Chapter 78: Chapter 78

So, as soon as they reached the small, empty hall near the bathrooms, he pressed her against one of the white marble pillars nearby, among the shadows, dipping his hand inside the slit of her dress so he could mold the curves of her bare leg, as he wrapped his lips around hers in a searing kiss that had both of them groaning almost with relief after days of longing.

- Has my little monster suffered a lot for not being able to have my dick in the last few days? he growled at a barely audible volume as his other hand wrapped around her breast over the lace, squeezing it with desire.

- Oh, don't worry about it. I know another monster much bigger and who is suffering much more... - Without any shame, in between gasps in the intervals between kisses, she spread her hand over his member almost completely rigid inside the pants of his suit.

- Do you think we would cause a very big commotion in high society if the news that there were two people having sex in the hotel bathroom spread? - he asked, his voice heavy with desire, eliciting an almost defiant smile from her, before a squeaky but angry voice broke the air, interrupting their moment.

- Steve, if you don't answer me in five seconds, I swear I'm going to cut off your dick and shove it down your throat! - Suzan's possessed voice surprised them, freezing them in place - What were you thinking when you took our money with you? There better be a good reason your suitcase and all your other stuff is gone from our room or I swear, you son of a bitch, I will...!

- Stra. Foster! - a hoarse voice, probably of an elderly man, interrupted her.

- Oh, Mr. Ramzi, what a pleasure... - Suzan's furious voice suddenly became meek and shaky, while Logan recognized the last name of the hotel manager - I'm sorry I can't enjoy your company, but I'm not feeling very well and... .

- Well, Miss Foster, I'm trying to bother you, but I thought you'd like to know that your fiancé dumped his share of the hotel reservations and left less than ten minutes ago...

- What?! - Suzan roared, possessed - That son of a bitch! God, I'm going to buy a dress made of diamonds while I'm here, so he'll have a credit card debt so big he'll never be able to even afford it again...

- Oh, so you mean Mr. Did Reed also have his share of the hotel bills paid? - Mr. Ramzi wanted to know, looking suspicious.

- What do you mean by too? - Suzan squealed, with a sound so high that Logan's ears even hurt - He's the only one paying the hotel bills!

- Well, I'm sorry to break this news to you, Stra. Foster, but from your per diems to the drinks you had that night, all expenses have been entered into the data and account of someone named Suzan Pauline Smith Foster and no one else.

A moment of silence passed, as Logan and Missy stared at each other in complete shock, dumbfounded at the level of blow Mr. Reed had plotted, until a dull thud was heard, followed by the almost bored voice of Mr. Ramzi.

- MS. Foster, with all due respect, I've been in this business long enough to be able to spot some clients' techniques for avoiding paying the bill, which includes faux fainting. - another second passed before the manager spoke again, quite calmly - Well then, let me call the police...

- No, no! - Suzan immediately shouted, looking desperate - You don't understand! He deceived me! He told me that his family had money, but that his parents wanted him to find an investor for his project, and then let him go home and get his hands on the money. That's why we came here! So that he could meet some rich old man he muggle enough to put money into a project that would never get off the ground! Of course, I gave him some documents so he could make reservations for this hotel, but I swear I didn't know that son of a bitch was using my name and my cards to...

- Stra. Foster. - Mr. Ramzi patiently interrupted her - I confess that after seeing her fiancé leave the hotel in such a hurry, I was a little suspicious. In fact, I've dealt with this type of scammer a lot: manipulative, charismatic men who create lies so complex that it's hard not to get carried away and believe. However, regardless of what happened, the fact is that your cards ran out of days ago and Mr. Reed had been promising us ways to pay off this debt, which had only increased. Therefore, whether you really suffered a blow or not, I am sorry to inform you, but until the law says otherwise, you are solely responsible for the debt owed to us.

- And... - the desperation in Foster's voice was so deep that Logan almost felt sorry for her... Almost - How much exactly is this debt?

- Come with me, Ms. Foster. - Mr. Ramzi sighed – Something tells me that your next fainting spell will not be false, when we finish talking.

- H-hey, I'm sure we can work it out, right? - Logan thought she was trying to sound sensual, in the midst of dread - I mean, there are so many other better things in life than money... Why don't we go to a more private place and I...?

