Lives Ruined, Bloodshed

Chapter 20

Veronica got back to Keith's house at 5. Her dad wasn't home but had left her a note he would be out all night working. With two hours to spare while she waited for Logan, Veronica decided to go over the case. Walsh had told her before they left the office that everything had already been forwarded to her email.

Taking a seat at the dining table, Veronica kicked off her shoes and lifted her legs to rest on the chair beside her. She unlocked her tablet and accessed her work database. Veronica found the updated case file and started with the victim breakdown.

Tristan and Mandi Kimberley were loved and well-liked by their family, friends, and neighbours. Veronica read through the short statements that had been supplied by the Kimberley's neighbours; no one had seen a guest arrive the night before, and there was nothing that had appeared out of the ordinary. No one ever heard a scream or the sounds of a struggle. In fact, no one knew anything was wrong until Jenson Kimberley called 911.

Veronica moved away from the statements, not seeing anything of use, and opened the detailed reports on each of their victims. She clicked on Tristan's report first. Tristan Kimberley, thirty-two years of age, second child, married to Mandi Kimberley nee Becket for four years but had been together since their second year of college. Tristan had graduated from Hearst with a degree in business. The only bad thing he had on file were several unpaid parking tickets. Veronica took a moment to check the time-stamped location for each ticket and noticed that all of the tickets were in the same spot, between 6 and 9 pm, and they were all on a Thursday.

Pulling up google maps, Veronica dropped in the location. The map brought up a side street. On one side is a Thai restaurant, and on the other is a strip club. So either Tristan had a standing dinner reservation at the same restaurant every Thursday, or he liked to visit a strip club. The easiest way to find out would be to access his bank transaction history, but Veronica didn't know who or if the San Diego office had a technical analyst she could ask.

Sending a quick text message off to Walsh regarding the technical analyst, Veronica moved to Mandi's file. Mandi Kimberley, nee Becket. Thirty years old and an only child. Graduated from Hearst with a degree in advertising. Worked for three years before quitting and starting a food blog. Mandi's food blog wasn't massive, but it seemed to have a small group of dedicated fans.

Walsh came back to Veronica, letting her know she would contact the analyst for her.

Looking at the time, Veronica decided she should get ready. Closing her tablet, she carried it into the guest room and put it away before stripping and jumping in the shower. Logan hadn't said where exactly they were going, but Veronica wanted to wear something nice. She washed and blow-dried her hair, adding a few loose curls and light makeup. Out of the few clothes she brought, she picked out a high waisted black pleated skirt that fell just below her knees and a khaki green cowl neck cami top. She twirled in front of the mirror, laughing at herself, before grabbing a denim jacket and slipping on some sandals.

Logan arrived just before 7. He rang the doorbell and turned to Veronica, smiling as she answered the door. He took a step back as he took her in.

"Wow," he said.

Veronica smiled and did a small twirl.

"I think we should just stay in again." Logan stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I don't know if I could control myself."

Veronica smacked his chest lightly. "Well, you will because I'm hungry."

Logan nodded. "Fine, food first. But just one thing."

Before Veronica could ask what that one thing was, Logan kissed her. What she thought was supposed to only last for maybe a Mississippi or two deepened. Veronica opened her mouth to let Logan's tongue slide in. Logan's grip tightened around her waist, and she slipped her hands behind his head to pull him down further. Veronica moaned into the kiss, wondering if maybe she should take his suggestion and pull him back inside.

Logan pulled back, his eyes had darkened, and he pressed a short kiss to the corner of her mouth and said, "You sure you need to eat?"

Veronica bit her lip. She was hungry, but not just for food. She slid a hand from his neck down his chest to touch the skin just beneath the collar of his shirt. She traced her finger across his skin and shrugged. "Nothing wrong with having dessert first."

