Page 74 of Cat and Mouse

"Mia cara,have I ever tried to kill you?" I laugh, a deep, throaty sound that echoes in the bathroom.

She looks up at me, biting her lip, and I can't resist leaning in again. Our lips meet, and it's softer this time, gentler, but still just as intense.

We end up back in the bedroom, making out like a couple of damn teenagers who don't have a care in the world. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and I trail kisses down her neck, feeling the shivers running through her. It's almost innocent compared to earlier, but it's just as powerful. Eventually, she pulls back, resting her forehead against mine.

"What the hell are we doing?"

I smirk. "No idea. But I'm not complaining."

She sighs, but there's a smile playing on her lips. "I don't think I've ever met someone as confusing as you."

"Confusing? Me? Nah, I'm an open book."

She snorts, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, sure."

We lie there for a while, the silence comfortable for once. Her head rests on my chest, and I absentmindedly run myfingers through her hair, thinking about the future—about what the hell happens next.

"You know," she says softly, breaking the silence, "I've never really done this before."

I glance down at her, my brow furrowing. "Done what?"

"Been... in a relationship." Her voice is barely audible, but I hear it. It hits me harder than I expected.

I don't say anything for a moment, just pull her closer, kissing the top of her head. "Well, stick around. I'll show you how."

She laughs softly, the sound muffled against my chest, but I can tell she's not just laughing at me. She's laughing because she actually believes it.

And maybe, just maybe, so do I.

Chapter 21 - Elizabeth

I wake up alone.

The first thing I notice is the empty space next to me where Leonardo should be. The sheets are cold, and a lazy smile tugs at my lips. No note, no text—typical. He leaves without a word, but that's not surprising.

I sit up, stretching, feeling the ache from last night. The man knows how to ruin a perfectly good night's sleep. I get up, heading to the shower. The water is hot, steam fogging up the glass, and my mind drifts back to his question last night. Marco's mole. I shut my eyes, trying to piece it together. During the attack at Jose Herrera's, it was just me, Matteo, and Mike Russo there. Mike. He's been as close to this investigation as I have. Maybe even closer. He's been in the thick of things with Marco, too. Could he be the mole?

I need to be sure.

After the shower, I dry off, throw on a simple black dress that Leo left for me, and head downstairs. Matteo's already at the table, drinking coffee and scrolling through his phone. He glances up when I walk in, lifting his brow in surprise.

"Where's Leo?" I ask, grabbing a cup of coffee for myself.

Matteo sips from his mug, leaning back in his chair. "Work. Where else?"

Of course. I sit across from him, eyeing the spread of food on the table. I don't trust Matteo. Not after the shit he pulled, lying to me like that. But right now, I need him.

"What about you? Why aren't you at work?" I ask, taking a bite of toast.

He shrugs. "Leo gave me a break after the attack. Figured I needed some time to heal."

I narrow my eyes. He's healed plenty, but whatever. "You seen my phone?"

Matteo squints at me. "Why? You gonna call someone?"

I give him a sharp look. "I need to check in with someone. You owe me, remember?"

He groans, running a hand through his hair. "Don't get me killed, okay?" He mutters something under his breath and disappears upstairs.

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