Protector: The Flawed Series Book Three Page 16

  The man crossed his arms and continued to stare Logan down.

  Logan tried to edge around him again, this time taking the other side. The man stepped forward with a heavy foot, grabbing Logan by the arm. Logan tried to pull out of the man’s grasp, but without his power he was no match for the brute.

  Logan tried to calm his voice. “Okay, okay. No need to overreact.”

  “I’m not the one who’s overreacting.” As he spoke, the man looked over Logan’s shoulder, making eye contact with someone else. “This is him, Jones.”

  Before he could process exactly what was happening, a firm hand gripped Logan’s other arm. He turned, and his eyes went wide at the other guard, nearly as wide as his partner and taller with a shaved head.

  “Get off of me!” Logan struggled, but the men boxed him in, their grips only tightening.

  “You’ll come with us, first,” Jones said. “We have a few questions.”

  “What right do you have?” Logan was growing frantic, fury overwhelming his senses. He had to get to Jade.

  “Plenty of right, as head security officer of this establishment.”

  Logan had no choice but to let his feet fall in place as the two guards walked him down the corridor. They turned, passed the empty wing, ambled down another corridor, and stopped at a nondescript white door.

  It led into the security office. Besides holding the typical office furnishings, a block of small televisions lined a wall. The first guy shut the door hard, as if to show he meant business. The walls reverberated with the force.

  The desk was littered with papers, an empty potato chip bag, and a Broncos mug half-full of coffee. Schultz, the bearded guard, shoved Logan into one of the desk chairs and stood near his shoulder as if threatening him not to move.

  The bald-headed guard, Jones, took the leather desk chair. “First off, I need to see some ID.”

  Logan grimaced. “I forgot to grab my wallet when I left home.”

  Schultz locked gazes with his partner behind the desk, who narrowed his eyes at Logan’s excuse. “Right. I’m sure you did. What did you say your name was, again?”

  “Logan Henry. What’s this all about? I just wanted to go to the gala.” He wasn’t any use sitting in this office. For all he knew the killer was skulking through the lobby at that very moment. He glanced at the television screens and breathed a sigh. All displayed exterior views—several angles of the parking lot, the set of entrance doors, and a few other places he didn’t recognize.

  “Sit tight,” Jones said. “You won’t be leaving anytime soon. We’ve got to check out a few things. Might have been different if you could show us some form of ID.”

  “I’ve got a checkbook,” Logan said.

  “Unless there’s a photo, that won’t work.”

  “Can’t you just look up my name and verify it that way?”

  Jones frowned at him. “We aren’t the cops. We don’t have access to stuff like that. Just relax while we discuss exactly what to do with you.”

  “What to do with me? I didn’t do anything wrong!” Logan’s stomach clenched, and he tried to force the irritation down. It wouldn’t serve him here. Getting angry at these guys was bound to make things worse.

  “We have to be sure of that,” Jones said. “We have reports about some possible criminal activity, and so far you’re the only one who fits the bill. And you happen to match the description pretty close.”

  “But that’s why I’m here! My girlfriend was the one who warned you about Ethan coming here!”

  “We never told you his name was Ethan,” Jones said. “This doesn’t look good for you.”

  Logan groaned. He was digging himself deeper and deeper into this hole. He slapped his palms on the man’s desk and stood. Screw trying to keep calm. His desire to remain under control vanished. “You have no right to hold me. You’ve got nothing on me—I know because I’m not the one you want!”

  Schultz stepped forward, his impressive shadow looming over Logan. “Convenient, isn’t it, that you happen to be here to warn us about this man?”

  Jones nodded at his partner.

  Schultz wrenched Logan up by the arm and slapped a metal cuff around his wrist. Logan tried to pull away, but the security guard used Logan’s own movement to get leverage behind him and cuff his second wrist to the first one.

  A cold fear drained Logan’s hope and chilled his sudden flare of temper. “I thought you weren’t cops.”

