I grabbed the topmost folder on my desk, something about Pack resource allocations, and held it open, pretending to read as the knock came.
Two sharp taps. Then the door cased open without waiting for a response.
“Just checking in,” Logan said, pausing in the doorway. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
He didn’t move further into the room. Just stood there, broad shoulders filling the frame, one hand braced lightly against the door.
“I’m fine,” I replied too quickly.
His eyes flicked to the desk, then to the file in my hands. A beat passed, then he clenched his jaw. The shift in posture was subtle but alert.
“You’re still working,” he said mildly. “Long day?”
“They’re all long.” I smiled thinly and forced my voice light. “But I’m almost done.”
I could feel his gaze on me and I didn’t know what he was trying to read: my face? My tone? The invisible weight of guilt threading between my ribs for not sharing what was in my locked drawer?
“Need help?” he asked.
“With spreadsheets?” I raised an eyebrow. “You offering to do admin work now?”
To my surprise, he smiled. Just slightly. “No. But I thought you might want a break.”
He crossed the threshold now, but slowly. Cautious. I didn’t think I’d moved that far away, but something in his eyes told me he could feel the distance growing between us again.
“I’m all right,” I said again, softer this time.
“Are you?” he asked, and the question took my by surprise.
I looked up. His eyes were sharp but not kind. There was no accusation in them, just concern buried under layers of restraint.
“I’ve just been…thinking,” I admitted. “A lot on my
He nodded, thoughtful. “About the press or the case?”
I hesitated. “Yes. Among other things.”
Logan waited, like he was hoping I’d offer something more. I didn’t.
Instead, I closed the file, walked around the desk, and leaned against the edge, trying to seem casual
“You seem tense,” I said, trying to redirect.
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Julian,” he said, without missing a beat.
I stiffened.
“It’s not a problem,” he added quickly. “I just… noticed.”
“Because he’s an assistant,” I said carefully. “And because I’ve been trying to re–establish trust after the incident with Carla. It helps to double–check things.”
‘I wasn’t accusing you,” he said, and his voice was almost too calm. “I’m just saying–I’ve noticed.”
The silence between us deepened. I could hear the faint hum of the hall lights, the distant scrape of chairs in the conference room. Too much unsaid hung in the air.
“You don’t have to keep watching for signs I’m cracking or stealing,” I said quietly.
He stepped a little closer. “I’m not watching for that.”
“Then what are you watching for?”
Logan’s eyes traced the shape of my face and when he answered, his voice was low. “Signs that you’re shutting me out again.”
I exhaled, slow and steady. “Maybe I am.”
“Why?”
Because I’m holding evidence that could tear the Blackwood Pack apart. Because I don’t know if you’ll believe me when the time comes. Because I think I want more with you.
But I didn’t say any of that.
“I guess I’m still figuring out where I stand,” I said instead. “With the Pack. With the public. With you.‘
He stepped close enough that I could feel the warmth of him, but not close enough to touch.
“For what it’s worth,” he murmured, “I’m still trying to figure it out too.”
I nodded, eyes on the floor. After a moment, Logan turned and headed for the door. But just before he stepped out, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
“If you ever need to tell me something… you can.”
Then he was gone.
And I was left with a locked drawer, a war brewing in my chest, and no idea what came next.
