Page 22 of Fierce Secrets

"—non mi piace che vengano qui." Leo's voice was low, controlled, but held an edge of anger.I didn't like them coming here.My Italian was rusty, but I caught enough to make my stomach sink. Gray and I had been taught it growing up despite our American mother. Our father had said we’d needed to remain true to our roots despite her lack of Italian heritage, and since she’d passed, it was best for us to focus on our living heritage.

At least she’d given us our names, although our father had never been big on the non-Italian names.

"Occupatene."Handle it.The word drew me out of my random thoughts.

So he wasn't happy with the Detectives coming. Would he be arrested for what he'd done when they learned he was lying?

He'd not told them the truth. Then again, he'd not entirely lied. He'd just withheld some things, and they'd not asked directly. Detective Cooper had cut the entire thing short, which had been a little odd now that I thought of it. His whole attitude had shifted once Leo had shown up, but he'd still been soft to me.

Did they think I was in danger or something? Was that why Cooper hadn't pushed but had given me his card?

The elevator's soft ding made my heart skip a beat, and I retreated quickly, trying to look casual as I emerged from the hallway. Roman stepped out, his dark eyes taking me in carefully.

Was he going to tell Leo I was in the hall, possibly eavesdropping?

"How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice gentler than I expected. I knew Roman from over the years whenever he'dcollect Leo or relay things to him, but I'd never gotten to know him on a deeper level.

"I'm..." I trailed off, not sure how to finish that sentence. Fine? Terrified? Confused? Not sure how to feel after learning what Leo had done?

He nodded as if I'd actually answered. "I need to speak with Leo."

"Of course." I checked my phone again and opened up my blocked list, thumb hovering over Logan's blocked number. Part of me wanted to check on him, to make sure he was really okay. But the image of him with that woman flashed through my mind, followed quickly by the memory of Leo's split knuckles.

I lowered the phone as Roman passed me, and I moved to sit on the couch, staring over the city uneasily. How was Leo going to handle this situation? Detective Warren was clearly suspicious. Would Leo get time if he was charged? Logan would have to press charges, and he didn't sound willing from what they'd said.

Was he really that scared of Leo?

I glanced towards the hall as I worried my lower lip.

Maybe I should be scared of him too, of what he was capable of. So why on earth did I not feel that way? Why had him hurting Logan oddly pleased me in some sick sense? Was it revenge and justice in my eyes? It wasn't like Logan had physically hurt me.

Leo and Roman returned a few minutes later, their expressions giving nothing away. Roman gave me a slight nod before disappearing into the elevator, while Leo turned his attention to me.

"You should get ready. We'll head to your brother's soon."

"Right." I nodded, moving to the bags Sofia had brought. I had no idea what else to say, my mind a jumbled mess. I wanted to talk about the elephant in the room, of why he'd gone after Logan, why he felt the need to protect me. I wanted to knowwhat he'd done before, why my memories were so fragmented and out of reach.

But instead, I focused on the items in the bag from Sofia, unable to form any words right now. The first thing I pulled out was an elegant burgundy sweater dress – one of my favorites that I'd left at her place months ago. She'd packed everything I might need, down to matching heels and jewelry. There was even a small makeup bag with my preferred products.

Tears pricked at my eyes. Sofia had always known exactly what I needed, even when I didn't know myself.

"Everything okay?" Leo's voice was closer than I expected.

I clutched the dress to my chest, not turning around. "Yeah, just... Sofia thought of everything."

"She's a good friend."

His tone made me look up. His face was carefully blank, but there was something in his eyes – something that made me wonder just how much he knew about Sofia and her family.

Just how much I didn't know about any of them.

I felt like I was completely in the dark right now, with how Leo had behaved, with how Sofia had acted with the police.

I was missing something, and I knew it now. I wanted to talk to my brother, to finally have someone tell me what was going on, why things felt so off.

"I'll go get ready," I mumbled, gathering the clothes and retreating to the bathroom.

As I paused at the hall, I dared a glance back, and caught Leo watching me with that same intense expression he'd worn when the police had questioned him.

---