Unknown (Hooked Book 3) (3 page)

“I’m completely at fault,” Malik said, taking the blame. “I’ve been doing all the talking. You’ve just been standing here, listening. Why are you so quiet?”

Before Logan could stop it from happening, the truth slipped past his lips. “No one wants to hear what I have to say.”

“I do.”

At Malik’s claim, a wave of longing so intense it stole Logan’s ability to speak washed over him. All he could do was stare into Malik’s eyes and dream. In a short span of fifteen minutes, he’d never wanted anyone more.

At Logan’s continued silence, Malik looked away and picked up his menu. “So, Logan, what would you recommend?”

The loss of Malik’s amber gaze had Logan scrambling to reclaim it. “Everything on the menu is good, but if you want my honest opinion, I think you should wait two hours until my shift ends, and let me take you to dinner.” No way was Logan letting this man get away if he could help it.

Amber eyes turned his way once more. They moved down Logan’s body. Malik’s wicked intent was almost tangible when he met Logan’s gaze once more. “I hope you’re hungry, Logan.” Malik said Logan’s name as if he couldn’t stop tasting it on his tongue.

Butterflies stirred in Logan’s stomach. “I’m starving.”

A sexier than sin smile touched Malik’s lips. “Good, because I’m a meal that’ll fill you up for sure.”

“I can’t wait.” Logan had never meant anything more in his life.

Wrapping a towel around his hips, Logan headed for the bedroom. He knew what he’d find before he cleared the doorway. The bed was empty. For a moment, he considered checking the rest of his apartment, but Logan knew it was pointless. Malik had probably called for a cab the second Logan leapt from the bed. This was what they did. Logan snagged the pillow Malik had used and held it to his chest. They always destroyed each other.

*

Malik watched the street lights pass by, counting them as they passed. At first, the game had been meant as a distraction. He didn’t want to think about who he’d left behind. Unfortunately, he realized too late why he’d immediately focused on the lamps. He’d done this before.

“One. Two. Three.”

“What are you doing?”

The heavy laughter in Logan’s voice as he asked the question almost distracted Malik from his task. “Shh. Twenty-two. Twenty-three. Twenty-four.”

“Did you just shush me?” The laughter deepened, letting Malik know Logan wasn’t upset over the fact.

Giving up his chore for another night, Malik turned his attention Logan’s way. “I lost count.”

Logan flashed him a smile. “Of what?”

“The street lights,” Malik explained. “I want to know exactly how many separate my place from yours.”

“Any particular reason why?”

Malik smiled at the curiosity in Logan’s voice. “Yes. When I give my speech at our wedding, I want to tell everyone how many poles I overcame to get to you.”

The car slowed as if Logan forgot to press the gas. “Did you just ask me to marry you?”

“I did.”

With a jerk of the wheel, and much to the consternation of the people behind them, Logan hit the shoulder of the road. He tore at his seat belt. The car rolled a few feet before Logan realized he hadn’t put it in park. Malik did it for him before they rolled back into traffic. The instant Logan freed himself, he was across the car and in Malik’s arms.

Logan’s lips grazed Malik’s cheek. “I love you.” Another kiss swiped Malik’s jaw. “I love you.” He kissed Malik’s left eye, making Malik laugh. “I love you.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Hell yeah,” Logan crowed, making Malik’s lifetime.

Malik had never been happier in his life. He’d also never fallen for anyone as quickly. From their first meeting, Malik had this feeling in his gut. It nagged at the back of his mind. It was as if he’d known Logan his entire life. He couldn’t explain it. If anyone spoke to him about soul mates or love at first sight before meeting Logan, Malik would’ve laughed his ass off. Now, he knew those things were real. He died a little more every day without his other half—without his husband. Without Logan.

Chapter 2

A dizzy spell hit Malik as he tied his running shoes. Fuck. He didn’t have time for this shit. He eased down onto the bench and leaned his shoulders against the lockers behind him. The cold of the metal bled through his shirt and cooled his overheated skin. Staring straight ahead, Malik prayed he wouldn’t pass out. The crazy combination of bright yellows and reds of the locker room did nothing to help his situation. If Logan was there, he’d kick Malik’s ass for working out against the doctor’s orders. Malik bit back a laugh. Logan wasn’t a fighter. He would’ve teased Malik into going home. Just as he had that one time…

“Can we go home? I think you’re overdoing it.”

