Fierce Secrets (Fierce Mafia #1)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

MEREDITH

T he pristine white walls of my apartment felt like they were closing in as I stood in the doorway of my bedroom, staring at the scene before me. Logan, my fiancé of two years, was tangled in our Egyptian cotton sheets with a woman I recognized from his office Christmas party. A junior in accounting. Because of course she was.

"Meredith!" Logan scrambled to cover himself, his face flushed from more than just embarrassment. "Baby, this isn't?—"

I held up my hand, my engagement ring catching the dim light. The three-carat diamond he'd bragged about financing suddenly felt like it was burning my skin. "Don't. Just... don't."

The woman – Shannon? Susan? – had the decency to look mortified as she clutched the sheets to her chest. My sheets. The ones I'd spent an obscene amount of money on because Logan had complained about thread count, that my bargain buy was too inferior to what he deemed as good quality.

"I can explain," Logan started again, but I was already turning away, my heels clicking against the floor as I moved through our shared apartment. Three years of my life, packed into this space, and now it felt contaminated. Ruined.

This home we'd made together felt alien now. Wrong.

My throat tightened, tears prickling the edges of my eyes. I wanted to scream, to hurl something, but my heart was pounding hard now, my blood thumping in my ears. The tightness in my chest had set in, and the edges of my vision were darkening.

He'd betrayed me. Hurt me in the cruelest way. Seeing him thrusting into her as I'd come home early to surprise him for a date night…

It tore me to pieces.

The man I'd promised to love, the one who spoke of getting married and traveling the world.

The man who I no longer knew.

I grabbed my purse from the kitchen counter, knocking over a frame that held our engagement photos. The glass shattered as it hit the floor. Fitting. I ignored it, trying to draw in steadying breaths as my hands shook.

Keep it together. It hurts, but you can do this. You have friends, family, you are loved.

"Meredith, please!" Logan's footsteps pounded behind me, and I could hear him struggling to pull on pants. "It was a mistake! It didn't mean anything!"

The laugh that escaped my throat was almost hysterical. "A mistake? Like accidentally falling into our bed? In our home?"

I didn't give him another look, not wanting the tears to start falling as I yanked the door open.

"Merry!"

The nickname shouted after me tore a strangled sob from my throat, the wretched tears streaking down my cheeks as I headed for the elevator.

My phone was already in my hand as I jabbed the button by the door. I sucked in another breath, grateful the doors opened within seconds while Logan was still scrambling at our apartment door.

"Just wait!"

I stepped into the elevator, jamming the button to close the doors repeatedly as my vision swam. I blocked out his shouts as best I could, focusing on steadying my breathing as the doors shut and the levels beeped down.

It's okay. You're safe. You're not in real danger.

I closed my eyes tight, shivers coursing through me as I battled the panic threatening to consume me. I'd done so much work to get control of this side of myself. I could do this.

I blinked through my tears as I unlocked my phone, staring at my best friend's name on the call list.

Right, Sofia was out of town for work, and I wasn't about to call her and make her drive all the way back here. I knew this was a big career move for her that could change her path. As much as I wanted to lean on her right now, to cry my eyes out while she cursed Logan to the moon and back and probably came over to give him a mouthful, I wasn't going to ruin her chances for work.

This is not a life or death situation. I'm safe. Hurting inside, but not in real danger.

I repeated various calming phrases in my mind as the elevator finally hit the ground floor.

December wind whipped through the lobby as I burst through the building's front doors, the night air biting at my exposed skin. I'd left my coat upstairs, but there was no way I was going back.

I needed to get away from here. Sofia's place was an option, but Logan would know it was the first place I'd go to with my spare key, and I didn't want him following me when I was there alone. I needed to be as far away from him as I could be right now.

Fucking Logan. How could he do this to me? To us?!

The tears poured, and I choked on a sob as I wiped them away harshly, struggling to focus on my phone.

I opened up my rideshare app, tossing in the nearest mall for now just so I could get away from here. I'd work out my next step once I was away from him.

