Page 46 of Leo, My Partner

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Got it. Thanks, Blu.”

We hang up, and I head back to the house to retrieve Ty. When I walk in, he’s just wrapping the dough and sliding it into the fridge. He smiles over at me, saying, “Just in time. I’ll leave the dough for a few hours, then we can get started baking everything else. If you want, we can make them in the morning so they’re fresh, along with everything else. Or we can?—”

“I love you.” Blu told me to be sure before I said it, and I am. I’m surer about my feelings—even though they’re new and uncharted—than I have been of anything else in my life. I’ve probably been in love with Ty since our first date, if I’m analyzing the emotion I felt then correctly. It’s not just obsession, it’s more. Deeper. More meaningful.

His eyes bulge, and he puts a hand on his chest. “Come again,” Ty squeaks.

“I said—” I take long strides over to him until I have him in my arms “—I love you. I’m in love with you, Tyshawn Glassby.”

“Really?” His eyes are still as round as saucers. “I mean, you said you don’t feel normal emotions. Love is a normal emotion. I don’t want you to feel like you have to fake things with me. I can feel love enough for both of us. But I don’t want you to think your feelings aren’t valid. They are. So okay. If you mean it, then yes.”

“Yes, what?” I ask simply.

“I love you too,” is his immediate response, and it makes me glow deep within my chest. Holy fuck. It’s the first time anyone has told me they loved me. Maybe my parents said it when I was too young to remember, but I’ve never heard those words directed at me in my life.

Gathering him in my arms, I kiss him deeply, hoping to convey the entirety of my feelings for him, more than what three words could encompass. Ty is my everything.

When I release his lips, his eyes are shining. “Who would have thought the man I fell for would teach me how to kill people?”

I bark a laugh, kissing his forehead before lacing our fingers together. “I’ll teach you anything you want to know. You’re my partner now, kotenok.” With one more kiss, I pull him to the bedroom so we can get packed up for his first lesson in firearms.

CHAPTER 16

TYSHAWN

Partner. I’m his partner, and he’s mine. God, I love the sound of that.

Even if it’s just when it comes to murder.

I never thought I’d want to kill someone, that I’d want to take a life, erase someone from existence. But after Michael, knowing there are more people like him than the law can deal with—if the law even works half the fucking time—made me want to do something. Leo and his cousin are doing something. Granted, Leo kills random people too, but that’s not the point. I have a partner that wants me to work with him, ridding the world of scum that slips through the cracks.

The morning air feels good on my skin. I tip my head back and peek at the fluffy clouds that are just visible through the thick canopy of the tree foliage. It’s lovely here, peaceful. A little too isolated for me to enjoy full time, but it’s a nice getaway. The quiet and seclusion are great decompressors.

“So pretty out here,” I mutter, hopping over a tree root as thick as my arm. “But I do miss the city.”

“We’ll go back soon. I could take you to a shooting range near my condo, but I wouldn’t be able to bring all my guns with me.”

I nod, following behind Leo and staring at his ass. Fuck, his ass is so nice. A perfect fucking squat booty. “Where do you go to the gym?” I ask, my eyes still locked on that peach in front of me.

“My building has a gym with top-of-the-line equipment. I haven’t been since the day before we came here. I’m slacking.”

“Me too. Though I didn’t have a choice since someone kidnapped me.” I wink at Leo when he turns to look at me.

He lowers the bag in a clearing with a bunch of tree stumps at differing heights and distances. “Yeah, well, look at you now. Learning how to kill people. So maybe you shouldn’t complain.”

My smile is wide. “Hey, that’s not the tone you take with your partner. I’m sensitive.”

Leo laughs and wraps an arm around me, pulling me tight to his body. “I probably should apologize for kidnapping you, but I can’t say I’m sorry.”

“Neither am I,” I mutter before I stand on tiptoe and peck him on the lips. “What are we starting with?”

Rummaging through the bag, Leo pulls out a handgun. “This is a Glock 19. A semi-automatic handgun. This is great for beginners.” He slaps it in my hand and starts to describe the weight and all the other specs. I pay rapt attention, making sure to take it all in. He won’t quiz me on it, but I want him to know I’m attentive when he’s going through the trouble of telling me. His face radiates seriousness, a far cry from the jovial expression he usually wears. “It holds fifteen rounds in a normal magazine, but it can hold extended magazines. Most people use these guns for home security, so they usually keep it to a fifteen round mag.”

“What is this one?”

“Fifteen rounds. Now, the first rule to shooting a gun is treat it like it’s loaded. Point it only at your target and keep your hand off the trigger until you’re aiming it at your target.” I nod, moving my finger from the trigger.

He teaches me a good stance, how to grip the weapon and proper aim. It’s a lot to take in, but I’m liking this training business. Leo is so serious, and it’s hot as fuck.

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