Page 79 of Fierce Secrets

"But they figured it out?" Sofia asked as she lifted her mug to her lips. "That it was a frame job on you?"

"It was sloppy work." Leo walked over to me now, pressing a soft kiss to my temple and making my heart flutter. "They've... handled him."

Gray arched a brow at our public display of affection but didn't say a thing.

"So your hands are clean?" I asked quietly as I looked up at him.

"Completely. The Malatesta buried him." He dipped down, pausing and giving me the choice to pull away. Instead, I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his as Gray groaned at the lack of care in his presence.

"He dug his own grave there. To think he was that desperate to then kill to save himself," I said with a sad sigh as Leo straightened.

"Never thought he had it in him, guess he really had gone off the deep end after everything," Gray added as he looked between Leo and me. "As for this, you know I'm still not over the moon about it. Not too fond of seeing it right in front of me." But his soft smile told me he was only saying it in jest as Leo actually smirked at him.

He'd been showing a hell of a lot more emotions since we'd gotten back to Sof's, and I was loving every second of it.

Sofia set her mug down. "So everything's okay? Alliance intact?"

"Better than before," Leo said with a slight smile. "Fiorenzo handled the family members who acted against his orders who were still alive. Those we killed, he stated that they brought their deaths on themselves by targeting what's mine."

The possessiveness in his voice sent warmth through my chest.

What's mine.I liked the sound of that.

"Ready for your interview?" Leo looked down at me, changing subjects smoothly as he offered me a proper smile.

The expression made my stomach flip, but I frowned. "Interview? I thought I had the job?"

"Not quite." He exchanged a look with Gray, who nodded with a knowing smile.

"What are you two up to?" Sofia looked between them with an arched brow.

"Come with me." Leo held out his hand, and I didn't hesitate to accept it. If I had to do some interview, then so be it.

"Should I change?" I asked, looking down at the long-sleeved knitted dress I'd put on to relax in today. It was a comfy, warm dress I liked, not one I’d wear to an interview.

"No. You look perfect, it's not a formal interview," Leo said as he guided me away from my brother and best friend, both of them watching after us.

"Okay, but we're going out?"

"Yes, just relax, Mer. I'll explain when we get there."

Well, now he had me intrigued. Just what was this informal interview? Judging by Gray's knowing look, I didn't need to worry.

The driveto the old theater was quiet, anticipation building in my stomach right until we pulled up outside the abandoned building.

"Here?" I looked up at the theater, a place I'd retreated to so many times to find comfort. The place I'd tried to banish Leo away, chosen to let him go.

Was it because of that? Was he upset with me and needed to confirm everything I'd said just before the shootout?

But when he rounded the car to open my door, my concerns melted away at the smile he gifted me as he helped me out.

"It's not exactly an interview, Mer, just something I wanted to do with you," he admitted, and I smiled.

"I had a feeling it wasn't an interview," I said honestly as we headed up the steps. "Why are we here? Is it because of that day?" I asked carefully.

"No. That day, you were learning so much, and I don't hold it against you, Mer." The nickname made my heart flutter as he tightened his grip on my hand and helped through the poorly chained doors.

Was it just me, or did it look like the lock had been replaced?

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