Alpha One

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Book: Read Alpha One for Free Online
Authors: Cynthia Eden
Tags: Suspense
well have been wearing a giant keep-away sign.
    The trouble was...he’d always had a problem keeping away from her.
    Ben and Susan slowly walked away. They stopped under a big oak, and Susan’s shoulders shook as she cried.
    “I can’t do that.” Juliana’s voice was just a whisper. “Everyone is staring at me, waiting for me to cry, but I can’t.” Finally, she glanced at him with those dark, steal-a-man’s-soul eyes. “What’s wrong with me?”
    “Not a damn thing.” And he didn’t care what the others wanted. The reporters—they were just eager for a clip of the grieving daughter so that they could flash her picture all over their TVs. As for all the senator’s so-called friends...Logan knew when tears were real and when they weren’t.
    Better to not cry at all and still feel than to weep when you didn’t feel any emotion.
    Her lower lip quivered and she caught it between her teeth. Helpless, Logan reached out and caught her hand. “Come with me,” he told her.
    She stared up at him. Light raindrops began to fall on them. Did she remember the last time they’d stood in the rain?
    I need to forget. But that magnolia scent teased his nose.
    Sometimes you could never forget.
    Logan shrugged out of his jacket and lifted it over Juliana’s head. “I want you to come with me.”
    Juliana didn’t move. “You’re not supposed to be here.” Shaking her head, she said, “I saw you standing under that tree, watching me...but you’re not supposed to be here. You should have gone back to Washington or Virginia...or wherever it is that you belong.”
    For now, he belonged with her.
    The rain came down harder now.
    “Miss James?” It was the limo driver. He was an older guy with graying red hair. The rain was already dampening his dark suit, but he didn’t seem to mind. He stared at Juliana, and there was concern—what looked like real concern—in his gaze. Not that fake mask most folks had been sporting for the funeral.
    Not hardly.
    “She won’t be taking the limo,” Logan said as he moved in closer to Juliana. “We need to talk,” he whispered to her.
    She nodded. Drops of rain were on her eyelashes. Or were those tears?
    She glanced back at the driver. “Thank you, Charles, but I’ll be getting a ride back to the house with Mr. Quinn.”
    The driver hesitated. “Are you sure?” The look he shot toward Logan was full of suspicion.
    After a moment’s hesitation, Juliana nodded. “Yes.” She cleared her throat. “Thanks for all you’ve done today... I just... You’ve always been so good to me.”
    Charles offered her a sad smile. “And you’ve been good to me.” He gave her a little salute and shoved the back door closed. “Take care of her,” he said to Logan.
    I intend to do just that.
    Logan caught Juliana’s hand and steered her away from the grave. “I’m not leaving town yet,” he told her. “In fact, I’m going to be staying in Jackson for a while.”
    Her eyes widened. “Why?”
    They were moving faster now. His truck waited just a few steps away. There was no sign of Gunner. “Because I want to be with you.”
    Her lips parted in surprise. “But— What? ”
    An engine cranked. The limo. It would be pulling away soon, then they could—
    The explosion threw Logan right off his feet. The heat of the fire lanced his skin and lifted him up into the air. He clutched Juliana, holding her as best he could. They flew through the air and slammed against the same magnolia tree he’d stood under moments before.
    Son of a bitch.
    “Juliana!” Fear nearly froze his heart.
    But she was fine. She pushed against him, and he raised up to see a gash bleeding on her forehead. Her eyes were wide and horrified with understanding. “Oh, my God,” she whispered and her head turned toward the burning remains of the limo. “The driver...”
    There wasn’t anything they could do for the poor guy now. Logan didn’t waste time speaking. He grabbed Juliana, lifted her into his arms and

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