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“We have no memories of her. My father had nannies that came in, but none of them lasted very long either. I guess women didn’t like being around an arrogant ass like him for long. Not even when getting paid.” His voice held the bitterness that he tried so hard to hide. But what was the point? That was the fact and one each of his siblings would agree on. And something we don’t care if the world knows.
“It must’ve been very difficult for your sister, Zoey.”
He wanted to keep the focus on him and not include the others. Not talking about Zoey would only bring suspicion, and Cori would be all over that. “It was, but we rallied around her. If anyone in that family felt loved and protected, it was her. She had five brothers who never let anything happen to her.”
Cori nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. It must’ve made it difficult for her to date with so much supervision all the time. From what I see, she was able to find a man very capable of holding his own with the Henderson men. How do you feel about your brother-in-law, Bennett Stone?”
That he’s a cocky bastard, who thinks he knows best.“He’s good to my sister and makes her happy. That’s all that matters to me. To any of us.”
“It must be hard with him traveling out of the country so frequently. I don’t know how she does it.”
Shit. How do you know that?“I’m sure she misses him, but like anyone, some jobs require travel more than others.”
“I guess so. If he were still in the Marine Corps, he’d have been gone even more.”
He wasn’t thrilled she knew so much detail already. He wanted to ask to see her files on them. Logan was sure there were things in there he’d want blacked out. That wasn’t going to stop her from printing it. He needed to drive her in the direction that would do the least damage.
“You’re right. I don’t think he travels any more than my brother Dean. He’s always off looking for the next big deal to snatch up.”
“So you’re saying he’s the most like your father was?” Cori asked.
“No!” Logan barked. He didn’t want anyone viewed as being like their father. “Dean is nothing like him. None of us are. If you’re looking for a story that will show we’re scum like he was, then consider this interview over.”
The look of shock was clear on her face. He’d yelled at her. That wasn’t something he did. Logan wanted to tell her he was sorry, but he wasn’t. He’d meant every word. No matter how he felt about her, there was no way he could let her hurt his family. We’ve all been through enough.
“I’m sorry, Logan. I was out of line. You’ve hinted at what James was like, and I never should’ve compared any of you to him. Could you please forget I said that so we can continue?” Cori pleaded.
Forgetting wasn’t something he was good at. His mind held every detail, which was why his childhood haunted him. It’s what made him distance himself. So why wasn’t he doing the same with her? This was much more than an interview. It felt more like sitting in a therapist chair, and she was the one opening up all the old wounds.
“You need to understand this isn’t just any story to me. I know why this is important to you, and I want to help, but this is my family. How would you feel, Cori, if someone was trying to dig up... things you would rather keep private? Just the expression on your face says there are things you don’t want to talk to me about either. Am I right?”
“Everyone, including me has things they wish weren’t part of their past. Ignoring them doesn’t make them not so.”
Logan got up and ran his hand through his hair. She was relentless. “Reliving them doesn’t make them better either. You’re supposed to be writing based on facts, not what you assume is wrong with us.”
“Do you think that’s what I’m doing? If so, I wouldn’t be interviewing you. I’d take everything I learned, and trust me there’s a lot out there already on your family, and I’d write based on that. But instead, I’m trying to get the real picture of you, of your family. I thought you understood that. Instead, you’re attacking me as though I’m the bad guy here. All I’m trying to do is my job and do it accurately.”
She was defensive and had every right to be. He’d agreed to do this, and he wasn’t foolish enough to believe it was going to be anything other than thorough. Truthfully he’d have been disappointed if it wasn’t. He was angry because he had to lie and hide the truth. Logan wished above all else that there wasn’t any dirt on them. But there was more than even he knew. I need those answers myself, Cori. How can I explain my family, when I have no idea what made my father the man he was? How can we be sure we won’t become like him?
“Then I guess you and I are finished here.” He turned and headed toward the door. Logan only stopped when he felt her hand on his arm.
“Please, Logan, don’t leave.”
He turned to face her. She was crying. Why? He wasn’t about to let tears break down his defenses. “Cori, I can’t do this.”
“I need you to. You’re my only hope.”
He raised a brow. “For what? I’m sure you can find another family to rip apart to get your promotion.”
The tears continued to flow. “No. It’s not about that. It never was. It’s about...”
Logan stood motionless as he asked, “About what?”
She sniffed and said, “I can’t tell you right now. Just trust me, please?”
Trust wasn’t something he gave easily, and without her providing any reason why he should, it was impossible right now. “If you want me to trust you, then you need to trust me and tell me what’s really going on.”
Cori nodded and left him alone in the living room. When she returned, she was holding a file. He could see it was a police report. He opened it and scanned it quickly. None of it was familiar to him as it took place thirty years ago.
