High-Sided: An Armed & Dangerous Novel Read online

  “Because,” she whispered, opening her eyes, “I never would’ve realized the truth if I didn’t come here. What I don’t understand is why you kept it all a secret.”

  I clicked on the folder with her name, and there on the screen were pictures of her at different times through the years. There were ones of her walking across the stage in her cap and gown as she graduated college. The others were at various races, when I’d gone to watch Levi.

  Tears filled her eyes and she clapped a hand over her mouth. “Why didn’t you let me know you were there? Did Levi know?”

  Sighing, I closed my laptop. “He knew. I tried approaching you twice, but both times you were with someone else. After that, I figured you’d completely moved on.”

  “No,” she cried, “I didn’t. Every time I tried to date someone else, it didn’t last long. My relationships have been unsuccessful ever since.”

  “Mine too, but then again, I never cared about dating anyone.”

  She stiffened. “So you slept around?”

  “We’ve all made mistakes, Kassie. I hate you’ve been with other men, but it’s something I have to live with.”

  She stood and walked away, keeping her back to me. “Only one, Logan. There’s only one man I’ve been with besides you. It wasn’t easy for me to let someone in after you left. I wish you would’ve come to me earlier. I needed you more than you know, especially when my mother died.”

  I walked up behind her and put my arms around her waist. When she didn’t recoil, I held her tighter. “And I was there, Kassie. Your mother was an amazing woman.” She burst out crying and I held her until she stopped. I didn’t want to let her go. “After I let you go, I knew you hated me. When I assumed you were happy with someone else, I had to face the fact I lost you. I’d never been so angry with myself in all my life. I loved you, and even to this day, I never stopped.”

  She turned around and laid her head on my chest. “Even when I tried to hate you, I still loved you too. I can’t help but think about all the years we lost.”

  I tilted her chin up and looked down at her lips. “We can’t get them back, but we can always make up for what we lost.” I pressed my lips to hers and her arms around my neck tightened. She opened her mouth and I pushed my tongue inside, loving the way she tasted.

  Kassidy

  I felt like I was in a dream. Everything felt right for the first time in my life. But when I opened my eyes, it wasn’t a dream. Logan’s arms were wrapped around my waist and I could feel his breath against my ear. After talking the entire night, we finally fell asleep around three in the morning. My phone vibrated across the hardwood floor, but I couldn’t reach it. Logan tightened his grip so I couldn’t get it.

  “What are you doing?” I laughed.

  “Keeping you close. Who’s calling you so early anyway?”

  I glanced out the window at the sun. “I don’t think it’s that early. We need to get up and get to work. Or better yet, I need to get to work, and you to the track. You have a race to get prepared for. Will you be coming with me?”

  “Yes. That way I can make sure you’re protected.”

  “You don’t really think someone will come after me, do you?”

  He shrugged. “Not sure. My partner’s investigating the Hendrix team. They seem to be the ones who hate your father the most.”

  “Is that who’s truck was here last night?” I asked.

  “Yep. He’s undercover as well. One of these days, you’ll meet him. Until then, I want to keep his identity private. Just like I want you to keep all of this about me a secret. You, your father, and Ethan are the only ones who need to know the truth.”

  I nodded. “I understand. I won’t say anything.” Now that I was free from his grasp, I grabbed my phone and looked at the time. “Shit.”

  Logan sat up and scratched his head. “What is it?”

  “It’s seven-thirty and I missed a call from Sean.” He also left a couple of text messages.

  Sean: Where are you? I tried calling.

  Sean: I’m on my way to your house.

  “Great, he’s on his way to my house,” I groaned.

  His gaze narrowed. “I was going to ask you this last night, but I wasn’t ready to bring it up.”

  Swallowing hard, I held my breath. By the look on his face, I could tell it was something that concerned him.

  “You and Sean seem close, but I can’t help but sense something between you two. And I’m not talking in a brother and sister kind of way.”

