14. Leo
Chapter fourteen
Leo
A fter stopping in the driveaway, I remove my helmet, peering up at the front door where Eli stands on guard.
All seems as it should be.
And it’s as if the weighted blanket suffocating me these past few days finally dissolves into the wind.
Eli gives a low whistle. “When did you get a Ducati Superleggera?” he asks, eyeing my bike. “I thought they only made a few hundred of those. And definitely not in that finish.”
I shrug. “It’s custom.”
“Of course it is.” Eli smirks, shaking his head. I informed him and Mauro of the failed mission last night, ensuring they kept extra vigilance around the estate.
Le Diable may have escaped our wrath this time, but we’ll be ready for him next time.
We don’t have a choice.
As I reach the top step, I clasp Eli’s shoulder. “I take it everything has gone smoothly while I’ve been away. Nothing to report?”
“No.” He shakes his head but pauses, brows furrowing. “Well…”
My pulse races. “What is it?”
He scratches the side of his head. “She hasn’t left the house.”
“Today? But it’s only noon. I’m sure—”
“No.” He runs his fingers through his hair, letting out a breath. “She hasn’t left the whole time you’ve been gone.”
“But I’ve been gone for almost four days.”
“I know. I asked her several times if she would even just like to go for a drive to get out of the house, but she didn’t want to leave.”
“I see.” I rub the back of my neck, deep in thought. Opening the front door, I look back at Eli. “Thank you for letting me know.”
“Of course.”
“You may depart early. I’ll be with her for the rest of the day.”
“You got it, boss.” He strolls down the driveway toward his awaiting SUV.
I lock the door behind me and walk directly toward where I know I’ll find Scarlett residing on the swinging bench.
I force open the glass door, startling her.
“Leo!” She drops the book in her hands beside her, her feet moving from beneath her to the ground. A warm smile graces her face. “You’re home early.”
“I couldn’t take another day being away from”— you —“home.”
She tucks a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “Well, I’m glad you’re home.”
“You are, huh?” I lean on the metal post, crossing my arms over my chest. She bites her bottom lip, giving me a very playful expression. “Come here, Firefly,” I tell her, opening my arms wide.
She immediately stands and walks over to me, melting into my hold. With her in my arms, any and all traces of tension in my body dissipate.
“I missed you,” she breathes against my chest. She tilts her head to lock eyes with me.
I cup the back of her neck, brushing my thumb against her skin, leaning closer to her lips. “The feeling is mutual.”
Her palm rests against my chest. “And Leo?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for the nightlight. Or well, what I mean is…” She takes a deep breath, stands on her toes, and brushes her lips against mine. “Thank you for making the dark a less frightening place for me.”
I can’t hold back a second longer. I press my lips to hers, hungry for her taste. Her hands grip my shirt as if trying to anchor herself to me. I slide my tongue past the opening of her lips, exploring and tasting. God, she’s so fucking sweet. So delectable. I suck on her bottom lip, letting it out with a pop before grazing the tip of my nose against hers. “I’ll always help you find the light within you.”
She presses her face into my chest, and we stand there for a few minutes, enjoying each other’s embrace. I tighten my arms around her, never wanting to let her go.
Because when she’s in my arms, I know she’s safe from the whole goddamn world.
Something wet touches my arm, and when I look down, I see Brutus standing beside me with Scarlett’s book in his mouth, thinking it’s a fucking chew toy. “No, Brutus.” I take the book from him, holding it out of reach.
“Oh, Brutus.” Scarlett laughs, taking the book from me and wiping the drool off the cover with a nearby towel. “You owe me a new book.” She playfully nudges the top of his head.
I eye the cover of the book, noting a man and a woman in a passionate embrace with only a bunch of damn sheets wrapped around them. Hmm .
“Were you reading anything interesting?”
She blushes the prettiest shade of pink, indicating what kind of book it is. I suddenly have the urge to read to her. I want to know what parts are her favorite and what makes her cheeks turn a deep shade of crimson.
“It’s just one of my favorites. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember.”
“A romance?”
She nods, bashfully playing with a piece of her hair. “They help me escape when things get to be a little too much up here.” She points to the side of her head with a slight shrug.
I frown. “Should I get Dr. Raven for you?”
She shakes her head. “No. I’m good. I just needed a story to get lost in for a little bit.”
I notice the yellowing pages and bent cover as if the book has been read hundreds of times. “Is that the only book you have?”
“That and two more up in my room.”