The first three rideshare attempts failed – surge pricing and high demand. Of course. My car was still in the shop after a fender bender last week, and public transport at this hour wasn't an option – not in this part of the city.

I opened up my contacts again, focusing on the one other name I had pinned. I knew he'd come for me, he always did. But I was worried about what he'd do. Sof would give Logan a mouthful, but my brother…

The call went to voicemail, and I ground my teeth, my hands trembling, a combination of the cold and the barely contained panic.

Keep it together. Get away from here. You're safe.

I tried again, moving further down the street, knowing Logan would be following after me soon enough.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," I muttered, fighting back tears that threatened to freeze on my cheeks. God, it was cold out, why the hell had I left my jacket behind? Stupid.

Voicemail again.

Fuck.

This couldn't be happening, not right now. The tightness in my chest got worse, and I clutched at it, my heart thundering. I slid my gaze to a man crossing the street nearby, giving me a concerned look.

Please don't talk to me. Not now.

My phone lit up, and relief swept over me at my brother's name. I let out a breath of relief as I put it to my ear. "Mer? What's wrong?"

"I need you," my voice cracked. "I'm outside my apartment, and I need?—"

"I'm interstate on business," Grayson cut in, but I could hear the worry in his voice. "What happened? Are you safe?"

"Logan, he..." I couldn't finish the sentence as my vision swam once more, a sob bubbling in my throat. "I just need to get out of here."

There was a pause, followed by rapid Italian that I couldn't quite make out. Grayson had slipped into our childhood language, speaking to someone else. I barely used our old tongue anymore unless with him.

There was a garbled response, and then another spout of Italian, although it sounded like he was holding his hand over the receiver.

"Leo's ten minutes away," Grayson said finally. "Stay where you are. He'll come get you."

My stomach dropped. "Leo? No, Gray, I don't want?—"

"Meredith." My brother's voice was firm yet gentle. How he managed that was beyond me, but he'd always been this way. He always came through for me, even if we didn't see one another as often as we would've liked. We had our own lives now, even if mine had just imploded.

"Let him help. Please. I'll be back tomorrow, but right now, let Leo handle this."

The line went dead before I could protest further. Leonardo Donati. My brother's best friend. The man whose name was whispered in both boardrooms and back alleys with equal measures of respect and fear. I hadn't seen him in years now. The past few years, my brother's work had gotten busier, so we rarely saw one another now. His short response with me made it clear he was likely tied up with a meeting or something, but at least I knew I could count on him.

Well, in this case, it'd be Leo.

Leo was as loyal as they came, and the friendship he and my brother shared was just as strong as the one I had with Sof, if not stronger, although I didn't want to admit that. After all, they'd been friends far longer than I'd known Sof for.

"Meredith!" Logan's voice echoed from the building entrance, and I cast a glance back up the street, my heart lurching. He was fully dressed now, and even had a jacket on.

I guess he hadn't been in such a rush then, considering I was battling the chilly night air.

I yanked my gaze away just as he looked my way, wishing the earth would just open up and swallow me, that all this pain and panic would disappear.

"Baby, please," Logan was closer now, his expensive cologne carried on the wind that threatened to chill me to my core. I'd spent too much money on that damn cologne he loved so much. "We can talk about this."

We were past talking. There was no coming back from this. It had been my one rule in relationships. You never cheat, nor stay with a cheater. That trust, once broken, was never something you could regain, no matter what bullshit some therapists said.

Logan was getting closer now, and the panic and pain welled up inside me, morphing into anger.

"Leave me alone!" I snapped, causing him to pause as our eyes met. He had the damn audacity to even look hurt.

"Meredith, please, let's just talk?—"

"Talk?! There's no talking about this, Logan! How could you? How could you do this to me? To us?!" The words pierced the air louder and higher than I intended, cracking with a shattered sob.

"Merry, I'm so sorry," Logan started, but I barked out a semi-psychotic laugh.

