'I was in a hurry. Spiro had a lead. I honestly didn’t think of it.' She supposed she should have called Logan, she thought wearily. 'I’m sorry, Logan.'
'Leave her alone.' Joe was behind her, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. 'She has enough problems without trying to pacify you.'
'Be quiet, Joe. He’s been trying to help me. I shouldn’t have made him worry.”
“I don’t mind worrying if I can get my teeth into a problem. I can’t stand being shut out of—'
Logan stopped, staring at Eve and then at Joe standing behind her. 'It’s over, isn’t it? He’s done it.'
'What?'
'He’s won. He’s finally got what he wants. God, it couldn’t be more clear.' He smiled without mirth. 'I should have known that I was fighting a lost cause. I could fight Quinn, but I can’t fight you, Eve. From the time he came to the island, you wanted to follow him home.'
'Because of Bonnie.'
'Maybe.' Logan looked at them for a long while. 'You take care of her, Quinn.”
“You don’t have to tell me that.'
'Yes, I do. Because I’m warning, not stating. If I can help, call me, Eve.”
“She won’t need your help,' Joe said.
'You can never tell.'
She couldn’t stand it. She wouldn’t let him leave like this. 'Joe, I want to talk to Logan alone.'
Joe didn’t move. 'Joe.'
“Okay.' He left the room.
'Why do I feel that he’s lurking in the hall?' Logan asked. 'Because he probably is.' She tried to smile. 'You should take it as a compliment.'
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'Should I?'
'He realizes how much you mean to me. How much you’ll always mean to me.”
“But evidently not enough.'
'What’s enough? It hurts me when you hurt. It makes me happy when you’re happy. If you ever need me, I’ll be there for you. Isn’t that enough?'
'It’s a lot. Not as satisfying as what I wanted, but I’ll take it.' He paused. 'Just for my own curiosity, how did Quinn do it?'
'I don’t know,' she said frankly. 'I didn’t want it. It makes me uneasy. It’s like being caught in some kind of whirlpool. It just happened.'
'Nothing just happens with Quinn. He’s a major force. I’ve always known he was waiting in the wings for you.'
'I didn’t.'
'I know. I hoped I’d have you wrapped up before he decided to make a move. I didn’t manage to pull it off.' He looked at her for several moments and then gave her a quick kiss. 'But it was a good year, wasn’t it?'
Tears stung her eyes. 'The best.'
'Not the best, or we wouldn’t have reached this point, but pretty damn good.' He took her arm and walked with her into the foyer, where Joe was waiting by the stairs. 'Hello, Quinn. What a surprise.'
'Not.' Joe moved closer to Eve.
'You don’t have to act as if I’m going to kidnap her. That’s not my style.' His lips tightened.
'Though I’d like to break your neck.'
Joe shook his head. 'But you won’t do it. That’s the difference between us. You’re tough, but you never reached the point of no return with Eve. I wonder if you ever have with anyone.'
Logan took a step forward and said softly, 'I’m tempted to prove you wrong.”
“Logan,' Eve said.
She didn’t think he’d listen to her. Then he turned away from Joe and opened the door. 'Good-bye, Eve. I’ll be around. Don’t close me out entirely. Okay?'
'That couldn’t happen.' They had become too close. She kissed his cheek. 'Not ever.'
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'Remember you said that.' The door shut behind him.
Joe gave a low whistle. 'I don’t like the sound of that. Am I going to have to be friends with him?'
'You don’t have to do anything. But he’s my friend, dammit. He always will be.”
