Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
MEREDITH
T he safe-house turned out to be a modern apartment in a secure building, with the same minimalist style as Leo's penthouse. I wouldn't have expected much else from a safe-house. It was an open plan kitchen and dining area, with two bedrooms, one with an ensuite, and an office, along with a secondary communal bathroom.
I curled up on a plush gray couch, wrapping myself in a black throw blanket while watching Leo and Gray talk in hushed tones in the kitchen. Their bodies were tense, heads bent close as they discussed something in rapid Italian.
These men wearing my brother and Leo's faces – who were they really? Right now, I didn't know who they were in the slightest.
And no one had given me answers, not in the rest of the car ride, or the tense silence in the elevator. Gray had just guided me over to the couch, told me to relax, and he'd come talk to me shortly.
That was ten minutes ago, and whatever they were talking about, they didn't look thrilled. Leo had checked his phone half a dozen times, his face masked, while Gray's arms were crossed, frustration evident on his features.
I felt like being shot at warranted more than mere frustration.
I pulled out my phone, unable to sit idle while my world warped around me. What were they really hiding?
A quick search for Gray's import business yielded nothing substantial. No website, no business listings, just a basic registration with the state. For such a supposedly successful company, it left virtually no footprint.
Leo's company, Prospera, was equally shadowy. The website was professional but vague, talking about "wealth management" and "investment opportunities" without any real substance. But the deeper I dug, the more I found both their names attached to various enterprises – construction companies, shipping firms, real estate holdings. All seemingly legitimate, yet somehow just out of focus, like a photo taken through frosted glass.
Sure, I'd known my brother had a finger in a few pies thanks to our father's businesses he'd inherited, but I'd not realized how extensive it was. Not to mention Gray and Leo had a few partnerships as well, joint business dealings.
"Here." Gray's voice startled me as he appeared with a steaming mug. "Mom's recipe."
Hot chocolate with a hint of cinnamon – exactly how our mother used to make it. The mention of her made my throat tight. He'd said it was a classic she used to make him as a kid, something I'd never had the privilege of being given, but he'd continued with it, his own way of remembering her and trying to make me feel like she was there for me despite everything.
Gray had always told me she tried to be a good mom to me, but she was struggling, and now that he was older, he understood better what she was going through. How her distant husband, always busy with work, and having a newborn took its toll on her. It was nothing I'd done, apparently, but I still felt another wave of guilt like always.
My mere birth had sent her on a spiral, and he'd lost the woman who'd doted on him. I still didn't know exactly what to feel, but it was always a mix of sadness and guilt at never knowing her.
"Thanks." I took the mug, watching as he settled beside me. From somewhere down the hall, I could hear Leo's muffled voice on a call.
"Talk to me, Mer." Gray's voice was gentle, the way it used to be when we were kids and I'd had a nightmare. "How are you holding up?"
"I just want to know what's going on." I whispered as I sipped the hot chocolate. Delicious, as always. "The truth, Gray. Please."
He sighed as he sunk back into the couch, clasping his hands between his legs. He suddenly looked weary, the crows feet visible at the edges of his eyes. "Some of the men we do business with... they're not good people. Leo and I recently turned down a partnership with them. They wanted us to expand our company, Lion Freight Services, with them. Broaden our reach and give them a cut. They didn't take it well."
"They're shooting at us because you turned down a business deal? Why'd you turn it down? And why are they going crazy about it?" I frowned, shocked that something like that could cause such an uproar to condemn us all to potential death.
"There was a lot of money on the table." He shrugged, but the gesture felt rehearsed. "People do desperate things for money, Mer. We didn't need them to expand, we already had expansion underway, no need to bring someone else in on the cut for something we were already doing on our own."
I stared into my hot chocolate, watching the miniature marshmallows dissolve. The explanation felt too neat, too simple. Since when did legitimate businesses shoot up homes over refused partnerships?
And why did this safe-house have all the ingredients for mum's recipe?
Why was that something I found the most bizarre at this moment?
Leo strode back in, his face hard. "I need to go handle this."
"I'll come—" Gray started as he leaned forward.
"No." Leo cut him off. "Stay with Meredith. She needs you right now."
Gray nodded slowly before he settled back.
Leo turned to me then, and something in his eyes made my breath catch. It wasn't the cold, professional mask he usually wore, nor the dangerous gleam from earlier. This was something else – something almost tender.
"I'll sort this, Mer. I'm sorry you got caught in the crossfire tonight."
Then he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him with quiet finality.
"Want me to see what snacks this place has?" Gray offered, already moving to stand.
I caught his wrist. "Gray, please. What aren't you telling me?"
He kissed my forehead, the way he used to when we were kids. "Only what you don't need to know, Mer. Only what keeps you safe."
But as I listened to his footsteps retreat to the kitchen, I wondered what other secrets they were keeping, and why everyone seemed so determined to keep me in the dark.
