Christmas Conspiracy Read Online Free

didn’t need some father who didn’t bother coming around until she was full grown, bringing danger into her life. She didn’t need anyone.
    She chanced a glance at Logan. His expression had turned stone still. She wouldn’t have been able to recognize how badly her words had shocked him if she hadn’t watched his index finger scratching against his thumb. She recognized the sign. She’d seen it the last time while she’d hidden from him. He’d come to her house right after she’d run. He’d cursed the empty building, then left. Kat had wanted to move, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t let herself hope.
    A few months later she’d learned the hard way that she’d been right. Logan didn’t really want her.
    The king interrupted her thoughts.
    “Your offspring. Do you have a son?” A small smile tilted his lips.
    She didn’t like the predatory gleam in his eye. “What does it matter? This facade is over. Go back where you came from, and leave me and mine alone.”
    She stalked to the door, grateful the sedative had worn off so she didn’t resemble a drunk on a Friday night bar crawl.
    “Stop her,” the king ordered his flunky.
    Sergei lunged at Kat. She stumbled away from him.
    Logan stepped between them, cutting the man off. “I don’t think so.”
    “You dare—”
    “I dare a lot,” Logan said. “Move away. Now.”
    Sergei didn’t stop coming. Kat braced herself. She’d fight. For her kids. With a single swipe Logan laid the man on the ground with a Taekwondo move. Logan pressed his arm against the man’s windpipe. “Don’t think about crossing me. You won’t win.”
    Sergei’s eyes bugged out. He coughed and nodded his head.
    Kat had never seen Logan this way. He was swift and deadly. She had no doubt he could maim or kill Sergei if he wanted to. The muscles in Logan’s arms tensed as he pressed against Sergei’s neck once more, then let him go with a warning glare.
    “You’ve made your point,” the king announced. “Which is why I didn’t fire you when my son was murdered on your watch.”
    Kat gasped.
    “Yes, young woman. Both of your half brothers were assassinated. Now do you see why you need protection?”
    Kat’s body went numb. “Logan?” She looked toward him, wanting nothing more than reassurance, but seeing none in his gaze.
    “I’m sorry. You do need protection. This morning proves it.”
    She couldn’t listen any longer. “We have to get my kids now.”
    “As my heir, you are coming with me,” King Leopold commanded, his face and voice stubborn. “Logan, retrieve the children and meet me at the plane. We’ll leave for Bellevaux at the earliest opportunity.”
    “No!” She’d fought too hard to take control of her life—for her and her children. She raced across the suite, yanked the door open and bolted down the hall.
    “Kat!” Logan bolted after her, jamming the door to the suite. A spew of curses rose as Sergei and his men slammed against the wood. She didn’t know how long it would hold.
    Kat threw open the door to the stairwell. She had to get away. She’d go home, grab the twins and disappear. Someway, somehow. She’d never let her children around the man who claimed to be her father.
    Heavy footsteps pounded after her, getting closer and closer. Within two flights Logan caught her by the arm and pulled her against him.
    She shoved at his chest. “Let me go.”
    He pressed her to the wall. “Calm down. I just want to talk for one second. We need a quick plan.”
    She stilled. “We?”
    “Yeah,” he said, touching her cheek. “We.”
    “I’m not going with the king.”
    “We’ll work something out, but you need to listen to me.”
    She gritted her teeth. “Why should I trust you? You drugged me.”
    “I didn’t know about your children. If I had, I would have done things differently. I would have taken you to get them first.” Logan dropped his forehead against hers. “Please, Kat. I won’t let anything happen to you or them. I