Free Chasing Trouble by Layla Nash Page A

Logan -- charged over and hauled me away from Ruby and I squalled like a baby. He was fucking scary . Not the calm quiet kind of scary, like Evershaw, but enraged, rip-your-face-off scary. I fully expected to die, and then Val wouldn't have that to look forward to.
    Except Benedict jumped up and bumped chests with his brother, shoving me behind him. I didn't mind in the least, since he had a lovely broad back to hide against, and he radiated warmth after the chill from the car. Lewis didn't believe in using the heat, apparently. So I leaned against Benedict and waited for the storm to blow over. And then I heard a semi-familiar voice, and leaned around the side of my large protector to say, "Charity lady?"
    Her perfectly groomed eyebrows arched and I flushed, more than a little embarrassed. I should have remembered her name.
    But she smiled and stepped forward to shake my hand, though she didn't get as far as she wanted because of the big dude's hold on her waist, and she had to both lean and stretch to touch me. I started to meet her in the middle but Benedict did the same thing, arms around me to keep me close. She rolled her eyes but pressed my fingers with hers. "It's Natalia, Eloise. It's lovely to see you. I was worried, when we didn't see you for a while."
    I pushed away embarrassment. Lots of people needed a little help now and then. Going to a soup kitchen wasn't anything to be ashamed of. But I remembered being rough around the edges then, hating life a lot more and not able to control the scary mojo. "Sure, sorry I forgot your name."
    I froze as the door burst open again and the two other Chase brothers came in, both with gold eyes and ready for trouble. Atticus straightened as he surveyed the situation and Edgar waved him off, then his gaze rested on me. Incredulity made him look younger than he really was. "Eloise?"
    Well, damn. Benedict's arms tightened around me and that grumble started in his chest again. Atticus immediately ducked his head and held his hands up, backing up a step or two.
    Natalia glanced between them, then back at me. She must have sensed my discomfort, I could see it in her eyes. But Logan didn't care, glaring at the lawyer who still tried to hide me behind him. "End it, Benedict. We don't consort with criminals or the hyenas, got it? I don't want that in our family."
    Benedict's shoulders broadened and Ruby started growling again. But it was Atticus who jumped forward, hands up. "Dude, don't. Don't piss her off."
    Silence rocked through the bar and I tried to make myself very small even as panic roiled up in my stomach. Atticus knew at least a part of what I was, he knew why the fight organizers had me on retainer to referee. If they knew what I really was, they'd never help me. Ruby and Rafe would kick me out. No one liked gorgons.
    Logan's nostrils flared. "I beg your pardon?"
    "Logan, man, she's not -- she's a --"
    "Shut the fuck up," I said, jumping out and driving a finger into that massive chest. He was an undefeated street fighter but I could end him if I really wanted to. Which he knew very well, and tried to warn his brother. My hands shook and too much mojo curled through my brain and eyes. "Shut up about other people's secrets, Atticus."
    He flushed but didn't look away from his brother, trying to sound calm. "Believe me, Logan. Let this one go. Don't piss her off."
    Benedict caught my arm and drew me to his side once more. He took a deep breath, as if to assure himself I was still me, then he went stiff and held me at arm's length. "Why do you smell like Todd Evershaw?"
    "For fuck's sake." I put a hand to my forehead and tried to collect my thoughts. "Could I just get a drink before we have to fucking talk about this?"
    Ruby snapped, "Good idea," and pressed a shot glass into my hand. She downed three of her own before I managed to inhale mine. Then she pointed the knife-hand at me, some of her alpha fury spilling out and making the hair stand on the back of my neck. "Start