Chapter 7 Ivory Tower
Ivory Tower
“When can you leave your tower, Rapunzel?” Leanne asks.
“Wow.”
“Lot of employees to go through.”
Leanne lets out a shaky sigh. “I don’t know how you’re not terrified.”
“Who says I’m not?” I try to be casual, but she remains quiet. I clear my throat. “Just gotta lean into the curve. Find hobbies to focus on instead.”
“If you say so. What are your hobbies now since you’re not at the hotel or working on motorcycles? Wait what am I saying, you get to watch movies all day and read.”
I sit on the couch, and just hum in response. Technically she was right.
The rest of yesterday I learned from Leo how to flog and tie ropes, which kept me busy for hours. Learning more about how to use our sex toys will definitely become a hobby. She doesn’t need to know that. Or that I jumped his bones after our lesson.
“And trying new skills. Like cooking.”
“You? Cook?”
“Hey, it can happen.”
“Here I thought your free time would be hacking more computers,” she comments, and I snort.
Leanne mostly knows what happened, mainly that hitmen were sent after me and I kept intel from my days undercover.
Figured one of my friends could know the truth, and Leanne would totally notice someone following her.
Trix likely not. And Nan already had security surrounding her and the bookstore.
Neither of them knew what truly happened, other than some potential threat and that’s why I left town unexpectedly and now staying home because of “newspapers.” One of the few times I appreciate Carrie.
“I’m officially retired,” I mutter, rubbing my face.
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” she says almost too quietly.
“Yeah.”
We’re silent, and now I find myself in the same position as I had been with Leo—no clue how to talk to her. I thought my secret of being undercover was bad, but this weight feels worse upon my shoulders.
There’s a knock and I glance at the front door, thankful for the distraction. “I’ve gotta go, pretty sure that’s Isaac and Jameson.”
“How is Isaac? I mean, all the Crew of course.”
I pause standing up, eyeing the phone with a smirk. “They’re good as far as I know. Could have Isaac come check on your little security detail if you want.”
“Not what I meant!”
“Uh-huh.”
“Just curious. Long week for them, you know?”
“Uh-huh,” I say again, walking towards the door.
She sighs dramatically. “I have some work to do anyways. Lots of curriculum planning and stuff. Hopefully see you soon hun, stay safe and love you.”
She hangs up before I can say anything else. I laugh under my breath, putting the phone away as I open the door. On the other side is Isaac and Julio. My brows scrunch surprised it’s just them.
“Afternoon, Miss Autumn,” Isaac greets as I step aside for them.
“Hey, Isaac.”
“Buenas tardes, hermana…cómo está?” Julio asks as I close the door.
“Buenas tarde, eh…bien. Mejor.”
Julio gives a warm smile, and then brings me into a hug. I melt into the burly biker’s arms as he tightens his hold a moment. We let go and he winks.
“Café?” I ask.
“Sí, I’ll take some, though won’t be here long,” Julio answers as I go into the kitchen.
“Would’ve thought Jameson would be here today,” I comment.
Isaac clears his throat and starts to head for the upstairs. “He’s busy. I’ll tell him you’re here, Enigma.”
Julio nods as Isaac disappears. Confusion flits over me as I get the coffee to start brewing. I pause, glancing at Julio’s concentrated face. He then scowls, shaking his head as he leans on the island counter.
“He okay?”
“Worried about everything, that’s all,” he answers, scratching the underside of his beard. “Spartan and Sombra squabbling ain’t helping. Big fight yesterday.”
Yup, that explains Leo’s mood. And why Julio is here.
“It’s because of me, isn’t?”
“They just ain’t seeing eye to eye. It happens with them two, they’ve always head butted.”
I grab him a mug and then some creamer, remaining quiet.
“Just another hiccup, hermana. You’ll be out of here in no time.”
“Yeah,” I whisper low, pouring his coffee and mixing in creamer. I slide it over to him, leaning on the counter next to him.
“Gracias.”
“De nada.” Julio gently grabs my shoulder, squeezing gently. I give him a small smile, hoping this tough patch will pass already.
“Be back down after the boss is done with me.”
“He’s giving you Eleanor,” I say abruptly, and he blinks at me. I smirk. “Check in with me before you leave.”
“Knew that thing would have more layers.” He grins, clicking his tongue as he starts to walk away. “May teach me a thing or two, hermana.”
I chuckle under my breath, starting to make myself an afternoon coffee until Julio pauses. “Hey, you know George? Nail guy at the hotel salon?”
“Yeah, why?” Please don’t tell me he failed his background check.
“He’s all good, by the way.” The fear that must’ve been on my face disappears. “Just asked about you and hopes to see you soon or something.”
