CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

B rooklyn stood under the shower and let the tears flow. She wanted to not care, but she was hurting way more than was appropriate for a man she had only slept with once.

Well, technically, twice. Hot sex, then cold sex. That was the best way to summarize both experiences with Logan.

Turning, she tipped her head back, let the water run over her hair ,and attempted to swallow down her tears.

If he hated humans so much, why had he bothered with her in the first place. She wasn't expecting a diamond ring, but she did expect respect.

At best, a little kindness.

What happened to you are mine, little mouse ? One minute he'd been shooting other vampires death stares and kissing her in the hallways, making her giggle. Then, like a lightbulb, his emotions had turned off.

She washed the shampoo out of her hair and skipped through her memories.

Everything had changed when Sage had called her back to discuss going inside BioZen.

Oh. Was that it?

Stop saying my name human. BioZen fucking scientist.

Was that what made Logan suddenly do a one-eighty change? Did he not know she'd previously worked there?

Surely Logan didn't think she'd been part of the experiments? She hadn't known anything about vampires until Sage and Ari had invited her for dinner one night and proposed the job offer.

Nor would she ever work in a place doing such unethical work.

He always thought the worst of her because of what others did. Well, aside from the fact she did have blood on her hands.

Her brother's.

She squirted conditioner onto her hands and grumbled to herself. Logan was so damn blind because of his prejudices. He would never accept who and what she was and would always be disgusted by her very existence.

When would he turn on her next time?

When he learned she had a distant German relative? Because she did. From like, three generations ago.

And so what?

Not everyone was evil.

Most people were just trying to live their lives, be happy, stay safe, and hope like hell there were good leaders in the world who stopped making fucked-up decisions.

You could only control so much.

Logan hated humans. Therefore, he hated her. The end.

Apparently.

Too bad she'd somehow let him into her heart after one stupid, passionate encounter. Yes, she'd fallen for the damn vampire.

Fast.

Like the fool she was.

It was in the little things he'd done. How he'd escorted her to the gym and made sure she was safe. Showing up at her room with her door key. Protecting her in the lab when the king came barreling in and terrifying her. His body had moved like lightening, pushing her behind him as his hand brushed across her skin to calm her.

How they'd lay talking and he'd teased her, while she trembled in excitement to just be naked in his arms.

Her silly little heart did pitter-patters when the large vampire was acting all strong and caring.

Yet, his Jekyll and Hyde act hurt.

We are done.

Logan was right. They were done.

After this mission, she would visit her parents and see Belinda, then consider quitting. She was certain Sage was close to success with the antidote.

And her heart couldn't handle seeing Logan every day.

But mostly, if she helped free the princesses and help them catch the mobster, Nikolay Mikhailov, then she would be helping millions of vampires.

It would have to be enough.

Her penance paid.

THIRY MINUTES LATER , there was a knock at the door. She opened it and the four vampires walked in.

It sounded like the start of a joke.

Four vampires walk into a bar...but this was no joke.

"You ready?" Kurt asked, one hand on the waistband of his pants.

Logan stood behind him, not meeting her gaze.

Stay alive.

She would, but not for him.

"Yes," Brooklyn said. "I'm meeting an old colleague for lunch and then he'll walk me inside."

Logan's head shot up, but Brooklyn forced her eyes to stay away from his.

"Someone you trust?" Ben asked.

"We dated once," she lied. Fine, she was a bitch and wanted to hurt him.

Or get a reaction.

"Good plan," Ben replied.

"Not really," Logan muttered.

Kurt turned. "What's your concern?"

This time she did face Logan and took a moment to enjoy the clear fury and jealousy on his face and how he struggled to come up with an answer.

"He might ask too many questions," Logan finally replied.

"He won't," Brooklyn replied, smiling innocently. "We only fucked a few times. It didn't mean anything."

Read between the lines, asshole.

"It might have to him," Logan growled.

"It didn't," she snapped.

Silence.

They definitely weren't talking about her fake ex-boyfriend now.

Her heart pounded and unfortunately, she knew they could all hear it.

"Ah, I think I'm missing something here." Marcus narrowed his eyes.

Ben smiled at her as if he knew.

"I should go," she said, walking to her bag and reaching for her jacket.

"You have our numbers?" Kurt asked and Brooklyn nodded as she stood waiting for the wall of muscles to move out of her way.

"I'll be fine. I'm going in, heading to the restrooms in the lobby once I'm escorted out, then waiting for the offices to shut," Brooklyn said, repeating the plan in its most simplistic form.

"Then we come in." Ben nodded.

"If there is any trouble—" Logan began.

"There won't be. I'm not a vampire. I'm a human, remember?" She shot him a dirty look. "All I'm doing is having lunch with Dex and suddenly remembering my favorite Tupperware container is there."

"Dex," Logan snorted. "Sounds gay."

"Like you haven't had your cock sucked by a guy." Ben slapped him around the head.

He had?

Brooklyn blinked as she stared at Logan, waiting for him to say something, but he didn't. He just stared at her blankly.

Well, she saw the emotion in his eyes.

But whatever he thought or regretted now, it was too late. She had made her decision.

No more hot vampire sex with Logan.

No more falling in love with bad boys. Human or vampire.

"Okay, let's trade fuck stories another day." Kurt grunted, moving out of the way.

As Brooklyn stepped between the huge vampires and made her way to the door, she kept her eyes on the door handle.

Don't look at him.

Do. Not. Look. At. Him.

A hand reached out and gripped her arm. "I'll walk you downstairs."

Brooklyn drew in a breath.

"No, you won't," Kurt said. "Too much daylight leaks into the lobby. I checked it out earlier."

Thank god.

"I'll be okay," she said, meeting Logan's steely eyes.

A sudden feeling that this could be the last time she'd ever see him rushed through her. A sadness.

Say goodbye.

Her eyes softened. "Take care of yourself."

Then she pulled open the door and strode out.