  Releasing a heavy sigh, I bowed my head. “I was hoping this wouldn’t come up, but if we’re going to be honest with each other, I guess it’s better to get it out in the open.” I lifted my head and faced him. “Remember when I told you I’d only been with one other man besides you?”

  His jaw clenched. “It was him? Your step-brother?”

  “Yes, but it was before our parents ever got together. After that, we separated ways.”

  He scoffed. “Doesn’t look like he sees it that way.”

  I couldn’t argue with him there. “That’s why I have plans to set him up with my friend, Janie. I know he still has feelings for me, and it doesn’t help that I’ve basically been single the past eight years.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “I do,” I admitted truthfully, “but not in the way you think. He was there for me after you left and he hasn’t left my side since. He and Levi were all I had.”

  Logan got to his feet and held me. “You don’t have to explain. But I have to ask, are you going to tell him about us?”

  I breathed him in. “Yes. With you being back, there’s no way I can keep my feelings hidden. Maybe he’ll see he needs to move on too. Now, I need to go. Sean’s probably almost to my house.”

  He looked down at me, his gaze serious. “Do you need me to be there when you tell him?”

  “No,” I gasped. “He’ll be pissed at first. If you’re there, it’ll only make him angrier. I have to make sure he understands why you left me. Besides, you need to get to the track. I know you’re a big time FBI agent now, but you still have a role to play.”

  He kissed me again and sucked my bottom lip between his teeth, stirring old feelings, leaving my body buzzing. “Yes, I do. Maybe after work, we can go out?”

  “Like a date?” I asked with a sly smile.

  He nodded. “There’s somewhere I want to take you.”

  “Sounds great. Find me at the shop when you get done at the track.” I started for the door, feeling as if I was on air, but then reality struck and everything came crashing down. I jerked around and Logan’s brows furrowed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I know you’re here on a mission, but what happens when it’s over? Where will that leave us?”

  He closed the distance and held my face in his hands. “I’m not exactly sure, but I can say that I’ll never leave you again. We’ll work it out.”

  “Promise?”

  His thumb brushed across my lips. “I promise.”

  It was all I needed to hear. Hurrying out the door, I raced to the back yard and started up my bike. Logan watched me race off, and before I disappeared behind the trees, I waved. It was easier riding during the day because I could see better. I wanted to get home before Sean showed up. Unfortunately, he pulled up in the driveway as I shot out of the trees.

  His eyes widened, then they narrowed in anger. The direction I came from was a clear sign of where I was at. He opened his car door and slammed it shut.

  “Hey,” I called out, taking off my helmet. “Everything okay?”

  He scoffed. “It was, until now. Please don’t tell me you were with him.”

  I got off my bike. “It’s not what you think. There’s a lot you don’t know.”

  “Really? I know that he hurt you. Or did you forget that?” he snapped.

  Sighing, I walked over to him. “No, I didn’t.”

  “Does he know about us?”

  “Yes, he knows everything.
But there’s a reason why he left me, Sean. He didn’t want me missing out on school because he knew I’d skip it to take care of him. That’s why he broke up with me. He came back a couple of times to get me back, but each time I was dating someone else; he didn’t want to interfere. All this time, I thought he didn’t care, but he did.”

  “You’re actually gonna believe that story? What a load of bullshit.”

  “No, it’s not. He has pictures of me on his laptop. Some are from graduation and the rest were from the races. He used to come and watch Levi. Apparently, they kept in touch throughout the years.”

  His eyes widened. “Levi never said anything.”

  “No, he didn’t. He knew how much we hated Logan.” Releasing a heavy sigh, he sat down on my front porch stairs and I joined him. “I need your support on this, Sean. You mean a lot to me and I don’t want this to come between us. But you know I’ve always loved him.”

  He lowered his head. “I know,” he murmured. “I guess I secretly hoped you’d come back to me.”