I squeeze the back of my neck. How did I not think to stock up on her favorite items in my house? She’s loved to read her whole life. And to find out she uses them as an escape and only has three fucking books to read in this entire house… This is unacceptable. “I’ll buy you more.”
She shakes her head, grinning. “I don’t need more.”
I arch a brow. “You’re married to one of the richest men in the world. The least I can do is buy you some books.”
“I don’t need your money. Besides, you’ve done plenty for me already. You gave me a place to call home. A place where I feel…” She stops, her lips closing shut.
I grip her chin, waiting for her eyes to meet mine. “A place where you feel what?”
“Safe.” She smiles. “A place where I feel safe.”
My heart squeezes. Her bright blue eyes hypnotize me under her spell, almost making me forget what I have planned for us tonight. I loop my arm around her and quickly glimpse at my watch.
“Let’s go for a ride.”
She tilts her head. “You mean…
I tap her nose and wink. “Yes.” Reaching for her hand, I lead her outside to my bike.
She stares at it with wide, unsure eyes.
“I won’t fall off?” Her voice comes out unsure.
“You won’t fall off.”
“And you promise not to crash?”
I sign a cross over my heart. “On my life, I will not crash.” I throw my leg over the seat and reach for the helmet. I’ll have to get a personalized one for her, but for now, this will do. “Put this on.”
She hesitantly takes it from me and then secures it around her head. “Now what?”
“Bring your right leg over the seat.”
She does as I say, her thighs wrapping around mine. “And now?”
I reach behind me for her hands and place them firmly against my stomach. “Hold on tight.”
Her hands clutch my shirt, gripping on for dear life as I rev the engine and then, more slowly than I usually would, retreat down the driveway, away from our home, and toward a place I haven’t been to in a very long time.
Scarlett rests her head against my back, and I suddenly worry that this might have been a bad idea.
“Are you okay back there?” I yell over the roar of the engine.
I feel her nod, and she replies, “This is amazing!”
My lips curve up as we travel through the estate, passing the darkened forests, and finally arrive at our special place.
Coming to a stop, I hear Scarlett gasp. “Is this…?”
“Yes.” I slide off my bike and hold a hand out for her to take.
We stroll toward the giant maple tree with only the moon and the fairy lights I had a few guards string around the area, guiding us. Beside the tree, a blanket on the ground holds Scarlett’s favorite foods in to-go containers, safely protected from the outdoor elements.
To some, these woods would cause a sense of fear and impending doom. But to us, these woods hold precious memories that overshadow the darkness surrounding us.
“You did all of this?” she asks in awe as we walk side by side.
“With a little help,” I admit. “I thought we could have a redo of our first date.”
She looks over everything and then tilts her head back, her eyes taking in the night sky. A pristine black canvas covered in billions of bright stars glowing a little extra brightly. “This is perfect.” She spins around with a wide, beautiful smile on her face. “Thank you.”
I sit against the tree, spread my legs before me, and pat the space beside me. She sits, her denim-covered legs tucked beneath her as her eyes look over the several containers.
“Are you hungry?” I ask her.
“Famished,” she answers, placing a hand over her stomach.
I hand her the one closest to her and watch as she opens it, revealing spring rolls. “Oh, wow.” She looks up at me under those long dark lashes. “You did good.”
I laugh as I reach for the container of fried rice. “It’s good to know I can satisfy my wife with food.”
She blushes, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before taking her first bite, moaning in appreciation.
And fuck, I would do anything to hear that beautiful, delicious sound again.
We eat our dinner in comfortable silence, the only noise coming from the nearby creek and crickets. With a full stomach, I place my containers to the side and relax against the tree, gazing up at the stars.
Scarlett settles in beside me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Thank you for bringing me here. I always wondered if it still felt the same.”
“Yeah, I wondered that too,” I confess.
She glances up at me, brows furrowed.
I shrug. “I couldn’t find it in me to make it up here…without you.”
She looks down, rolling in her bottom lip. “So the last time you were here was when…”
Her words trail off, but I know exactly what night she’s referring to. The one mixed with so many emotions. It was the night Scarlett and I spent tangled together under the stars. But only hours later, it was the same night I lost my dad. An old ache awakens in my chest, and I absentmindedly rub the spot.
“Yeah. That night, Firefly.” I stretch out my arm, casually inspecting my watch, before I drape it across her shoulders and hold her in my embrace. Only a few minutes until showtime. She snuggles against me, her long blonde hair tumbling over my chest. “Did you have a nice time while I was away?”
