Page 67 of Fierce Secrets

"Whatever you do decide, when you do, I'll support. You want to run away to some small town in buttfuck nowhere, I'll go too. We'll change our names and start completely fresh, no ties to Ironstone. I'll make it work for us, promise. We can be little florists or bookshop owners or some crap." She grinned as she imagined it, and I snorted.

"God, I love you, you're the best."

"I know." She winked before laughing. "I love you too, Mer. We're sisters nowadays, and family looks out for one another."

I bobbed my head, thinking of Gray now. He'd always looked out for me too. He'd hate it if I ran and cut him off. He'd always wonder about me. Maybe I'd tell him my plans but not say where before cutting him off. I'd never be able to reach out or update him. I'd lose him forever.

And that thought hurt deep.

Was I willing to lose both him and Leo?

Sof's phone sounded off, and she snatched it up. "Hello?"

I watched as she nodded and confirmed a few things. She finally hung up, and I leaned forward in anticipation.

"So, Andrew Sullivan," she started, setting her phone down. "Looks like life hasn't been kind to him lately. His company went under six months ago after some nasty allegations, all which were proved true – embezzlement, sleeping with his secretary, the works. His wife left him, took everything she could in the divorce. He's facing bankruptcy. He's still trying to do Accounting from home, but it's not working out for him."

"So he's desperate for money," I murmured, pieces starting to click into place. I'd been right then, he was in a tough spot and desperate.

"Do you think he knows who he's really dealing with?" I asked, twisting a strand of hair nervously. "What the Donati family is capable of?"

Sofia chewed her lip. "I'm not sure. I mean, he waited this long to blackmail, so he's had the records and stuff. Makes me think he did know and was too scared, but kept it as a backup plan for such a time as now. Although, if he really knows the Donati's, he'd know that's a damn stupid idea. They're not a family to blackmail. But Mer, I think we should tell Gray and Leo. They need to know. My guys couldn't find him linked withany bad guys, so it might just be him. And if so, they can sort that out easily enough."

"If we do that, Andrew Sullivan might end up dead." Leo was not one to take anything lightly, even I knew that. Andrew had threatened to out him, and that was not someone you did to a damn made man. "He's just desperate, he doesn't deserve to die. Sure, he's no saint," I added, having been in his wife's position. "Anyone would be desperate given his situation."

"Yeah, I know. He may be a cheating lowlife, but death is too much," Sof agreed. "We could just tell Gray then. He can handle it a bit more civilly. Or, y'know ask Leo super nicely not to?—"

Sudden pounding on the door cut her off. Roman's voice carried through: "Ms. Cassaro!"

My phone rang simultaneously – Gray's name flashing on the screen. Sofia rushed to let Roman in while I answered.

"Gray?"

"We got intel." His voice was tight, controlled, not bothering to address the tension we had. Whatever this was, it outweighed that. "Someone's coming after you. You need to move. Now."

"What? Why?" My heart thundered against my ribs as I shot to my feet.

"I'm not sure, but Sofia's place is compromised. We need to get you somewhere safe."

The urgency in his voice made my blood run cold. Was this because I'd called Andrew Sullivan? Was I here trying to protect a man who was now coming after me?

Or was this something else entirely? Something to do with Gray or Leo?

Whatever it was, if he wasn't taking it lightly, then neither would I.

"Okay, got it. Roman's here," I said as Roman stormed into the room like a man on a mission, ready to usher us to safety.

"Perfect, go with him. I'll see you soon. We'll get to the bottom of this, Mer. I'm sorry you're so tangled up in our mess lately. I never wanted any of this to happen, for you to get involved. Please know that."

I hated how defeated he sounded right now, and my heart pulled as I followed Roman outside. I knew Gray only wanted to take care of me and look out for me.

"I know, it's okay. We'll figure it all out," I assured him.

"We will. You just stay safe. I love you."

"I love you too, Gray." A part of me wanted to say I understood and forgave him for what he did, but the words caught in my throat. The chance was gone as he hung up, and I glanced at Sof, noticing she'd grabbed my duffel bag on the way out.

Roman hurried us to the car, his usual composed demeanor replaced by sharp urgency.

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