CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

L ogan climbed into the chopper and nodded at Kurt, Mack, and Oliver.

"Ready to go?" Ben asked from the pilot's seat.

"Ready as we'll ever be, given we are about to be lab rats again." Logan groaned.

"I'm sure as hell going to try not to be. How the fuck did I let you talk me into this?" Kurt rubbed his face.

"You love the action, big guy." Mack slapped him on the chest.

Kurt scowled. "I love being home fucking my mate while remaining conscious much, much more."

"TMI dude." Logan laughed.

"What, you think we watch TV and knit after hours?" Kurt licked his lips with a grin as Ben lifted the bird up into the sky.

"It's what I imagine. Don't destroy my innocent mind."

Oli snorted. "Innocent, my ass."

Just over an hour later, they landed in New York. One of their warriors on the ground met them with a vehicle.

"Okay, so the plan is...?" Ben asked, closing the door and putting on his seatbelt. The driver hit the gas and they were on the way to Manhattan.

"Be like a sitting duck," Logan replied.

"Great plan." Mack laughed. "Is this how strategic you warriors usually work?"

All of them chuckled.

"Technically, we're walking into the firing line, so it's not that strategic," Kurt finally said. "Getting them to find us quickly will be the challenging part. I don't want to sit around Manhattan for days."

Hell no.

Logan wanted to get back to Brooklyn and... yeah, he was figuring that part out.

The taste of her still on his tongue. His cock more satisfied that it had ever been, but eager for more.

"I dropped a note to a known connection via Darren back at The Institute earlier. So if we head to Columbus Circle, we should have some luck tonight." Logan shared.

As he said, he was keen to get back to the human, so had made a few calls.

"Oli and I will remain in the shadows while you three be like ducks and wait for the Russians to show up," he added.

All they needed was one small sample of the serum for the lab to use. Although, once the antidote was complete, Brooklyn would leave.

And was that okay?

It was excellent news for the race.

Fundamentally important.

But letting Brooklyn walk away and one day marry and have kids and he'd never...never feel the ecstasy of being inside her again.

Jesus.

Logan shook thoughts of her away and got focused on their mission.

"Yeah. Can't wait," Mack said. "Honestly thought this new job would be more fun."

Kurt grinned, then turned. "Hey, what was up with Noah and the wolves? I heard he was trying to reach you from Madison."

That call had changed his life. Or at least his evening. Moments later, he had Brooklyn's soft skin against his and that tart blueberry scent of hers surrounding him.

Stop thinking about her.

"Ah. He was wanting advice about Eva," Mack muttered.

Logan tilted his head. He knew who all the wolves were that were still located in Greenwood.

"Serious?" Kurt asked as Mack nodded.

"What about Eva?" Logan asked curiously.

"The two have been dancing around each other for months. She went cold on him recently and it's sending him stir crazy."

"Are they mates?" Ben asked.

Mates. Another topic he didn't want to focus on...

There was no way Brooklyn could be. No fucking way.

She was probably just a good fit for his body and the anticipation sparking a fire in their already amazing chemistry.

That was all.

Mack shrugged. "Don't know. I told him to speak to Callan. I think he was trying to keep the alpha out of it, officially, you know."

They all nodded.

"But he's the acting alpha right now, correct?" Logan asked.

"Yeah and...Jesus...he tried to pull the dominant card on Eva." Mack groaned.

Kurt barked out a laugh. "That little dynamite is going to eat him up and spit him out."

"I like her already." Logan snorted.

"Oh, you'd like her all right. She's a gorgeous little pocket rocket. Very sexy." Mack smirked his way. "If she isn't Noah's mate, you might like to meet her, buddy."

Logan glanced away after faking a smile.

He wasn't interested in sleeping with anyone but Brooklyn right now. After tonight, he'd be happy to sink his cock into her every day for as long as he had with her. To hear her little mews and cries as he worked her climax from her.

You belong to me.

He should probably tell her he didn't want her fucking other vampires. It would be extremely dangerous for any other male to go near her.

But without an official claim, Brooklyn could fuck whoever she liked. And other males could take her.

As in...touch her.

Logan ground his teeth together.

They needed to talk when he got home.

The driver stopped near the Columbus Circle, and they all climbed out.

"Stay close," Ben told the driver.

"You got it," the warrior said.

"Let's spread out and give it an hour," Logan said, checking his weapon in his holster, which was under his blazer.

