Chapter 54: Hurt him, where it hurts most
"Give me one damn reason you’re not siding with the man who blackmailed both of us."
Jean looked away, blinking fast. Her heart thundered, but she wouldn’t... couldn’t... say it.
"I have my reasons," she said finally, voice clipped. "That should be enough."
Logan scoffed. "Right. Because secrets always work out so well."
Jean stared at him, wounded pride and pressure crushing her lungs. "You can think whatever you want about me. Just remember... I’m not your enemy."
"Why?" he pressed, stepping closer. "What are you so afraid of? The press? Public opinion? Or is it your precious family you’re still trying to please?"
"That’s none of your business," Jean bit out.
"Isn’t it?" he snapped. "You and I nearly died on that yacht because of that psycho and his ego. And you’re standing here, asking me to bury it all so you can sleep better at night?"
"I never asked you to bury it," she hissed. "I asked you to think."
"Oh, I’ve thought. I’ve thought about how this could’ve ended a thousand different ways. You overboard and being dead drowning in the damn ocean. And I’d still be out there fighting while you’d be nothing but a headline! And now you want to play it safe?" He shook his head. "It’s pathetic."
Jean’s eyes welled up with tears, but she didn’t let them fall. Her voice dropped, trembling with rage. "You think I don’t want to fight? You think I haven’t imagined what it would be like to be free from all this? Every time I speak, someone pulls the strings behind me. Every move I make, every step I take... there’s someone telling me who to be."