Page 13 of Chased By the Leo

Chapter Seven

Felicity

As always, Basque was a man of his word. We slept for a little while and then had several rounds of great sex. The kind of sex that makes you forget every worry in the world. Just what the doctor ordered.

“I know you don’t want to talk about this, but we have to,” Basque whispers from across the restaurant table.

So much for what the doctor ordered,I groan internally.

“And, what is it we need to talk about?” I ask, looking at him.

“What decision are you going to make?”

“What choices do I exactly have, Basque?” I set my fork down and lean back in my chair. “Go back to a controlling asshole brother or be on the run my entire life? Those choices?”

“Felicity,” he sighs, “I’m not trying to fight with you. I’m just trying to talk with you.”

I glance around the restaurant. It’s an upscale place. Reservation only. And, coincidentally, we are the only ones here. I had been too excited to be out of the hotel earlier to notice the lack of other customers.

“Is Nico about to show up?” I ask, glaring at Basque. He seems caught off guard by my words.

“What? Nico? No, why?” I reply by gesturing around the room. He looks around, chuckles, then looks back at me. “I rented the whole place so we could be alone.”

“The entire restaurant just to talk?And,no bodyguards?”

He rolls his eyes and sighs.

“Felicity, I know you’re pissed off at Nico but do you have to take it out on me?” he asks, placing his fork down. “Despite what you and Nico think, I can afford to buy things so yes, I rented out this restaurant for privacy.”

His words are like a blade to the heart. I hurt his pride. I hadn’t meant to, but I did nonetheless.

“Baque, I didn’t mean to–” He holds up his hand and I stop talking.

“I didn’t bring any bodyguards with me on this trip, just in case you wanted to run off. I didn’t want any of my men having to lie to Nico. It’ll be hard enough for me to lie to him,” he continues. “But on the other hand, I still wanted you protected so I tipped off the F.B.I. of where I’d be. They’ve been watching us since I arrived at the hotel. No other organization will try to cross us with the F.B.I. this close.”

He has the feds involved?For Basque to go to such extremes to protect me, it shows just how much he cares about me.

“I have to explain myself to Nico all the time and now you,” he growls. “The one person on the planet who I thought understood me best.”

Again, it feels like a stab to my heart from a knife. I hate disappointing Basque. He’s always been there for me. Even before we became an unofficial item. I should have more faith in him and know that he wouldn’t rat me out to my brother.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I know you already have my best intentions at heart.”

“Then stop questioning my loyalty to you,” he says firmly. It hurts to know I upset him. I don’t trust myself to speak so I nod. “I’m risking everything to be here for you, Felicity. All I’m asking for is a little trust.”

“I trust you completely, Basque. You know that,” I reply softly.

“Do I? You ran off without telling me. And, now you think I set you up to Nico.”

Hit after hit. His words strike me like blows to the gut. And, there’s nothing I can do or say because he’s right.

I nod my head and lower my eyes.

“We have been through a lot together, Felicity. When are you going to learn that I’m not the bad guy?” He mutters the last few words.

“I know you aren’t the bad guy, Basque. My world is collapsing around me and you’re the only person I have. Why can’t you just let me enjoy being near you!” I yell, slamming my fists on the table. A single tear trickles down my face. I quickly wipe it away. “Of course, I know you aren’t the bad guy. You never have been,” I whisper.

“Baby, I’m sorry,” he says softly, standing up and walking over to me. He slides into the booth next to me and wraps his arms around me. “We’re both on edge. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

---