  “You were getting irate. This is just a precaution until we can get proof of ID,” Jones said.

  “Where you want to keep him?” Schultz asked.

  “Take him to the office next door.” Jones eyed Logan. “We’re just going to make a few phone calls. Do any damage in there, and it won’t help your case.”

  Schultz pushed, and Logan lurched forward several steps. Out a side door and through a short hall beyond, the guard unlocked the adjacent door with a key from his belt, then flipped the light switch with his hand and shoved Logan inside. He nodded at the two simple chairs.

  “Have a seat. I’ll be back to check on you shortly.” And with that, the door shut and locked behind him.

  Logan stood seething for a moment but finally sighed and walked over to one of the chairs. A fine layer of dust coated the seat, but he didn’t care. He glanced down at his old jeans and t-shirt and realized he probably didn’t look the part of someone here to buy artwork and donate a large sum of cash. He should’ve dressed in a suit or something before coming—but how could he have known that getting in would be a problem?

  He threw a leg over the seat of the chair and planted himself in it backward. He slouched forward against the chair back and let his chin hang over the edge.

  What had he gotten himself into?

  ~

  Kelsey couldn’t be happier with how things were going. Every piece of art had received multiple bids and sold at prices she wouldn’t have thought possible. All the marketing had really paid off, and the right people had shown up. That, along with the glass of champagne, made her feel warm and tingly inside, if not a tad light-headed to boot.

  She still hadn’t eaten anything, but she could eat all she wanted when the event was over. It seemed more fitting to socialize with the guests. Several had inquired about the art therapy program and commended her work.

  Jade seemed to be having a good time too, enjoying the company of several other guests. When the music started, she even went out to dance. Kelsey frowned at the guy with the curly, red-haired mop-top dancing with Jade, the one who’d gotten Gwendolyn to quiet down earlier that afternoon.

  Brushing off the weird vibe, Kelsey worked her way to the bar for a refill when she saw Bill pushing through the crowd. Deep frown lines creased his face.

  She set her glass on a nearby table as he joined her. “What is it?”

  He was slightly out of breath. “Hugh,” was all he got out before gasping.

  “What about him?”

  Bill pointed toward the banquet hall entrance. “He’s here.”

  Kelsey’s eyes followed his arm. It was difficult to see through the crowd in the darkened room, but her legs pulled her to where he’d pointed, and a few moments later she saw the teen.

  He cowered inside the doorway, his head tucked between his knees and his lanky arms hugging himself in a ball. He was like a frightened animal cowering in fear.

  She rushed to his side and dropped to her knees, slipping a hand against his back. The bones of his spine poked through his thin smock, and bouts of tremors made it vibrate.

  Bill was at her side an instant later, resting on one knee and leaning closer to speak into her ear. The music thudded loudly, and she was thankful he knew better than to scream over it and further startle Hugh.

  “I found him here a few minutes ago. I don’t know how he got in, but he won’t react to anything I say. I tried to take him back, but he won’t budge.”

  “He must’ve come with the drama kids,” she said. “Norma probably thought he was in
the show.” The only thing that didn’t explain was why he’d come out. Kelsey couldn’t imagine him wanting to leave the ward.

  Bill nodded. “He looks completely freaked.”

  “The noise and all the people. It’s scaring him.” Kelsey bit her lip and scooted closer to Hugh. She leaned down and put her mouth next to his ear. When she spoke, she kept her voice soft and light, though a note of concern might have leaked in.

  “Hugh, it’s Kelsey.”

  His head bobbed up, frightened eyes flicking around, searching then locking on hers.

  She gave him an encouraging smile. “You’re okay.”

  He didn’t speak or nod, but his eyes blinked once, and her intuition took that as a good sign.

  She pointed to her ear. “It’s loud in here. Let’s go out, okay?” Keeping her right hand on his back, she put her left on his arm, gently tugging. She’d expected his iron grip to tighten, to resist her the way he’d resisted Bill. But the hand relaxed and his arm fell free, allowing her to guide it. She gave him another reassuring smile and slowly rose, first to a crouch, then to standing as his body unwound itself and responded to her guidance.

