Chapter 12
Leo’s heart was thudding so hard in his chest, he almost crashed his car. Twice. Telling himself that Molly and Rose needed him and his car in a fit state prevented him from getting into any major accidents.
That’s why, when he burst through the doors of the nursery like the outside world was on fire and that wee space was the only haven available, he grabbed Molly and hugged her tight.
They had hugged before, just the sort of hugs he’d give a friend. But now, he engulfed her in his arms with the sole need to feel her body against his so he knew she was safe and there with him.
Something nudged his legs. He looked to see Rose trying to get between them. Swallowing a huge lump of emotion, he picked the girl up and hugged her too.
Rose was used to his hugs. She threw her arms around his shoulder and held him. ’Eo.
He pulled away to watch the sweet smile on her face. The girl had no clue what was going on, and she certainly hadn’t sensed the stress in her mother’s shoulders.
Leo grinned back at her. Having a good day?
Rose smiled wide, then rested her head on his shoulder. Go home?
He hadn’t picked her up from nursery before. But Molly had told him about Rose’s aversion to this place, and Rose had expressed her displeasure of mingling with people her own age a few too many times to him. You stay with your mum. I’ll be back.
Molly stepped up. Her eyes were sunken in her colourless face. He reached out and gripped her arm. I need you to hold on and wait here. I’ll go have a look—
What if you were followed? It was a whisper, but accusatory, nonetheless. They’ll know we’re here.
Leo shook his head. I have been followed before. No one followed me today. Besides, there is nothing to link us. Let me go and ensure the flat is safe before we head there.
Molly dropped her head and took a deep breath. I can’t—
He pulled her into his chest again. You’re strong, Molly, so strong. And we must do this. To protect Rose. And I need to protect you too.
She blinked before reaching out and pulling Rose into her arms. Don’t take too long. And be careful.
Leo nodded, before reaching into his pocket and handing Molly the car keys and his own house keys. That’s my house. Security is tight there. So, if you need to leave, go to my house and stay put.
But—
Leo shook his head. I’ll be back.
He raced out of the nursery.
No matter how he thought about it, Johnny couldn’t have connected him and Molly. It was more likely the bastard was snooping into him. But why now? Could it be Knox’s doing?
If it was, he’d punch that bastard later.
Leo crossed over to the adjoining road and strode towards the building, then used the key to let himself inside. Even that mundane act had the hair on the back of his neck rising.
Aye, something wasn’t right.
He stared at the wee buzzer plate that let people in. On the face of it, it appeared normal. But then he saw the tiny light blinking at him from the corner. A camera. His instinct was to snarl, but instead he ignored it and walked in.
So the fucker had tried to put him under surveillance. Could there also be audio recording?
Leo kept an eye out as he headed towards the stairs and up to the third floor. He wasn’t as good as Neil when it came to IT security systems and their setup, but he had learned a trick or two over the years.
That trick came in handy as he spotted near-invisible cameras. They were perhaps battery operated, not too high-grade. But he wasn’t sure if they were transmitting live data or waiting for someone to come and collect them.
Just as well that he acted like he hadn’t seen them.
Outside the door to his old flat he found another one, glaring down at him from above the door frame. Fucking bastard. If Molly hadn’t seen Johnny, she’d have walked right across the camera ranges and been discovered.
Aye, unless someone swept the whole building for these tiny cameras, this place wasn’t safe.
What if he wasn’t safe for Molly and Rose?
The thought had the keys from his hand almost slipping to the floor. No way. No. He needed them, and they trusted him. And the best course of action for them was to stick together. Not to mention, he had better access to resources than fucking Johnny did.
Leo pinched the key in his hand, then stared at the door. The lock didn’t appear to have been tampered with. Nor could he see any unexplained wires or strings attached to the door. So probably the eejit hadn’t installed explosives.
The key slid into the lock like it always did and the door swung open. Leo didn’t keep the door open for too long. He shut it, then ran his gaze over everything.
The flat was a mess, the side effect of having a toddler around. Rose tended to move random things and leave the avalanche of toys she owned all over the floor. Even if Molly tidied up, the tornado that was Rose made a mess just as quickly. He found it adorable.
Leo navigated through the minefield that was plushie toys, some large building blocks, and other games they had bought Rose.
If Johnny stepped in here, he would know Leo’s secret. While Molly had been smart not to place any picture frames around the house, it was obvious a toddler lived here.
Leo stuffed his hands into his pockets. He needed to think and act smart. He headed into Molly’s room and grabbed a holdall and a backpack.
Leo thought about all the essentials they’d need. He had helped Molly pack before, especially for Rose for a day trip. It had been surprising to him how much toddlers needed in a day.
He grabbed spare clothes for Rose and Molly, making sure to get as much pink and Peppa Pig stuff as he could, then grabbed Rose’s favourite toy and storybook. He almost forgot her blanket she used when she slept beside him on the sofa.