Malik scoffed at Logan’s claim. “There’s no such thing. We should stay a little longer.”

The playful glint entering Logan’s eyes let Malik know he’d fucked up. He couldn’t wait to see what Logan did next. “Are you saying I’m fat?”

Horror overcame Malik. “No. I didn’t mean—”

Logan threw his arms wide, drawing several eyes their way. “Why oh why do I have to love pie? Now, my husband thinks I’m disgusting.”

A few of the guys in the locker room stirred. Their expressions said they’d be more than happy to beat Malik’s ass on Logan’s behalf. It didn’t matter. A bark of laughter escaped Malik.

“Would you stop? You’re fucking perfect and you know it.”

A mock sniff left Logan. “I think you should take me home and prove it. I’m feeling all insecure and shit now.”

“I love you.” Malik couldn’t go another second without saying it. Sometimes, it was if all his happiness depended upon this man who always looked out for Malik’s well-being.

Logan’s expression turned serious. “I love you too.”

“Even if you weighed four hundred pounds, you were wheel-chair bound, and lost all your hair, I’d still be ass over tea kettle in love with you.”

“Same,” Logan said, making Malik’s throat burn.

“We should go home,” Malik suggested as if Logan hadn’t been saying that all along. “I feel like babying my baby.”

“Are you okay?”

Malik shook off the memory at the question. Tearing his gaze away from the multi-colored lockers, Malik focused on the man hovering over him. The gorgeous ginger was one of the many MMA fighters who trained vigorously under the retired champ who owned Smith Brothers Fight Club and gym. His name was Ryan. At least, Malik thought it was Ryan. It may’ve been Brian. Malik felt sure the man had a last name too, but he didn’t recall ever hearing it.

“Um. Yeah. I’m good.”

Ryan’s eyebrows rose. “Really? ‘Cause you look like shit.”

“Thanks.”

“Seriously,” Ryan added, obviously missing the sarcasm in Malik’s tone. “Did you get hit by a truck? Should you even be here?”

“No, he shouldn’t be here,” Sam said, cutting in and sounding pissed as hell. He looked it too. “What the fuck, Malik? Do I need to call Logan?”

“See? Why would you even ask that?” Even to Malik’s ears, he sounded tired. Instead of backing away from their conversation like any sane man would do, Ryan continued hovering.

“If it takes me calling the only person on the planet who seems to be able to keep your stupid ass at home, then that’s what I’ll do.”

“Do you need a ride?” Ryan asked.

Malik looked back and forth between them until the room started spinning again. He stood. “Look, what the fuck ever. I’ll go. It’s not like I need anyone harassing me.”

“Seriously, do you need a lift? You’re not looking so hot.”

Malik prayed for strength. His ego was taking one hell of a beating lately. “Thanks, but no thanks,” Malik said, answering Ryan. “I drove myself here, and I can get myself home.” As if his body needed to make a liar out of him, he swayed on his feet.

Sam grabbed his arm. “Maybe you should come to the office for a little while. Once you’re steady, you can drive yourself home.”

That sounded a hell of a lot better than someone having to carry him out… or another trip to the hospital. “Sounds good,” Malik agreed, allowing Sam to steer him toward the office. “Guess I’m more worn out than I realized.”

Sam snorted. “Save that shit for someone who didn’t see your ass get knocked out in the third round last night. I can’t believe the hospital released you.” He glanced behind them. “Ryan, can you hang with Malik for a minute and make sure he doesn’t die? I need to take care of a few things, and then I’ll stay with him.”

Great. Ryan was still on their heels. Malik loved looking like an ass to all and sundry.

“Sure thing.”

Sam eased Malik down on the couch in the office. Leaning his head back, Malik draped his arm over his eyes. Mostly it was because he couldn’t stand the way the room moved. Partly, he didn’t want to see everyone’s concerned expressions. It was just a concussion. He wasn’t weak.