Logan caught Veronica with another kiss before directing her back through the door. He closed it behind them before pressing the denim jacket she had on down her arms. Veronica did the same, reaching for his coat and pushing it off. They moaned against each other, their footsteps stumbling backwards. Logan bent down and slid his hands along her back, over her butt and cupped the back of her thighs. He hoisted her up, getting Veronica to wrap her legs around his waist, and he carried her towards the kitchen counter. She gripped his shoulders and smiled, and Logan ghosted his lips across hers, the sensation sending shivers down her spine.

Logan deepened their kiss, holding her firmly against him; his tongue slid across her bottom lip. Veronica pushed at his shirt, and as he pulled it from where it was tucked in, she pulled back from his lips for a moment to yank his shirt over his head and ran her hands across his bare chest as he pulled her mouth back to his in a searing kiss.

Logan moved his mouth from hers and along her jawline. He nibbled along her skin, sucking and kissing, as he moved to her ear. He bit down on her lobe and sucked it into her mouth.

She cried out and reached for his belt.

"Don't tease me," she gasped.

He smiled against her throat. "Never."

Logan's lips continued their journey down Veronica's throat to her chest.

She popped open his belt and popped open his pants. She hooked her finger into his briefs and pushed them down his thighs, his hard cock popped out, and she wrapped one hand around the base and pumped him gently.

"I need you," she gasped.

He nuzzled and moaned against her chest and slid his fingers tips along her sides. She shivered and buried her free hand into his hair.

"Please," she begged.

Logan grabbed the material of her skirt and bunched it up around her waist. He found the black thong she had put on and yanked it down her thighs, letting it fall off and onto the ground. Veronica's centre was dripping with anticipation. Logan moved his fingers to her folds and pressed inside, finding her centre hot and soaked, the movement of his hand pulling a whimper from Veronica's throat. Veronica rocked her hips into Logan's hand, wanting his fingers deeper, but they couldn't.

"So wet," he mumbled against her lips.

Veronica moaned and tugged at his hair. "Only for you," she moaned.

Logan pulled his fingers from her centre and shifted his hips to line his length up to her dripping core. He teased her folds a few times, pulling more needy sounds from Veronica before he buried himself inside her. Veronica cried, her body arching up against Logan and his name falling from her mouth. Logan grunted as her walls clenched around his length, sucking him in until he couldn't go any further. Gripping her hips, he pulled himself out and then thrust back in.

Veronica's fingers tightened in his hair, and she dug her heels into his ass to push him in deeper. "Logan," she cried.

"I love you," he said.

Veronica opened her eyes and stared into his. "I love you too."

Logan kissed her and increased the speed of his thrusts. Veronica shivered at his touch, bringing a grin to Logan's mouth as he felt her respond to him. Logan's fingers dug into her skin as her body tightened around him, pulling him closer to his own end.

He dropped his mouth to her chest; he pressed kisses against the valley between her breasts, her top still covering most of her. Logan moved one hand beneath her shirt and pushed it up to reveal the strapless black bra. He found the clip of the bra, popped it open and let her breasts fall and start to bounce as he continued to thrust. Logan smiled as his tongue darted out and captured one of Veronica's perky nipples. Veronica grip tightened on his hair, her body squeezing him enough more as he applied firm pressure to the nub before biting down.

Veronica squealed. "Logan, fuck!"

She whimpered at his touch, and her head fell back. Logan glanced up and watched as her mouth opened wide and her brow clenched as her pleasure continued to build. He groaned her name against the flesh of her breasts before releasing the now red nipple and moving to the other.

"I'm so close," she gasped.

He pushed himself harder, his thrust seeming to bury himself even deeper than before. Logan released her breast, and he pressed a hand against the arch of her back; he pushed her closer to him, her breasts becoming squashed against his chest as he shifted the angle of his thrusts. "Cum for me," he said.

His words seemed to trigger her orgasm; Veronica's insides trembled around Logan as the bliss washed over her, the pressure being so intense that Logan's orgasm came tumbling after hers.

They stilled against the counter. Logan had his forehead pressed against Veronica's shoulder as he tried to catch his breath. Veronica was leaning her cheek against the side of his head, her hands still tangled in his hair. She would never get enough of being with him like this; sex had never been as good with anyone else because no one made Veronica feel the way Logan did. He worshipped her body, putting her pleasure before his, but it was the way he looked at her. His eyes gleamed with his feelings for her, and it made Veronica feel safe.