Then he had to think about Molly. He felt like a creep picking up her underwear to pack. He knew she used many products to tame her red curls, but he could only pack so much without giving away the fact that he was absconding.
When he was packed, he did a final sweep of the place.
Anything noticeably Rose and Molly’s couldn’t be in plain view.
He looked into the bedside drawer and found an image of baby Rose.
He tucked it into the holdall. Molly had a wee whiteboard where she maintained their schedule.
He took a picture of it, in case she needed it, then wiped the board clean.
Then, shouldering the filled holdall and backpack, he left the flat.
Again, his neck pricked with the sensation of being watched. Maybe it was paranoia. Maybe it was the cameras. But he’d rather be a fool than be sorry.
Leo held his head up as he once again crossed the intersection and stalked to his car, ensuring he didn’t spare a glance towards the nursery. He just prayed Molly didn’t see him and come outside to meet him.
He had parked a few metres away from the nursery which came in handy. Hopefully that wouldn’t make it too obvious, if anyone was watching, that Rose and Molly were in there.
It was only when he reached into his pocket that he understood his mistake. He’d given the keys of the car to Molly.
Fuck, he muttered, before setting the bags on the ground.
Going somewhere?
The voice sent a single sliver of cold down to his gut. Leo took a breath to compose his expression before he turned to face the voice. He feigned needing a minute to place the man. Johnny. I almost forgot what your sorry face looked like.
The man smirked at him as if he had caught Leo with his hand in the cookie jar. The one thing about garbage? It stinks the longer it stays.
Leo frowned, then tilted his lips up in a smile he didn’t feel. So you’re the garbage?
That dimmed Johnny’s cocky mood. I thought I’d come say hi, so I knocked on your door. The fucker jerked his chin towards Leo’s former flat. I thought a poor bastard would sell his old place for the fancy digs Buchanan left you. Or did you feel like the help in your own house?
Johnny was trying to bait him, clearly. But the man didn’t appear to know much about poverty—something he should’ve had intimate knowledge of especially after heading the security for the Foundation—or the fact that others had done a much better job of rubbing that in Leo’s face growing up.
His insults stung less than Rose’s attempts at kickboxing.
Why did you want to talk to me?
Johnny shrugged. I just got back a few days ago and haven’t seen you in ages.
Well, that’s us having seen each other. Leo picked up the bags. I won’t keep you then.
Does your brother know? That you have a mistress and a kid? Johnny laughed. A bastard child?
They have nothing to do with Knox. And mind your language. Leo’s heart thundered in his chest. How the fuck did Johnny know about Molly and Rose? The sudden stress had Leo’s shoulders bunching up before he could school his features into nonchalance.
Johnny laughed. So I was right. You do have a woman and child stashed up there. Well, well, blood is indeed thicker, isn’t it? You’re just like your old man.
That zinger struck a chord. Leo’s hands tightened, crushing the handle of the bags. Those bags with the precious belongings he’d gathered for Rose and Molly were the only threshold holding Leo back from punching Johnny on the nose.
He might hate it, but at least this conversation was enlightening vis-a-vis what Johnny knew about Molly. What do you want?
Johnny turned to stare at the building. Introduce me.
Fuck! Fuck! Why would I do that?
Isn’t it good manners to introduce your friends to the people you’re fucking? Well, at least fucking long enough to have a kid with them. Johnny crossed his arms. Why, are you scared?
I don’t like you. And the last thing I want to do is introduce my family to you.
Family? Johnny laughed. Here I was thinking she’s just a convenient cunt.
I told you to mind your language. Leo took a step forward to lunge at the bastard, then caught himself. Fuck off, Johnny. You have no business here.
The bastard threw his head back and laughed.
Oh, I did. I wondered why a billionaire would own a house in this dump when he could buy a much better place elsewhere.
Just thought it was a kink for you. Flex your dick to these poor fuckers.
Johnny chuckled. Never would’ve thought Buchanan’s HR head would have a secret family hidden away in there.
There’s nothing wrong with me having my own family, or keeping them away from bastards like you.
Well, you’d have found them better accommodations than this slum, if everything was above board. Johnny tapped two fingers to his forehead in a goodbye salute. I think it’s time I pay Knox a visit. Your brother would want to know he’s got a niece or nephew, won’t he?
Why the fuck was this man so insistent on poking Leo?
Leo really wanted to punch the fucker’s mug. This has nothing to do with you or with Knox.
Johnny took a step closer and stabbed a finger into Leo’s chest. The man stank of some fancy cologne. Jewellery glinted through his T-shirt collar. Buchanan Security is mine, and I will find a way to get it back. I won’t let you sewer rats destroy it.
You forget, Johnny, that I am the boss. I have the power to sack you. Even if Knox wouldn’t let him do it.
Not for long. Johnny curled his lip. Let’s see how long you last, Buchanan. Maybe make that money now when you have the chance. Because when I’m done with you, you and your whore will be more destitute than your mother was after Buchanan was done with her.