Leo (Vigilance 3)

“Did you see how worried he was about you?”

“Yes, but—”

“Do you think, considering that, he would let you continue working there if he didn’t think he could keep you safe?”

“I guess not.”

“If he thought you were better off here wouldn’t he let you go?”

What if he didn’t want to let me go? That was another thing I wasn’t going to say out loud. Just thinking about that glorious moment when he’d said I was his made my pulse race, but he’d made it clear nothing else was going to happen between us.

What if I could change his mind?

I almost laughed out loud at that thought. I’d never been good at pursuing anyone. I wasn’t sure I even knew how to be seductive, and Leo didn’t seem like the kind of man I could convince to do anything he didn’t want to do.

“I know he wants to keep me safe, but…” I ran a hand through my hair, and Cathy grinned. I’d probably made it stick up everywhere.

“Take some time to think about it.”

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All right.”

“Do you have something at home for dinner?”

“I can order something—”

She shook her head. “Let me pack something up for you. I want to be sure you’re eating well.”

“I’m eating fine.”

She narrowed her eyes at me.

“All right, I could do better.”

She made me a sandwich with some of the leftover bread from the day and added in another piece of cake.

“I thought you wanted me to eat healthier.”

“Better doesn’t always mean healthier,” she said, handing me the bag. “Go home, eat, take a long, hot shower, and think about your job options. Let me know what you decide.”

I told her I would do as she said, but I already knew I would show up at Leo’s shop tomorrow morning and torture myself by watching him all day and remembering how fucking good his lips had felt on mine.

A week later, I glanced at the clock and realized it was past time for me to head home. I closed the mystery I was reading and stuck it in my bag. Leo was the only artist left. He’d finished with his last client and was restocking his workstation for the next day.

“Is it all right if I head out?”

Leo appeared in the doorway of the cubicle that housed his workstation. “What was that?”

I couldn’t form words. I just stared at him. Fantasies I’d indulged in the night before ran through my mind: Leo slowly undressing me, scooping me up in his strong arms, laying me out on his bed, and feasting on me. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I remembered how hard I’d come thinking of him.

Leo frowned. “You did ask me a question, right?”

Most men would have been exasperated with me, but Leo’s voice was gentle like it had been all the times I fucked up at the café and every time I had to ask him to show me how to do something here just one more time. The only time I’d ever seen him angry was when he spoke with his friends, and I’d realized he wasn’t angry with them, but with whatever business they were involved in.

I still hadn’t learned any more about what went on during their meetings or what the others did the rest of the time. Whenever I tried to ask questions, Leo was evasive. Another man had joined in on a meeting with Leo and Giorgio earlier that week. I was almost certain it had been Lucien Marchesi, a powerful mob boss. I’d seen his picture in the paper when he’d been facing murder charges. If I was right, then my guess that Leo was involved in mafia business had just become a lot more likely.

“Are you all right?” Leo asked.

I forced myself to focus. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just… tired.”

“Am I working you too hard?”

“Never.” The word slipped out before I could stop it.

Leo raised his brows. “I’m sure you have a breaking point.”

And I’d like him to help me find it. “I… um… It’s time for me to go.”

Leo glanced at the clock on the wall. “You’re right. It’s actually past time. Don’t ever feel like you have to stay late. If I really need you to, I’ll ask.”

I wanted him to need me. I wanted to go home with him even though I knew that was foolish. I wasn’t going to throw myself at my boss, but if he asked… No. I had to stop thinking about that.

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is Sunday. We’re closed.”

I pondered that for a moment. I’d sort of lost track of the days since they were all filled with me trying my best not to stare at Leo for hours on end. Now I’d have two days without Leo to brighten them. “Tuesday, then.”