Page 66 of Cat and Mouse

"I have a place we can go. Safe."

"Leo—"

"Just trust me, okay?"

I nod, but doubt lingers. "Where are we going?"

"To my place. We can figure everything out there."

Leo pushes the gas pedal down, and we speed away from my apartment. I glance at him, trying to read his expression. He looks fierce, determined.

"I'm so glad you came," I say, breathless.

"Of course I came. You're not going through this alone."

I bite my lip, my mind racing. What the hell just happened?

As we drive through the night, I try to calm my racing thoughts. I can't shake the feeling that this isn't over. Not by a long shot.

Chapter 18 - Leo

I kick the front door open, carrying her in my arms like some goddamn hero in a cheesy action movie. Elizabeth glares at me, squirming like she thinks she can just walk it off.

"Put me down, Leo," she snaps, her hands pushing against my chest. "I'm not an invalid."

"I know you're not," I mutter, stepping over the threshold and kicking the door shut behind me. I can feel her wince every time my foot hits the floor, but she keeps quiet. Stubborn as hell. I take her straight to the couch, ignoring her huffs and complaints. "But humor me, will ya?"

She crosses her arms, glaring up at me. "I don't need to be carried around like some princess."

"Trust me, you don't look like a princess right now," I smirk, running my eyes over her—dirt smudged on her face, face creased with pain. Tough. "You look like someone who almost got killed."

"Thanks for the compliment." She rolls her eyes. "By the way… how rich are you exactly?"

I laugh, not expecting the question. "That's what you wanna know? After everything?"

She raises an eyebrow. "Seems like a good time to ask. You have guards, private security, a fancy car. Should I be worried?"

I glance over my shoulder as Matteo walks in, a glass of whiskey in hand, looking like he's stepped out of a noir film. He takes a sip, eyes on Elizabeth.

"You alright?" he asks, sounding casual, but there's an edge to his voice. He knows tonight was too damn close.

Elizabeth's eyes widen, then narrow. "Officer Matteo?" She pushes herself off the couch, wobbling a little. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Before she can storm over to him, I catch her arm. "Liz, we can explain later. It's the middle of the night, and you just got attacked. Let's get ahead of this."

"I don't need you—" she starts, but I'm done with the arguing. In one quick motion, I lift her over my shoulder like a caveman.

"Leo! Put me down!" She pounds her fists against my back, but I ignore her.

"Give me at least 30 minutes," I say over my shoulder as I carry her toward my bedroom. "Then we'll talk. Just… relax, alright?"

She's still cursing me out when I set her down on the bed. I ignore the way she glares at me like she wants to stab me. I lock the door behind me as I leave and find Matteo waiting in the hallway with a couple of my men. The tension in the air is thick, almost suffocating.

"How is she?" Matteo asks, looking past me toward the bedroom.

"She'll be fine," I say, running a hand through my hair. "Shaken. But she'll pull through."

Matteo takes another sip of his whiskey, his eyes narrowing. "You sure it's a good idea for a cop to be staying here? She's gonna ask questions, Leo."

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