Made in Vengeance

CATALINA

It didn’t takeLeo all that long to come up in the elevator.

He was as expressionless as always, though I thought his eyes looked soft when I waved at him.

I still wasn’t comfortable talking to anyone else, but I liked Leo.

I liked that he didn’t talk as much, only when absolutely necessary, and I liked that he looked strong enough, mean enough, to protect me when my men weren’t around.

I felt somewhat safe with him, I supposed. Or, at least, as safe as I could feel with someone I didn’t know very well, and being safe in this life, my life, was more valuable than all the money in the world.

“Where would you like to go, Catalina?” he asked.

I showed him my notebook.

Bookstore.

He nodded. “I know a good one, and I think you’ll like it.”

I smiled, and something dark shifted in his eyes, but it was gone in a flash, and I wondered if I had imagined the whole thing or not.

I got on the elevator with him.

Leo stood slightly behind me.

I looked up and watched as the numbers went down.

The worst thing about being in the penthouse was the long, awkward elevator ride.

I peeked back at him, only to find his dark eyes already on me. My eyes widened, and I quickly looked away.

The elevator door opened, and I walked out.

Leo directed me to a car already waiting in front for us. Before climbing on the driver's side, he opened the back door for me.

I took in New York City from the car window for the first time.

I didn’t think I had ever seen so many clusters of people gathered in one place like this.

And everywhere I looked, there was something, from street carts I had only seen in movies, selling hot dogs; to couples holding hands; to people walking their dogs; and lots and lots of men and women in business suits.

Everything was just so busy.

I turned away from the sight and looked ahead, only for my eyes to clash with Leo’s.

I didn’t know why he looked at me like that, and I quickly averted my eyes.

We got to the bookstore shortly after that.

A decent-sized place with an old-fashioned feel but with modern amenities.

I waited for Leo to open my door, remembering what Damien had said about not climbing out of the car by myself, and looked up to the front door.

I turned back around and smiled widely at him.

He nodded his head toward me, opening the door to the bookstore.

My smile was bright as I took in everything, from the smell to the silence to even the small, cute coffee shop in the corner.