*

Sam:
Malik is here
.

Logan:
At the gym!?

Sam:
Yep. Almost passed out getting dressed to workout.

Logan:
I’ll be there to get his dumbass in ten minutes.

Sam:
Good deal.

*

Logan drove to Smith Brothers fuming fucking mad. Seriously. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so goddamn enraged, but he was positive it had been Malik’s fault then too. This man would be the death of him. Smith Brothers was located in the center of the square, making parking a bitch. Of course, when the place had been built years ago, the club had been an exclusive one, and parking hadn’t been a big issue. Now, Logan snagged a space marked as hour only parking. He prayed he could convince Malik to leave with him in less time than that.

He spotted Sam first as he approached the door. With a nod, Sam buzzed him inside. The huge man, covered in tattoos, was damn near six-foot-eight. There wasn’t a doubt in Logan’s mind that he could crush Logan without breaking a sweat. Right now, his sweet brown eyes looked worried as hell. Logan knew the feeling. They exchanged a glance. No words were needed. They both knew shit was out of control.

“Thanks for coming.”

Logan nodded. “This is the last time.”

A sad smile touched Sam’s lips. “You say that every time.”

He did. That didn’t make it hurt any less. “He told me last night that he hates me.”

Sam’s eyes fell closed. “So this is the last time.”

Logan didn’t back down. “Yeah. I’m done.”

“Understood,” Sam said, motioning for Logan to follow him.

When Malik came into view, Logan’s heart jumped into his throat. He looked pale, and his bruises had darkened. A red-haired man lingered in the corner. He straightened away from where he leaned against Sam’s desk. His gaze slid down Logan’s body.

“Hey, there.”

Logan flashed him a quick smile.

“I’m Ryan,” the guy said, holding out his hand.

“Logan,” Logan said, accepting the man’s outstretched hand.

At the sound of Logan’s voice, Malik’s head shot up. He didn’t say a word. Malik simply stared at him with slightly unfocused eyes. Every time it amazed Logan. He didn’t think there was even a tiny sliver of his heart left to smash, but Malik always found one more to break.

“He’s here for Malik,” Sam said behind them. “Thanks for watching over him for a few. I know it cut into your training schedule.”

Ryan waved off Sam’s words, but his gaze never left Logan. “It’s no big deal. So, you are Malik’s… brother?”

“Husband,” Logan corrected.

Ryan’s smile faltered. It was hard sometimes. The men who trained at Smith Brothers could always go either way—amazingly tolerant or complete bigots.

“Soon-to-be ex-husband,” Malik supplied.

Logan’s gaze hit his toes. He couldn’t look anyone in the eyes and see their reaction. Malik had yet to ask him for a divorce and Logan hadn’t filed. A person couldn’t take back some things.

“Really?” Ryan said, pulling Logan’s attention back his way. “But you still showed up.” Ryan’s green gaze searched Logan’s face, looking for something Logan couldn’t grasp. “I don’t have a single ex who’d piss on me if I was on fire. In all fairness, I wouldn’t piss on any of those guys either.”

Well. Logan hadn’t seen that one coming.

“Are you taking me home, or what?” Malik asked, sounding aggravated.

Ryan’s mouth turned up in one corner, as if he already knew the punchline to a joke Logan missed. Of course, most likely, he was the joke. After all, no one else in their right mind would willingly subject themselves to this much torture.

“It was nice meeting you, Logan.”

Logan nodded. “You too.”

Logan just wished it hadn’t been under these circumstances. He could now add Ryan to the long list of people at Smith Brothers who thought badly of him.

*

Malik crossed his arms over his chest, hoping he could block his heart from witnessing the blatant flirtation with his husband. He’d never personally had any beef with Ryan. Now, he hated the fucker. The ink wasn’t even dry on their divorce papers. Okay, so there were no papers and no ink, but they couldn’t avoid it forever. One of these days, Logan would find someone new. They’d be amazing and handsome. No doubt, they’d also go right in whatever way Malik had gone wrong. The whole situation made him sick.