The city glowed like scattered stars beneath the safe-house windows. From this vantage point, I could see Leo's building rising against the skyline, its top floors illuminated despite the late hour, save for the penthouse—his. How many other properties did they have like this one? Why did they even have safe-houses? Only criminals had safe-houses, or law enforcement. And I was sure they weren't law enforcement.
It was leaving me with one thought only - they were involved in bad things, things I didn’t want to know about. But how bad?
I'd tried questioning Gray earlier, but he'd deflected every attempt with practiced ease, eventually retreating to one of the bedrooms with the excuse of an early meeting tomorrow to sort out a few other things. As if tomorrow would be business as usual after being shot at. What on earth was so important he couldn't cancel? But he'd told me to just relax, everything was going to be okay.
For once, I wasn't sure whether or not to believe him. I'd always believed him, but now, things were different.
Gray may look like my brother, but I had no idea who he really was. Who anyone really was.
I really was beginning to believe they were involved in crime, even mafia stuff. But surely my brother wouldn’t be?
Right?
My phone sat silent in my lap. I'd texted Sofia hours ago, letting her know what happened and that I was safe, just shaken. But a quick news search showed a massive pile-up on the interstate keeping all emergency services busy. She'd probably be pulling a double shift at the ER, too focused on saving lives to check her messages.
The way Sofia acted around Leo, the way she'd been with the police today, I wondered if there was more to her than I knew too.
Fuck, why was I so alone right now?
The soft click of the door opening made me stiffen, but as the figure moved through the shadows, I recognized the form. Leo, his steps silent despite his size.
"Are you okay?" My voice seemed too loud in the quiet space, the darkness suddenly suffocating.
He froze in the kitchen, then reached for the light over the stove. "I'm fine."
The gentle illumination revealed him in a different suit than earlier, this one a darker shade of navy. Pristine. Perfect. As if he hadn't just spent hours 'handling' whatever needed handling. Had it been a meeting with this supposed company trying to scare them? Or had it been a more 'hands-on' dealing?
"Did you take care of everything?"
"It's been dealt with." His voice was carefully neutral as he watched me, his back to the stove so that his face was cast in shadows.
"How?" When he didn't respond, I pressed harder. "How did you handle it, Leo?"
He sighed as he planted his hands on the kitchen island and leaned forward, and despite the shadows, I caught the intensity in his gaze as those icy eyes locked onto me. "Do you really want to know? Maybe there are questions better left unanswered, Meredith."
"You beat my fiancé into the ER." I threw my blanket off and rose, moving toward him. My blood was burning now, frustrated beyond measure at how no one was giving me any damn answers that made sense. I was beginning to think the worst, and I wanted someone to tell me I was wrong. "Then we got shot at over dinner. I feel like I don't even know who you are anymore. Who either of you are." My hands balled into fists as I rounded the kitchen island, unsure why I suddenly had all the courage to stand up to him.
He turned his gaze to meet mine, his head still hung as he leaned on the kitchen island, watching me like a cat watches its prey.
It sent an uneasy shiver through me, but I stood my ground only an arm’s length from him.
"Who are you, Leo?"
Before I could blink, he had me pressed against the island, his body caging mine. He'd moved so fast, tugging me against him before pinning me. Heat radiated from him as he leaned close, his cologne and uniquely him scent swirling around me. My breath caught as he lowered his face so that it was only inches from mine.
"I'm the man who will protect you," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Always. Even if you think I'm a monster."
I felt like a mouse right now, trapped in the paws of a vicious cat, those piercing eyes delving right into my core. The dim light of the stove backlit him, giving the whole moment an oddly eerie sensation.
Except, right now, I wasn't afraid of Leo hurting me. I should have been, but for some strange reason, I wasn't. I only saw him as the man who had the answers I sought, one who might not dodge my questions.
We held one another's gaze for a moment as his words clicked over in my head. A monster? No. The word felt wrong for him, despite what he'd done. Despite what he might have done tonight.
This was the man who'd stopped my father from beating me, and somehow, I knew he was the man who'd saved me in my life. I just didn't know when, how, or why.
I just knew.
My heart thundered against my ribs as I swallowed, softening my gaze as I realized why his expression was so steeled right now. "I don't think you're a monster." My voice was barely a whisper in the shadows around us.
He stilled, something flickering in his eyes. Then his mouth was on mine, hot and demanding. I gasped in surprise, and he took advantage, deepening the kiss. His hands gripped the counter on either side of me as mine clutched at his jacket, torn between pulling him closer and pushing him away. His tongue stroked my own, and a fire burned to life deep inside me.
Then suddenly he was gone, leaving me breathless and confused.
"Get some sleep," he said, already walking toward the hall. "It's been a long evening."
I touched my lips, still feeling the burn of his kiss as I watched him disappear down the hall.
What the hell had just happened?
My fingers trailed over my tingling lips as he disappeared into the shadows, and I heard the bathroom door open and close. The ghost of his kiss lingered, adding another layer of confusion to this already chaotic day. After a moment, I retreated to the bedroom Gray had pointed out earlier, the plush carpet muffling my steps as I wondered where Leo would sleep. On the couch? That didn't seem fair, but it wasn't like he was planning on sharing with my brother or me.