“Me?” She peeks up at me. “Of course.”
“Hmm.” I thread my fingers through her silky strands, twirling the ends. “Go anywhere interesting?”
She looks off to the side. “I umm…” She bites down on that pillowy soft lip, appearing unsure.
“Talk to me, Scarlett.”
She rubs the top of her thighs back and forth, biting her bottom lip as she stares down at her lap. “I didn’t go anywhere.” Glancing up, she asks, “Did Eli tell you?”
“It’s his job to report on your well-being.”
She huffs. “I feel like an animal in captivity.”
I lift her chin. “Hey, that’s not what this is.”
“No. I know. I’m sorry.” She hides her face behind her hands, her breathing picking up pace. “I just wish things were how they were before…he took me,” she whispers, dropping her hands to her sides.
My heart splinters at how defeated she sounds. I shift, cupping her face, and look down at her. “They will be. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but they will be. It’s just going to take some time.” I press a kiss to her forehead, inhaling her jasmine scent. Pulling back, I hook two fingers under her chin, tipping her face up. “Why didn’t you leave the house while I was away?”
She rolls in her bottom lip, her eyes watering, but she’s not letting the tears out.
“Do you not feel safe with Eli?” My hand slides down her face to her neck, my thumb running over her pulse point.
“No, no,” she rushes out. “Of course, I feel safe with him. It’s just, well, I don’t know.” Her shoulders slump. “I wanted to go out for a coffee one of the days, but then I decided just to make it at home. Maddy had asked me to come over for dinner one night, but I told her I wasn’t feeling up to it. I changed my schedule at the women and children’s center, which made me feel horrible, but I didn’t think I could handle going. Then I thought about going out to look for a dress to wear to Maddy’s engagement party, but when I put my hand on the doorknob, all ready to leave, I kind of freaked out and spent the rest of the day watching movies on the couch.” She shakes her head, her eyes downcast. “I guess the truth is, I only feel truly safe when…I’m with you.”
My heart swells with pride.
She feels safe with me.
I should be ecstatic to hear this.
But I hate that she feels this way.
Because as much as I love being her protector and will do anything and everything to keep her safe, I want her to reach a point where she feels safe with or without me by her side.
But she won’t.
Not until Le Diable is gone for good, no longer walking this Earth.
She sniffles, still fighting back the tears. “And I had become so used to you being home or on the property that when you left, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was scared. And I hate that I was. I hate it so much.” The first tear slides down her cheek. My thumb stretches up to catch it, wiping it away. “I hate that I’m fearful of my own shadow. I hate that every man I meet makes my skin crawl in fear. I hate that I can’t just go out and grab a coffee without thinking this is the moment I’ll be kidnapped again. I hate that I lost my independence.” She sucks in her bottom lip, her eyes closing shut. “I hate that he broke me.”
My heart completely shatters.
A violent sob overtakes her, and I quickly pull her onto my lap, binding my arms around her.
“The last thing you are is broken.” I brush my lips across the top of her head, my hands gliding up and down her back. “You are one of the strongest women I know.”
“I don’t think I am.”
“You are, Scarlett. You fought every day you were in that basement. And you survived. You wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for the strength inside you.” I gently rock her, rolling our foreheads together. “You aren’t broken. Not even close. But you’re hurting and scared. You went through something so traumatic. Something most people could never comprehend. And it’s going to take time to heal. Maybe more time than you want, but it’s what you need. Mentally and physically. But know this, Scarlett, you don’t need to go through this alone. Not when I’m here. And I’ll be by your side during this whole journey because it’s you and me until our days end.” Her fingers slide up my chest, resting right over my heart. “It kills me every day that Le Diable’s still alive because I know how much he terrifies you. But I promise, Firefly, I won’t rest until I find him. I won’t stop until he’s six feet beneath the ground and only after he’s endured unimaginable pain.”
She sniffs, wiping her face. “Promise?”
“I promise.” I kiss her temple. “And believe me when I say Eli wouldn’t let anything happen to you either. He looks at you as his sister, and it would destroy him if something happened to you while under his watch. Not to mention you have three other big brothers that would slit anyone’s throat if they even looked at you the wrong way. Even Madeleine can be pretty feisty when provoked.”
She lets out a little chuckle. “I guess you’re right.” She pulls back, looking away. “I’m sorry that I’m such a mess right now.” She runs her thumbs under her eyes, stopping a fresh trail of tears. “You brought us here for a nice moment, and I’ve ruined it.”