Logan lifted his head, his breath still uneven, and he smiled at her. Veronica returned the smile and pressed a soft kiss to his lips before they leant their foreheads together. Logan stroked her cheek before bumping his nose against hers before he let out a sigh of contentment.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too," he said.

They shared one more kiss before they pulled apart. Veronica grabbed her bra and thong and slipped to the bathroom to clean herself up while Logan redressed himself. He waited for Veronica in the kitchen and smiled warmly when she walked back in.

"So," he said, "food?"

Veronica nodded. "Yes, food." She took Logan's hand, and they walked out to his car, making sure to grab her overnight bag that had been waiting by the door.

Logan drove them down to San Diego, the two of them talking about their day, Veronica explaining what she could about her new case. Veronica was thrilled when they got to Mission Beach, and Logan directed her to a restaurant built out over the water. It is connected to a boardwalk with a few other attractions. Logan held Veronica's hand as he greeted the hostess and as they were escorted through the busy restaurant upstairs. The upstairs area of the restaurant seemed to be reserved for a more private setting. Each table is separated by privacy screens. Their table was in the corner of the room, giving them a stunning view of the ocean.

Logan pulled out Veronica's chair and kissed her shoulder before taking a seat beside her. She flashed a happy grin at him before picking up her menu.

"This place is nice," said Veronica.

Logan laid his napkin over his leg and nodded. "It is one of my favourites in San Diego."

"Come here often?"

"A few times."

The question about who he had brought sat on the tip of Veronica's tongue. It almost rolled out before she thought about it; hearing him admit that he had brought Carrie would certainly ruin her mood, and she refused to do that. Instead, Veronica glanced at the entrees.

"Are you in the mood for wine?" Logan asked.

Veronica nodded. "I'm in the mood for something sweet, so maybe a white?"

Logan glanced down at the wine menu.

They spent a few minutes chatting as they looked over the menu before a waitress arrived. Veronica almost laughed when the seventeen-year-old girl, who seemed sweet but was obviously attracted to Logan, started to turn red as Logan rattled off their order. By the time she walked away, Veronica's had a wide grin on her face.

"What?" Logan asked.

Veronica let out a small laugh. "The waitress thinks your cute."

He smirked. "I am cute."

Veronica said, "I would say classicly handsome, but I don't think your ego needs any further stroking."

"You can stroke anything of me that you like." Logan winked at her as Veronica frowned.

She scoffed but let out a laugh. "No, just no."

Logan laughed wholeheartedly and picked up her hand. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles as the waitress returned with their drinks. Picking up his glass, Logan held it and said, "A toast."

Veronica picked up her wine.

Logan continued, "To second chances."

"To second chances." They clicked their glasses and took a sip.

Veronica enjoyed their dinner, and by the end, her cheeks were sore from smiling and laughing. As they walked out of the restaurant, she wrapped her arm around Logan's waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. His arm sat comfortably over her shoulders. They didn't head straight back to the car, deciding to walk down the boardwalk and enjoy the cool evening air. They stopped near the end and leant against the railing, Logan standing behind Veronica with his arms wrapped around her as she leaned in to kiss him.

They kissed slowly, without the need and rush from earlier. It just made a great moment even better. Logan broke their kiss as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He sighed and pulled it out.

"What?" Veronica asked, "Do you think it's my dad making sure you have me home before my curfew?"

Logan smiled softly as Veronica laughed. "I think I should be more worried if he ever finds out what I did to you in his kitchen."

Veronica's grin only widened. "Well, if it helps, I very much enjoyed what you did to me in his kitchen. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to a repeat." Veronica pressed a kiss to the corner of Logan's mouth.

Logan shook his head. "You are going to get me in so much trouble." He kissed her again as another message appeared on his phone.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Dick. Mac wants to know if we want to meet them at the 09er."