"Sorry?" He was unbelievable right now. "You think 'sorry' can fix this? Can undo it? Can take your fucking dick out of her?!"

"It meant nothing, I swear. It was an accident, please, let's just go somewhere and talk." He had both his hands up in a calming manner, but it only infuriated me more.

At least I wasn't on the brink of a panic attack now. No, the rage had set in instead. I'd take what little win I could right now.

"An accident?! What, your dick just slipped into her? You accidentally invited her into our bed?" I shook my head at the absurdity of it. "Go somewhere and talk too? What, you don't want little Miss Home-wrecker in there to get upset if I go back into our home?!" My words were loud now, and a couple walking across the street were looking our way. I didn't care. I wanted the whole world to know what this disgusting man had done.

How he'd hurt me.

"Merry, stop shouting," Logan's voice had taken a turn, and his brow was drawn now.

Was he seriously getting frustrated and mad at me?

"This, this is nothing. You destroyed this." I yanked my engagement ring off, my heart skipping a beat as I flung it at him.

He attempted to catch it, but it pinged on the concrete sidewalk as he fumbled it.

I watched him bend down to pick it up, another broken sob breaking free as the rage evaporated, the pain overwhelming me once more.

I turned away, squeezing my eyes shut as I tried to quell my frantic heart. My thin blouse offered no protection against the December chill, and I could feel mascara-tinted tears freezing on my cheeks.

The distinctive growl of a high-performance engine cut through the night, and a touch of relief hit me. I opened my eyes, watching as a black Bentley glided to a stop at the curb, its tinted windows reflecting the streetlights like black ice. The passenger door opened before the car fully stopped.

"Get in, Meredith." Leo's voice was low, dangerous. He didn't exit the vehicle, but I could feel his displeasure at this entire situation. Leo and I weren't close, even if he was my brother's best friend. In truth, he kinda terrified me, not that I'd ever admit it. He was like family whether I liked it or not, and as scary as he was, he'd never let my brother down.

Logan's face twisted into annoyance once he righted himself and glared at the vehicle. Everyone in the city's upper circles knew Leo Donati, the notorious and ruthless businessman, and they knew not to cross him.

Too bad Logan had never actually met him, and didn't seem to care about his status in the city.

"She's not going with you, we have things to discuss," Logan spat as he bowed slightly to glare in at Leo.

Right now, I really was wondering how stupid Logan was.

Leo's piercing gaze moved to the man who'd just crushed my heart, his face expressionless. "She's coming with me."

"Like hell she is," Logan spat, and I froze, a chill coursing through me as Logan slammed the passenger door shut.

I wrapped my arms around myself, the cold night air finally too much for me, and could only watch as the driver's door opened.

Leo eased out and stood tall, all 6-foot-3 of him moving with careful precision as he gave Logan a mildly displeased look. He looked far too well-dressed in his apparently permanent attire of a gray suit, not even the tie giving it a splash of color since he was wearing his usual black tie.

Why had Grayson sent him? Sure, he was his best friend, but this was not something Leo needed to deal with. Gray had other friends, so why Leo?

He rounded the car, giving me only the slightest glance before he stepped right in front of Logan, causing my cheating fiancé to take a step back. Leo looked far too composed for how I was feeling, but that was nothing new. I'd never known the man to show much emotion, even when we were teenagers. Hell, as much as he'd been around me growing up, I barely knew the man really. He was private and focused on his business as some high and mighty CEO, a position given to him from his wealthy ass family.

"Get in the car, Meredith," Leo repeated, this time blocking Logan from me as he opened the door, not breaking his gaze from my fiancé. There was something about his tone that made me move instantly.

"I said we?—"

"She's coming with me." Leo's words sounded lethal, and even Logan was smart enough to keep his mouth shut as I slid into the warm leather interior. The door closed with a soft click, sealing me in what felt like another world. The car smelled of expensive leather and something distinctly masculine – Leo's signature scent that I'd never been able to place.