  With one hand around his back and the other at his wrist, she pivoted to face the door. Over her shoulder she gave Bill a nod that said “it’s under control” before entering the hall. The guard admitting guests and watching the door was absent, and she had a fleeting question where he was. Probably he’d gone to the restroom.

  “Let’s go back to your room, okay, Hugh?”

  No answer, but the fright in his eyes lessened. They turned left, wound their way down the halls, and when they approached the patient wing, Hugh relaxed his wrist and took her hand.

  In sync, their feet took short, slow steps—his in slippers, hers in peep-toe heels. Eventually they made it to the desk where the receptionist stood chatting with one of the nurses. Kelsey shot a reprimanding look as she led Hugh past. The receptionist’s eyes went wide in realization, and she gave Kelsey a grimace that showed she hadn’t known he’d escaped.

  Kelsey sighed but didn’t say anything. Hugh’s state of mind was her prime concern at the moment. Once she made sure he was safe and calm she’d have plenty of time to talk to the receptionist.

  Logan couldn’t stay in the chair long. He stood and paced, worry heavy on his mind. If only he could call Jade. Maybe she could convince the men he was all right. Or maybe she could get Kelsey to speak to them. There had to be a way out. He couldn’t be trapped in here all night.

  He thought of his cell phone, jammed inside his pocket. But his hands were bound behind him, and it wasn’t an easy reach. He wrenched his left arm at an awkward angle to give the right one more play. He could touch the top of the pocket, but the phone was deep at the bottom. Cramming his fingers in the opening, he tried to shove his hand deeper. The cuffs bit painfully into his wrists and made him wince. He paused, took a deep breath, and tried again.

  It was no use. His elbows wouldn’t bend backward, and his hand wouldn’t reach. He considered trying to pocket dial, but slamming his hip against the corner of the chair would more likely break his phone than dial Jade’s number at random.

  He sighed again, planting his butt back in the chair and letting his head hang forward. He took several calming breaths, barring the feelings of frustration from his mind in attempt to think his way out of his predicament. His only satisfaction was that he could in fact do that. His emotional control remained steady. Thank heaven for that, at least.

  The irony of having cut his hair the day he got cuffed and locked away wasn’t lost on him. If he hadn’t, he’d easily have been able to break free. His hair was still notably short, though his chin was scratchy as if he hadn’t shaved in days. He tried, but not a trace of his strength had returned.

  He was about to try to kick the door down and escape, still in cuffs, when the door opened and Jones entered. He gave Logan a once-over.

  “Cops aren’t coming up with any flags on a Logan Henry, but we still need an ID to verify who you are. Can you call anyone to bring in some identification?”

  Logan stared at the man. “It would take an hour for anyone I know to get here.”

  “We aren’t in a hurry.”

  But Logan couldn’t wait that long. “What if I could have someone text you a picture of it? You’d have all the information.”

  Jones seemed to think this over. Finally, he gave a slight nod. “Okay. Have it sent, and we’ll check it out.”

  “Can you let me out of the cuffs?” Logan asked.

  The man pulled the keys from his belt. “All right, but you’re coming back to the office where I can keep an eye on you.” He released the cuffs, and Logan rubbed his wrists.

  “It wouldn’ta hurt if you didn’t struggle,” Schultz said.

  Logan ignored him. “My phone’s in my pocket. Can I make a call?”

  “Go ahead.”

  The only person Logan could think to call was Cameron Schuyler, Jade’s ex-boyfriend. While he wasn’t eager to have Cam bail him out of an awkward situation, he swallowed his pride and dialed anyway.

