Chapter 17 — Logan

As soon as Logan opened his eyes, he knew that he wanted to clear the air with Reed and make things right. Besides the fact that he cared about him, he was hired to be his bodyguard and Logan had a job to do. That meant that they had to be professional with each other and put their differences aside. Hopefully there wouldn’t be any differences after they had their talk, though.

He jumped into the shower, got changed and made his way downstairs to cook breakfast for the family—so far he hadn’t had to lift a finger and reciprocate with any domestic duties but that would change this morning.

Logan was going to make a promise to Reed today. He’d finally figured out what he was going to say and he hoped that Reed would be willing to listen to him. Logan knew that he was pretty closed off, and kept his cards close to his chest, but he wanted to change for Reed.

He had fallen for him.

Logan thought that he could even envision their future together—they’d work out the details along the way but as long as they had each other, they’d be fine. Suddenly, it all became so clear to him but he hoped that Reed would feel the same way in turn. He knew he was hurt last night, but he also didn’t give Logan a chance to explain that it wasn’t a rejection like Reed thought it was.

Whistling, he stepped out of his room and turned his head to see Reed's door still closed. He smiled to himself—he would let Reed sleep for a little longer and would wake him once breakfast was done.

Logan found his way around the kitchen, selecting eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast. He was almost done when Susan walked into the kitchen. Her eyes opened in surprise at the sight before her and she leaned against the counter, grinning. "Well, good morning to you. What culinary delights do we have here?”

Logan smiled, his chest feeling a lot lighter than he had in days. “Oh, you know, just thought I'd get breakfast together for everyone. No big deal.”

Susan smiled and sank into the seat at the table. “What a lovely surprise, thank you. George will be along shortly.”

“You’re welcome.” Logan plated up some food for Susan and set it before her with a flourish. "Breakfast is served, madam."

Next he returned to the food and found a tray. "As Reed wasn't feeling too great last night, I'm just gonna take the tray up to him and see how he's doing this morning."

“I’m sure he’ll be very appreciative." She cut into her egg and took a mouthful. “This is delicious, good job, Logan. How about your new job around here is as kitchen hand?” She winked at him as he shook his head, laughed and walked past.

Logan took the tray up the stairs and balancing it on his knee, he knocked on Reed’s door. When he didn't hear any sound coming from within, he called out, "Morning, Reed. I've got some breakfast for you."

Logan pinned his ear to the door but all was silent on the other end. Assuming that Reed was still fast asleep, he placed the tray on the floor and twisted the handle on the door. Pushing the door open, Logan bent at his knees and picked up the tray once again before wandering into the darkened room. The first thing he saw was the perfectly made-up bed. Logan’s heart picked up a beat. He placed the tray on the dresser and quickly walked into the bathroom to find it empty. Spinning around, he saw that everything was in perfect order. Panicking, Logan dashed out of the room and ran back downstairs. Alarmed, Susan snapped her head to him. "What's the matter? Is Reed okay?"

Logan looked frantically around the room, as if expecting Reed to pop out of a closet. "He's not in his room! I'm not sure where he is."

Susan’s fork fell to her plate. "Let me go check with George.” She pushed back her chair and ran out of the room.

Logan searched the house but could not find any trace of Reed. Running out into the front yard, he asked as couple of workers if they’d seen him, but they just shook their heads. Logan dashed back upstairs to Reed’s room once again and threw open the blinds to see if there was any sign of a struggle but it was clear—there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Then his eyes landed on Reed’s phone by the side of the bed. He picked it up but it was switched off. His heart sank. There was no way of getting in touch with him. Rubbing his forehead, Logan saw that Reed’s closet was left slightly ajar and pulling it open, he noticed that most of his clothes were gone.

Fuck! What have you done, Reed?!

Just then, Susan burst into the room, her eyes wild with fear. Logan pointed to the half-empty closet.

"Looks like he's taken most of his clothes," he said with a soft voice. "I know he was feeling pretty claustrophobic, and my guess is that he thought he would get away for a few days or something."

He was probably trying to get away from me. Logan’s heart filled with guilt.

The next moment, George ran in, holding a note. "I found this on the coffee table.” He handed the note to Susan. She scanned it and her face fell. Logan thought she looked like she was going to cry. He reached out for the note and she passed it to him with a shaky hand.

“I can't believe he’d do something so stupid.” George began to pace the room. "Not when there’s a goddamn stalker out there after him. Why the hell would he do this?" He threw his hands in the air and looked at Logan with frustration and sadness.

“I’m gonna check if the SUV is still there, but my guess is that it’s gone.”

They went outside the front of the house and around to the stables where it was parked. As he suspected, it was gone.

Logan kicked at the earth and exhaled loudly. “The only thing is I’m sure of is that there wasn't any foul play. He's obviously trying to get away—my guess is that he wants to go back to the City for a few days."

Logan pulled out his cell as George and Susan folded their arms, waiting for Logan to call the shots.

“I’m gonna place a quick call to Kellen to inform him of the situation.” He looked at George. “I need to get on the road to try and catch up with him.” Logan looked around, trying to see what vehicles were there for him to borrow.

"Take one of the bikes."

Logan knew how much he treasured his motorcycles. “Are you sure?"

“Of course. Also, you'll be faster on a bike. I've got a couple that are ready to go. Let me go organize it.”

Logan nodded, already punching Kellen’s number. He picked up immediately. “Kellen, Reed’s AWOL.”

“What the hell do you mean?” Kellen’s voice was tight. “Where's he gone?"

“Looks like he took off in the early hours of the morning with an overnight bag. He’s left his cell behind so we can’t set up a trace. I suspect he’s on his on his way back to the City. George’s loaning me a bike so I'm gonna follow the main route to see if I can pick him up somewhere."

