Page 5 of Fierce Secrets

CHAPTER 2

MEREDITH

Leo's penthouse took up the entire top floor of one of the city's most exclusive buildings. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the city's glittering skyline, but I barely registered it as I stood in the entrance, arms wrapped around myself. Leo's jacket was too big on me, but the expensive material was soft and incredibly warm.

"You'll stay here for now." Leo's voice was clipped as he locked the door behind us.

I blinked as I watched him loosen his tie and check his phone. Why was he being so nice? It was the nicest he'd ever been to me really. I swallowed, feeling awfully small in this large apartment.

The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving me hollow and tired.

"I'll take the couch," I mumbled, taking in the minimalist design of his living space. Everything was sleek, modern, and probably cost more than my yearly salary times ten.

"No." The single word was not one to be argued. "You'll take my bed. I have work to do anyway in my office."

"Leo, I can't?—"

"You can and you will." He moved past me, his presence filling the space in a way that made my breath catch. "Thebathroom has fresh towels. Take a shower, or better yet, a bath. You need to unwind."

I followed him down the hallway, noting the lack of personal touches. No photos, no art, nothing that revealed anything about the man who lived here. Just pristine white walls and black marble floors.

"I don't have any clothes," I said softly, stopping in the doorway of what had to be his bedroom. Like everything else, it was immaculate – a king-sized bed with charcoal sheets, a view of the city that probably cost millions.

Leo's jaw ticked as he moved to a dresser, pulling out what looked like a t-shirt and sweatpants. "These will do for now."

Just as he handed them to me, his phone rang. The ringtone was specific, one he'd set when we were teens – Grayson's. It was oddly warming to hear it, to know he still had it, perhaps a hint at a touch of sentimentalism.

Leo answered immediately, his voice low and controlled.

Gray's voice was too muffled for me to make out, but Leo looked out the window over the city as he took in his words before turning back my way.

I stared down at the clothes he'd given me, knowing damn well I'd be lucky to keep the sweatpants on. I'd have to do up the drawstring tight.

"She's with me now." Leo's tone held something possessive, something that made me look up sharply. He extended the phone toward me, his face expressionless. "Your brother wants to know what happened."

I took the phone with trembling fingers. "Gray?"

"Mer, what the hell happened? Are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't talk before, I was in a meeting."

"It's okay, I understand. I..." My voice cracked as the reality of the situation hit me again. "I came home early. Found Logan in bed with someone from his office."

"That fucking—" Grayson's curse was cut off by the sound of something slamming. "I'm going to hang him by his balls."

Behind me, Leo moved to a small bar cart in his room, pouring what looked like whiskey into a crystal glass. His shoulders were rigid, but he kept his back to me, giving me the illusion of privacy.

"All my stuff is there," I whispered, a sob breaking free. "Everything I own..."

"Don't worry about that right now," Grayson's voice softened. "We'll handle it. You just stay with Leo."

"Okay," I said, watching as Leo knocked back his drink in one smooth motion.

"Take a shower, try to relax. Put on some music – you still have those meditation playlists?" Grayson's tone was gentle now.

I nodded, then remembered he couldn't see me. "Yeah."

"You got a grip on it?" The question was loaded with meaning. He was asking about the panic attacks, the anxiety that had plagued me for years. From a childhood I'd blocked out. Something my therapist was working on helping me unlock, although I'd not been seeing her as much lately, not with Logan telling me she was a waste of money.

"I'm okay," I assured him as I clutched Leo's clothes to my chest. "I know I'm safe here." It was a strange thing to say, but I did feel safe here, especially after seeing Roman down by the elevator at his own desk. Leo's security guard had been around as long as I'd known him, and he usually drove Leo around too. Why had Leo been out on his own tonight?

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