Page 52 of Burning Bridges

“I’m sorry, Princess,” Leo says, his voice heavy with sympathy. He knows what that place means to me.

“When did this happen?” I demand, standing up abruptly. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I need to do something,anythingto stop this psycho from destroying any more of my life.

“Last night, not long after we left,” Leo tells me.

“Were there people inside?” I ask, my mind racing with fear for my employees.

“No,” he reassures me.

“How do you know it was him?” I ask, my voice shaking, the tears now running down my cheeks. I swipe them away wishing I could keep it together in front of him. But this is all too much.

“He sent us messages to claim responsibility. He’s threatened us to back down on our rules about Euphoria and hand you over to him. If we don’t, our two businesses won’t be the only casualties.”

My eyes widen in horror as they flick back to him. “Why does he want me?”

“We don’t know,” Leo admits. “Maybe it’s Tony who wants you, if they really are working together. But does it matter why? You’ll be staying here with me.”

Relief washes over me at his words. “You’ll pay for not giving into his demands,” I tell him, my voice low and threatening.

Leo smirks, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. “Do you think I got to the top by giving motherfuckers like Kylo King what they want?”

"What are we going to do then?" I ask Leo, my mind racing with all the possibilities. What is Tony's part in all of this, and why is he letting Kylo make the demands? Why would he let him blow up a restaurant that our family built generations ago and a business he knew I loved? Is this his way of getting back at me for choosing Leo?

I look back at Leo, and he's watching me curiously. "Thank you for including me in all of this," I say, grateful that Leo is sharing information with me that my brother would never reveal.

"Now when I’m keeping an eye on you, you’ll know I’m doing it.” He smirks.

I grab the last of my croissant and pop it into my mouth, then take my plate over to the sink. Turning back to Leo, I realize something. "I don't have anything to wear, and I don't really want to go back home."

"It's all right. The room next to mine has a closet stocked for you," he says, and I look at him incredulously. Until last night, he didn't even know I was coming back here to stay with him.

"I mean, you're cute in my stuff, but I think you'll find what I picked out for you more to your liking," he adds with a smile.

"Thank you," I mutter, not sure what else to say. I feel like I've woken up in a different dimension.

The room next to Leo's is almost identical, but inside the wardrobe, instead of suits and T-shirts, there are dresses, skirts, and tops, all in my favorite shade: black. There are boots and heels and bags. Every little detail has been thought out to perfection. I grab a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top, taking them with me into the ensuite. It's outfitted with everything I could ever need. There are hair products in the shower and makeup in the vanity. Did he send someone to grab all my things while I was asleep in the night? But even as I think it, I already know that can't be true. This stuff is all brand-new.

I should feel freaked out that he knows me with so much detail when he's never been in my room before, but I know Leo has his ways of stalking and noticing everything. And for some fucked-up reason, I find that comforting more than scary.

Chapter 29

LEO

Thefourofusarrive at Queen of Hearts together, and although Kobe and Jett are still hesitant around Piper, I know they'll come around eventually. What she shared with me last night was enormous, and it took a tremendous amount of courage for her to do it. She also showed me exactly who I am to her, and I'm honored that she trusts me with her deepest, darkest secrets. I knew from the moment she told me, that I would do everything in my power to get her the justice she deserves. My brothers don’t need to know what happened to her, they just need to know I trust her and she is now one of us.

Kobe and Jett head up to the mezzanine to set up for our guests, and I take my time with Piper. "You look amazing, sweetheart," I say, admiring her in her new clothes.

"Thanks. I guess you really do know me well," she replies.

"I'm happy to spend some more time getting to know you even better." I let my hands rest on her hips, enjoying the way her jeans hug her curves.

She stands on her toes to place a kiss on my lips. "Thank you for taking the time to care about me."

Suddenly, I hear someone clear their throat behind us, and we turn around to see Axel and his fiancée, Jasmine, standing there. Axel gives me a cold glare, clearly unhappy that I'm with his ex-wife. It makes me want to pull her into me, making my claim on her, but I control myself. This is not the time or the place.

"Leo," he huffs. "Piper." He kisses her on the cheek, and I can't help feeling jealous at the sight.

"Go right through to the top floor. The boys are already up there," I tell them, needing him out of my sight.

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