Blow - Kim Karr Page 0,79

pipeline, who the fuck knows what he’s going to do.”

I looked automatically toward Clementine, suddenly fearing for her safety. “Patrick is the Mob boss?” I couldn’t believe I was even having this conversation. “The same Mob your grandfather once headed?” I accused.

His eyes closed as if that fact haunted him, and he gave a slight nod. “Yeah, but things are different now. Patrick Flannigan runs things with his only son, Tommy. They’re both sick bastards and you need to stay clear at any cost.”

This picture Logan painted sounded so dismal. From what Michael had told me, it all sounded so simple. But then again Michael never mentioned the word Mob or Mafia, either.

Hot breath blew across my neck. “We need to figure out if someone was in O’Shea’s house. I’d have already gone there, but if Patrick is watching the house, he can’t know I’m involved.”

Fear bloomed to life within me. This was the two sides coming to a crossroads, and it was clear Logan was on one side and I was on the other. What wasn’t clear was why he was trying to step toward the divide.

He lifted my chin. “Elle.”

My name was spoken again with concern in his voice. Everything about him was incredibly confusing and as I looked into his eyes, I wished it weren’t. “What happens if he finds out?”

“He can’t.”

“And if he does? Will you have to choose sides? Should I be afraid of you?”

Logan inched closer. “What kind of question is that?” he snapped.

“One I need to know the answer to before I spend another minute with you.” I regretted those words the second they left my mouth.

Everything about him went hard. “If you don’t already know the answer to that, then maybe you should just leave now.”

I wasn’t surprised by his response. He’d asked me to trust him and now I was questioning everything about him. It was just that the situation I was finding myself in was nothing any level of preparation could manage, and I couldn’t stand that. I’d endured helplessness with my mother because I was too young to do anything about it. But when I feared for myself, I taught myself how to fight back. This was different. Clementine could be in the car with Michael and he could get run off the road. He could be anywhere, at any time, with her, and out of nowhere danger could strike.

Clementine pulled on my pants.

I hadn’t even realized she’d moved beside me.

I looked down.

“Don,” Clementine cooed.

Which was her way of saying “done.”

I picked her up. “Okay, silly girl, let’s get you changed.”

My eyes softened of their own volition as I glanced back at Logan. “You have to understand the situation I am finding myself in isn’t only about me,” I glanced at my niece. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, but you need to see things from my point of view.”

His demeanor made me want to reach out to him, but I didn’t. We had to trust each other; it wasn’t one-sided. He was going to have to realize that.

“I’m going to go change Clementine and then take her for a walk in the park. No one knows I’m here. I’ll be safe. If you want me to leave, I’ll put our things in my car. If not, then when I get back we can head over to the boutique and see if the opener is in my other bag.”

Logan grabbed for my hand and looked at me for a few moments. “Look, I’m sorry, but I had to warn you. It was time you understood just how serious this is.”

I didn’t want to sound as scared as I was, so I went for strong. “I think I’m well aware of just how serious this is, but there’s more to it.” I looked at Clementine. “I’m not only responsible for myself here.”

“I know that.” His voice dipped low.

My body was trembling as my strength diminished, but I clung to it and crossed the room quickly. I had to get out of that room. Away from Logan. Behind the closed door of the bedroom, I set Clementine down and found myself crumpling to the bed.

What had my sister done?

Where was she?

Did she know her child was in danger?

Anger flared up inside me, and it was what I needed to pull myself together.

I had to make sure Clementine would be safe.

I didn’t need a man messing with my head.

I’d avoided it too long to let it happen now.

LOGAN

Terrific, I thought.

When she slammed