Chapter 38
Emily
There were a thousand logical explanations for what I saw.
Maybe Chloe had wandered into Logan’s office on her own. Maybe she’d asked a question. Maybe she was trying to manipulate
him. But it didn’t matter.
Logic was no match for the cold, sinking twist in my gut when I saw the two of them together, Chloe’s hand gripping Logan’s the as if to pull him closer to her.
I hadn’t meant to stare. Thadn’t meant to hesitate in the hallway, one hand on the wall like the support might keep me from shattering entirely.
I didn’t even realize where I was until I was outside in the brisk moming air, the cold burning her lungs with each inhale. My tingers clenched into fists, my nails biting half–moon shapes into my palms.
I knew better than to jump to conclusions, but that didn’t stop the che and the uncertainty. It burrowed under my skin like splinters I couldn’t dig out.
The Crowley name might be an anchor around my neck, but Chloe was the storm that could sink me.
It had always been difficult for me to stand up to her. It wasn’t necessarily that I couldn’t, but that I’d be punished for it by my father. In time, I’d learned to take Chlor’s abuse.
She’s already taken Michael away from me. I wouldn’t have her taking Logan too
By the time I circled the territory and came back to the pack house had carefully stitched my face into something neutral.
Iris was waiting in the main hall, phone in hand, blonde hair fucked neatly behind her ears. Her smile was all teeth and politeness, but her eyes screamed disdain.
“Oh, Emily.” Her voice was lilting and full of fake concem. “You look tired. Did something happen?”
I paused, eyeing her. “Nothing that would concern you.”
“I care very much,” Iris said, blinking with mock innocence. “The pack thrives when its Lana is strong. You understand, don’t you?”
I didn’t take the bait. “It’s better to keep our personal lives personal. Let’s get back to work.”
Iris let out a soft, syrupy laugh. “Just trying to help. You never know how long these things last.”
I walked away before I said something I’d regret.
I continued my work throughout the day. Anytime Logan tried to come near me, I found an excuse to leave. I didn’t want to face him yet. The wounds I’d suffered were too new.
I don’t know if he told me the truth or not. I found it more difficult to trust him with every breath he took. He didn’t exactly lie to me, but he constantly kept me in the dark.
That was almost worse.
When it was time to go, I made a race to the door in order to get out first. I had a meeting with my lawyer about the upcoming case, and it was all I wanted to think about.
The lawyer’s office was cold in that clinical way where even the walls seemed to judge you. I sat stiffly across from my attorney, resisting the urge to rub my temples.
“I’ve followed every thread,” Dorothy said, tapping a file. “But your family covered this up thoroughly. The money’s been moved through shell accounts. We’re looking at international transters, ghost signatories. It’s not impossible to trace, but…!
12
“But it’s faking too long.” My voice was tight The last thing I wanted today was more bad news.
Dorothy hesitated. “Yes. If we can’t present something solid before the judge reviews the case, we may not get a second chance.”
I exhaled through my nose, long and slow, and nodded. “Keepdigging. There’s something there. I can feel it. I’ll do what I can and get back to you.”
When I left the building, dusk was already bleeding into the sky, casting everything in shadow. The whispers started almost
immediately.