Veronica didn't like the idea of going to the 09er. She had no idea how many more run-ins with old classmates she could take, but being with Logan meant the possibility of seeing them, and she would need to get used to that.

"I can tell him no," said Logan. "Go back to the house and enjoy the hot tub?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Veronica is tempted. "No, we should go. Spend time with our friends. Even if your friend is Dick."

Logan squeezed her waist. "Hey, he can't be that bad if Mac's dating him."

"That is true."

The 09er was busy when Veronica and Logan arrived. The cue of people waiting to get inside was back to the street, but Logan drove his car right up to the front and handed his keys off to a valet. Logan opened Veronica's door and took her hand before leading her right inside past the line.

Inside, the music from the DJ is loud, but not to the point that you can't think. Logan wrapped his arm around Veronica's waist and led her through the crowd; he made his way to the far end of the club, reaching a VIP section where Veronica spotted Mac and Wallace. She didn't see Dick but knew he wouldn't be far. The bouncer let Veronica and Logan pass, nodding his head at Logan as they did, before grabbing a guy that tried to sneak past.

Logan took a seat beside Mac, greeting Mac and Wallace before he pulled Veronica into his lap. Veronica shook her head at him as he placed a hand on her thigh and squeezed.

"How was dinner?" asked Mac.

"It was fantastic," said Veronica. "I even got to watch Logan make a seventeen-year-old waitress blush."

Wallace frowned. "What did you say to her?"

Logan shrugged. "I told her our order."

Mac threw her head back and laughed.

"Where's your other half?" asked Logan.

Mac sighed and picked up her drink. "Madison showed up and was causing trouble. He dragged her off before."

"Doesn't he have bouncers for that?" asked Wallace.

"Madison is taking Shelly's death harder than you'd think. She may be a bitch, but Shelly was her best friend," explained Mac. "He doesn't want to just throw her out when he gets what it's like to lose someone you love."

Veronica, for the first time in her life, felt a flash of sympathy for Madison Sinclair. It only appeared for a moment before it disappeared, but Veronica understood exactly what it was like.

Logan, seeming to sense what Veronica was thinking, pressed a kiss to her cheek.

They quickly changed the subject, and Logan ordered them a round of drinks. Veronica stayed in Logan's lap as they talked and drank, only getting up when Mac demanded that she had to dance with her. Veronica followed Mac over to the dancefloor, catching Logan watching her as she slipped through the bodies with Mac. A song and a half later, Logan appeared beside them, along with Dick, who pulled Mac against his chest as Veronica turned to place her arms around Logan's neck.

Veronica found herself absorbed in the music and the sensation of Logan pressed against her. Their lips met and played as their hands wandered. After a few more songs, they broke their bubble and decided to get another drink before returning to their table. Wallace was pulled away by a pretty blonde as they sat back down, leaving Veronica alone with Logan. She turned on their seat and brought her legs up to sit over Logan's thighs before she pulled Logan in for a kiss. It was playful; Veronica teased his lips, nibbling at Logan's bottom lip before running her tongue along it. Logan slipped his tongue into her mouth before twisting his finger into her curls.

"Holy shit, get a room."

Veronica pulled back from Logan; the voice rattled in her brain as it connected the dots to who had spoken.

Logan's body tensed beneath Veronica but kept his discomfort from showing on his face. "Carrie, what are you doing here?" he asked.

Veronica looked to see Carrie standing in front of them. She is dressed in a silver dress, the sparkles reflected off the light. The dress was short, the neckline revealing. It suited Carrie; she filled the dress out nicely.

"I'm here to have fun, hello?" Carrie scoffed and flipped her purple hair over her shoulder. "Veronica Mars, look at you."

Veronica forced a soft smile on her face. "Hello, Carrie. How are you?"

Carrie shrugged. "Fabulous. My life is practically perfect." She tilted her head to the side as another familiar face appeared beside her. "Gia," she said, "look who I found."

Gia Goodman's smiling face whipped around to look at them. Her eyes widened, but she kept the smile in place. "Veronica Mars, I had no idea you were back in town."

