Page 33 of Fierce Secrets

I gritted my teeth as I sent the return text, then responded to Roman's message, commending him on his clean-up efforts and promising another bonus. He had more money than he knew what to do with thanks to his work for me, and he was putting it all aside for his daughter. A daughter he never saw since his ex-wife took off with her. It was what had brought him to me, searching for a job. Despite being ex-Italian forces, he'd struggled getting a job after obtaining a record. But it made him the perfect candidate for my family, and they'd hired him to be my guard when I was only a teen. Especially since he'd been imprisoned for killing a man to protect his daughter. As soon as I'd heard his story, I knew he was a man I wanted around, and I was glad he'd been my designated security guard.

Another text from Grayson came through just as I hit send.

Good. Tonight was too far. Meredith could've been hurt. She can't be involved in this.

I stared at the message, my arm tightening around the woman of the hour. The one I'd just claimed as my own, whether she knew it or not.

I'd broken our pact, I'd dragged her into my world. And not just by having her, no, I crossed that line the moment I let my impulses get the best of me. As soon as I'd pulled up out the front of her place and gone up to see Logan. I'd shattered everything.

Sure, Grayson was on my side for that one, and it was handled. The police would be dropping the case, especially since Logan knew better than to push charges. I'd made it clear I could easily remove him from the playing board completely, and no one would be none the wiser.

Accidents happened all the time.

I know.

I sent the text back, sighing softly. Yes, I knew, but I'd messed it all up anyway. She was involved now, there was no way around it. I'd crossed the line, and as much as I knew it was wrong, I didn't regret it truthfully.

Soon I'd have to face him, to tell him the truth, to explain why I'd crossed this line. Why I couldn't – wouldn't – stay away from her anymore.

Meredith stirred again, her hand coming to rest over my heart, right above the 'Die Last' tattoo. The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd gotten that ink as a reminder of who I was, what I was meant to be – the last man standing, the one who survived while others fell.

But looking down at her now, I realized I'd die first if it meant keeping her safe.

I'd always protect Meredith, right until my dying breath.

CHAPTER 12

MEREDITH

The memories came in flashes, violent and disjointed. My father's face contorted in rage, his breath reeking of vodka, his poison of choice. Grayson's knuckles, split and bloody, trembling as he reached for me – but why? What had happened to make my strong, composed brother shake like that? And Leo's voice, deeper than I remembered, filled with emotion as he promised "Never again."

Never again what?

I woke with a strangled cry, cold sweat coating my skin as panic clawed its way up my throat. My chest constricted, each breath becoming harder than the last, but Leo was there. He'd stayed, his strong arms still around me, drawing me closer against his chest until I could feel his heart beating steady and strong.

"You're safe now," he whispered into my hair, his lips brushing my temple.

The words hit me deep, triggering another flash of memory – those same words, spoken in our old house's bathroom. I was seventeen, huddled in the corner, and Leo was there, blood on his shirt, saying those exact words. But why? What had happened that night? The night before my father's accident?

Why did Gray always change the subject when I brought it up?

"Breathe with me," Leo's voice pulled me back to the present, his hand splayed across my back. "Match my breathing. That's it. What was the nightmare about?"

I drew in a shaky breath, letting his steady heartbeat ground me. His chest was warm against my cheek, and I pressed closer, seeking comfort in his embrace. "My father. And you and Gray. But it's all mixed up, fragmented. I can't quite figure it out." I closed my eyes, trying to piece it all together, but the pieces refused to fit, like there were sections missing. Area's blotted out, as if my mind refused to draw them forth.

"Do you have these often?" His fingers traced soothing patterns on my back, but there was tension in his voice.

"They've been flaring up recently." I pressed closer to his warmth, trying to chase away the chill of the memories. "Since Logan..."

"When did they start again?" Something in his tone made me look up. His face was carefully blank, but his eyes held something that made my breath catch. Something he knew, something he wasn't sharing.

"The past few nights. After finding him with her." My voice cracked on the last word. "It's like... like that betrayal opened something up. Some door I didn't know was closed."

Leo went very still, but his arms tightened around me protectively.

"Did something happen, Leo? You know something, don't you?" I pulled back, searching those icy eyes. What was he hiding? "Are you protecting me? I can handle it, Leo, please…"

I knew who he was, deep down. And I knew something had happened, something big, something that had been bad.

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