Chapter 8 Time for Change
Time for Change
Autumn
Not sure how Rapunzel did it, but BDSM, languages, and bad movies is how I got through being stuck in my tower. A whole week we stayed home, not leaving. Then again it is a fucking penthouse not my old apartment we were holed up in.
My anxiety has waned through the days, but Leo has been unusually calm.
He’s taken a few calls here and there, but has barely spent over an hour in his office since Julio and Isaac visited.
The only person we’ve seen since then is Xavier when he delivered groceries.
No other sighting of the Crew. I’m unsure if that’s a good thing or a bad omen.
I peek over my book about Italy to Leo in the kitchen. He’s cooking pasta carbonara for dinner, wearing a t-shirt and slacks with a towel thrown over his shoulder. His brow scrunches in concentration, moving fluidly through the kitchen.
It’s the most relaxed I’ve seen him in well…weeks.
I bring my legs up, sitting on the couch as I lay my head on my knees, watching him.
A smile grows on me as he grabs a pan. Sweat glistens over his tattoos, making them shine in the kitchen’s lamplight.
I’m still very much staring when Leo pauses, looking over at me.
A smirk plays over his lips. He brings a hand up, gesturing for me to come over.
Happily, I set the book aside and get off the couch to walk over to him. Halfway there, I run and slide across the floor in my socks. Leo smiles. When I’m close enough, he snakes his arm around my waist.
“Is my cooking fascinating you, dear Watson?” He brushes his mouth over the shell of my ear.
“One way to put it.” I place my arms around his neck, hugging him. “You’re just so pretty to look at, mister.”
He kisses my neck. “And you’re an enthralling beauty, my dear wife.”
I giggle, leaning back to grin up at him. Although I’m giggling and smiling, my heart flutters as heat simmers low in arousal. My body thrums as his hand skims over my waist.
“Shouldn’t you be paying attention to the food?” I ask, trying to act more interested in dinner.
“I’m not being a distraction.”
I mock gasp at him. “I’m not a distraction!”
Leo swiftly grabs the back of my neck, gently yanking me to him and kisses me.
His tongue skims over my lips, and I sigh as he deepens the fervent kiss.
All of me wants to melt into his arms, but it’s over too soon as he breaks away.
Hazel eyes gaze down at me. I smile faintly, and then glance at the pasta he’s making.
“Back to the real world tomorrow, huh?”
He traces a finger along my jaw, then nods.
I inhale deeply. “Well, knew it wouldn’t last forever up here.”
“We still have time,” he whispers, kissing my cheek. Leo takes my left hand, kissing my knuckles and does it twice above my rings. A bit of sadness comes, realizing we’ll have to hide the rings again. I take his left hand next, stroking my thumb over his ring, and kiss his hand like he did mine.
I remain next to Leo as he finishes dinner, watching him as I try to focus on the moment.
In my heart, I know it’s not our last dinner together, but warning prickles my skin.
What’s outside these walls could tear us apart again.
Of course, I knew this peace was temporary, lucky we had this week to be together after such a horrific turn of events. I wanted it so bad to last longer.
I shove away the concerning thoughts, staying present as my husband and I have dinner like any other night. Except, I can’t stop the quick looks to the door as if the wolves would arrive any moment.
The elevator doors open. Xavier stands in his usual spot, smiling with a nod as we exit.
Leo’s hand brushes over the small of my back, leading us into the lobby.
I grin back to Xavier as we walk out into the rainy morning.
Leo is dressed in his usual attire—black suit with a dark button-up and shiny black shoes.
His severe expression and the stubble along his jaw are the perfect accessories.
Meanwhile, I’m in jeans, an over-sized Metallica t-shirt, denim jacket, and converse.
One of us is going to a slew of meetings, while the other is having a salon day.
For the safety of clients and crime bosses, I’m the one with the hair and nail appointment.
Rudy stands outside our SUV, Chesty sitting in the front seat. Animal and Owen are in another car behind ours.
“Gutentag, barchen,” Rudy greets, opening the door for us.
“Gutentag. Danke.” I smile, climbing in.
Leo speaks a moment with Rudy, then follows in after me. Door shutting, Chesty looks over his shoulder and grins at me. “Hey sister, nice little break?”
“Yeah, it was. How’s your injury?”
“Still kicking.” He waves it off as Rudy gets into the car, who murmurs something to Chesty as we pull off.
“How many languages are you learning, dear Watson?” Leo asks faintly.
