Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
MEREDITH
B y the time we reached Sofia's house, she was passed out against my shoulder. Roman scooped her up effortlessly, carrying her inside while Leo helped steady me as I navigated the steps in my heels.
"We should take her make-up off," I said vacantly as I watched Roman lay Sofia on her bed.
"She'll survive one night," Leo said quietly as I moved forward to help take her heels off. I'd removed mine as soon as I'd come through the front door.
"All good here?" Roman turned to Leo while I carefully removed Sofia's bra without revealing anything. It was much easier to do on myself, but I got there thanks to her rousing just enough to assist me before flopping back onto the bed. She immediately rolled over, snuggling into her pillow.
"Yes."
Roman disappeared with a nod, leaving Leo and me in charged silence.
I pursed my lips before moving past him and out of the room, closing the door once he'd stepped out after me.
With more water and food in my system, my buzz had died down a fair bit, and my emotions were a chaotic mess.
"You’ll be okay," Leo said, already turning to leave.
Why wouldn't he even look at me anymore?
"Leo, wait."
He paused, his broad shoulders tense.
I rubbed my arm, stepping around his sturdy frame in the hall to stand before him. "I understand why you protected me back then, why you all did. I just... I don't know where we go from here."
He finally met my gaze, his eyes dark and unreadable. He was hiding everything from me. The man I'd been intimate with was now hidden behind a carefully constructed mask. He'd slammed his walls back up as soon as I'd sent him away.
"Neither do I."
The words were soft, but his expression remained steeled.
Maybe it was the alcohol still coursing through me or the reeling emotions, but I couldn't stand this, not after what we'd shared, how close we'd been.
I closed the gap between us, standing on my toes and pressing my lips to his. He stiffened for a moment, and for a split second, I thought he wasn't going to respond.
But then his hand moved to fist in my hair almost painfully as he kissed me back with a fierce intensity that made my head spin. I melted against him, balling my hands into his undershirt, relishing the feel of him.
This was the man who'd protected me countless times, who was always there when I truly needed him. The man who'd been hidden in the shadows after that fateful night, keeping his distance while still watching over me. I knew it, from my memories, from the way he spoke and what we'd shared.
But then he pulled away, his hands gentle yet firm on my shoulders.
"You're drunk," he said roughly. "We can talk when you're sober. Roman will be outside if you need anything."
Before I could protest that I was only tipsy and knew what I was doing, he was gone, leaving me with tingling lips and conflicted emotions yet again.
I sighed, heading down the hall to my room to change. Once in some comfy pajamas, I flopped onto the guest bed, still tasting Leo on my lips.
Leo was someone I wanted, despite the darkness he came with. He was lethal, shadowed, and yet he made my blood burn. He made me feel things I'd not felt before, even with Logan.
Even if we'd only shared the one night together, I couldn't stop thinking about it. About how he'd wanted me, and told me I was his. How he'd held me and caressed my hair through my panic attacks, revealing a soft side that I'd never known about.
I groaned as I buried my head under my pillow, the steady thump of an alcohol induced headache beginning to make itself known.
I had no idea what to do, and I only knew one thing for certain right now - tomorrow's hangover promised to be brutal in more ways than one.
The pounding headache that I woke to was like some horrid little creature was trying to hammer its way out of my skull. I groaned, holding my thumping head as I eased myself from under the comfort of my pillow. Sunlight stabbed through the guest room windows, making me wince.
Yep, I'd overdone it last night. And if I'd overdone it, Sofia was going to be worse off.
My churning guts had me lurching for the bathroom, where the early morning fast food run made its reappearance. Along with what was likely far too much alcohol.
I allowed my body to expel my irrational bender until my stomach settled, and then I dragged myself into the shower, praying it would wash away my stupid choices and the mess I was in.
One could only hope.
After spending far too long under the hot water, willing my headache away, I stumbled to Sofia's kitchen and fumbled with the coffee maker. The rich aroma helped settle my still slightly queasy stomach as I searched through her cabinets for painkillers.
I downed them before checking my phone, hoping I'd manifest the headache away even faster as I opened my messages. I groaned at the text from my work.
By some sheer miracle, I must've sent a message last night calling in sick, but they were asking if I could send in some files.
I slumped against the cabinet, last night's adventure replaying in my mind, and ending with my ill-thought-out kiss with Leo.
Yeah, that had been smooth. Not.