  My heart ached for him. “I’m sorry. I love you, I do, but it’s time for you to move on. I want to help you with that.” I bumped him in the shoulder and put my arm around him. “Janie’s a sweet girl. I have no doubt you’ll like her.”

  Chuckling, he bumped me back. “Doubt it, but I’m willing to try.”

  “Good. I’ll call her this afternoon.”

  Sean left so I could get ready for work and when I arrived, everyone was crowded around inside, including Logan. I thought he’d be at the track with everyone, but I had a feeling I knew who they were surrounding. Logan winked at me and I felt the blood rush to my cheeks.

  My father noticed the exchange and smiled. “Come here, Kassie. Look who’s back,” he called. Trey and Daniel stepped out of my way and there was Ethan, standing in the middle of the crowd, with his arms wide open.

  “I’m back,” he shouted excitedly.

  I ran over and jumped in his arms. “You have no idea how happy this makes me.”

  “Me too, peanut. We’ll talk soon, okay?”

  Nodding, I squeezed him hard. “Sounds good, be careful,” I whispered in his ear.

  “I will.” He let me go and I stepped away so the others could talk to him. I started toward my office and I couldn’t help but feel the tension between Sean and Logan as I walked past. Hopefully, it wouldn’t last long now that Sean knew Logan didn’t want to hurt me.

  I opened the door to my office and when I heard it shut behind me, I turned around. My father stood there with his hands clasped in front of him. “I see you know the truth now,” he said softly, glancing out the window, where everyone dispersed. “Doesn’t look like Sean’s happy about it though. Once all of this is over, he’ll understand.”

  My office was in the corner of the shop, but I had two windows that let me see everyone as they worked. Sean didn’t want an office, so he mainly worked alongside the riders, helping them train. I was curious to see how he was going to work with Logan since I couldn’t help but notice the glares he was giving him.

  “I hope so. I already told him that Logan and I talked everything out last night. He knows that Logan did what he felt he needed to do; like you and Levi did with keeping it all a secret from me.”

  Sighing, he lowered his head. “It killed me to do it, Kassidy. I’m just glad you know the truth about all of it. Maybe now, you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” He lifted his head as I closed the distance to hug him. He froze at first, but then embraced me back, almost too hard.

  “I forgive you, Dad. All I’m worried about now is you and our crew. What if something bad happens again?”

  “I don’t know, baby. I just hope Logan and his partner can figure out who’s gunning for me. Until then, I want you to stay close to him. He can keep you safe.”

  Brows furrowed, I let him go. “Do you think I’m in danger? No one’s ever tried to hurt me before.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s a risk I’m not willing to take.”

  “What about Angela?” I asked. What better way to hurt someone than go after their spouse.

  He waved me off. “She’ll be fine. I bought her a new gun to carry around. If anyone messes with her, she’ll have no issue using it.” Angela was a feisty woman. Not many people wanted to mess with her. My father ruffled my hair and placed a kiss on my forehead. He walked to the door and opened it.

  Logan and our other racers, Trey, Daniel and Miller, all congregated around Trey’s bike, while Logan sat on it, clearly trying to show them something. It reminded me of how he used to mentor Levi. But what really caught my attention was how hot he was sitting on the bike, his arm muscles tightening every time he moved them. I wanted those arms around me.

  “Are you going to let Logan race? We can’t let him get hurt while he’s trying to solve your case.”

  “I know,” he said, following my line of sight, “but we have no choice. The Virginia race is coming up in less than two weeks. It’s the last one before the main in Georgia. With Sean not racing, we need him. He’s the best.”

  I closed my eyes. “And everyone else knows it, which makes him a sure target.” Logan didn’t go into detail about all of the dangerous things he’d done over the years, but I had to believe he was capable of handling anything.

  My father squeezed my shoulders. “He’ll be fine, peanut. Logan’s amazing at his job. There’s never been a case he hasn’t solved and came out on top.”

  There was a first time for everything though.

  He strolled out of my office and my focus landed on Logan.