- Oh, don't worry, Ms. Foster. - again, Mr. Ramzi interrupted her, perfectly calm and measured - The only person who will be where we are going is my wife, one of the main people responsible for the hotel's accounting.

Still a little dazed by everything he had just heard, Logan remained staring at Missy's equally shocked face, until the voices of Foster and the hotel manager were lost in the night, leaving them alone again, hidden among the shadows .

- Heavens, I had no idea that man was such a big scammer. - Missy gasped, clearly disoriented – I think I can only be grateful that he ran away from here before taking money from any of the people inside. Too bad Suzan wasn't as lucky... - She stared at the wall that had shielded them from seeing all the commotion around Foster.

- Feather? - Logan repeated, not being able to stop himself from laughing a little - You know, sometimes I really worry about the fact that I won't be able to meet you in paradise, because I can't feel any sympathy for her. In fact... - a wicked smile spread across his face, while the feeling of justice, warm and thick as lava, spread through his chest - I feel nothing but satisfied knowing that she finally got what she always deserved.

-I thought I would never see that expression again... The same one that was on her face when you fired them, so many years ago...-his wife laughed, amused and still a little stunned- But there she is again.

- Well, I think that, in the end, revenge was a cold dish... At least for one of us. - he offered her a mischievous smile that only made her laugh harder, and, putting their lips together again, he gave the hotel enough business for several weeks.

(***)

- And I swear everyone at reception was talking about the mystery couple making out in the bathroom. - even out of breath because of her embarrassed laugh, Missy continued to tell him, when the two finally opened the suite door, at the height of dawn.

- Well, Mrs. Knight, if I were you, I'd try to only whisper around people for the next few weeks, or someone might find a certain scream too familiar. - still feeling the traces of the orgasms she had given him that night, Logan descended hot kisses down her neck, squeezing her ass as a silent promise that he still hadn't left her in peace, before separating from her - Now, why would you Don't you get more comfortable while I check on the kids? I'm sure she must be dying to take off her shoes and makeup before going to give them one last kiss.

- Thank you love. - Missy sighed with contentment and weariness, kissing her cheek lovingly - Please, thank Mrs. Crawford for me, okay?

Taking a moment longer where he was just to be able to watch Missy walk slowly to the suite's bathroom with a passionate smile, Logan finally went to the adjoining bedroom, which made his smile become deeply affectionate when he saw his children elders fully stretched out in their beds like big, adorable starfish. The twins were crammed on top of each other in one of the large double beds and Gwyneth was sleeping in the other, cuddled up with a pillow that was much bigger than she was. Between the two beds was Hope's crib, which, from the soft movements between the bars, looked like it was about to wake up.

- Oh, hello, Mr. Knight. - he had barely taken a step towards the baby when that calm voice, yet extremely sudden, surprised him, making him take a hesitant step when he turned around to find a very thin and old lady coming out of the shadows . She had short, snow-white hair spread like a halo around her face covered with wrinkles so deep that her own eyelids hid her eyes, though her gentle, easy smile alone made her look quite likeable.

- Oh hi. - he gave a breathless smile, enjoying the fact that he had been frightened by such a harmless lady, although it was incomprehensible how he had not seen her before - Mrs. Crawford, right? Sorry for not having noticed you there. Yes, I'm Logan Knight, nice to meet you. - Kindly, Logan extended his hand to her, being surprised at how strong the grip of her thin and bony hand was - Did these little hurricanes give you a lot of work?

- In no way. - Mrs. Crawford laughed, looking proud as she said it – In fact, they all slept through the night, except for little Hope. - she threw a smile full of affection toward the baby - But she's nothing more than a sweet little angel. In fact, it's a shame I didn't have the opportunity to meet them. - she sighed sadly, making Logan smile.

- Oh, don't worry. Although we are on a family trip, my wife and I still plan to do a few more outings while we are here, so we will definitely need your services again. - he revealed, making her open a happy smile - Which reminds me: Missy asked me to thank her for today. She is a little tired, so I persuaded her to get some rest while I checked that the children had a good night. But I'm sure you must be very tired too. So thank you very much for your work today. - removing his wallet from his jacket pocket, Logan pulled out some bills and held them out to Mrs. Crawford.

- Oh, that's not necessary, Mr. Knight. The costs of my work have already been debited directly from your hotel account. - the lady shook her head, without even extending her hand.

