Page 123 of Love Bleeds Red
Oh, but one cool thing… Layne reached out. I guess she found out somehow that I’m home and okay and she basically FBI agented her way into finding my mom’s number. It was surreal talking to her again. I missed her chaos.
Anyway, for now I’m going to take it one day at a time and focus on healing. I’ll write again later. I have to get to therapy.
“Bails, can you get the door?”Mom calls from her bedroom. She’s been in there making phone calls all morning. Apparently someone at her job leaked my story to the press, and now there are vultures circling for an exclusive.
The doorbell rings again, so I get up from the couch, adjust my messy ponytail, and open the door a crack. My lips pull into a wide grin when I see Leon standing there. He looks tired but still just as good as ever. His scruff has grown out a bit, and he’s wearing a black T-shirt that hugs his lean muscles just right. I clear my throat and open the door all the way.
As soon as his eyes land on me, he smiles too. “Hi,” I say, ecstatic to see him but trying to tamp it down to normal levels. “I thought you were still in London!”
I reach for him instinctively, then stop with my hand halfway to his chest and quickly wrap my arms around myself instead.Holy awkwardness.
“Just landed this morning,” he says, his eyes soft as he takes me in. “There wasn’t any more need for me to be there in person. I can handle everything else remotely.”
“Well, that’s good,” I say. “Come on in.”
“Who’s at the door?” Mom yells.
I roll my eyes as I close and lock it. “It’s Leon! He’s back from London!”
I hear Mom’s footsteps pounding down the hallway before I can get another word in. She pulls him into a bear hug of epic proportions, and I even hear an “oof” sound slip out from the squeeze around his middle. It’s safe to say Mom and Dad love Leon. I was a little afraid of how they’d feel once they learnedwho Alfred was, but between Leon’s charm and his mom’s hospitality, they left London singing both their praises.
“It’s so good to see you!” Mom says once she releases him. “Bailey didn’t tell me you were coming.”
He chuckles. “She didn’t know. I wanted to keep it a surprise.”
“Let me get you something to drink,” she says, already bustling toward the kitchen. “I bought some of that tea your mum loves. It was hard to find once we got back but there’s this little international supermarket the next town over?—”
“Mom,” I say, resting my hand on her shoulder. “Take a breath.”
She lets out an embarrassed laugh. “Sorry, I’ve been a little high strung lately. It’s been a madhouse around here, I’m sure you’ve heard.”
Leon’s eyes find mine, sparking with amusement at Mom’s energy.
“Yes, there’s been lots of buzz. Actually, did you hear about the most recent development?”
Mom gestures to the kitchen table. “I don’t think we have. Come sit, let’s catch up.”
On one hand, I’m glad Mom’s lessening the awkwardness between Leon and me. But wow, she really knows how to monopolize a conversation.
Once we’re seated, Mom starts making tea, still listening as she moves from cabinet to cabinet.
“When I was in the airport, they had the news going. It seems they’ve finally found Ivan Orlov.”
My jaw drops. “Where was he?”
“Holed up in some house in Florida of all places. A small town called Palm Cove,” Leon says. “Apparently, they’re investigating foul play. It seems someone took him out before he could name names for a deal.”
I’m speechless. I didn’t know much about this man, but once everything settled and they all filled me in, I found out that he was King’s uncle and a major player in their Brotherhood bullshit. I’m happy he’s dead—a thought I’ll have to work through in therapy tomorrow.
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised or upset,” Mom says, setting two steeping mugs down on the table in front of us. I stare at it and wince.
Leon catches on quickly, and moves the mug to the other side of the table. “Thanks,” I whisper.
I haven’t been able to stomach hot black tea after everything. Some smells just transport me right back to that dining room with Sir.
“So what are your summer plans?” Mom asks when she finally sits across from us.
He’s quiet for a moment, so I jump in. “Mom, you’re kind of being a bit much. He just got off the plane.”
