Chapter 7 Ivory Tower #2
Julio chuckles, standing up and sipping his coffee again. “Knew I met my match the day she escaped the hotel. And when it comes to you…I watched you make that decision. Not many men can say they’d choose what you have.”
Julio pats his leather jacket where the disc is. He says, switching back to English, “I’ll keep it safe.”
Isaac turns back to them with a sour look still on his face.
“Oh, and Matteo hasn’t been seen now for over 72 hours,” Julio adds before getting to the door. “Renato’s trackers lost him. Think he landed in another mafia boss’ territory.”
“Renaldi?” Leo asks.
Julio shrugs. “Matteo would be perfect for him to use.”
Leo nods, and then gestures for him to leave. Julio gives a small salute, walking out. The door shuts, leaving Isaac and Leo alone again. Both men stare at the other, scowling deeply. Leo straightens his posture, going back to behind his desk again.
“Want to continue this pissing match or you going to tell me what’s really on your mind?” Leo questions, sitting back down in his chair.
Minutes tick by, before Isaac stalks to the middle of the room and stops. His voice is filled with anger and disdain. “How many times will she have to save your ass before you realize it’ll be what kills her?”
Leo’s entire body tenses. It’s like a sword has been thrust into his gut. A snarl comes over his lips, gaze darkening as he glares at Isaac.
“I do not control her, including what she’s done this week or the past several months.”
“Except she wouldn’t have needed to if you’d told her the damn truth. Like why you fucking married her…Luciano.”
Leo stands up suddenly, almost knocking back his chair.
“Watch it, Isaac.”
“Don’t pretend that you didn’t think about how you’d screw Renato over and your brother by marrying her. She became another chess piece to regain your obsessive control.”
Isaac’s words cut, slicing at Leo. His hands fist upon the desk, trembling with anger and hurt. “Your opinion has no relation to my marriage. Or why.”
“Not even going to deny it?” Anger keeps Leo from answering, boiling through his veins. “Does she even know?”
“Get out, Isaac.”
“She doesn’t, does she?”
“Get. Out.” Leo prowls around his desk, knuckles cracking as he clenches his fist. Isaac flashes his gaze to Leo’s hands, finally showing a twinge of fear at the thunderous rage on his face. “Leave before I do something I may actually regret. Unless you want to hand in your resignation, now.”
Isaac stares at him. Leo stops just in front of his desk, waiting for an answer. Finally, Isaac clears his throat and starts to leave.
“It’s crossed my mind,” Isaac says roughly, and it’s like a stake struck Leo’s chest. “Except, technically, I solely work for her. And I promised to protect her…even if that means from you.” He walks out, the door slamming behind him.
Leo’s chest heaves, each breath heavier than the last as he moves rigidly to his desk and sits down. His hands shake, clenching and unclenching upon the surface. There’s a roaring in his head as he stares at the papers on his desk he forgot to hand over.
A flash of conversation from yesterday comes back, Jameson’s voice echoing in his head.
“Perhaps it’s best if I went back to California. Keep watch over the West Coast operations.”
Matteo. Jameson. Isaac. Who else will leave? Walk away?
Leo sits quietly, feeling the cracks in what he’s built come closer to shattering. His secrets, his long plays now beginning to weigh heavy and taking casualties with them.
There’s a knock at the door, but no one enters after a moment or two passes.
“Given my track record, it may be best to tell me I can come in,” Autumn’s voice sounds through the door.
A sudden snort of laughter hits Leo. “Come in, dear wife. It’s safe.”
Autumn enters, wearing one of her favorite sweaters and jeans.
Her hair has grown out a little, just past her ears with its strands of light brown and auburn.
When she looks at him, concern fills those chestnut brown eyes with gold.
The small dimples she gets from smiling aren’t there, instead she frowns as she approaches.
“Julio know what to do?” Leo asks.
“He shouldn’t destroy the hotel’s mainframe or ruin Owen’s computers,” she smirks, getting him to smile dimly. She comes around his desk. Autumn glances down at his hand, still fisted upon the desk. “Want to talk about it?”
“No.”
Those beautiful eyes meet his, softening. “Okay.”
Autumn takes his hand, putting it between hers as her fingers run over his wedding band. The constriction around his chest eases as he feels her hand upon his. They’re quiet as she holds him, slowly his hands unclench.
“Let’s go play hooky, meaning a bad horror movie marathon.”
“Horror movies?” He asks, looking at her in confusion. “Since when do you watch horror films?”
“Older movies aren’t that scary, and some are funny like Army of Darkness. Or emphasis on bad, to the point of laughing, not screaming like Basket Case or Silent Night, Deadly Night.”
“All of those sound concerning.” Leo stands up, following her out of his office as she tugs him along.
“Don’t worry, I’ll hold your hand. Safe with me, mister.”
“Yes, I am, dear Watson.” She squeezes his hand, door shutting behind them.