Loving Logan

By Diane Zparkki

Logan had worked hard to get everything he wanted in life and he loved his life, he cherished his family and he loved Liz. However he always felt like he gave up a part of himself for it. The part of him that seeks that adrenaline rush that brought him right to the edge that made it feel like it was all worth it. The only other time he got that feeling was when he enlisted in the military. He knew he would never do another tour but he was craving that rush.
Liz was a women that had finally created a safe world for herself after going through a traumatic experience in her younger life. She never expected to fall for a guy like Logan. He had become her forever. The man she loved unequivocally. She shared all her deep secrets from her past with and he still loved her. They were building a future together she thought until the morning he disappeared without a word.
In search for that next adrenaline rush, Logan accepts a mission that he couldn’t say no to. It was also the mission that could change everything he loved and cherished, including Liz. As Logan and Liz’s love undergoes the ultimate test, Logan is faced with hurdle after hurdle that brings another threat to ruining his life at home while Liz is left with no trace of Logan and a broken heart to mend.
Can your love come back when you thought you were doing all the wrong things for the right reasons?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diane Zparkki
• Release date: Nov 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463101742

Diane Zparkki

Diane Zparkki——lives in the greater Toronto area. She is a working mom, and with her husband, she has raised three great kids. She is a thrill seeker who usually drags her family along with her.She was never a big reader or writer in her youth—Coles Notes were her best friend throughout college. Her enthusiasm for reading came later in life when she joined a book club. She loved those books, but she wanted raw, simple, and happily ever after with a bit of get down and dirty. That was when her love for bad boys on a Harley was set in motion—it helped that her husband rides, too.After reading so many books, her mind started to create her first story, and she needed to get it out.Fixing Sydney of the Branson’s Kind of Love trilogy is her first book, and she hopes you enjoy it as much she enjoyed having these characters running around in her head.

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Branson’s Kind of Love Trilogy

Written by Diane Zparkki

Published by Diane Zparkki at Smashwords.

Copyright 2019 Diane Zparkki

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for the recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Editing by C&D Editing

Cover created by: Ravenne Designs

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Please do not take offence to the content as it is fiction.

Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders. The authors acknowledge the trademarked status in this work of fiction. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

This book contains mature content not suitable for readers under the age of 18. This book contains content with strong language, violence, and sexual situations. All parties portrayed in sexual situations are over the age of 18.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Synopsis

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Synopsis

Logan worked hard to get everything he wanted out of life. He loved his life, cherished his family, and loved his girlfriend, Liz. However, he felt like something was missing, a piece of him that sought out adrenaline rushes that made him feel alive and that he was making a difference. The only other time he had gotten that feeling was when he had enlisted in the military, yet he knew he wasn’t destined for another tour.

Liz had finally created a safe world for herself after going through a traumatic experience. She never expected to fall for a guy like Logan, but he had become her forever, the man she loved unequivocally. She shared with him all the deepest secrets from her past, and he still loved her. She thought they were building a future together … until the morning he disappeared without a word.

In search of that elusive adrenaline rush, Logan accepted a mission that he couldn’t say no to and one that had him walking away from everyone he loved and cherished.

As their love undergoes the ultimate test, Logan is faced with hurdles that could ruin his future with Liz, while Liz is forced to move on with no answers and a broken heart to mend.

Will your love come back when you thought you were doing all the wrong things for the right reasons?

Chapter One

Logan

I could feel the coolness of the ground seeping through my clothes as I lay along the grass. I positioned my rifle in front of me and adjusted the recoil pad against my shoulder before flipping out the bipods to secure my M24. Tightening the scope rings to make sure the lines were aligned, I then placed my eye over the diopter scope and pointed it just beyond the target, toward the blue sky to adjust it to my vision. With my right hand, I made the adjustments to my rifle to get it on target, placed my finger on the pad just above the trigger, preparing to pull it. Despite the light breeze I felt on my face, I didn’t have to make wind adjustments. My bullet would not stray left or right.

I took a deep breath, my target in sight. Exhaling, I gently squeezed the trigger, my shoulder prepared for the rifle’s recoil.

I looked through the scope to see if my aim of two hundred yards was on target and saw a hole right in the middle of the chest of the paper target. I had to give myself a reassuring smile, having hit the targets each and every time today. My sniper shooting skills had become stellar.

Nice shot.

Looking up from my prone position on the ground, I saw Cross standing over me with a berretta relaxed in his hand by his side as he looked down at me. Thanks.

I stood then reached out to shake his hand. He had a few inches on me.

How have you been, Logan? he asked as we walked over to the picnic table where my rifle case sat.

Good.

Thanks again for doing that job for the club. She was a smart, little bitch. We just couldn’t get involved and get our hands dirty without being caught by the cops.