At least my headache was nowhere near as bad as when I'd woken. I moved to the pantry, pulling out some bread and then jam from the fridge. I took my time making the jam toast, and took a few sips of coffee before polishing off two pieces for myself. I put on another two slices, deciding I might as well add to my list of bad decisions as I headed back to my room to change, intent to go into the office. Once done, I returned to the kitchen to load up a tray for Sof.
With a fresh batch of toast, coffee, and pills ready for Sof, I downed the last of my coffee, grateful that my headache had eased even more, and headed to her room. She lay sprawled across her bed, still in last night's dress, her mascara smeared around her eyes.
We definitely had revisited our college days.
"Rise and shine," I whispered, setting the tray on her nightstand.
Sofia groaned and pulled a pillow over her face. "Thank God I'm off today."
"Here. I made you coffee, there's painkillers too. And jam toast." Jam toast had always been her go-to back in our college days after a night out, and I'd picked up the habit.
"You're amazing. How are you alive though?" She groaned and peeked out from under the pillow, then immediately squeezed her eyes shut. "Why the hell are you dressed for work?"
I smoothed my pencil skirt as I straightened. "Because I'm going in. They needed some files and I figured I should just go in even if it's a half day."
"What?" Sofia tried to sit up but fell back with a hand pressed to her forehead. She squinted at me through one eye. "Are you insane? Aren't you hungover to high hell too?"
"Yes, but not as bad as you. I threw up and took painkillers, and I feel well enough. Besides, if I go downhill, I'll call out sick. I need something normal right now. Work is all I have left that makes sense."
"But Logan?—"
"If he was beaten badly enough for hospitalization, he won't be there." I had already considered the fact that we worked in the same building, but at least it was different companies.
Sofia's brow furrowed. "What about that hoe he was with? She still works there."
"Different companies, I doubt I'll see her." I shrugged, adjusting my blazer. Our companies were on different floors, I'd only seen Logan once every few weeks for coffee, which was crazy considering we were in the same building. But we'd opted to keep our work and love lives separate for the most part. I guess he had had a reason for that, the prick. "I'll take my chances. Besides, she's probably terrified to come anywhere near me after what happened to Logan." It definitely beat moping around here all day with my own thoughts.
"That's exactly my point." Sofia pushed herself up slowly, cradling her head. "Everyone's going to be talking about it if she's gone and gossiped. It might have made its way to your company."
"Let them talk. I'd rather face the gossip than sit here dwelling on everything else." Like Leo's kiss last night, or the memories of my father, or the fact that my brother was involved in organized crime.
"You're either incredibly brave or completely crazy." Sofia took a careful sip of coffee, her brow pinched together. "Maybe both."
"Probably both." I turned, adjusting my purse over my shoulder. "Text me when you're feeling human again."
"Give me a few hours, maybe more," she mumbled as I headed out. "Don't go starting any fights."
I snorted at the absurd possibility before heading outside, already with a plan in mind to get to work.
"Roman?" I approached the car parked at the end of the drive, smoothing my navy blazer. The late-morning air was crisp, helping clear the last fuzzy edges of my hangover. Roman was sipping on a takeout coffee, phone in hand, like my appearance had interrupted some pointless scrolling. What else was there to do when staking out anyway? Did he even sleep? I'd have to tell Leo to at least get him a partner if he was going to be watching me all the time. The man needed sleep. "Morning Roman. Did you sleep?"
"Good morning Ms. Cassaro, I've slept. Not something I do much when on watch, but I have someone who joins me for six hours to take over while I get some shut eye," he said, and I nodded, grateful that Leo did have something in place so he could sleep.
He frowned as he took in my attire. "How are you feeling? Heading out?"
"I'm fine, a little hungover, nothing that will kill me. The office needs some files, so I figured I'd just go in for a half-day shift. In saying that, could you take me to the office?"
His expression tightened as he tapped a finger on the steering wheel. "I don't think Mr. Donati or Mr. Cassaro would consider that wise."
"I'm going, with or without you." I lifted my chin, channeling some of that Cassaro stubbornness. "Your choice if you want to drive me or if I should call a ride. I just figured, since you have to watch me and all, I might as well just go with you. Safer and all that jazz."
He studied me for a moment, his dark eyes assessing, before sighing and opening the car door. "You're a strong-willed one, Ms. Cassaro. Get in."
"Thanks." I wasn't sure if he meant it to be a compliment, but I was taking it as such.
The office felt blessedly normal. It appeared that news of what had gone down between Logan and I hadn't spread. Perhaps his little hoe had decided to keep her mouth shut. Either that, or it simply hadn't reached my company. Yet.