Veronica didn't believe her at all. After all, Logan had told Carrie she was back. "Gia, you look well."

Gia shrugged. "Oh, I'm great. And don't you two look comfortable."

Carrie's smile disappeared, and she grabbed Gia's hand. "Gia, I need a drink."

"Carrie, do you think that's wise?" asked Logan. "Maybe you should call Joanna."

Carrie glared at Logan, clearly hating the mention of Joanna, who Veronica assumed was Carrie's sponsor.

"Why don't you call her?" She pulled Gia away from them and toward the bar.

Logan groaned and dropped his head back against the chair.

"You okay?" asked Veronica. It didn't sit okay with her how invested Logan was in Carrie's life, but she understood it. Veronica didn't know all the details, but she knew that Logan had clawed his way out of his own addiction.

"Yeah," he said, his tone clearly disagreeing with his response.

Veronica cupped his cheek and said, "You can talk to me. Whatever it is. I'm not going to run away."

Logan's face looked torn. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

She appreciated Logan's consideration. But she wanted to be there for him. "I know. But I'm a big girl, and I don't want you to have to bottle anything up. Not being honest with one another was one of the many things that pushed us apart."

Logan swallowed a lump in his throat. "How about a deal?"

Veronica said, "I'm listening."

"I'll tell you the truth tomorrow, and for tonight we just enjoy being here?"

Veronica nodded, not wanting to force Logan to share something that he wasn't ready to. She gave him a kiss before sliding her legs off his lap and taking his hand. "Then you'll need to distract me, or my curiosity will send me over the edge."

Logan smirked and asked, "And what kind of distraction did you have in mind? I'm sure Dick wouldn't mind if we borrowed his office."

Veronica let out a half-laugh and pulled him towards the dance floor, her eye spotting Mac being led by Dick down a hallway, an excited grin on her face. "I think Dick might be using his own office." She pulled Logan in between a few people and pressed her back against his chest as the music changed.

She tried to switch off her mind and not let it tick. Old Veronica wouldn't be able to let it go; there was something on Logan's mind that he didn't want to share. It was something about Carrie, a woman he had admitted he loved at one point, a woman that had tried to kiss him earlier that day. Old Veronica was trying to scream at Veronica and tell her to dig and find out what exactly she didn't know, and it was tempting. As Veronica spun around and wrapped her arms around Logan's neck, she had to push down every urge to demand the words out of him. Instead, she kissed him, silencing the voices and moulding herself as close to him as she could.

It was close to midnight, and Veronica felt content sitting in the VIP section with Wallace, Mac, Dick and Logan. All of them were feeling relaxed, and while Wallace was very happy – and drunk – the rest of them were just buzzed. Logan had taken a while to relax after Carrie's initial arrival, but Veronica had noticed him glancing at her throughout the night. Carrie had stayed with Gia, the two of them inhaling drinks and dancing. Luke Haldeman, who Dick had explained was engaged to Gia, had shown up at some point with another guy, Stu 'Cobb' Cobbler, who Veronica barely remembered from high school, and joined the girls, but Veronica hadn't seen them since.

Mac and Veronica excused themselves to the bathroom, Mac leading Veronica to a separate bathroom Dick had connected to his office, so they could skip the line. Veronica leant against Dick's desk while Mac used the bathroom and took a moment to take in the room. It made her smile when she noticed that on Dick's desk was a photo of him and Mac. He was holding her from behind, and her mouth was wide open mid-laugh. She glanced over a few other group photos, a couple included Logan, and then stopped when she found one of Cassidy. It wasn't from high school; in fact, Dick looked like he was probably about ten. Cassidy stood beside Dick with a shy smile while Dick smiled widely and rubbed Cassidy's head.

"Cassidy is Dick's biggest regret."

Veronica jumped at Mac's voice.

Mac smirked. "You've lost your touch, Bond."

Veronica shrugged. "I wasn't doing anything, just looking."

"I know."

Veronica asked before she could stop herself, "Was it difficult for you two to get past your history?"