I watched out the window as Leo gave Logan a once over. Leo said something, something that made Logan's jaw clench, but I couldn't make it out from inside the car. And then Leo was rounding the car, Logan not even giving me a glance as he turned and headed back to our apartment.

I was nothing to him.

My throat closed over, but I fought it back, not wanting to break in front of Leo. Stoic, terrifying Leo. Although, given how my mascara was likely all over my cheeks, it was clear I'd already broke.

"Are you hurt?" Leo asked as he climbed in, the engine purring as it idled. He made no move to pull away from the curb, and I realized he was waiting for my response.

If I was hurt, I had a feeling he'd be getting right back out of the car. My brother was the hot-head of the pair, but right now, with that dark look in his icy blue eyes, I wasn't sure what Leo would do. He was usually always so composed, but right now, that emotionless man I'd known for far too long looked like he was actually displeased with this situation. Something I wouldn't have expected from him.

"No," I whispered, then cleared my throat. "No, I'm fine. I just... I found him with..." I swallowed, hating the way my heart was skipping and violently slamming against my ribs. I rubbed my arms before warming my hands in front of the heater.

Leo didn't say a word as he watched me, waiting for me to finish. It was both unsettling and oddly comforting, if that was even possible.

He reached forward to blast the heat while shrugging out of his jacket and handing it to me. I glanced at him in surprise, but didn't question it as I pulled it on and did up my seatbelt. The jacket engulfed me in his scent, which was strangely soothing as I let out a shaky breath.

"He was in bed with another woman," I finally whispered as I rubbed at my now bare finger. His gaze fell to where my engagement ring once was, and he sighed before moving the car into drive.

"Then he's forgotten, Meredith. He's not worthy of you."

I frowned, blinking as I tried to comprehend what he'd just said. Had he said something nice? Where was the emotionless, blunt Leo I'd known all my life? Who was this lookalike?

"Really? Leonardo Donati, where have you gone? Who is this man?" I managed a weak smile, and he slid his piercing gaze to mine for just a split second before he focused on the road. Not even a hint of a smirk. I'd been expecting too much there.

It took me a second to realize his tattooed knuckles were white on the steering wheel. I could see the edges of his tattoos disappearing beneath his crisp white shirt cuffs, and the few tendrils peeking out of his shirt collar. Gray had said he was heavily tattooed, but Leo was always in a suit whenever I saw him, as if he'd been born into them. From what I knew of his family, he kinda had. The only tattoos visible in his suit were his knuckle ones, 'Born Free'. I'd asked about them once, and he'd said it was to remind him that we're only ever born free, maintaining our freedom requires work. Whatever that had meant, he'd not elaborated when I'd asked.

"A man who promises himself to another and breaks that promise is no man at all." His jaw ticked, a muscle jumping beneath the light stubble. "He never deserved you."

"And you know that? With all the knowledge you possess of me? You know what I deserve?" I scoffed.

He didn't say another word as he focused on the road ahead, and I sucked in another breath, the heavy thumping of my heart beginning to ease in his presence.

The city lights blurred past as Leo navigated through late-night traffic with practiced ease. I should have been scared, sitting in a car with a man who made hardened businessmen nervous. Instead, I felt oddly at ease and… safe.

Not a word I would have ever used around him before, but now that I thought about it, as scary as he could be, he'd never done anything to make me feel unsafe around him.

"I can drive you to Sofia's," Leo offered.

"She's not home, I don't want to bother her anyway, she's got a big work thing. Besides, that's the first place he'll look for me," I said, wrapping my arms around myself. "I just need..." I let the words hang, trying to will the pain and hurt to die off as tears welled yet again.

How could Logan do this to me?

"What do you need, Meredith?" Leo's voice had dropped an octave.

I finally looked at him then, really looked. His profile was sharp in the passing lights – strong jaw, straight nose, dark hair styled just this side of professional.

"I need to feel safe," I admitted, the words barely audible.

Leo's icy blue eyes met mine for a brief moment, and I saw something flash in their depths – something oddly protective that made my breath catch.

"Then you'll stay with me."

It wasn't a request.