The girl’s head snapped his way, but he was unaffected.

“It’s fine, I can take the back,” I said, embarrassed for her.

He ducked his head, looking past her to me. “I said her, not you.” His hand moved from the gear shift to her knee. “Now get that fine ass back there.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, blocking her exit as she attempted to step out.

“No! I said I’d sit in the backseat!” I yelled, revealing the depth of my annoyance. “Don’t be a dick!”

Furious, I gestured for her to sit up out of the way, then lifted the seat forward and climbed in the back. The front seat slammed back into place, and timidly, the girl shifted back and shut the door. I met his glare in the rearview mirror with a firm one of my own.

“Calm down, Cassie. She doesn’t mind,” he grumbled. I heard him curse under his breath as we pulled away from the curb.

“Sorry,” she whispered to him.

“Don’t apologize. He was rude.” I sighed, buckling my seatbelt. “Honestly, you can do better.”

My statement was out of line, but watching her sit there satisfied to be just a toy for him left me irritated. My annoyance boiled over when she placed her hand tenderly over his on the gear shift and he shot her a mocking smile, then moved her hand to his lap.

Yuck!

My eyes rolled and I turned to stare—or, more accurately, glare—out the window. I hadn’t figured out what made Jax tick, but I wondered if Logan’s past lifestyle had rubbed off a little too much on his brother. If that was the case, I’d need to figure out how to intervene before he broke too many hearts in my town. Logan, I understood—Natasha had left him jaded. But Jax was too young to be that cynical. There was no way I’d sit back and bite my tongue.

But what was I supposed to say—‘Learn some manners’? It was tempting, but it wasn’t really my place.

“So I got a call from Logan,” Jax said, his voice slicing through the awkward silence. “He said he told you about Scout.”

“When did he call you?”

“About an hour or so ago.”

Probably after his meeting with Lawrence and before the guards. My stomach sank, wondering once again why he was there with them, buying them drinks.

“Thanks for taking him to the vet,” I said, ignoring the pang of worry I couldn’t seem to shake. “I can’t even imagine how scared he must have been.”

“I’ll admit I was a little nervous myself, but he curled up right here on my lap the whole drive and went to the doc with no problem.”

Seemed Jax had a heart in there after all.

“Good. He can go home tomorrow.”

“You need a ride to pick him up?” he asked in what appeared to be a sincere, no-strings-attached offer.

“Yeah, that would be great. I’m going to take him to Luke’s in the evening. He’s gonna watch him till he’s feeling better—or at least until he’s able to withstand some roughhousing with Oliver.”

“Good idea,” Jax replied with a chuckle. He glanced at me in the mirror and I nudged my head to the girl, who was picking her nails silently. His forehead crinkled in confusion.

I kicked the back of his seat and he shot me an irritated scowl in the mirror. I nudged my head to the girl again and raised my brows expectantly.

“What?” he mouthed, oblivious.

Men. I sat up in my seat as far as possible within the restraint of the belt, willing myself to hold in another eye roll.

“Hi, I’m Cassandra. We’ve never been properly introduced, and I don’t think Jax has the manners to do so any time soon.”

“Yeah, didn’t cross my mind,” Jax said, eyes on the road.

“No biggie. Jax and I aren’t that close anyway,” she replied, peeking over at him with pursed lips.

Uh oh, somebody was in trouble. I’d put good money on him not getting what he wanted from her—at least not without some serious sweet-talking.

“Close enough to enjoy, but not close enough to get on my nerves,” Jax explained. “Perfect acquaintance.”

The girl rolled her eyes, forgetting I was waiting for her introduction. I slinked back in my seat, deciding it best to stay out of Jax’s love—no, sex—life until I figured him out.

The instant we pulled into Logan’s driveway, the redhead was out of the car and marching up to the front door, hands on hips.

“Good luck,” I teased, climbing out.

“Right,” Jax laughed, shoving his keys in his pocket. “She’ll get over it the moment I take off my shirt and whisper a few sweet words in her ear.”

“You sure are a cocky one. Logan teach you that act?” It was I who now had my hands settled on my hips.

“I don’t need lessons on how to seduce a woman. How much you want to bet she’ll be under me within ten minutes?”

“Ew, nothing.” My face screwed up.

He laughed again, harder. “See you around, Cassie. I’m glad Scout’s gonna be all right.”

There he went, being all nice again. That made it really difficult to stay repulsed with him. In spite of myself, the corner of my lip curled up the slightest bit. It was all it took to show him we were good. With a knowing nod, he headed up the porch steps.

Deciding I didn’t want to be in the house with them regardless of whether they were arguing or making up, I looked over at my place. It’d been only four days, but it felt like weeks.

I pulled my phone from my coat, checking the time. It was nearing four o’clock, and I knew Logan and Oliver would be home shortly. If I was going to stay another night, I needed a fresh change of clothes. And if I was being completely honest, it felt like the right time to face any lingering fears and go home for a little while.

Smiling, I adjusted my shoulders and crossed the lawn to my front door. My hands trembled as I dug out my keys. I stopped to inhale the cold air, allowing it to clear my nerves.

The lock turned easily, and I pushed open the door.

Once inside, I surveyed the living room slowly. Everything was in its place, as if the day Kurt had broken in was nothing more than a distant nightmare. I dropped my keys on the foyer stand and took a few steps farther into the living room, my hands buried deep in my pockets, fingers gripping my cell phone in the right pocket just in case I needed it.

With hesitant steps, I made my way to the kitchen. The only sign that anything out of the ordinary had happened was the new back door. It was constructed of a sturdy metal, with a glass window at the top. The deadbolt above the doorknob eased a fraction of my tension. I double checked it was locked, smiling when I saw it was.

Next was the bedroom, which was easier to take in than I’d thought it’d be. The blood stain was gone—not a hint of it remained. My new bedroom door was exactly the same as the previous one aside from the extra lock at the top.

My smile broadened as I pictured Logan with his three-piece suit and stern expression, rattling off his list of demands to keep me safe. He was too good to be true. That single thought warmed me to my very core.

My bed was made perfectly, but the comforter was new. I ignored the pesky memories of why it was replaced; it didn’t matter. The new one was beautiful: pure white with a flower pattern just visible enough, stitched in white thread. I wondered if Logan had picked it out himself. It was too girly for his taste, but it was obviously something I’d love. I wanted to believe he knew me that well.