Mac sighed. "It was easier than I thought. Our first date ended up with us both crying on the beach."

"Your first date?"

Mac nodded. "Yeah. Not what I pictured, but we started off honest, so I think it worked for us."

Veronica smiled. "Who would have thought? Ten years after we graduated from Neptune High, I would be back with Logan, and you would be dating Dick Casablancas."

Mac chuckled. "Not me."

A loud crash surprised both of them. They frowned at one another before walking out of Dick's office and back into the main area. Mac gasped as they took in the sight of a startled group of people, all of them having back away from Carrie, who was slouched on the ground with a broken bottle in her hand. She was sobbing, words were coming out, but they didn't make any sense.

Veronica spotted Logan push through the crowd and kneel down in front of Carrie. He took the bottle from her hand and took her by her forearms. He pulled her to her feet, holding her up as her knees wobbled beneath her. Logan tried to get Carrie to walk, but when she failed, he swung her into his arms and moved in Veronica's direction. Veronica locked eyes with Logan, and she tried not to look off-put by the sight of him holding her in such a way. Logan moved past them, Mac turning to follow Logan back down the hall, Dick not far behind.

Two of the staff quickly moved to clean up the broken glass, and the DJ turned back on the music. It took a few moments, but the crowd spread back out and relaxed. The dramatics were over. Veronica looked to see if she could spot Gia anywhere but couldn't see her or Cobb, only Luke, who was talking to some guy on one of the sofas.

Veronica scoffed. So much for friends taking care of friends. She made her way down the hall and knocked before entering Dick's office. Logan had placed Carrie on a chair; she was slouched forward, her head resting on Logan's shoulder, who was kneeling in front of her.

"I should get her home," said Logan.

Veronica couldn't take her eyes of Carrie; she had her hands all over Logan, running down his chest and his arms. Jealously swirled in Veronica; she wanted to rip Logan away from Carrie. But she didn't; she didn't even speak. The only time Veronica had felt such a way was when Madison told her that she and Logan had slept together, and it scared Veronica what she would do.

Turning away from Carrie, she looked at Mac. Grasping her friend's hand, she whispered, "Can you take me home, please."

Mac seemed surprised. "Yeah, of course."

Logan turned to Veronica. "Veronica—"

"How about I drop her home?" offered Dick, pointing to Carrie.

Carrie shook her head and whined, "Noooo. Loogann, don leaee me."

Logan looked torn but pushed Carrie to sit back in the chair he had placed her in. Dick stepped up to keep her from falling off as Logan moved over to Veronica. He cupped her cheeks and looked at her, his eyes a mix of fear and regret.

Veronica grasped Logan's wrists. "It's fine," she said

Logan shook his head, clearly not believing her. "Dick can take her."

Veronica rolled her lip through her teeth as she felt the fear and the jealous bubble. Was it wrong of her to want Logan to pick her over Carrie? Was it bad that she didn't want Logan to feel responsible for Carrie? After all, wasn't it up to Carrie to face her demons, not Logan.

Veronica pressed a kiss to Logan's palm. Before she could speak, Carrie started to cry. Logan and Veronica turned to see her pushing Dick away and trying to stand. She took half a step before her knees crumbled, forcing Logan to let Veronica go and catch her.

Grabbing Mac's arm, Veronica pulled her out of Dick's office and into the hall. Mac looked at her with concern, but didn't say anything before taking Veronica out to her car.

As they climbed in, Mac asked, "Are you alright?"

Veronica shook her head. "No, but I don't want to talk about it."

Mac nodded and started the car.

Veronica felt pathetic. She wanted to run back in and tell Logan that it wasn't okay, that Carrie wasn't his problem. But Veronica didn't want to hurt him. Something would come out that she wouldn't be able to take back, and she didn't want to lose Logan. Veronica didn't want to be the jealous girlfriend.

Mac asked, "Did you want me to take you to your dad's house?"

Thank you so much for reading.

I would love to hear what you think. Even if it's as simple as a 'can't wait' all feedback is appreciated.