Burn (Virtues & Lies 1)

“Maybe I’m not.” She stirs as I run my hands down her long legs until I reach her feet. Her toes are black with dirt from the open toes of her boots.

“You need to be. I’ve known that girl all her life, Leo. I’ve protected her since before she was born, and she is everything that’s good about this world.”

I know that. I think, taking in her beautiful, doll face.

“Wayne?”

“Son.”

“I’ll protect her with everything I have. If it’s the last thing I ever do.” Our eyes meet in his rear-view mirror.

“That’s what I’m here for,” he scowls.

“It’s not enough anymore, not after tonight.” Saying those words out loud is excruciating. “She needs to know the truth. The whole truth.”

“Sometimes, protecting the people we love means protecting them from the truth.”

Love.

Love always leads to loss.

I don’t want to lose Cassie, I feel like I only just have her.

Chapter 16

Cassandra

Jolting awake when Leo takes me from the car, it takes a moment for the events of tonight to rush me again. As he carries me into his building, Wayne follows behind. A soft smile lights his face when his gaze meets mine.

Tears sting my eyes when they find his gun. It looks so much like the one pointed at me that it could be the same one. My chest tightens and together with the chokehold of Leo’s arms—I can’t breathe. I need space.

“I need you to put me down.” Murmuring into his ear, I can’t fight the strength of his arms when he squeezes them.

“Cassie...” his breath hitches in his throat, sounding pained and when I tuck my face into his neck he whispers, “I can’t let go again. Don’t make me.”

Those words sink into my chest and wrap around my heart. As he keeps holding on like he has all the strength in the world, I feel its comfort and safety warm every inch of me.

“You two wait here until I say it’s safe.” The lift doors slide open and Wayne gets out ahead of us. His weapon at the ready as he looks around, prepared to do whatever it takes to protect us.

It doesn’t take long before he gives us the all clear and Leo’s walking me through his door and down the hall. The jostle of his movements is lulling and it’s only when he stops in the middle of the bright double height, open plan living area that I look up as he growls.

“Toby! I’ve told you to stop eating the fucking cushions.”

My eyes search the space for the source of the long whine before they meet the large beast sat in a nest of down and tattered cushions. Looking up at me, his tongue lolls to the side as he pants excitedly.

I can’t help but smile at the big sable Baloo. Considering his size and stature, he’s graceful in his strides towards us. I’ve never seen a dog that big and fluffy before.

How fitting. I’ve never known anyone like Leo either.

“Bad boy!” Leo starts moving again, and I drop my hand down towards the dog. The minute I’m within reach his tongue is licking up my arm, over the sleeve of my dress as he keeps up with Leo’s pace.

Big brown eyes round on mine before he comes to an abrupt stop when Leo goes into another room. Toby starts to whine, softly at first but it gradually becomes grumpier until it’s a grumble.

The room lights subtly at the press of a button and I can’t help but look around as Leo walks us through. The cornices and skirting boards light up with a soft ambient glow and apart from the massive bed and the chaise in the corner, it’s all midnight blue walls and striking white accents and details. Even the bedding is bright white, like it’s brand new.

It’s weird that in its bareness the room looks warm and cosy. The blocky base of the bed is a dark walnut that blends into the dark wood flooring. Looking at Leo I find him with his eyes glued to me, and even with everything that’s happened, I can’t help but want him.

The more he holds me the more I want to feel his touch all over me. I want him to make me forget about all the crap and overwhelm me in the way only he can.