Whatever the case was, I was grateful. There were no whispered conversations stopping when I walked by, no pitying looks. I didn't want that right now. I needed some normalcy, which I was able to find at my desk. I lost myself in spreadsheets and financial reports, grateful for the mindless distraction from my messy reality.
Until my hangover headache started creeping back with a vengeance. The numbers on my screen began to pulse, and I massaged my temple, knowing it had been wishful thinking that my headache would have stayed away. Not after last night's escapade.
Coffee. Coffee and some more painkillers was the answer, maybe a bite to eat as well.
The elevator ride to the lobby coffee shop felt longer than usual, each ding of passing floors echoing in my tender head. As I stood in line, debating between an americano or something sweeter to help with the hangover, a man stepped up behind me.
"We know what really happened to your father, Ms. Cassaro."
I turned, ice sliding down my spine. His face tugged at my memory – someone I should know but couldn't quite place.
"If no one responds to our demands soon," he continued quietly, his breath smelling of mint and tobacco, "everyone will know the truth. Your brother and his friend will go down for what they did."
"Who are you?" I hissed, keeping my voice low so no one else would overhear. My heart was thumping hard now, and I wished Roman had actually come into the building with me now.
"Not someone you want to mess with, little lady," he muttered, glancing around us carefully, his greying hair slicked back. He looked so familiar, and yet I couldn't place him for the life of me.
Maybe I could call for help? Try to hold this guy here while I called?—
"You!" A shrill voice cut through the cafe's gentle buzz, jerking both our attentions to the side.
Logan's mistress stood in the doorway, her perfect blonde hair and polished outfit a stark contrast to her rage-twisted face. "Security!"
"Why are you doing this?" I turned back to the man, focusing on the more pressing issue despite the knotting in my guts at the sight of that wench.
"I have my reasons." He was already backing away, melting into the mid-afternoon crowd, a smirk on his face.
I was ready to go after him, to demand more answers, but my attention moved to the blonde with her sights set on me.
Logan's mistress stormed over, her heels clicking against the tile like ammunition. "Logan is still in the hospital because of you, you bitch!"
I spied Roman at the doorway from outside over her shoulder. Had he been waiting out there for me? I tried to catch his attention in order to tell him about the man. Hopefully he could stop him, get some answers for us all.
I looked past Miss Home-wrecker, ignoring her moving in on me as I tried to flag Roman's attention, but he was keeping a lookout outside.
I pulled my phone up, preparing to call him as the man got closer to the door.
"How dare you!"
Sudden pain exploded across my cheek, jarring me enough that I dropped my phone. The sound echoed through the now-silent cafe, dozens of eyes watching the drama unfold as the woman who'd fucked my fiancé in my own bed slapped me.
My hand went to my stinging face as I stared at this woman – this home-wrecker who'd helped destroy my life. All the emotions I'd been trying to suppress boiled over at once: the betrayal, the recovered memories, Leo's rejection, the threats, everything.
This little fucking bitch had the audacity to be mad at me ?!
My palm connected with her cheek before I could stop myself. "How dare I?! How dare you!" My voice shook with rage. "You're the home-wrecker! You destroyed everything! You fucked my fiancé in my goddamn bed!"
She had the nerve to look stunned as she clutched her own cheek and stumbled back, but I wasn't having it. I'd had enough of all the lies and betrayal, of not knowing anything about my own goddamn life and the people around me.
I lurched after her, intent to hit her again. Too bad Security was on the ball today, and they intervened quickly. Two guards in crisp uniforms separated us as the cafe's patrons watched with poorly concealed interest.
I shook with fury, tugging from the guard so I could snatch up my phone before he grabbed my arm again.
"Ma'am, please come with me. Don't cause any more of a scene," he warned, and I ground my teeth as I glared daggers at the wretched blonde who'd been right at the start of this entire unraveling of my life. At least she was currently being restrained by a guard as well.
Good.
They escorted us to a small office off the lobby, where Roman materialized like a shadow as they sat us down at opposite ends of the row of chairs within.
"Take a moment to cool down, then we will sort this mess out," my restraining guard said as he let go of my arm and turned to Roman.
Roman spoke quietly to him, showing some kind of identification. The guard's eyes widened slightly, and he nodded, stepping back to give Roman space.
The implications of that simple interaction – how quickly the guard yielded to Roman's authority – just added another layer to the surreal reality my life had become.
Although all I could do was glare at the woman at the other end of the seats, wishing I could throw a whole ass punch.
I needed to let out all of my pent up emotions, and she was a perfect recipient right now.