Page 17 of Fierce Secrets

"Maybe..." I hesitated, the knot in my stomach growing. "Maybe he's trying to get a restraining order against Gray? But then why contact me?" My brother had always been protective, and Logan knew it. "Or maybe something happened to him?" Why else would a detective be contacting me? My mouth went dry at the thought.

Leo's knuckles.

My breath caught as a chill swept over me. Surely he hadn't…

Sofia's hands stilled for a moment before she continued organizing her impromptu spa day. "Mer, honey, you're overthinking. Just wait until they come, for now, we're going to focus on what we can do, which is to make you feel better."

She had a point, but something still felt off. The timing of the police call, the sudden silence from Logan, the way Sofia seemed completely unbothered by any of it.

"I guess," I said slowly. "But?—"

"No buts." She pressed a face mask into my hands. "The police will come, ask their questions, and leave. Until then, we're going to pamper ourselves because you, my dear, look like you need it. Did you get any sleep last night?"

"A little." I stared at the mask in my hands. "Cucumber or charcoal?"

"Charcoal. You need that deep cleanse energy right now." She was already opening packages. "Plus, I brought wine. We can have one glass for now, need you sober when the cops rock up. Don't worry, everything will be okay."

I let her fuss over me, applying the cool mask to my face, but my mind kept circling back to those stopped messages. To the police call. To the way Sofia kept checking her phone.

Something was happening, something I didn't understand. But as Sofia chatted about the show she'd stuck on and painted my nails a deep burgundy, I decided maybe ignorance was bliss. At least for now.

"There," Sofia said, finishing my last nail. "Perfect. Now, another episode?"

CHAPTER 6

MEREDITH

The police arrived just as Sofia was starting another episode. Roman let them in, his usual stoic expression even more severe as he eyed the two Detectives – a tall man with sharp eyes and a shorter man with salt-and-pepper hair.

"Ms. Cassaro?" The tall detective showed his badge. "I'm Detective Warren, this is Detective Cooper. We'd like to ask you a few questions."

Detective Warren was tall and lean, with sharp features that matched his equally sharp gaze. Everything about him screamed authority, from his perfectly pressed suit to his crew cut and trimmed beard. Detective Cooper, on the other hand, had kind eyes that crinkled at the corners, his salt-and-pepper hair and gentle demeanor reminding me of an old college professor who'd been too kind to us students. The contrast between them was stark.

Sofia's hand found mine as we rose from the couch, our face masks long since removed. Her grip was protective, grounding. Roman remained by the elevator, his massive frame blocking the only exit, arms crossed over his chest as he watched us move to the kitchen island.

"Would you like some water?" I offered automatically, then felt foolish. This wasn't my home to be playing hostess in.

"No, thank you, dear," Cooper said kindly, pulling out his notebook. "Whose residence is this?"

I perched on one of the barstools, trying to stop my hands from trembling. "Leonardo Donati's." Cooper's brow furrowed as he jotted something into his notes.

"You mean Leonardo Donati, CEO of Prospera?" Cooper said as he arched a brow.

"Yes…" I mumbled.

Would Leo be mad I'd allowed officers into his penthouse? I should've told him, at least to alert Roman. I glanced over at the man I'd seen around almost as much as Leo, giving him my best apologetic look. He just nodded but didn't say a word as he watched the Detectives like a hawk.

What was all of this about?

"And you stayed here last night?" Warren's tone held an edge that made my spine stiffen.

"Yes." I swallowed hard. "What's this all about?"

"Did anything unusual occur last night?" he asked, ignoring my question.

"I found my..." My throat tightened, and I sucked in a breath. "My fiancé cheated?—"

"Her fiancé showed his true colors," Sofia cut in, her tone sharp. "Is there a reason you're questioning her like she's done something wrong?"

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