The Rogue King's Surrogate novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“Make sure to keep it clean,” Logan said, then ended the call. “And fast. I don’t have time.”

His back was to her, wide shoulders framed against the sterile white wall of the hospital room. He stood near the window, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone. Emery stared at him, unsure what to say. The silence stretched for a few seconds.

“You should be sleeping,” he said without turning. Ever since he pulled her from that car, he’d been angry–brooding–nothing like the man who once saved her before.

“I told you…” Emery pushed the blanket off her legs and sat up straighter. “I don’t even need to be here. There’s not a scratch on me. And why am I in a VIP room?”

He didn’t respond right away.

“And where’s Nina?” she added.

Logan finally turned, his golden brown eyes finding hers. “She’s safe. Next room. Already asleep. You should be too–unless you need my help with that.”

He didn’t blink. Just stared at her, which somehow made her wonder if there was something on her face.

Emery glanced away and shifted on the bed. Through the floor–to–ceiling windows, she could see the moon hanging low and bright. The city lights below flickered beneath it. The room was quiet, too quiet, and Logan looked too still standing in front of that view. It made him seem even more unreal.

Yet she couldn’t deny the fact that he looked beautiful. Too beautiful. Dangerously so.

She took in a breath. What the heck was she even thinking? “You shouldn’t have brought us here. You could’ve taken us to the apartment. I mean… I don’t think I need your help.”

That changed something in his expression. His jaw tightened. The edge in his eyes sharpened.

He already looked pissed. Now, he looked like he was going to explode.

Emery straightened. “Wait–I didn’t mean that like it sounds.” She lifted her hands slightly. “I’m grateful you saved us. I know that. But this is just… too much. I’m fine. Look at me. Not even a bruise.” There are other people on that street that needed help but she was not one of them.

He didn’t say anything.

She cleared her throat. “I mean… you really don’t have to be angry. I’ll pay you back. For the hospital. For everything, I’ll-”

She didn’t finish.

He was suddenly in front of her.

One moment, he was across the room.

The next, he was inches away.

Her breath caught in her throat. Her back straightened against the bed, and her hands clenched the sheets without thinking, She hadn’t seen him move. Her heart pounded in her chest, too loud, too fast. Was she hallucinating? Was it because it was already three in the morning and she had a very, very stressful day? She must be having some sort of episode. She must be… right?

He stared down at her.

“What did you say?” he asked.

Emery’s lips parted, but no sound came out. She couldn’t look away from him. His face was close too close. His eyes locked on hers. Her chest rose and fell too quickly, and the air in the room suddenly felt heavier.

Her mind scrambled for something to say. Anything. But all she could think about was how close he was. How fast he moved. How his presence filled the room and made her skin feel too warm, too comfortable.

She didn’t answer. She couldn’t.

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12:35 AM P P.

Chapter 17

“I- I think,” she cleared her throat, trying her best to come up with something. “I mean, I am grateful, but-” But what does this man want with her? “But you have been following me around for days now, Mr. Hayes. I think we need to make everything clear. If you are stalking me-”

“I am stalking you.”

That stopped her from saying the rest of her words. She blinked. Then she blinked again..

“What can you do about it?” he asked.

Was he … smirking?

“Stalking is against the law and-”

“You are the mother of the child. It is my right to protect you.”

Emery stared at the paper in his hand, not quite seeing it at first. When she didn’t move, Logan lifted it slightly toward her,

She expected a sarcastic reply. Or more of that smug confidence. But Logan only watched her for a long moment, then straightened his back and stepped away from the bed.

“You can’t just walk away after dropping something like that.”

He paused at the doorway and looked back. His gaze swept over her, just enough to make her take a step back.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be outside,” he said. “Making sure you’re safe.”

Then he left.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Emery remained standing, the paper still clenched in her hand. Her chest felt tight. Her skin felt too warm. Her legs didn’t want to move, but her mind wouldn’t stop spinning.

He had been close–too close. And fast. Like something wasn’t right with him. Like something about him didn’t belong in this place. Or

time.

She sat back down, breathing slower now, though her hands were still shaking. She looked at the test results again. Her eyes lingered on the dates, the numbers, the confirmation. It didn’t make sense.

None of it made sense.

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12.39 AM P

Chapter 17

She folded the paper carefully and placed it on the nightstand. Then she pulled the blanket over her legs again.

But she didn’t lie down.

She sat there, staring at the door.

He was still out there.

And for some reason, knowing that made her heart beat even faster.

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