A grin tugs at my lips. “He’s a good friend and very sweet.”
“Got that impression.” Julio clears his throat, rolling his shoulders back. “Reminds me of a golden retriever though.”
“They make the best cuddle buddies.”
“Yeah, they can—” Julio narrows his eyes, and I grin.
Frowning only a moment, he starts chuckling and disappears next. He murmurs something in Spanish that I don’t catch, which makes me giggle as I pour myself a coffee. I wonder who’s gonna finally admit they have feelings first—my best friend or Enigma.
Leo
Isaac briefly knocks before entering Leo’s office.
It’s been redone, now imitating the study he has at his estate— dark earthy colors with soothing browns and greens, shelves on the side with a window that illuminates an oak desk.
Plush green chairs sit in front, which Isaac ignores as he stands behind them.
Leo doesn’t look up, signing a couple of documents on his desk. “Where’s Julio?”
“Autumn is making him coffee. She offered.” Leo nods in return, flipping another paper. “How’s she doing?”
Leo stops, finally looking up at Isaac with a rigid expression. “Fine.”
“Fine?”
“Yes, fine,” he says, finishing the last of the papers.
“After being chased out of the city again, comes back to save your ass, sits in a meeting of crime bosses, kills one and shoots another in the dick, and she’s…fine?”
Isaac’s tone is accusatory, the venom in it cutting at Leo, who scowls harder at the man.
Leo leans forward on his desk, placing his elbows on the surface while folding his hands together.
He strokes the ring on his finger, which he’s refused to take off since putting it on, the smooth metal calming him.
A flash of memory. Chiari leading him into the first-floor office, gesturing towards the last of the paperwork.
There, his ring sat, ready for him. Melancholy twisted in his stomach, wishing it’d been Autumn putting it on him.
Only until he saw her, sitting upon his “throne” as it were, did the twisted feeling leave.
“Careful, Isaac,” Leo warns. “I know how to care for my wife.”
“Your track record says otherwise.”
Leo practically snarls, defensiveness crawling up his spine as his hands clench together. “If you want to be pissed with me, go join Jameson at the Italian Lily. Otherwise, watch your mouth in my office. In my home.”
Isaac stiffens only a little at the threat in Leo’s voice. He fists one of his hands, frowning deeply as he exhales a sharp breath. Isaac murmurs, “You didn’t watch her spiral for months. Trying to please you, only to—”
Leo’s hands slam down onto the desk, standing as his rough voice argues, “You may be her bodyguard, but that does not mean you know her better than I. So, when I say she’s fine…she’s fine.”
Blue eyes cut the tense air.
“Why don’t you say what’s actually on your mind?” Leo questions, cocking his head. The men glare at each other, until there’s a quiet knock.
Both instantly school their expressions. Leo stands fully and Isaac adjusts his stance. The door opens with Julio holding his mug of coffee. He raises a brow, glancing between them as he sips his drink.
“Good thing I took the coffee,” he murmurs, going over to sit in one of the chairs. “So you two can go back to your pissing match, you have something for me, boss?”
Isaac scoffs, looking away as he steps further from them. Leo glares at Isaac before reaching into his desk, walking around to hand it to Julio. The biker smirks as he takes Eleanor, and Leo leans back against his desk.
“Use Eleanor to help with the background checks. I want it done for everyone, and then for those in my organizations,” Leo states. “Once you’re done, get it back to me.”
Isaac scowls at the disc, then to Leo. “She approved this? It’s her program.”
Leo ignores him. “Go to her before you leave. You need a code to keep it from self-destructing itself and any computer mainframe it’s in.”
Julio whistles low, putting the disc away as Leo flicks an angry look at Isaac.
“Neither of you breathe a word that it’s being used. To anyone.”
“Even the rest of the Crew?” Julio asks.
“Yes.”
“More secrets, huh?” Isaac mutters. Leo snarls at him, face becoming stonier. Julio only shakes his head, sipping his coffee.
“If I was an idiot, I’d sell this to the government, believe I’d be set for life,” Julio speaks in Spanish, grabbing Leo’s attention. “But I wouldn’t look good with a hole in my head.”
“Is that your only motivation?” Leo asks.
Julio cocks his head, humming again. “No. I have too much respect for our sister…and you.” Leo’s harsh expression doesn’t change.
Isaac grumbles, turning away from them unable to fully understand the language switch. You’d think he’d learn by now, but knowing three other languages always kept him busy.
“Give them a few days, Spartan. Their ego and pride have been hit, but they’re not gonna admit it,” Julio says low.
“What about you?”