“Copy that. I’ll radio out to the local station to keep a lookout for the SUV. What about the GPS on the vehicle?"

“Yeah, unfortunately I can’t set up a location trace.” He groaned. “We turned it off for safety. Call me if you have any news or sightings.”

“Will do. Talk soon, Logan.”

Logan dashed inside and packed up a quick backpack within minutes and then rushed back downstairs to meet George out front. George threw him the keys to the bike and he started it up. Just before he flipped his helmet on, he looked at George square in the eye. “He's not in danger, so don't worry. I’ll bring him back. I promise you.”

George nodded, his eyes misty.

With that, Logan swung his powerful leg over the seat, kicked the stand up, pulled on the throttle and flew off down the drive.

With the wind in his face, and the robust machine between his legs, Logan felt invincible as he tore down the main road. His thoughts turned to Reed and he was once again filled with a deep sense of guilt.

All his life, both growing up and in the military, Logan was taught to be tough. He didn't come from a loving and protected background like Reed did with his amazing parents—all Logan had were the foster families he bounced around between. From a young age, he soon learned to keep his feelings to himself in order to protect himself from the other kids who were even rougher than he was. As soon as he was old enough, he joined the military to gain his own independence.

And he never looked back. Women came and went along the way, some wanted to stick, but Logan had never felt a connection to anyone in his life. He thought he was destined to live a mediocre solitary life.

Until Reed.

Earlier this morning, Logan thought that he would have a nice and light conversation with Reed and then everything would be fine until the stalker was found. It all seemed so simple a few hours ago. Now however, with the thought of Reed out of his life and feeling so alone out here on his own, Logan felt as if a part of him was missing.

His chest physically hurt and until now, Logan hadn't realized the depth of his feelings for the other man. Reed was everything he wasn’t, a total opposite but he brought a light into his life. He gave Logan hope when he was resigned to leading a life with just his bikes for company.

The thought of Reed out there on his own, rushing off without even his cell so that he couldn’t be found, told Logan that he was deeply hurt by his actions. He had made Reed feel rejected and in turn, Reed had no choice but to put his life in danger by trying to get away from him.

That sobering thought made Logan feel like the smallest man on earth.

Pulling back on the throttle, Logan knew he had to make it right. As he rode along, he kept his eye out on the side of the road for any sign of the black SUV. After some time, he pulled over to check in with Kellen, but he didn’t have any news at this stage, apart from the fact that the local cops were aware to keep a lookout for the SUV.

Logan was determined to find Reed soon. He wasn't gonna give up until he had him back in his arms and had explained everything to him.

Another couple of hours went by while Logan kept telling himself he’d find Reed soon. He couldn’t have gone too much further. Judging by how fast he’d ridden and how much ground he’d covered, he was willing to bet that Reed was in the vicinity.

Up ahead, he saw a motel coming into view and decided to pull in for a little while to regroup and consult the map for any other routes that Reed may have decided to take.

He parked his bike at the front of the motel and then walked around to the entrance. As a last-minute thought, he went the other way to check the parking lot, just in case.

And then he stopped short.

The black SUV was parked there. He ran over and felt the hood—it was cool. Logan’s heart leapt with joy. Reed was here.

Dashing across the parking lot, he pushed open the door to the reception area and flew inside. The lady behind the desk looked up with a worried glance on her face.

“Can I help you, sir?”

Logan took a deep breath. “Sure. I need to find the person with the black SUV outside. I believe he must have arrived here a little while ago.”

The lady pursed her lips, her brows knitting together. “I’m sorry, sir. He’s not here.”

“What? But the SUV’s here.”

She shrugged, looking down at her desk. “Maybe it’s just been dumped. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

For a layperson, they’d probably buy her story. For a trained military man, though, Logan could tell she was hiding something. Even lying. Something wasn’t adding up.

“Can I get a room in that case?”

Reed was here. Logan could feel it.

He’d just have to sit by the window and wait it out until Reed showed himself.

Thankfully, the room that Logan was given was opposite the parking lot.

He was pleased with the position, which would enable him to keep an eye out for Reed’s return. Entering the room, he dropped his bag onto the bed, and made a quick couple of calls to Kellen and George, informing them of where he was and of his suspicions about Reed being at the motel. They were both thrilled and relieved at the news, but until he had actual eyes on Reed, Logan knew he couldn’t relax.

Used to keeping watch, Logan pulled a chair up and sat in front of the window, keeping his eyes trained on any movement coming in and out of the parking lot. Without a cell, he didn't believe that Reed would just wander off onto the main road and hitch a ride with a stranger. Surely even he would have known that that move would be too risky and overly dangerous given his current situation.

For the next few hours, nothing happened. Logan was beginning to worry and was almost tempted to go and knock on every single door in the motel. He glanced at his watch. It was beginning to get dark. Logan decided that he’d give it one more hour and then either demand the truth from the front desk or investigate himself.

Suddenly a movement caught his eye. He peered a little closer and saw a lone figure moving across the parking lot.

Bingo. It was Reed.

Worried that he was going to get into his car and drive off, Logan was ready to move, but as he watched, Reed crossed the road, heading for the diner a few hundred yards down the road. Logan was tempted to go after him now, but he also knew that he didn't want a showdown at the diner. He didn't know what Reed’s frame of mind would be and with him feeling so hurt, confused and rejected, he would rather have their first conversation in private.

He stepped out of the room and waited in the shadows of the parking lot, his binoculars trained on the diner across the road. He could make out Reed sitting in a booth on his own. Logan watched him as he quickly ate his meal and within a half an hour, he was crossing the road once again to come back to his room.

It was now dark and Logan saw Reed walk the other way to his room. He quickly followed and stopped just behind as Reed began to fumble in his pocket for his key.

“Reed, what the hell are you playing at?"