusker?”
Samira arched an eyebrow as Logan said, “My brother.”
Madison just stared at Logan, suddenly wishing she had landed on someone else’s front porch in her escape. Instead, she brought the man who killed his brother back into Logan’s life. She closed her eyes as she inhaled a deep breath. Logan took such great care of her since he found her and she repaid him by bringing the nightmare from his past to his front door. He would hate her for sure.
Opening her eyes, she turned to him. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “I didn’t...”
“Didn’t what?” Samira asked, cutting Madison off.
Logan turned to Madison and shook his head. “You didn’t know who was murdering those campers,” he told her. “You also didn’t ask for this. You didn’t bring this to my doorstep. Doyle did.” He placed his hands on his hips and glanced back to Samira. “And now, we can finish what we started two years ago and finally catch that son of a bitch.” That last came out in a hiss. “Does Levi or Barnett have a plan?”
“Well...” Samira said, shifting slightly where she stood. “From what I heard, they want to use your witness here as bait. Draw Doyle out into...”
“No,” Logan cut her off, and Madison was surprised at the force in his tone. “We are not using Madison as bait.” He shook his head. “No way. Doyle is too smart for that. I’m not letting him anywhere near her. Tell Barnett to find another way.” He turned, gesturing to Madison as he did. “Come on, let’s head back to the cabin.”
Dax hopped up to follow Logan.
Madison watched Logan walk off, surprised at the vehemence in his voice at Samira’s statement. Yet, Madison knew if she expected to get her life back, this Doyle character would need to be put in jail. Someone had a plan to do just that, and she needed to hear it. “How would they use me as bait?” Madison asked, turning back to face the dark-haired woman.
Nine
“It’s a bad idea,” Logan told Madison as he changed her bandage, dropping the gauze on the towel at his feet. “Doyle is a tricky bastard. You think you have him trapped and then he slips through your grasp like an oiled pig.” He shook his head as he inspected the stitches. The skin was pink, but healing nicely. Another four days and the stitches should dissolve without worry. Logan reached for a clean solution, satisfied with Dara’s healing skills. “I watched him kill my brother, and Dusker wasn’t healing from three gashes in his gut. You need to tell Levi and Barnett no.” He glanced up into her deep blue eyes, very aware that he still touched her warm flesh. “It’s too dangerous.”
Before Samira had left, she told them that Barnett and Levi intended on setting another trap for Doyle at The Wolf Inn, just like the time Doyle killed Dusker. The op would be a combination effort, teaming up the Pack Hunters with the sheriff’s department and the park rangers. All three forces wanted Doyle Carter, and it would be all hands on deck. Levi’s plan was to make it seem as if Madison believed Doyle had given up and let her guard down. They assumed he would be watching Logan’s cabin somehow, although no one had detected him in the immediate vicinity. That still didn’t mean he didn’t have someone long range spying on the cabin from a spot long range. As soon as they saw Madison leave the cabin without Logan, they knew Doyle wouldn’t wait to take her out.
“Levi promises to have surveillance on her at all times,” Samira had said. “She’ll never be out of anyone’s sight. If Doyle makes a move earlier than we want, someone will be there to protect her.”
However, Logan knew that couldn’t exactly happen because they would need to give Madison the appearance of being alone. Oh, Levi would have people watching her, but from a distance. There were too many variables when trying to protect someone with a sniper’s rifle, like all the damn trees that could get in the way. She needed someone nearby in case Doyle made a preemptive move, but no one would be right beside her. Logan wouldn’t be right beside her, and that scared the hell out of him.
No matter how much he tried to dissuade her, though, Madison remained determined she would see the plan through. She saw it as the only way to end her nightmare.
Madison reached out and placed a hand on his arm, her soft smile trying to reassure him. “But it may be the only chance I have to be free of him. I can’t hide here forever.” She leaned back, her face turning somber. “I’m sure you want your peace and quiet back.”
He shrugged as he finished putting medicine over her stitches to ease the pain and the itching. “You don’t make that much noise,” he told her. Then he pointed at the German Shepherd at her feet. “Besides, I think Dax has grown used to having you here.”
He started to stand, but Madison placed a hand on his wrist, holding him in place. “And what about you?”
He stared at her, her eyes begging him to say something he feared committing to and failing. He could feel the pull of his wolf within craving to take the luscious blond in front of him as their mate, to make her his in all sense of the word. He knew he needed her in his life, that she made him more than just a hermit escaping a past he wished he could change, but he was afraid of losing someone he cared about again. Logan had grown accustomed to being alone, depending on only himself to see each day through. The last person who had counted on him found themselves on the wrong end of Doyle Carter’s blade. Logan knew he couldn’t survive if something happened to Madison. In only a few days, he had grown to care for her, to want only the best for her. He wanted her in his life.
He stood, her hand sliding from his wrist as he smiled at her. “Well, it’d be nice if you helped with the cooking some,” he teased, and the look on her face told him his answer wasn’t what she wanted—needed—to hear. Logan swallowed the trepidation he felt as he gazed into her eyes, losing himself as he did that first night after Dara had tended Madison’s wounds. “I like you here as well.” He gave her a soft smile. “You’re definitely a better conversationalist than Dax.” Then he turned serious. “Madison, I can protect you here.” He took a deep breath, summoning the courage to utter his next admission, “I don’t know if I could in town. I freeze up in crowds, becoming all claustrophobic and paralyzed. I would be more a hindrance than a help.” Already, he could feel the fear gripping his chest at just the thought of being in The Wolf Inn like that. Again. “Don’t do what they’re asking you. It’s too dangerous.”
“Logan, we can’t stay here and hide,” she stressed. “We have to do something to get them off my back, and this seems to be the only way to accomplish that. I want my life back.”
He nodded before turning to put the medicine and bandages away. “I know you do. I just wish there was a better way, that’s all.” However, he just wasn’t sure if a better way existed.
He heard her shuffle behind him, the scrape of the chair on the wooden floor. “I’m going to grab a shower. The hot water in your shower is better than a massage.” He turned and saw her standing there, smiling as she stared at him. “It’ll be okay, Logan. You’ll see. You trust these people, and I trust you.” She nodded, her lips pressed into a tight smile before she walked away toward the hall and the bathroom beyond.
He watched her disappear, her ass swaying as she walked, drawing his gaze to her until she was out of sight. Trust wasn’t the issue. Doyle’s capabilities were the issue. Logan took another deep breath. He had to protect her, but doubted he was worthy of the task.
He finished putting away the first aid supplies, then moved to make a fresh pot of coffee. Dax growled behind him. Logan turned and noticed the German Shepherd, still sitting but with his head straight, ears perked as he glared at the back door, a low growl rumbling from deep in his throat.
Logan followed his gaze a moment and then peeked out the kitchen window into the fading light. Nothing. He took a deep breath through his nose as he strained his ears to hear whatever snagged Dax’s attention. The German Shepherd didn’t growl at forest animals. If he was on high alert, someone was out there who didn’t belong. He turned to Dax and pointed to the hallway. “Guard,” he commanded the dog.
The German Shepherd leaped to his feet and padded over to the hallway where he turned and sat down on his back haunches, his neck straight as he watched the area in front of him.
Logan nodded, satisfied that Madison was protected. He grabbed the keys to the cabin, shoved them into his pants pocket, and eased his way to the back door, knowing the front was already locked. He stepped out on his back porch, pausing a moment to take another deep breath of the evening air. Someone was out there. Only one. He could smell them. Smell their wolf sulking around the woods surrounding Logan’s cabin, They had already shifted, thinking their animal would go unnoticed more than likely. Bad decision on their part.