“Well, I’m already fluent in sarcasm,” I smirk, and he snorts. “Mostly Spanish with Alba and Charlotte. Italian. And don’t tell Rudy, but I’m behind on my German.”
Leo takes my hand, holding it casually as he leans back. Suddenly, he starts speaking in German and Rudy chuckles in response. I lightly smack Leo’s thigh. He smiles faintly, eyes glimmering with mischief.
“Show off,” I grumble.
He presses his face against my hair, kissing there before he travels down to the crook of my neck. Leo remains nuzzled there as I look up, noticing Chesty glancing over his shoulder at us. He turns away with a smile.
My hand brushes over the pocket where my wedding band hides. Leo’s is hidden inside one of his pockets, too. Neither of us could bear leaving them behind, both deciding to carry them close for comfort. Just hope it won’t be another 3-4 months of hiding them.
The rest of the drive is relatively quiet. We arrive at the hotel, pulling into the garage where a handful of men stand along with Mila wearing her usual stoic attitude. I loosen a breath, preparing to separate myself from Leo again.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he says low as Chesty and Rudy exit the car. “If you need anything, call me or contact Ringer.”
I give a puzzled look. I’ve never gone through Rudy to contact him before. It’s usually through Isaac or Jameson. I quickly school my expression, nodding as I realize how strained the relationships may be.
“Okay,” I say, kissing his cheek. “Maybe next time you see me I’ll have long hair again.” His brows shoot up, then scrunch as he stares at my hair. I start to giggle, getting out of the car. “Finally, something with fashion I can stump you on.”
“Are you planning to wear a wig?” He asks, leaving the car.
I begin to walk around the car, noticing the small horde of mobsters across the way. All of them stiffen when they see us, more so when Leo scowls at them before turning towards me.
“No, extensions,” I answer as he comes closer.
“Whatever you decide, dear Watson,” Leo murmurs, brushing a kiss across my temple. “Don’t leave the hotel. I love you.”
“Love you, mister.”
Leo lingers a moment; hazel eyes look at me with concern.
Gently, he brushes a few strands of my hair behind my ear.
He then straightens, bringing forth that commanding presence of his in an instant.
He walks away with Rudy, Animal, and Owen, who come up beside him as they reach Mila.
She joins them as they head for the elevators.
My chest tightens watching him leave, fear inching its way towards me.
My breath catches as Chesty comes up beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“How bad is everything?”
“It’s not bad.”
“Chesty,” I mutter, folding my arms over my chest. “Come on.”
He scratches his beard, adjusting his beard beads.
“No, really. One dead boss, no one really had loyalties to. The other, well, would’ve been killed the moment Finstrum left this building.
Mob families are inwardly fighting with each other, which means not our problem.
For now. Still gotta watch our backs, always do, but they’ll do whatever they’re told not to lose more money or cocks at this point. ”
I snort with a small chuckle under my breath. “And everything else?”
“Change ain’t easy, sister. Especially to a group of bikers.”
We head towards the elevator, and I go to put my pin in, but remember it was changed. I redo it, getting on, and then hit the floor for the salon. “Where’s Isaac?”
“Already up there,” he answers. I glance over to him as he does. “Know what happened between him and Spartan?”
“No. Just that he was grouchy when he left.”
Chesty hums, nodding a little. “Well, if you plan on goin’ back to kicking groins instead of shootin’ them, let me know. He does have a history with ya on that.”
“You think it was that bad?” I ask. He shrugs. Great.
“He’s been quieter than one of those European bikes he used to ride.”
“Speaking of bikes…” and me not ready to tackle whatever happened with Isaac yet, “…any updates on what’s salvageable up north?”
“Nah, not yet. We’ll send someone trustworthy up soon.”
The doors open and we walk out into the somewhat busy floor. Isaac stands quietly near the reception desk, eyes averting from mine as we approach. Oh, wonderful sign. Not.
Wanda sees me, giving a wide smile. “Autumn! Oh, it’s good to see you! Are you alright?”
My heart drops. None of the hotel employees should know what—
“They think it was a normal attempted kidnapping,” Chesty whispers near my ear.
Right. Yeah. Normal, meaning me being engaged to a hotel mogul. Don’t need a reminder how normal that can be.
“I’m fine, long couple of weeks, but okay,” I answer as she comes around to give me a hug. I gratefully take the warm gesture.
“There were rumors about hotel staff being involved,” she whispers, pulling back as her copper hair bounces. “Is that true?”
“I can’t really talk about it, but no…they just snuck in,” I lie, not wanting more panic.