  Hopping off Trey’s bike, he smiled and ventured his way into my office. “Everything good with your dad?” he asked.

  Trey and Daniel watched us with sly smiles and I rolled my eyes. Miller looked at me and shrugged before busying with something else. “Sorry, but I think we have an audience. Everyone around here knows the story of my heart break. I had forbidden anyone to mention your name while I was around.”

  His smile grew wider. “And yet, here we are. They bet me fifty dollars each that you’d slap me when I walked in here. Looks like they’re going to owe me money.”

  “You’re evil.” I laughed. “You shouldn’t take advantage of your teammates.”

  He scoffed. “They deserve it, especially since they were talking about how sexy your ass is in those shorts.”

  “Oh yeah? Are you sure it was just the boys looking at my ass?” Biting my lip, I shut my office door and locked it, glancing at him over my shoulder so he could get a clear view of my backside.

  His hungered gaze roamed over my body. “You don’t want to know.”

  “Why is that?” I asked, turning around and leaning against the door. “Because I for one can tell you how hot you looked sitting on Trey’s bike. I’ve missed watching you.”

  Logan’s eyes darkened with need. “Kassie, you don’t want to start something right now. Trust me on this, I won’t be able to stop myself.” His breaths came out faster and so did mine.

  I bit my lip and ran my hand around the collar of my shirt, letting my eyes dip down to get a good look at his body. “I guess I shouldn’t tell you that I’ve been thinking about how good it would feel to have you pressed against me . . .”

  A deep growl rumbled in his chest and he closed the distance, grabbing me around the waist. “How do you do this to me every time you open that mouth of yours?” His lips found mine, pushing his tongue deep inside.

  My whole body tingled with the contact, and my toes curled as he ground his arousal into my hip. Grabbing my legs and bringing them around his waist, he held me up and pushed us against the door.

  “Fuck, I’ve missed this,” he moaned into my mouth.

  “You have no idea.”

  Logan

  We’d just straightened our clothing when Sean stormed into the office, slamming the door open in a huff. “Ready to go?” he growled. “Looks like I’m stuck working with you today.”

  So the big
guy had received the news. I turned around to face him. “Richard thought I could help. I won’t step on your toes, I promise.” I only wanted to help, but Sean obviously didn’t see it that way.

  Sean scoffed. “Whatever, Chandler. Let’s go.” He stormed away.

  I chuckled and turned back to Kassie. “Is he seriously going to order me around?”

  She shrugged. “He is part owner. I know it sucks, but to him you’re just a racer. Just don’t butt heads with him too much. He’s a good friend and I care about him.”

  “I know. But if he tries to come between me and you, we’re gonna have problems.”

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  I made my way for the door and stopped. “We still on for our date this afternoon?”

  A smile stretched across her beautiful face. “As long as you leave the track in one piece.”

  I winked and left her office for the track. For the most part, Sean stayed out of my way. We both worked with Trey, Daniel, and Miller, but not at the same time. I thought he’d push his owner status on me and try to knock me around, but he never did. My tolerance could only take so much, so I was glad he kept his distance.

  “Are you gonna ride with us this time?” Daniel asked as he straddled his bike.

  I shook my head. “You don’t need me. Your shifting’s gotten better, smoother. I want to see how you do without me.”

  He revved his engine and slowly rode to the start line. Daniel was only twenty-three years old and reminded me so much of Levi in the way he rode. He had the potential to be great, but he still had a lot to learn. Trey and Miller both joined Daniel at the line, getting into position. Trey was a year older than Daniel with the same kind of riding style. They had the speed but no technique. Miller, on the other hand, was twenty-six and more experienced. There wasn’t much difference between mine and his riding.

  Sean held up the flag and as soon as he lowered it, the guys took off. Miller was one of the guys I’d be racing against in Virginia. If there was one thing I hated, it was going against my own teammates. Miller was brought in after my accident so I didn’t know him well, but I’d watched him and Levi race together. Richard had a way of picking amazing riders.