Free Second Chances by Clare Atling Page B

however, wouldn’t let her out of his sight
and his home was the one place he could keep her safe.
    Sarah had washed her wounds and dressed her in another one
of Logan’s shirts. The healer had confirmed she was fine, but to let her rest
and to call her back once Callie had woken. Logan desperately wanted her to
wake up so he could tell her he loved her. He knew for sure the moment he had
seen Colt carrying her out. He would never again doubt it, but he knew he had a
long way to go to prove it to her.
    She was sleeping on his bed and he was curled next to her. He
had sent the others home to get some rest, as all of them had been awake for over
twenty-four hours and they were all shattered. He kissed her lips and pulled
her gently against his body to feel her warmth, before he shut his eyes and
felt sleep drag him under.

 
     
    Chapter 17
    Callie tried to stretch out, but something heavy was pressed
against her. She wasn’t quite awake yet, but knew something was preventing her
from moving. Suddenly it all came back to her as she lashed out against her
restraints and screamed, pushing as hard as she could to get free. The dark,
rank dungeon where Marcus had her played in her mind as her eyes flew open. When
she saw Logan, she thought she must have died and was free from Marcus. She
must have been in heaven, as she was wrapped in Logan's arms and he was holding
her against him like he would never let her go. How long had she wished for
this!
    ‘Shhh, baby,’ he said soothingly. ‘It’s okay, you’re safe. I’ve
got you... You’re home.’ Logan's soft voice flooded through her as she wrapped
her arms around him so tightly that she didn’t want it to be a dream. Please,
don’t let me wake up back there. Please . She willed her thoughts to make it
true. ‘Baby, I’m so sorry…’ He sounded so real.
    ‘Logan?’ her voice was rough and her throat hurt. She opened
her eyes and took a deep breath. His scent filled her lungs and she squeezed
tighter, willing it not to be a dream.
    ‘Careful, baby. I need to breathe,’ he laughed. It was like
music to her ears.
    ‘Am I dead?’ She didn’t want to know the truth; she just
wanted this to be heaven and stay in his arms forever.
    ‘No, baby, you’re not dead. We came for you and you’re home
now.’ He loosened her arms so he could look at her. ‘Open your eyes, baby. Look
at me. I’m here with you. You’re safe, I promise.’
    That word sent a jolt of alarm through her system. He had promised
her before it would all be okay and then he had let her go. She struggled to
get free of him. The instant she pushed he had let his arms become loose, so
she could scramble to the other side of the bed and sit up.
    ‘What happened?’ she asked. ‘Why am I at your house?’ She
was confused about being in his bed. He had watched her being taken by Colt,
whom she now knew was her brother. She snorted at that thought, remembering
vaguely the last time she had seen him; he’d looked just as shocked as she was
to find out they were siblings. ‘Where is Colt?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ replied Logan. ‘That prick was lucky I
didn’t kill him when I saw him carrying you across the gardens. He handed you
over and warned me to run. As soon as you are up for it, Seth wants to talk to
you about what happened. I told them you’ll speak when you were ready to. Baby,
I was so frightened.’ He moved to come towards her, but she held her hand up to
stop him.
    ‘Where’s Sarah? I want to see her. I can’t be here right
now. Please…’ She looked down at her hands, which were shaking. When she looked
up again at Logan, she saw the flash of pain cross his eyes. ‘I want to see
Sarah.’ Her voice was quiet, but right now she needed the comfort of the one
person she knew loved her for who she was.
    ‘Okay,’ replied Logan. ‘I’ll call her now. You stay here and
I’ll make sure she comes straight over.’
    Logan was upset, but she didn’t care. He had let her go
without