I swallowed at the thought of him climbing into my bed.
After that kiss, I was feeling all sorts of ways, my emotions and feelings a jumbled mess.
Why'd he kiss me? Since when did Leo feel anything for me? Was it just to keep me quiet?
I shook my head, unable to figure him out, a strange mix of hope and confusion blossoming in my chest.
My phone felt heavy in my hand as I perched on the edge of the bed. The events of the past twenty-four hours swirled in my mind – Logan's betrayal, the shooting, the secrets I could feel pressing in from all sides. Before I could talk myself out of it, I unblocked Logan's number. The backlog of messages floated there as I opened up my messaging app, but I ignored them, typing and retyping a simple message for what felt like hours.
What should I say? Why did I even want to reach out? Why did I care about him still after he'd hurt me? Was it guilt for what had happened to him afterwards? I knew it was silly, he'd brought it upon himself, but Leo had put him in the hospital because of me…
Finally, I pressed send, rolling my eyes at my pathetic message.
Are you recovering okay?
His response came quickly, and I gritted my teeth as my chest tightened.
Lose my number. I never want to speak to you again.
The words hit harder than I expected, tears pricking at my eyes. After what he'd done, why did his rejection still hurt? Three years of my life, gone in a moment of betrayal, and now he was acting like I was the villain?
Anger bubbled up, sudden and hot, replacing the hurt. This was Leo's fault. All of it. The secrets, the violence, the way my whole life had spiraled in less than twenty-four hours.
I found myself moving down the hall before I could think better of it. The bathroom door was slightly ajar, steam escaping through the gap and carrying with it the scent of expensive soap. When I peaked in, Leo stood there in just a towel slung low on his hips, water droplets trailing down his tattooed chest.
I pushed the door open. "This is all your fault," I whispered harshly, mindful of Gray's closed door down the hall.
Leo turned, unsurprised by my presence. His torso was a canvas of intricate artwork, the words 'Die Last' prominent across the top of his chest. More tattoos wrapped around his ribs and down his arms, telling stories I couldn't read. I forced myself to focus on my anger instead of the way the water made his skin gleam under the soft lighting.
"Everything is a mess. My whole life is a mess because of you." My voice shook with rage, rage I needed to let out. If I didn't get mad, I'd break, crumble into a million pieces and cry, the panic setting in as I became overwhelmed by my own emotions. I didn't want that, not right now. So anger was my best bet.
"Your fiancé knocked over the first domino," Leo said calmly, running a hand through his wet hair. Water trailed down his neck, and I hated how my eyes followed its path.
"You put him in the hospital! Then we got shot at, and you've been out doing god knows what tonight?—"
"Go to your room, Meredith." His voice held a warning, but there was something else there too.
"No. I’m not a damn child. I deserve answers. I’m caught up in this goddamn mess of yours now." I planted myself firmly in the doorway, chin lifted in defiance.
He moved past me to close the door, his bare skin nearly brushing mine, and I caught sight of fresh bruises blooming across his broad back, partially hidden by more tattoos. The sight only fueled my anger, but it also sparked concern I didn't want to feel.
"Why did you do it?" I demanded, my voice cracking. "Why did you go after Logan? Who appointed you my protector?"
He scoffed, turning to face me. The space suddenly felt too small, too intimate. "Do you really need to ask that?"
"Yes," I whispered, some of my anger crumbling under his intense gaze. The blue of his eyes seemed darker in this light, dangerous and alluring.
He stepped closer, droplets of water falling from his hair onto his shoulders. I could smell his soap, feel the heat radiating from his skin. "You've been important to me since we were teenagers, Meredith. Because you never looked at me like everyone else did. You brought me cookies and smiled like I was normal, not someone to be feared."
The memory hit me – fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, Leo's rare smile as he took one, the way his eyes had softened just for me.
"Should I be afraid of you?" My voice was nearly a whisper.
"Never." The word was barely out before his mouth crashed into mine.
This kiss was different from the first – desperate, hungry, like he'd been holding back for years. His hands cupped my face as mine found his bare chest, feeling his heart thundering beneath my palm. He walked me backward until I hit the counter, lifting me onto it without breaking the kiss. Water from his chest soaked into my clothes, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard. His pupils were blown wide, making his eyes appear almost black.
"We shouldn't," he murmured, but his hands stayed on my waist, burning through the thin fabric of my dress.
"Why not?"
"Because once I have you, I won't let you go." His voice was low, possessive in a way that should have frightened me but instead sent heat coursing through my veins. "And you don't know what that means yet."
I didn't know if it was the adrenaline from the day or the way his eyes burned into mine, but I found myself saying, "Then show me."
The words hung between us, heavy with promise and danger as he stared hard at me.
And I could've sworn the icy Leo cracked the slightest of smiles.