Page 21 of Fierce Secrets

But Meredith...

I moved to the window, staring out at the city I controlled. The way she'd looked at me when I'd confirmed her thoughts as to how Logan had wound up in the ER – like I was something to be feared. A monster emerging from the shadows of her life once more. That look had cut deeper than I'd expected, deeper than it had any right to. It was too much like that night all those years ago.

"Fuck," I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

Logan had deserved it. I'd gone back there to find him eating with his little mistress, food I knew Meredith had bought him. The goddamn audacity of the man. I'd at least told his little side piece to go to the bedroom while I spoke with him. Not that there was much speaking. That pathetic piece of filth should never have even made it on Meredith's radar, yet alone gotten engaged to her. She deserved the world, and all that man had caused her was grief.

Well, I'd made sure that had come to an end. Whether Meredith knew it or not, Logan was never stepping foot in her life again. Gray and I had both agreed on that. We'd get her belongings from their shared place, and then he'd be cut out completely.

She deserved to be happy.

Something I knew I also couldn't offer her, not truly.

I sighed as I glanced over my shoulder, knowing she hated me right now for what I'd done for her.

I'd do anything for her, and it infuriated me. No woman deserved that amount of control, but ever since we were young, the sweet little thing had always had a spell over me. Too kind and gentle, too forgiving. Too willing to see the goodness despite the darkness and blood.

I needed to bury these feelings, lock them away like I had for years. She would never see me as anything but dangerous, especially not now. The chosen family of her brother who'd crossed a line.

Not that she remembered me crossing years before.

At least Sofia had proved herself useful once again. Her text to Grayson about the cops had given me enough warning to return home before things got complicated. She was good like that – always aware, always ready to step in when needed. I knew exactly who she was, who her family was, but she'd neverbeen a threat to my operations. If anything, her presence in Meredith's life had often worked in my favor.

Though Sofia had never hidden her reservations about me being anywhere near Meredith. Not that I blamed her – she knew exactly what kind of man I was, what I was capable of. Still, we'd reached an understanding years ago: keep Meredith in the dark. Let her hold onto her innocence.

I remembered questioning Sofia when I'd first learned of their friendship, needing to ensure there were no ulterior motives, no family schemes at play. But she'd checked out. Her affection for Meredith was genuine, and I'd allowed the friendship to continue, knowing it gave Meredith someone normal in her life. Well, as normal as Sofia could be. For Gray and me, it was beneficial. She knew enough of our world to be able to keep Meredith out of it.

"Cazzo," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. I shouldn't even be here right now, not with what had landed on my desk this morning. The anonymous files, the threats... someone was playing a dangerous game. One they wouldn't survive when I found them.

I pulled out my phone, texting Roman to come up. This mess needed handling, and quickly. Today had spiraled enough already, most of it due to my own lack of control. Seeing Logan's face, hearing what he'd done to Meredith – my careful restraint had shattered.

At least Roman hadn't questioned my orders when I'd left, commanding him to stay and watch over Meredith. He'd simply nodded, understanding as always. He was more than just security – he was loyal, discrete, and most importantly, he knew how to protect what was mine.

Even if she could never be mine.

My phone buzzed – one of my contacts at the precinct. Time to make sure those detectives didn't look too closely at Logan'sbeating. Couldn't have them connecting any dots that might lead back to other incidents. Other bodies.

After all, Logan wasn't the first man I'd hurt for Meredith Cassaro.

And he likely wasn't the last.

CHAPTER 8

MEREDITH

Istared at my phone, Gray's face smiling up at me from his contact photo as it went to voicemail again. He was probably on his flight home, but I needed to hear his voice, to make sense of everything that had happened.

I knew Sofia was busy, and I'd thanked her for coming around. She'd messaged back saying everything was going to be okay, and to call if needed. But I knew her work was important as an ER nurse, and I wasn't about to bother her, not when she'd said there was a big accident. How she managed that job without crumbling was beyond me. Nursing was not for me, and I knew it.

The silence in the penthouse felt heavy, broken only by the faint sound of Leo's voice down the hall, muffled in his office. Before I could think better of it, I found myself moving toward his office, my bare feet silent on the marble floors.

He'd hurt Logan. Sure, the man had hurt me, but beating him right into a hospital bed, that was extreme.

It should've scared me more than anything, but as terrifying as Leo was with his whole icy demeanor, I'd not say I'd ever truly been afraid of him. More afraid of what he could do, the power I knew he held.

Rightly so, apparently.

I tiptoed right to the closed office door, holding my breath as I leaned my ear against it.

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