I shook my head, chuckling to myself at knowing Lily had pulled a fast one on his big, bad motorcycle club known as the Dragons. I also could guess she was probably eating dirt right about now.

Cross sat down across the table from me, laying his gun on it yet never letting it go. Have you put any thought into the offer I made you?

I had done nothing but think about Cross’s offer. While I appreciated the job Holden had given me in his renovation company and having a steady paycheck, I had never felt more alive since I had been back from my tour than when I had done that job for Cross. I needed that adrenaline rush, the constant movement in my veins of not knowing what was around the next corner. The situation with Sydney then Holden had confirmed I needed that edge in my life to keep me feeling alive.

Once things settled down and the mundane, day-to-day routine kicked in, I had started to stir. I was now fidgety and irritable with normal situations or people. When the world around me was in chaos, that was when I was at my best. I could see clearly what needed to get done. That was probably why, as a kid, I had gotten into so much mischief, always looking for an adventure. I had finally come to accept that it was simply the way I was wired.

Yeah, I thought about it … I paused, thinking about what it would mean for Liz and me, not to mention my family. They had already been through a lot in the last couple of years, but my decision had always been the same every time I thought about Cross’s offer. I’m in.

You positive? Because, once we start, there’s no turning back until it’s done.

I closed my rifle case then looked Cross straight in the eyes with no misgivings. I knew what I was signing myself up for. I’m in. No doubts.

He stood in front of me, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me in for a brotherhood handshake. Then he picked his gun back up off the table and placed it at the small of his back, concealed by his leather jacket. You need to start putting things in place on your end, with your family and your girl. I’ll be in touch with the details in the next couple of days.

When I nodded, he walked away.

I knew the next few days were going to be crucial since I had to create strains and burn bridges, all to protect the people I loved and keep them safe in order to do this job.

***

Hey, babe, what time is your shift over? I needed time alone with Liz tonight before I started to create havoc in her life.

Hello, sugar, I get off at seven … Is everything okay?

Liz had become my rock. She knew me better than anyone these days, so it was no wonder that she knew something was off. There was no hiding anything from her, except this. This I couldn’t share with her. I had to keep her safe.

Yeah, babe, all is good. Just needing your hot, little bod all to myself—with no interruptions. I tried to be playful to distract her from any vibes she could be picking up on.

If you say so, she replied. What do you have in mind for this exhausted-from-a-twelve-hour-shift, nurse girlfriend of yours?

I laid my head back on the headrest of my truck, thinking of her tight body, feeling my arousal starting to firm. Well, we can start with a bottle of white wine for you, a little music, and then you can take your clothes off, piece by piece, and show me what you have hidden under those scrubs. I rubbed my hardened dick through my jeans.

Oh … baby, only you can talk dirty to me while I’m sitting at the nurses’ station in the maternity ward, getting me hot and bothered. She giggled, not helping my case of blue balls.

Fuck yeah. I don’t want some baby doctor getting you hot and bothered. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I couldn’t get you wet with a little foreplay via phone?

I heard her giggling, and it killed me inside to know that I had to break her heart in the next twenty-four hours.

I have to go, babe; one of the rooms are buzzing. See you at my place later?

Yeah, I’ll be there. I swiped my phone to end the call then just sat in my truck, giving myself a few minutes to get this hard-on to deflate before I headed into the house.

Ding. My phone went off with a photo attachment. Opening it, I saw my girl looking back at me with puckered, red lips.

Fuck me. Not helping. I needed her tonight. I needed to be deep inside her before I took this job.

I wasn’t looking forward to hurting her, but I had to in order to keep her safe, according to Cross.

Bang! Bang!

Fuck! I stared at Jaxon, who was standing outside my truck.

What the fuck are you doing in there, man? You look like a creeper.

I laughed to myself, thinking he wasn’t far off the mark. If he hadn’t scared the crap out of me, I might have just let the palm sisters finish me off right there in the driveway.

I was talking to Liz.

Shit, man, what the hell were you talking about? The windows were getting fogged up. He laughed as I climbed out of the truck with a smirk.

Jaxon and I had done two tours together. When we had finished our enlistments, I had invited him to move back to my hometown, helping him rent a room from my brother Holden. Who knew he would have fallen in love with my sister Sydney?

At another turn of events, my sister’s best friend, Shannon, had been about to get married to this douche Danny. A total surprise to all of us: Danny had ended up being Sydney’s stalker. We had found all of this out at Shannon and Danny’s engagement party. The same party that I had brought Liz to as my date to meet my family. Then, as it turned out, Liz had been Jaxon’s childhood best friend. We had never made the connection because, when Jaxon had spoken of her, he had always referred to her as Beth, where now she went by Liz. What a fuckin’ small world.

