He narrowed his eyes. "What kind of protection are you asking for?"
"When the time comes for me to break away from William and the Roberts family… please help me."
He let out a low hum. A faint smile curved on his lips, but his eyes were icy, his mood clearly annoyed. Natalie quickly raised her hand and swore, "Don't worry. Even if I fall apart, I'll never bother you."
"All I ask is that, when the time comes, you lend me a hand."
"And if I can't?" he asked coldly.
"Then so be it," she replied with quiet determination. "Just know, I'm not your enemy."
But Logan's smile only grew more mocking. "You want to trade your innocence for a small favor?"
Natalie's lips twitched. She knew he was unpredictable and hard to read. She had already shown him her sincerity, yet it still wasn't enough.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "But I have nothing else to offer you... nothing but this."
If she were certain Logan liked women, she would've traded her marriage instead. After all, becoming Mrs. Parker would give her a level of protection few could rival. But she remembered too well how, in her past life, Logan dealt with women who coveted that title. Cold. Ruthless. Survival was more important than pride in this new life she had been granted.
Logan's mocking expression faded. He stared at the girl kneeling on the white bed, her dress slipping from one shoulder, revealing a swan-like neck and porcelain skin. She looked heartbreakingly vulnerable—and tempting.
Should he give her what she wanted?
As hope lit up in her eyes, Natalie leaned in and closed her eyes, attempting to kiss him. She clearly had no experience. Maybe it was fear, or maybe shyness, but her lips barely grazed his chin. She was clumsy, trembling like a lost kitten. And yet, that feather-light touch stirred something inside him.
Logan's control snapped. He grabbed her neck and pinned her to the bed.
"Natalie, do you even know what you're doing?"
"I do."
"I'll give you one last chance to back out. Think before you answer."
The storm in his eyes raged with restraint. Veins pulsed along his forehead.
"I have no regrets," she whispered.
This life belonged to her now. She would reclaim it, take control, fight for what she lost, and no one—not William, not the Roberts family—could take that from her again.
People called Logan insane, a pervert, the devil incarnate. But she had doubts about that.
Because of that night in her past life...
Maybe it was pride, or maybe he truly couldn't bear being used, but despite being drugged, he had held himself back that night. Not even a finger brushed her skin. She used to think the drug wasn't potent enough, but he fell gravely ill from resisting it. His willpower was terrifying—more than any rumor about him.
So how could he be a lunatic?
Especially after the betrayal she suffered in her past life, she understood Logan's pain—his paranoia, his hate. His mother had been murdered, and no one paid the price. Meanwhile, William, his so-called "brother," had done nothing but mock him. He even slandered Logan, claiming he assaulted his fiancee. He never once defended Natalie. Yet Logan… Logan stayed silent, even when his name was dragged through the mud.
She opened her eyes to see Logan's expression had changed. The disdain in his features faded, his lips pressed together tightly. He stared—focused and intense—at her arm.
Natalie followed his gaze.
There was a faint circle of teeth marks on her forearm—an old scar from when a foolish puppy bit her as a child. It had never faded.
She didn't know how Logan noticed it. He said nothing.
But his movements suddenly turned passionate and unrestrained.
Later, Logan collapsed beside her in exhaustion. Natalie carefully moved away, ignoring the discomfort from her first time. She adjusted her clothes, then leaned down to pick up his discarded shirt. From it, she slipped out a cufflink—the left one, set with an emerald. She needed a token. Something to strengthen her bluff, if she ever had to remind him of tonight.
Then she pulled out her phone, quietly pulled back the covers, and prepared to take a photo.
It wasn't that she didn't respect Logan. She did.
But she also remembered how ruthless he could be.
Just in case, she needed insurance.
What she didn't expect was the array of scars across his torso—deep, jagged lines that told the story of countless life-threatening fights. And yet, he was still alive, which meant his enemies… were not.
Natalie instinctively took a step back. A man this dangerous was not to be trifled with.
After she took the pictures, she carefully tucked him back in, her heart pounding, her body slick with sweat. She exhaled softly, then turned toward the door.
As expected, it was locked from the outside—just like in her past life.
But that was fine.
William's people would unlock it soon, so the paparazzi could storm in. That was the plan.
To avoid missing anything, Natalie dragged a chair over and sat beside the door, waiting.
Half an hour later, she heard movement.
She stood up, quietly moved the chair back, and slowly opened the door.
She didn't dare take the elevator. William's men might be watching it.
So, she turn
ed toward the stairwell.
But just as she descended one floor, she suddenly heard voices.
"Is it time yet?"
"Almost. We'll head up in half an hour."
"It's not easy to marry into a wealthy family. Mr. Parker came alone—he's really taking a risk."
"Don't you think Miss Roberts deserves some sympathy? She didn't do anything wrong, yet she's become a pawn in this power struggle between brothers."
"Still, Mr. Parker is quite generous. I've met Miss Roberts before—she's stunning."
"But even the most beautiful woman can't compete with power."
…
So, William's people had been waiting outside.
Good thing Natalie left early. If she had delayed even thirty minutes, she might have been caught red-handed.
She quietly turned around, climbed one more floor up the stairs, and exited through a different emergency passage.
Inside the hotel room, the signal finally returned.
He hadn't followed Logan for long, and now his boss had disappeared. Given their purpose for returning to NY City, Dylan feared the worst.
"I'm at the hotel."
"Which one? I'll come find you!"
"Why?" Logan's tone turned colder. He glanced around.
The bed beside him was empty.
Logan Parker was awakened by the persistent buzzing of his phone. Irritated, he picked it up and growled, "Hello?"
"Sir, where did you go?" came) Dylan's anxious voice.