Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of ocean, hot sand, growing trees, and the scent of Adele's amazing food. Other than Leo's cologne, it was possibly my favorite scent in the world. Outside the sun was just touching the horizon, turning the ocean into melted gold while the sky bruised purple in the distance. The crickets and frogs were already starting their nightly chorus, tuning their cries like an orchestra before a concert. I loved this place, this island so much.

Leo wasn't on the porch, but I figured he had to be nearby. The bar to the right was slowly gaining patrons, so I knew he wasn't that direction. There was a small touristy gift shop to the left, but they were closed. I peeked inside, thinking of how I should get one of the conch shells and send it to Chloe.

The sound of Leo's voice caught my attention. I followed it around the corner to the side of the building. It was a quiet spot where no one would bother him, so it made sense for him to have gone there. I couldn't see him yet, just hear his voice.

“I've done everything you've asked,” Leo growled into his phone. I paused before he could see me, not wanting to interrupt what was apparently a heated phone conversation. “It's time for you to hold up your end of the bargain.”

I knew I should back up and not listen to what he was saying, that it was a private conversation, yet my feet didn't move.

“I gave you the money, all one hundred fucking grand of it,” Leo roared. He quieted as the person on the other line spoke. “No, no... I don't want her to know that. I don't want anyone to know that. Why do you think I've been giving in to your demands?”

My hand went to my mouth. I could only think of one 'her' he could be talking about. Me. What didn't he want me to know and who was he paying?

“Fine. Another hundred grand.” Leo's voice was hard and unkind. “Then I'm done. This never gets out.”

Blackmail. That's what was going on here. There was something that Leo didn't want me to know and he was willing to pay off whoever it was that knew. One hundred thousand dollars. Something about the figure stuck in my brain.

The CEO slush fund.

But that didn't make sense. Leo was a billionaire. There was no reason for him not to just pay it out of his own bank account. There was no reason to use the corporate slush fund that was tracked and followed by accountants, unless...

Unless he was gambling again. Unless he didn't have access to his bank accounts. If he was gambling and needed quick cash, the CEO slush fund would look like the perfect place to get some money.

Oh, Leo. What are you doing? I pressed my hand harder against my mouth. He said he hadn't gambled since college, but what if he was? What if that was why Toby was at the meeting last night? It explained so much, even though it left a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Anger seared up and out of that dark pit in my stomach. How could he do this to us? Things were just getting to be perfect. We were finally together and happy. Our friends were happy and the business was due to make another few billion dollars with this new app. Why now?

I stomped around the corner of the building, ang

er making me brave and stupid.

“Leo!” I growled.

He spun around startled, nearly dropping his phone in the process. “Charlotte! What are you doing here?”

I stalked up to him, furious that I only came up to his chest. I wished I was tall enough to glare down at him like an angry parent. “I came to get you. There's a party inside. A party of your friends.”

Friends you are lying to. Friends like me, I thought.

“I'll be right in,” Leo replied, confused at the anger in my voice. “I just needed to make another call first.”

I crossed my arms, not moving. I wasn't about to leave to let him to transfer more money out of the slush fund. “Did you take the slush fund money, Leo?”

“Slush fund money?” Leo sounded genuinely confused, but I wasn't born yesterday. “What are you talking about?”

“There's money missing from the slush fund. One hundred thousand dollars.” I pressed my lips together, trying to keep my voice even. “I didn't know where it went, until I find you back here talking about giving people hundred's of thousands of dollars. What are you doing Leo?”

Leo's eyes flashed with darkness. “That's none of your business.”

“Leo, if you're gambling...”I took a step forward, uncrossing my arms and holding out my hands to him. “Please let me help you.”

“You think I'm gambling?” Hurt and betrayal filled Leo's face. He stepped back as if I had punched him in the gut.

“Leo, it's okay.” I took another step forward.

His face twisted and he shook his head, anger filling his eyes. “How dare you?”

“I'm just trying to help. I love you, Leo, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you,” I said. Stealing money from the company slush fund was a big deal. I wasn't sure how forgiving Bastian and Gabe would be, but I was determined to help him.