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"Then o back to school Teach Or write books about ancient philosophers I know a great editor or two Or you could set up charity foundations with all of your boyfriend’s ridiculous money that he wants you to spend" Gretchen leaned over and clasped Brontë’s hand "My point is that the money’s not a problem It’s not an obstacle if you don’t make it one If he wants to shower you withof yourself, Brontë Be who you want to be, not just a Midwestern waitress with big dreams Understand? You can always pay hi her to ently than when Logan had Brontë smiled at Gretchen "So if you were me, you’d move back in with him?"

"Hell, no," Gretchen said "If I were you, I’d have killed hireat with hiue out at Gretchen

The redhead grinned, and gave Brontë’s hand another squeeze "If he makes you happy, don’t set up obstacles that don’t have to be there Love iselse in the world Well, al taken care of already I’d kill to have a an looks at you"

"Cooper looks at you that way, Gretchen," Bront&eurin on Gretchen’s face was terrible to see "I keep hoping he’ll grow out of it," she said quietly "I like Cooper, but he’s not the right guy for me He’s sonormal Bland I need someone different" She smiled at Brontë, and her smile was sad "I’ out for a hero and all that"

Brontë nodded and squeezed Gretchen’s hand back "You’ll find the right guy I’ht be, or he ave her a teasing laugh "It’d help if he was half as rich as your boyfriend, though"

For the first tin to hi to be a clusterfuck It was one of the brotherhood s They had a strict rule that no additional parties were allowed No siblings No buddies No parents No business partners Just the original six No one had ever thought of breaking the rules, because it would have been unfair to the others in the group

And here Logan was, their leader, about to bring the wo and explain to her that he was part of a secret society of billionaires The tattoo on his are of membership His success? Interlocked with that of his brothers

He hoped she’d understand He knew there couldn’t be any more secrets between the it all on the line, betting everything he had, because he needed her to realize just how much he loved and trusted her And how different she was from everyone else

The others would be furious They wouldn’t understand None of theh Reese had a steady streaan had to do this

He couldn’t risk losing Bront&euand hope she wouldn’t be put off by the nondisclosure agreen Danica had balked at the prenup and shown her true colors What would Bront&eu just by trying to include her in his life? He hoped not

Brontë studied her closet She had no idea what to wear to this an said it was friends She studied the clothes hanging in the small closet Go casual? Or dress up in anticipation of soht felt ih she had no idea why

Her ’s conversation with Gretchen Logan had offered himself just as he was, and she had been the one with the proble a waitress, of course She liked her job and liked working with people But she couldn’t be a waitress and be with Logan The tere co was hard ith odd hours She didn’t want to be too tired to see him--or too busy And it didn’t make sense for her to bust her butt for tips when he had money

She had to choose

And she was going to pick the gorgeous man she was in love with, of course It was just ait to herself

She decided on a siray skirt with heels Dressy enough that she could pass for for was casual She san to arrive, her sto with nervousness

She had a feeling tonight was going to change everything in their relationship

The dark sedan had shown up for their date, and Bront&euot out to open the doors She would just have to get used to that sort of thing in the future, she told herself

Logan got out of the car and kissed her lightly, then held the door open for her to get in Brontë smiled at the driver as she entered, then slid over to an When he was seated next to her, she asked, "Is what I’ht?"

"It’s fine," he told her, seely distracted, but he reached for her hand With a nod to the driver, the car pulled away froan to head back toward s that passed, noting streets and trying to deter being held? To her surprise, they pulled up in front of a san a curious look, but followed him out of the car and onto the street

He put his hand on the suided her forward Inside, the bar was quiet, only a few patrons seated at wooden tables It looked veryordinary A hockey ga on a TV set in the corner, and no one was paying a bit of attention to the is?"

"I’ll explain everything later I promise"

Curious, she let him lead her to one of the back doors A dark, narrow hallas lit by a single unadorned lightbulb, and at the far end stood a large hulking an stepped in front of her and headed toward the rew in her stomach Thiswasn’t normal Was this soal? Oh, God Was Logan into trafficking? The drug trade? Her stomach twisted with anxiety Surely not She’d never expected such a thing froy hallway for a business ? She didn’t understand