Page 24 of Fierce Secrets

Leo's phone buzzed, drawing his attention. Something dark crossed his face before he masked it, setting the phone face-down.

"Everything okay?" Grayson asked, tension creeping into his voice.

"Fine." Leo took a deliberate sip of his whiskey. "But perhaps your brother's right, Meredith. A change of scenery might be good for you."

I stared at him. "What? You just offered me a job at your office."

"And now I'm suggesting something else might be better."

"Why? What was in that text that changed your mind?"

The two men shared one of their loaded looks, the kind that made me feel like I was missing vital information.

"I'd rather work at your office," I pressed. "You can't just withdraw the offer?—"

The windows exploded.

Glass rained down as gunfire shattered the already tense evening. Before I could even process what was happening, Leo's body covered mine, taking us both to the floor.

"Roman, get the car," he barked into his phone, his body a solid shield above me. "Now!"

What terrified me most was how calm Grayson looked, already moving with practiced efficiency, checking through the broken windows as he stayed low.

And then he raised his gun.Where the fuck had he gotten a gun?!

"Back exit," Leo commanded, his voice holding an authority I'd never heard before. "Gray?"

"Clear." My brother's response was crisp, professional, like they'd done this before. Tires squealed outside, and my heart lurched in my chest.

Leo shifted atop me, reaching down to his ankle and pulling out his own small pistol.

Why did they have guns? What the hell was going on?!

"Drive by, but let's still move," Gray said as he checked his phone, and I knew he'd be checking the cameras he had set up around his house. I'd never understood his need for them especially in his fancy neighborhoods he lived in, but now it made sense.

Who would be shooting at my brother? Was it my brother or Leo? Why?

Leo pulled me to my feet without a second's notice. He kept me pressed against him as we moved, his steps sure. My heart threatened to burst through my chest, and I couldn't help how I clung to the back of his suit.

Gray moved closer to us, touching me with one hand reassuringly. "You hurt?"

"No…" I mumbled, still struggling to comprehend what was going on.

"Good, everything's okay, just let us handle it, stay close." With that, the pair of them guided me out the back door and through the back gate into the alleyway.

Roman was waiting with the car engine running. Leo practically lifted me into the backseat before sliding in beside me.

"The safe-house on Wellington," he told Roman as Gray climbed into the passenger seat. "Gray, you need to get yourself a damn driver and security detail."

"I'm thinking it might be time." My brother's face was hard, unfamiliar. "Don't suppose you have anyone you'd suggest?"

"Yes. I'll have Thompson start tomorrow. He's experienced, trustworthy."

They discussed it like they were talking about the weather – security details, safe houses, and how Gray needed to move to a new place since this one was compromised.

"What the hell is going on?" I demanded, my throat tightening as the shakes set in.

They just exchanged looks, but Gray's eyes softened.

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