- I know. This is just a tip. - shrugging, he remained with his hand outstretched, but Mrs. Crawford didn't even move.

- Really, it's not necessary. - though she continued to deny it, there was a hint of amusement in her voice that Logan couldn't understand.

- I insist. - taking a step forward, he got even closer to her, which somehow seemed to amuse Mrs. Crawford, who had finally collected the notes from her hand, flashing a smile almost as proud as the one she'd used to talk about the kids. With a last grateful smile for the lady, Logan took a few steps toward Hope, until Mrs. Crawford, sounding oddly wistful, caught his eye again – Stubborn as ever, even after so long...

Wanting to ask her what she was talking about, Logan instinctively searched her figure by peripheral vision... And, freezing instantly, he could have sworn that, for a moment, he saw a shimmering flash just as she raised an eyebrow. Something that, inexplicably, immediately reminded him of starlight. However, the moment came and went in the blink of an eye and, when he managed to truly turn his neck, he could only watch, from where he was, while Mrs. Crawford calmly left the room, walking to the suite's door and leaving without even a second glance in his direction.

That incomprehensible feeling of shock, however, only lasted until the moment when Hope's soft whimpers spread through the air, drawing her attention again to the little restless baby between the crib sheets. Shaking his head to dispel the memory of that optical illusion he had, Logan approached his daughter, affectionately starting to cradle her in his arms, until the beginning of crying turned into sweet happy giggles, while she stretched her little hands to reach your face.

- Hello, my beautiful little girl. - he murmured affectionately, gently kissing her head covered in black curls - Are you hungry yet? Or was he just missing Mom and Dad? - cooing until he made her laugh, Logan looked into those beautiful blue eyes, which, despite having the shape of Missy's gaze, were strikingly similar not only to those of his father, but also of his grandfather. It was funny how, on the day Hope was born, after a difficult and dangerous delivery, he even took a while to recognize why that bright hue, which stared at him with so much love, was familiar to him beyond Daniel...

Until he realized. Tristan used to look at him in much the same way: admiring, loving. As if he were the whole world. And even though he'd cried at the birth of all his children, the first time he'd looked Hope in the eye had been special: because it revived a memory he thought had been lost for a long time. The memory of her grandfather's loving gaze. Because, even with all the problems, all the suffering and the pain of having his heart broken... His grandfather had still been able to look at his grandchildren that way. He was still able to find a place for his heart. A place where he could put all his love and get the love he deserved in return.

Something that, after so many years of hurt and resentment, Logan realized he had forgotten. Over time, even thinking otherwise, the truth was that most of the feelings that came to him when he invoked memories of his grandfather when he was younger were negative. Because he had focused on the negative parts of Tristan's life. And privileged to such an extent that, without realizing it, he had come to think less and less about the times when his grandfather had been happy. The times he had felt proud and accomplished. In the joys he had enjoyed in being a great man, father and grandfather. In the things that made his passage through that world worthwhile.

The fear had made him so paranoid that Logan was unable to see anything other than his fears. Now, he was able to see that Tristan's life might have been sad and unfair in many ways, but it hadn't been tragic at all. Probably, if Tristan had the choice to give up all the good things he's experienced, just to avoid the sadness, he would choose not to change anything.

And Logan knew that all too well, because that was how he felt. Many things had gotten out of his control and gone wrong in the past. And certainly many others were just waiting to do the same in the future. But if avoiding all that suffering, past and future, meant having to give up all the good things that came with that pain, then he wouldn't think twice about refusing. In the past, he had deluded himself, thinking that if he tried hard enough, he could control everything around him and prevent himself from suffering again, as he had suffered from his grandfather's death and his father's accident...

But Missy showed him otherwise. She had shown him that happiness and inner peace had nothing to do with running away from what could be dangerous to his heart - as she used to run away from people's judgment and he used to run away from his family's legacy. No one was capable of being happy running away from fear. And the woman he loved had proved that to him, when he found his own happiness in becoming free to be who she was and what he wanted to be, despite all the fears that had previously held her hostage. And, without even knowing it, she had inspired him to do the same. To accept that love was not her enemy. That avoiding what scared him wouldn't stop him from suffering. That if he didn't relinquish control to allow himself to embrace the unexpected joys life had bestowed upon him, he would remain congealed forever between the immutable walls of stability and stagnation he had built for himself.

