Page 20 of Fierce Secrets

There was something heavy in those words, something that made me wonder just what Sofia knew about Leo that I didn't. Did she also think he'd done this to Logan? Did she even care?

Something told me she really didn't care about Logan right now. She'd always been a harder woman than me, able to take on situations that would've made me freeze. She'd been that way ever since I met her, and she'd said it was from growing up with brothers. I'd argued, considering I'd grown up with one, but she'd said it was different, Grayson was softer with me. He’d taken on a parental role since he'd had to step up with our shitty dad, then completely take over when he died.

"You can come back after if you want, just call ahead," Leo said after a moment as Sofia was already heading for the elevator.

"Depends on what's going on with work, looks like it might be a late shift I need to cover." She pressed the button, then turned back. "Just... take care of her."

The doors closed on her pointed look, leaving me alone with Leo and all my growing questions.

Silence settled over the penthouse. Leo headed to the kitchen area, focusing on the bar section, and I couldn't hold back anymore. I jumped up, joining him and leaned on the island behind him.

"Did you do that to Logan?" I whispered, my heart tightening.

He stilled, his hand on a crystal decanter in my view, those raw knuckles screaming at me. "Would you truly care if I did? After what he did to you?"

I swallowed hard, a confusing mix of emotions churning inside me. Logan had betrayed me, destroyed what we had, but... "I loved him."

"He was unworthy of your love." Leo's voice was dangerous and low.

"You can't just go around hurting people, Leo. Even if they hurt me first. The Detectives?—"

He moved then, whipping around faster than I expected, crowding me against the kitchen island. His hands gripped the marble on either side of me, caging me in. The scent of his cologne wrapped around me as he leaned close, his eyes intense.

"I will always look out for you, Meredith. Always protect you." His voice was rough. "I always have."

My breath caught in my throat. This close, I could see the flecks of darker blue in his eyes, could feel the heat radiating from his body. The air between us crackled, and I fought the urge to shrink.

I'd never seen Leo like this.

Had I?

The odd thought slipped into my mind, and I frowned, a strange feeling of old memories attempting to surface making me swallow.

"Do you remember what I told you that day?" Those eyes burned into me, his warm breath dancing over my cheek. "When you bandaged my hand?"

The memory surfaced – fourteen-year-old me, carefully wrapping his cut palm. "I told you to be more careful. That I needed you around."

"And what did I say?" His voice was so low now, and a strange warmth bloomed deep inside me. One that had no right to be there.

I frowned, trying to remember. "You said... you said you'd always protect me."

"I meant it."

Then, just as suddenly as he'd closed in on me, he backed away. "I need to make some calls." His voice was controlled again, distant. "I'll be in my office if you need anything."

I watched him stride down the hallway, my heart hammering against my ribs. His words echoed in my mind: I always have.

What exactly had that protection cost?

I'll always protect you.Those words from so long ago surfaced in my brain, his teenage voice not as hardened and rough as it was now, like a memory just out of reach.

CHAPTER 7

LEO

Iclosed my office door behind me, jaw clenched as I fought back the frustration burning in my chest. My sanctuary, my private domain, had been invaded by cops. Not that I blamed Meredith – she'd done what any law-abiding citizen would do. What she thought was right.

My knuckles ached as I flexed my hand, the split skin a reminder of last night's satisfaction. At least Cooper had recognized me, had known exactly who and what I was the moment I walked in. He'd reined in his rookie partner before he could make a terrible mistake, pushing too hard in my own home. The look in his eyes had said it all – he knew the power I wielded in this city, knew better than to dig too deep.

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