Leo (Vigilance 3)

“At least consider it,” Giorgio said. “He already knows our secrets, and he’s been doing a great job here.”

“No. It ends after we deal with Swain. I can’t handle anything else.”

“I know you don’t want to put Ezra in more danger,” Niall said, “but you aren’t actually going to walk away from him, are you?”

There was no way in hell I could, even though I should, even though…

Giorgio glared at me. “Leo, you damn well better not be planning to drop him when this is over. Swain is enough to deal with. I don’t want to have to go a round with you too.”

I scowled at them. “Just because the two of you—”

“This isn’t about the two of us,” Niall insisted. “This is about you. I’ve seen the way you look at Ezra. He makes you happy, and you do the same for him.”

“Fine. There’s no way I can walk away from him. All right? Are you satisfied?”

Giorgio grinned. “Maybe, but if he’s with you, he’s going to be in danger anyway, so…”

“It’s not the same. Would you want Lane taking the job?”

He snorted. “It wouldn’t matter if I did. His father would never let that happen.”

“Then why should I encourage—” Giorgio’s phone rang.

“It’s X.” He tapped on his phone. “Everyone is here. I’m putting you on speaker.”

“Emilio located Swain at a house in Weston, and he’s found us a way in.”

“We can use the Marchesis’ house there as a base,” I said.

“Right. I’ll check with Lucien.”

“I’d like to bring Ezra to the Marchesis,” I said. “I think he’ll be safer there than if I leave him here in town.”

“And that way, he won’t have to be out of your sight for long,” Niall added.

I ignored him.

“Are you saying that isn’t a factor?” Giorgio asked. “You don’t feel the need to be the one protecting him yourself?”

“Enough teasing,” X said. “Since Ezra’s already been a target, I think getting him out of town is a good idea. We should make sure everyone else’s partners are secured.”

“Ezra’s not—”

“Don’t even try it,” X snarled.

It wasn’t the time to push. X was worried about all of us, especially Lane, not that he needed to worry since Giorgio was in total protector mode.

“Where will Lane stay?” I asked.

X responded before Giorgio could. “At my house.”

I glanced at Giorgio, and he nodded, letting me know he agreed. The last thing we needed was the two of them fighting over that part of the plan.

“Marco’s not going to want to miss this,” Niall said.

X nodded. “I figured, especially with Joe and Devil on their honeymoon, but I think it’s best if we keep Marco at a distance for backup. The fewer people we bring in, the lower the chance of tipping Swain off.”

“Agreed,” Niall said.

X looked at me then. “Leo, I want you and Giorgio to go ahead and scope things out, then meet us at the Marchesis’ house.”

“I’ll explain to Ezra and make sure things get closed down here,” Niall said.

I wanted to protest. I should talk to Ezra myself, but if I was going to survive the rest of the day, I had to focus on the mission. I couldn’t allow myself to get distracted. To do that, I had to become a man I wasn’t sure Ezra would like.

27

Ezra

When I saw Niall walking toward me, I knew something was up. His expression was serious and his movements tight and clipped. He looked more like an FBI agent than he ever had to me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing we can’t handle. Leo asked me to help you close the shop and take you to a safe location.”

“We’re not safe here?”

“You won’t be once the rest of us leave.”

I frowned. “Where is Leo?”

“I’ll explain once we’re in the car on the way to our destination.”

“Is he still here? Did he already leave?”

Niall hesitated, then said, “He needed to go on ahead.”

I tried not to let Niall see how hurt I was. I’d thought Leo and I would have at least one more night together, but it looked like the plan to get Swain was in motion.

I should be thrilled. I wanted Swain taken down, but the knowledge that once he was out of the picture everything would be over made me feel like I was going to crack apart. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back tears so I could focus on what needed to be done before leaving the shop.

I’d already rescheduled most of Leo’s appointments for the week, knowing he might have to leave. I checked with the other artists and made sure they were set for the day and that there wasn’t anything they needed before I left.

Niall escorted me from the building to a black sedan. I moved like an automaton as I sank into the passenger seat and closed my door. “Are you taking me back to Leo’s apartment?”