"Let's go." Oliver nodded to everyone. "Everyone check your comms."

Fingers pressed at ears, and someone said cock to test.

Someone called Ben.

Kurt shook his head and walked across the crossing. "Come on, idiot."

"You love me."

"I do not."

Oliver and Logan shared a grin and headed into Central Park to find some cover. It only took thirty-five minutes for Mack to spot one of the Russian mafia. "My nine o'clock."

"Affirmative," Kurt replied. "Saw that guy at the UN buildings last time."

Here we go.

Logan watched his buddies step out into the Bratva's line of sight. He immediately recognized the serum dispenser raised by the guy.

"Got ‘em," he cried, lifting his weapon.

"Looks delicate," Oliver said, staying his hand. "Head around behind them. I'll remain on point."

Logan tucked the metal away and slid down the bank they were lying on, then strode down the path.

"Motherfucker!" Kurt cried out. "I'm shot."

"Ugh," Mack snapped.

"Guys!" Ben yelled at him and Oli.

"Behind you," Logan called out.

"Log—"

Pop.

"Mother fucking fucker." He snapped his hand on his neck and turned. The Russian stood less than ten feet from him.

Pulling his gun from his holster, he leveled it at the guy's thigh and let off the silent shot.

Logan dropped to the ground, the serum gun flying up into the air as the gangster released it.

With barely any consciousness left in him, Logan leaped, reaching for it midair. He felt it in his hand as he fell to the ground and clutched it to his chest.

Oliver, you better be conscious and get this fucking thing from me. He telepathed to the vampire.

They all knew there was nothing more important than this sample right now. Maybe the king's life.

Certainly not Logan's life.

Whatever happened, it needed to get back to Sage and Brooklyn.

She was his last thought as the world went black.

"WE NEED TO STOP MEETING like this." Logan's voice was rough as he blinked for the tenth time.

The room began to clear, and he took in the strawberry blush on Brooklyn's cheeks.

He lifted his hand and brushed the back of it against her cheek.

"Logan," she whispered, and he grinned.

God she was fucking pretty. He was sure he'd been dreaming about her. Which wasn't possible as he'd been in a vampire coma, as they sometimes referred to it.

"Mother trucker," Mack cried. "Tell me we got it. Did you get it?"

"Logan got it," Kurt said from across the room as Logan sat up, his head spinning.

"You okay?" Brooklyn said, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm alive. That's all that matters." Logan shook his head to clear the rest of the fuzziness, but it wouldn't dissipate. "Wow. This is new."

"Lie down," she said, nudging him.

Sage leaned over him. "Take his stats. Mack how are you?"

"Dead," the hybrid said, and Logan snickered.

"Jesus, they're like teenage boys." Brooklyn frowned, her serious science face back.

"Worse," Sage said, shaking her head.

Logan winked at Brooklyn as she pulled out a stethoscope. "Shall we play nurse and patient games later?"

"You aren't going anywhere or doing anything until we know you're okay," she chastised, and damn, it was sexy.

"He's fine. He's a vampire," Kurt grumbled.

"Might end up part wolf." Mack snickered. "Then we'll have to keep him away from the pretty nurse."

The fuck?

Logan sat up. "No one is staying away from anyone."

Shit.

He hadn't meant to react like that.

Brooklyn straightened and her face flushed as Sage turned to stare at him.

He slammed back down on the table.

"Just saying I'm now nice to the nurse. Sick of everyone riding my damn ass."

"Damn, he's grumpy in the morning." Mack chuckled and Kurt joined in.

"Logan," Brooklyn whispered as she took his racing pulse. But it wasn't from the serum, he was sure of it. The dress she was wearing was lower, her plump breasts threatened to fall out and his cock thickened just being this close to her.

"His heart rate is—"

Logan grabbed Brooklyn's wrist before she could finish the sentence and shook his head. Her questioning frown had him wishing everyone would fuck off.

"Fine." She finished.

"Is everyone else feeling okay?" Dr. Abbot asked, walking to the middle of the room.

"Yup." Ben rubbed the back of his neck.

More yeses sounded out.

"Then you can all head—"

The king came barreling into the room with what looked like steam coming out his ears.

"Where's Ari?" he boomed.

The ancient vampire stepped inside from the small office off the lab. "What's happened?"

Vincent waved his phone. "Niko-fucking-lay has just sent a video." They all froze. "Of Willow and Isabella."

Small growls sounded from deep within the warrior's throats.

