Page 18 of Fierce Secrets

Warren's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"

"Sofia Savoca. Her best friend."

Something flickered in Warren's eyes at Sofia's last name, but Cooper stepped forward, his presence softening the tension.

"My apologies, Ms. Savoca. We just need to establish a timeline," he said gently before focusing back on me. "Ms. Cassaro, can you walk us through last night?"

"I got home around six. I wanted to surprise Logan with dinner." The memory made my stomach turn. I'd abandoned the takeout I'd gotten from his favorite place when I'd run out. "When I got to our bedroom..."

"Take your time," Cooper encouraged when I faltered.

"She found that waste of space in bed with some office tramp," Sofia interjected, her hand squeezing mine.

"And then what happened?" Warren pressed.

"I left. Called my brother, but he was out of town. He sent Leo – Mr. Donati – to pick me up." I glanced at Sofia, who was giving the two Detectives a studious look. She didn't appear impressed by their questions.

"And Mr. Donati was with you the entire evening?" Warren's gaze was piercing, accusatory.

My stomach twisted. Before I could respond, the elevator dinged, and the atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

Leo strode in, his presence immediately filling the room, and even Warren seemed to straighten. He commanded attention without effort, his tailored suit and cold demeanor drawing all eyes to him. "What's this about?"

"Mr. Donati." Cooper turned, clearly designated as the diplomatic one, but his expression shifted for a moment before he masked it. "We were just asking Ms. Cassaro about last night."

"Why?" The single word carried weight, and both detectives exchanged glances.

"Where were you last night, sir?"

"Here with Meredith, though I did go out for dinner." Leo's voice was ice. "I have the receipts. Roman can verify my movements."

"We'll need those receipts." Warren's eyes moved down to Leo's hands, where his split knuckles could be seen.

My heart thundered against my ribs. "What's this about? Why are you asking these questions?" The words came out breathy, panic already clawing at my chest.

I had a feeling I already knew.

Detective Warren's stern expression softened as he glanced at me, a crack in his professional veneer. "Mr. Mitchell was admitted to the emergency room last night. He suffered a severe beating."

The room tilted, Sofia's grip on my arm the only thing anchoring me. "What?" I gasped.

"He refused to name his attacker," Warren continued, his eyes having returned to Leo despite apparently speaking to me, studying his reaction. "But a woman – we believe the same woman you found him with – suggested it might be connected to you."

Bile rose in my throat. That woman, the one who'd been writhing beneath my fiancé—ex-fiancé—last night, had gone to the hospital with him? The image of her holding his hand, comforting him while he lay broken in a hospital bed, made my stomach turn. Had he called her instead of me? While I'd been ignoring his desperate messages, had he turned to her for comfort? The home-wrecker who'd shattered my life?

No, it wasn't her fault. Unless she knew about me, then they were both at fault. Logan was the one in the wrong, but now…

"Fuck," I whispered, the word escaping before I could stop it.

"That's enough." Leo's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts like a blade. He moved closer, his presence solid and intimidating behind me. "Ms. Cassaro has been through enough. If you have more questions, direct them to me."

The authority in his tone left no room for argument. Even Warren seemed to yield, although his focus was all on Leo right now.

"We have plenty of questions for you, Mr.—"

"Of course." Detective Cooper cut Warren off as he pulled out a card, his kind eyes full of sympathy as he slid it across the counter to me. "We'll be in touch. Warren, let's go."

"Here's my direct number." Leo's business card joined Cooper's, the expensive design, simple with just his name and number imprinted in gold on a black matte background, looked oddly intimidating next to the Detective's one. "I'm happy to help in any way I can." The words held a double edge that made me grit my teeth as Cooper nodded and picked it up.

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