Now, he was able to do so much more besides being afraid. He was capable of being brave. To face what he feared. Of fighting to live the joys that were to come, even in the midst of tragedies. And now, more than ever, he knew he was able to see his family's legacy for what it really was, not a curse. He would be able to spend the rest of his life talking about him in a hopeful and balanced way to his children, as he had that day, and as his parents and grandfather had done to him in his childhood.

Even if there was still the fear of what could happen to their babies in the future.

- Are you OK love?

Surprised by that whisper, Logan turned to see Missy dressed in a long cotton Hello Kitty nightgown, already without makeup and with her long brown hair loose, approaching him and Hope, who began to babble softly and extend her little arms towards the mother. Smiling, Missy took her little girl and offered her the breast, leaving the baby immediately calmer as she watched Logan's face with concern.

- Yes I'm fine. - he reassured her, gently kissing her forehead, before sighing, finally admitting what was on his mind - The truth is that, in addition to the appearance of Newton and Foster, something else happened today that left me thinking: Jonathan and Tristan asked about the legacy.

- Oh... - Missy blinked, surprised - And... Did that bother you?

- Not. - he revealed calmly, with a proud smile - In fact, they just asked quite predictable questions, the kind I myself asked at their age: about what does it feel like to be hit by the legacy, at what age does this happen... That type of thing. And after all, I couldn't help but think how happy I am to have gotten over all that irrational fear. - He lovingly moved a strand of her hair behind her ear, wanting to caress her cheek - They were even worried about hurting me, having heard Diana talk about how I used to hate everything about it. - Now it was Missy's turn to smile proudly at her boys - But I felt absolutely nothing while answering their questions. Nothing but a desire to reassure them and, well... - suddenly downcast, Logan sighed - Hopes that the legacy will be generous to them as it was to me.

- Oh, Logan... - Missy caressed his face with one hand, while continuing to rock an increasingly sleepy Hope with the other - You're still afraid of the kind of person their soul mate might be, aren't you? ?

- To be honest, I'm afraid of absolutely everything that could hurt them. - he admitted, wrapping her in his arms with a heavy sigh - Maybe that's why I find myself so often wishing that Jonathan, Tristan and Gwyneth could be babies again. That way, I would be able to protect them from anything... - he ran his knuckles over Hope's flushed face, whose sleepy little eyes finally closed completely, back to the world of dreams - Including the worst pain a Knight can feel: a broken heart.

- I know how you feel. - Missy sighed, with a sad smile - I think that, in the end, this is what it means to be a father, isn't it? Suddenly you are aware of all the threats that exist in the world and you fear every one of them. - giving Hope one last loving kiss before putting her back in her crib, Missy spent some time admiring her too - Just knowing that there is the mere possibility of them suffering in the future is already desperate.

- I used to know a lot about despair. - With an emotional murmur, he put his arms around her waist, giving her a passionate smile as her eyes plunged into his - But, years ago, the woman I love taught me about something much more important. She taught me about courage. And about perseverance. - Seeing Missy's eyes become bright with tears, he rested his forehead on hers, while continuing to murmur - That's why today I know that, no matter what comes next, we'll be able to face it . When love comes to them, like it did to me, everything will be fine. As long as we're all together. And as long as I have you with me. - with one last loving and convinced whisper, he sealed his lips on hers, swallowing her small tearful moan.

- Oh, Logan... - Missy gasped in an almost inaudible tone, her eyes still moist when they parted for air - I love you so much...

- And you are everything to me, Melissa Knight: my life, my soul, my joy, my strength, my love... - he looked at her passionately for a moment, before allowing a malicious smile to spread across his face – And many other things that I will only be able to tell you when we are in our bed, away from the children.

- So how lucky for us that the bed is right there... - Still in her arms, she started pulling him by the tie, bringing him even closer, until she managed to whisper in his ear – And that I didn't have to. I took the trouble to put on nothing but the nightgown.

- A wise decision, my love. - picking her up with a sudden movement, he took her to the bed, closing the door to the children's room behind him, while the two exchanged a smile full of passion - Because you're still going to have a lot of work ahead of you tonight .

- We both will, love. - she promised, amid a groan, as he raised the skirt of her nightgown to the height of her belly, plunging his fingers into her sweet wet and soft pussy - Together. Like always.