Beside him, Brooklyn began to shudder. Logan sat and whipped his legs over the table, wrapping his arm around her waist protectively. "Shh, it's okay."

"Show me." Ari growled, closing the gap and reaching for the king's phone.

Brooklyn's eyes lifted to his, and he rubbed his finger over her hip to keep her calm.

The sound of the video filled the room.

"Vincent Moretti." Nikolay's Russian voice sounded.

"Oh god," Sage cried, and Brooklyn's trembles increased.

Fuck.

He didn't like how scared she was.

Turning her chin to face him, Logan whispered, using the mind power he possessed. "Stay calm. You are safe, sweetheart."

She softly nodded.

"I have something that belongs to you." The smile in the Russian mobster's voice clear as day. "Call off the destruction of our properties and you will get her back."

"That's the cell Callan was in." Sage gasped, leaning into Ari as she watched the video.

"The same? Are you sure?" Ari asked.

Sage nodded. "Positive."

"You have twenty-four hours, or I will kill them both," Nikolay said.

Then the video ended.

Ari played it again.

Sage took the phone and studied it. "I'm sure. We could get Callan to confirm it."

"Get him in here," the king demanded.

"I don't think—" Mack started.

The king held up his hand. "I am aware of the impact this will have on him and others, but I'm sorry, Willow is a royal princess."

Mack nodded.

Sage and Brooklyn shared a look. Then the scientist glanced at him.

"I calmed her," Logan said.

"Release her," Sage said and began walking over. "Brook, what—"

"What's going on?" Callan asked roughly as he entered the room. Sage handed him the phone.

Logan blinked for a moment, confused. What was Brooklyn going to contribute to the conversation? Yet again, it felt like a missing piece was nudging at his mind.

He cleared the compulsion and Brooklyn's eyes cleared. He hadn't changed her memories, so all she would feel was a little disorientated.

No human knew they were able to teleport or telecommunicate. The king had made it very clear to the race that was essential and that included Brooklyn, despite her role in the lab.

"Ugh," she said, rubbing her forehead.

"You okay?" Logan asked, releasing his arm from around her.

The need to protect her was overwhelming. He wanted to get her out of this lab right damn now.

The reason why not something he was still willing to explore.

Maybe not ever.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"How about walking me back to my room and taking a break?" He glanced up and watched Callan go through obvious pain watching the video.

Poor fucker.

Mack was by his side, giving him strength, his hand on his back.

"All right," Brooklyn said, her blue eyes holding his with way more trust than he deserved. "Put your shoes on."

Logan climbed off the table and crouched down to tie up his Nike laces.

He couldn't wait to get her alone. To kiss her. To tell her she was safe and that no one was going to hurt her. That he wanted to be the one she spent her days and nights with while she was with the Moretti's.

No other males.

To enjoy that sexy body of hers and give her all the pleasure and protection she deserved.

The warm blush on her face when he'd opened his eyes and seen her first had filled his chest with way too much joy for a male who'd spent his life being an assassin.

Whether he deserved her or not was one thing, but given she was changing his rigid opinion of humans with every taste he got of her, Logan figured there had to be a reason she was in his life.

Not that he was philosophical.

Perhaps he was seeking a reason for all of this.

For his reaction to her.

One that didn't end with...

He might be able to accept he wanted to fuck the daylights out of her on the regular, but these emotions were rushing at him like a freight train.

First, he needed Brooklyn in his arms to make sure she was okay. So that he was okay. Apparently, being her protector was his new job.

The Moretti king was a powerful and potent vampire. What she was witnessing was unprecedented and, hell, maybe it was him that wanted her out of there in case things erupted.

Vampires may have lived among humans for thousands of years, but they were vastly more powerful, and right now the balance had never been more unstable.

He would protect Brooklyn.

And if Willow and the little princess were being kept in that fucking BioZen lab, then Logan would volunteer to be part of the team to retrieve them.

Then blow the fucking building up and everyone in it that worked there.

Sage was the only human who had done anything to help Callan. None one else who ever worked there deserved to live as far as he was concerned.

Six fucking months.

Six long months they'd killed Callan over and over and fucking over. The animals.

He wanted to be part of that team more than anything in his life.

"Ari. Put me on the team," he told his leader with a determined firmness in his voice, and the ancient vampire nodded, knowing what he meant.

"Let's go, sweetheart." Logan stood and led her to the door.

Five minutes, everything changed.