Chapter 0312
I pulled back from the kiss at once and hid my face into Logan’s shoulder,
Logan looked over toward where the noise came from “They weren’t taking a picture of us,” he said. With his reassurance, I glanced and saw a woman taking a picture of her friend wearing a sapphire broach necklace. Then she turned her phone so the woman could see
“I love how it sparkles,” the woman said.
“It will be even better with the ring–light,” the friend said.
The woman agreed.
My cheeks reddened slightly with embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” I said to Logan.
“Hazel, they could have taken our picture, though. It would have been fine,” Logan said. “In fact, per Mabel Fritz, that’s exactly the kind of attention that we want.
“I know. It’s just… reflex,” I said. “As your assistant, I was used to standing behind you, always outside the range of camera. It’s hard to change.”
“Then I’ll just keep holding onto your hand, making sure you’re beside me,” Logan said. “You aren’t hiding in the shadows anymore. You are my wife, and I’ll make sure the whole world knows it.”
I dropped my head back onto the shoulder.
“It will get easier in time,” Logan said. “In time, you won’t even remember how nervous you are now.”
“I hope so,” I told him, and meant it.
Back at the apartment, we packed our things and loaded up the car for our trip back to Russford. Our plan, drive there, arriving in the evening. Stay the night. Visit the Christopher’s in the morning. And then
return.
Dylan helped us load the car. “I don’t trust the police out there,” he said. “Drive the speed limit. Abide every single traffic regulation. Don’t give them a reason to pull you over, but if they do, record it, understand? I’d hope my lawsuit shook off some of the corruption, but we can’t count on it.”
“We won’t make trouble,” Logan said, shaking Dylan’s hand.
“Like hell you won’t,” Dylan laughed. “But at least try to make my life easier, alright?
I gave Dylan a quick, sideways hug.
“Be careful,” he told me.
“We will,” I replied.
Logan and I entered the car and drove away.
Sticking strictly to the speed limit slowed our travel time somewhat, but we were better for it. We didn’t Tun into any trouble and still made it to Russford at sunset. Logan parked by the grocery store, near the
outside stairs to my apartment.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0312
“I’ll get the bags,” he said. “You go unlock the door.”
Agreeing, I exited the car and rushed up the stairs. Grabbing my keys from my pocket, I unlocked. and pushed inside. I flicked on the light.
Then stopped.
Everything stopped.
my door
My apartment had been ransacked. My table and chairs were overturned. My couch had been slashed. My television was broken on the ground. Every drawer and cabinet in my kitchen had been opened.
My heart jerked in my chest.
My ring.
I rushed through the living room to the bedroom. Unfortunately, it looked as terrible as the rest of the apartment, drawers pulled out, clothes everywhere. My socks were scattered all over the floor.
The drawer that had held them was empty.
Dronning to my knees, I combed through the debris, searching for the little velvet bag in which I kept the
Ting.
“Hazel?!” came Logan’s voice from the living room.
“In h–here!” I shouted, my voice breaking. A lump was rising up my throat, choking me.
Logan ran to the bedroom, then stopped in the doorway, watching me. “What are you doing?”
“It’s gone,” I said. Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to fall. “The ring… It’s not here.”
Logan walked to my side, then lowered himself down beside me on his knees.
“It was in a bag. Little, black velvet. I can’t find it,” I said.
“I’ll help you look. It has to be here.”
Together, we searched every square inch of the bedroom, even under the bed and other furniture that hadn’t been totally destroyed. Coming up empty, we extended our search into the bathroom and the living
room.