I followed Jaxon into the house, and we grabbed a couple of beers each then headed out to the back deck. After a long pull of our beers, uncomfortable silence stretched between us for the first time before Jaxon started talking.

You okay, man? You’ve seemed preoccupied the last few weeks.

I took another long gulp of my beer, hoping the silence would give him a hint. When it didn’t, I said, I’m good. Everything good with you? Typical me—redirecting the focus.

Yeah, I’m good. Then, knowing my M.O. of trying to deflect a line of questioning, Jaxon asked, Cross was at the house this morning, looking for you. What’s that about?

He probably wanted to pay me for some work I did fixing up a few things over at the clubhouse. I hated lying to my friend, but I needed to get my story in order, or lack of one, before I started the job. I noticed you’ve been hanging out at the clubhouse quite a bit yourself these days.

Jaxon leaned back, looking up at the loft over the garage where Sydney had been living for the last few years, and where he had moved into recently. They left the spare room for Holden and Shannon to set up a nursey for their baby girl, Reilly.

I had to say my niece was the cutest baby ever. She definitely had the Branson spunk. I smirked to myself, thinking of the mischief that she would get into in the years ahead. If she was anything like us, it would be enough to drive Shannon crazy.

Titus asked if I want to join the club. I’m considering it. Sydney is good with it since the Dragons are in her blood, Jaxon said with pride.

Sydney’s dad had been the club president. Once he had passed away, her uncle Titus had picked up the gavel.

I know the club has legitimate business bringing in cash, and the other half … well, they still make money. I thought the shady part of the club would sway me away from even considering it, but it doesn’t bother me in the least. He looked over at me for some kind of reaction.

What could I say when Cross had given me the same offer, and this job was a fast track to my prospering time? Sounds like you’ve already made a decision. What are you going to tell Titus?

That I’m ready to be his bitch for the next two years, which Titus will take pleasure in. He laughed.

He was right; Titus loved Jaxon, but he loved dishing out crap to anyone who would take it more. And, in Jaxon’s and my position, as prospects, we had no choice but to follow orders.

I took another long pull of my beer then leaned back, staring up into the sky while trying to figure out how I was going to say the things that were whirling in my head without Jaxon getting suspicious.

You know, we should make a pact. I glanced over to see Jaxon’s reaction as he put his finished beer on the ground.

What kind of pact? he asked.

You know, you being part of the club now, and me always going off and doing some kind of harebrained stunt, we need to watch out for each other’s girls. I know Sydney is my sister, and I would always be there for her. And … well, Liz is like a sister to you … sort of, and I know you would be there for her. But, if anything ever happened to either of us, I want to know my girl is taken care of, I told him, trying my hardest not to come off sounding like an idiot or giving anything away.

Jaxon leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs, dangling his second beer between his legs while trying to get a read on me.

What? I asked jokingly as he stared me down.

I know something’s up with you, Logan. I’ll accept your pact, but only because I know whatever you’re up to isn’t good. Jaxon could always read any situation to a fault.

I had no reply for him, except for a head nod and gratitude that he wasn’t going to push the issue.

Chapter Two

Liz

I was thankful when my shift replacement walked in twenty minutes early to save me from hottie doctor T and T, Dr. Ted Templar, as he was known. He was good-looking enough and was an outstanding pediatric doctor, but he just wouldn’t take the hint that I wasn’t interested. Logan would kill him if I told him half the sweet nothings he said to me.

I quickly briefed my shift replacement on our newest little patients then headed straight out the door to meet Logan at home.

Leaving so soon, Liz? Dr. Templar asked.

Yup. Have plans with my boyfriend, I replied from over my shoulder.

I’m here for you when you’re ready, he retorted.

That would never happen. I had Logan, who I couldn’t wait to see.

I had never thought I would find the perfect man to fall in love with. Always on the cusp of some kind of adventure and taking me along for the ride, Logan was everything I had ever hoped for.

My taste for adventure had started back when I was a kid and Jaxon had been my best friend. We used to do everything together. Back then, we only had each other—our parents had been selfish morons.

Jaxon and I used to have big plans. We would graduate high school then leave our negligent parents behind as we set out on our own to find our place in the world.

When Jaxon had signed up for the military and hadn’t told me until a few days before departing for boot camp, I had been devastated that he had made his own plans and that I hadn’t been part of them.

After I had received that news, I packed my bags and left without a goodbye to anyone, not my parents and definitely not Jaxon. I had decided I would be the first one to leave on my own adventure.

The road I had chosen had taken me to some dark and scary corners. I knew now that my decision had been made in haste and hurt feelings. The only good thing was, during that crazy time, I had met Brenda.

My introduction to Brenda was a