  Thankfully Cam answered on the second ring. It took several minutes for Logan to explain what he needed and where his house key was hidden, but Cam was agreeable enough. When he asked why they were in Pueblo, Logan told him he couldn’t give him all the details at the moment, but he promised either Jade or he would give Cam the full update later. No need to worry the guy unnecessarily.

  Twenty minutes later, the ID had been sent, phone calls and double-checks had been made, and the guard finally let Logan go.

  The headache wasn’t over though, because they still refused to let him into the actual event. When he called Jade, he heard loud music in the background. He breathed a sigh of relief that she’d answered. “Hey, I’m outside the door, but they won’t let me in.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right there.”

  When Jade came out, Logan rushed her, scooping her into a tight embrace and crumpling her dress.

  She laughed softly. “Hey—careful. You’re going to squish me.”

  He pulled back and tugged her down the hall out of eyesight from the security guard.

  “It’s so good to see you,” she said. Her green eyes were wide, taking him in.

  “Any signs of trouble?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “None. I’m having a good time, actually.”

  “Really?” Of all the things he’d expected, it wasn’t her enjoying the party. “What about your empathy?” Jade’s ability could be debilitating around strangers, and crowds were typically even worse. He tried not to think about the time she’d had an episode so strong it made her pass out. He hadn’t even had a chance to think about her emotions, what with the concern of kidnappers running loose.

  She shrugged. “Manageable.”

  “Aren’t there a lot of people in there? And even more emotions?”

  “They’re the same. It’s a vibe of…” She thought a moment. “Let’s call it lively enjoyment. And it’s making me have fun, too.” She wrapped her fingers around his arm. “Thanks for coming. I know you didn’t want to.”

  “I won’t lie. I’m a little mad at you. You took off without even telling me you were leaving.”

  “You’re mad? You don’t look it.”

  “Well, I was…” But with her presence a surge of unexpected happiness had flooded him. It made him feel giddy and slightly off-balance. When he tried to push it away and clear his mind, it stuck. He’d been frustrated and annoyed and worried sick up until moments ago, but now all that was gone and this strange euphoria had taken hold of his mind. He blinked in surprise then scrutinized Jade. What had she just said? That a room of several hundred people all had the exact same emotions? What was the chance of that?

  “What?” she asked.

  “You said everyone’s feelings were the same. Did you mean exactly the same?”

  She shrugged. “I guess so. I can’t tell them apart.”

  Logan considered t
he heat of the emotion burning through his chest. He thought about her in a room full of people, and he remembered the emotional bursts he’d been experiencing the previous week. Most—the ones he couldn’t turn off—had happened around Jade. Thoughts congealed in his mind, slowly taking shape.

  Jade was looking just above his eyes with her head cocked, and he realized her thoughts had already moved on. So had his unexplained feelings.

  That had to be it.

  “You cut your hair,” she said.

  He nodded, absently at first, then looked at her and remembered there was so much he hadn’t told her. “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  He took a deep breath. “I’ve been having some weird issues. I thought maybe they were connected to my hair the same way my strength is. I didn’t tell you this earlier, but I dug up some records and found my father. I went to see him Thursday, and then again today. I thought maybe he could help me figure it all out.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

  “I just wasn’t ready yet. I’ve been going through a lot.”

  She surveyed him, started to ask something, then seemed to switch thoughts. “What did you find out?”

  “He has an ability, but he also has a condition.”

  “What is it?”

  “His ability is perfect recollection of visual details, but he has a type of short-term memory loss. Most of his day to day memories don’t stick, which all but negates the ability.”

  “Oh, okay. But how’d it go? Finally meeting your dad—that has to be big. What’s he like?”

  He grimaced. “Oh, he’s nice and all, but it didn’t exactly go like I’d planned.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, I met him once, but didn’t tell him who he was. We hit it off great, but when I came back this morning he didn’t remember me.”

  “Because of his condition?”

  “Yeah. He doesn’t even remember having a child. He got a bit…out of sorts when I told him I was his son.”

  “Oh, Logan. I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged and looked away, pretending it was no big deal.