“You haven’t ruined anything. Besides.” I lift my wrist and look at my watch. “The night is not over yet. In fact, it’s beginning in three…two…one…”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
She jumps in my arms, pinching her eyes shut and burying her head into my chest.
I place my lips beside her ear. “If you stay like that, you’ll miss the show.”
She peeks up, staring at me questionably.
I nudge my head toward the sky, and she glances over just as another boom echoes around us.
Her eyes widen as she leans forward. “Leo!” She turns toward me, excitement dancing across her eyes. “There’re fireworks!” Her eyes dart back toward the sky as she watches an array of colors splashing across the blackness above us.
I smile, an unfamiliar feeling filling me as I watch happiness spread over her features.
“There are.” I trail my fingers down her spine. When I reach her lower back, I let my thumb travel in gentle, soothing circles.
She leans back into my touch, lost in the sea of colors around us. A moment passes before she asks, “Did you plan these?”
“I did.”
She faces me, blue shadowing her features as a giant firework bursts overhead. “You did this for me?”
My knuckles stroke across her cheek. “I would do anything for you.” She closes her eyes and leans into the palm of my hand. “You know, while I was away, I realized something.”
“What?” she asks softly.
I let out a breath, entranced by her in more ways than she’ll ever know. “How goddamn much I missed my wife.”
My lips land on hers, a jolt of electricity slicing through my entire body. She parts her lips, letting my tongue inside, giving me a better taste. She moans into the kiss as her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer to her. She straddles my lap, her pussy stationed right over my throbbing cock. All she would have to do is move just a tiny bit to give herself—
She slowly, almost unnoticeably, grinds against me. A whimper escapes her. “Leo,” she pleads in a whisper. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t… I’m not sure…”
“Use me, Scarlett. Listen to what your body needs.” I position my hands firmly on the ground beside me. “I won’t touch you.” She regards my hands, her chest heaving, her pulse thrumming beneath her collarbone. I press my lips to hers. “I know you need the release, baby. So, use me to get off.”
An internal war rages inside her head. I can see the very thoughts crossing over her blue irises as she battles against herself. I shake my head. “Don’t think about it, Scarlett. Don’t think about anything. It’s just you and me. Right here. Right now. So, take what you want from me. Take what you need.”
Her eyes blink, guilt overtaking them.
“I’m your husband, Firefly. You always have my permission to use me however you please.”
She bites her bottom lip, her hands gripping my shoulder for support as she adjusts herself, suddenly shifting her hips over my thigh. She rocks forward slowly and then pauses, looking at me for assurance.
“Just like that, baby.”
I watch with rapt fascination as she begins to move fluidly back and forth, seeking her pleasure from me. Even if I’m not actually doing anything.
She’s the one in control.
This is all her.
“Does that feel good?”
She closes her eyes, her hips moving quicker. “Y-yes.” She hangs her head back, her tits pressing against her top.
“Fuck, you’re so beautiful, Scarlett. So fucking perfect.”
I wish I could do more for her.
I wish I could tear those damn pants right off her and bury my face between her legs, giving her pleasure like she’s never imagined. Tasting her sweet-as-sin pussy with long leisurely strokes from my tongue as she squirms beneath me, wanting, no, begging for more.
But I can’t.
Not right now.
This is just step one in our journey.
So with all the restraint I can muster, I keep my hands plastered firmly to the blanket, my cock hardening painfully beneath my pants.
“Leo,” she moans. “I’m so… I’m so close.” Her speed picks up as her nails dig into my shirt. A pretty flush spreads over her cheeks and neck. Her lips part. Her eyes fall shut.
She’s consumed by desire and on the brink of an orgasm.
Fireworks continue shimmering above us as I place my lips against her ear. “Let me see you come all over your husband’s leg.”
She screams out my name as she unravels beautifully on top of me. Her chest heaves as she arches into me, and I capture her lips in a kiss, her movements faltering. She pants hard, her skin rosy and her eyelids heavy as she comes to a complete stop, holding on to my shoulders for support.
I gently coax her against my chest, scattering kisses to her hair as she snuggles her face into my neck. “You did so fucking good, baby.” She relaxes in my hold, my hands smoothing up and down her back. I know how much courage it took for her to do what she did. She reined in her fears, owning her pleasure like a true queen, and I’ll never take the trust she gave me in that moment for granted. “I’m so proud of you,” I murmur against her ear.
And all I can think is…
That’s my goddamn wife .