Page 67 of Cat and Mouse

I jab a finger into his chest, not caring about the damn uniform he wears. "The force is fucking useless, Matteo. She could've died tonight."

Matteo doesn't flinch, just stares at me like he's used to this. "You think it's Rossiani?"

"There's no one else." My voice is low, more dangerous than I intend. "That bastard must've made the connection between me and her… or her and Whitmore. Either way, she's not leaving my sight."

Matteo exhales, rubbing a hand over his face. "Alright. What do you want me to do?"

"Gather some of our men. Patrol her place. If anyone so much as breathes near that building, I wanna know."

He nods. "Consider it done."

I step back, letting out a long breath. "I know you've been through a lot, Matteo."

He shakes his head, meeting my eyes with that unwavering loyalty I've come to expect from him. "Boss, anything for you."

With that, he heads out, and I'm left standing there, heart still racing from the thought of what could've happened tonight. She could've been killed.

I unlock the door and go back into the bedroom, my mind buzzing with everything. When I step in, she's sitting at the edge of the bed, arms wrapped around herself like she's trying to hold everything together. I swallow hard.

"Hey, Lizzie," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

She stands up, eyes blazing. "What the hell is Matteo doing here? Is he the mole?"

I sigh, running my hands over my face. "Sit."

"I'm not sitting," she snaps, crossing her arms. "I want answers."

"Liz—"

"Now, Leo."

I stare at her, and something in me cracks. "I'll give you answers, I promise. But first…" I take a step closer, my eyes scanning her body. "I need to make sure you're okay."

I reach for her, my hands shaking as they check her arms, her face. I don't know what I'm looking for—some reassurance, something to tell me she's just fine. She catches my hands, and for a second, we're both frozen.

"Leo," she says softly, pulling my hand to her chest. "Look at me. I'm here."

Her heart beats steady beneath my palm, and my breathing begins to calm, the knot in my stomach slowly unraveling.

"I thought—" I start, but my voice breaks. "I thought he'd gotten to you. After my father… Cazzo.I can't lose you, too."

She steps closer, her breath warm against my neck. "I'm here," she whispers again, her lips brushing the base of my throat. "You kept me safe."

I can't help it. The truth tumbles out of my mouth before I can stop it. "He killed my father. And I thought you were next."

She goes still, her hand frozen on my chest. "Leo…" she whispers, her voice catching. "I'm so sorry."

I pull her closer, burying my face in her hair, inhaling the familiar scent of her. "You're here," I murmur.

Her lips press against the side of my neck, sending a wave of warmth through me. "I'm here," she says again, more firmly this time, like she's trying to cement the idea into my head. "I'm not going anywhere."

I cup her face, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. Her lips part, but no words come out. Instead, she leans in and kisses me softly, her hands sliding into my hair, grounding me, anchoring me to this moment.

I pull away first, breathless. "Liz, I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."

"I'm here, Leo," she repeats, her voice steady and strong now. "You're stuck with me."

I laugh, shaking my head. "You're a stubborn pain in the ass, you know that?"

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