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The master door rattles as something buzzes against it. I sit up on the bed and glower, realizing that Leandro didn’t quiet down because he gave up. The bastard went to get tools. He wasn’t joking about unscrewing the door hinges.

I don’t even get a chance to yell at him to stop before he pulls the door off the frame and sets it aside. He covers his eyes with his hand instead of looking at me.

“Are you decent?” he asks, stepping in.

“No, I’m completely naked,” I say, snapping with my annoyance.

Leandro drops his hand and smirks at me, giving me a long once over. “Damn. I was hoping you were telling the truth.”

I grab a pillow and chuck it at him. He catches it with a laugh and sets it on the floor. I stare at him in shock. No other bodyguard would have acted this way. I don’t know if I should be impressed or angry. Maybe a little bit of both.

“What the actual fuck?” I ask, wishing I was standing up so I could square my shoulders and silently threaten him with my body language. I can’t exactly look tough, wrapped in blankets like a swaddled adult.

He reaches outside the door and grabs a tray with a couple takeout containers on top of it. “I told you I’d barge in. You had the option of opening the door. Can you blame me? You said you were sick, and it’s part of my job to take care of you. They hired me not only because of my skills in combat, weaponry, and protection, but I also have a medical background. So, if you’re sick, I will do what I can to make you feel better.”

I throw myself back, grab another pillow from beside me, and pull it over my head. What happened to the silent, serious guy that Talon turned him into the moment we both realized that I wasn’t some chick he managed to pick up at the club?

“I brought a bunch of medicine if whatever your ailment is embarrasses you. But you don’t have to worry, beautiful. I’ve seen a lot in my life. Nothing that comes out of you will scare me.” Leandro’s footsteps thump closer as he saunters to the bed. I listen as he sets the tray on the nightstand, but I refuse to look. I refuse to respond to his comment. Because there’s no way in hell I’m going to let him see anything come out of me. Ever.

“Come on. Don’t be shy. I thought we were already past that. You know I can’t go anywhere, right? I know too much.” The pillow shifts as Leandro tugs it away from my face, using his strength against me. “I’ve known Talon a long time and he’s the type to kill to keep a secret. But don’t worry. Yours is safe with me. I know you didn’t commit a crime.”

He says it in a way that I know he’s joking, because Leandro doesn’t know anything about the Society of Secrets. There’s no possible way. Only members know. Not staff. Not other family members who aren’t a part of things. Not friends. No one. He’s just making a speculation, considering how aggressive Talon can be. I know they knew each other before this, because Talon was the one to choose Leandro. If I didn’t want to be left alone, I’d ask more, but opening a conversation is the last thing I want.

“Well, at least you believe me. Not that it matters.” I don’t mean to sound like a bitch, but I really did just want him to leave.

“You’re right. My opinion doesn’t matter.” Leandro starts opening up containers and prepping whatever is on the tray. “If you don’t like what’s here, you can blame Talon. He just dropped this off and left.”

I grip the blankets in my fingers. “He came back and then left? He didn’t even—” I snap my mouth shut, silencing the stream of thoughts racing through my mind. I can’t believe Talon. What a fucking coward.

“He said things were taking longer than he expected, but he wanted to make sure you had something more than the leftovers. He’ll be back either super late tonight or tomorrow morning.” Leandro offers me the reusable to-go container, showing me the saucy, cheesy goodness of enchiladas. This proves that Talon knows he fucked up, because it’s my favorite meal from my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant outside of LA.

“What things? What has he told you?” Maybe Leandro will shed light on whatever Talon is up to. If he’s my bodyguard, he knows that he’s going to have to build some sort of relationship with me. Even if it’s not sexual, which I’m pretty sure will never happen again now that I know exactly where I stand in this world. I’m not going to drag Leandro into the bullshit of my life. He’s already immersed in it, so I need to make sure he stays just outside of my personal bubble.

“He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. It’s none of my business. The only thing I need to concern myself over is you. Now eat. I’m sure you don’t want me to hand-feed you.” Leandro lifts an eyebrow, motioning toward my fork. “Don’t think I won’t.”

A part of me wants to test him and see if he follows through like he did with the door. I decided against it because I’ve already crossed enough lines.

Picking up the fork, I cut at the enchilada and then pop a bite in my mouth. Fucking Talon. The delicious, savory flavors burst over my tongue. I want so much to hate this food, but it’s just too damn good.

It doesn’t make up for things though. Talon showed me where I stand.

“Thank God. The last thing I wanted to do was risk you biting my hand off.” Leandro smiles at me, shuffles toward the sitting area, and grabs a chair, dragging it to my bedside. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m starving. There’s too much lettuce in the fridge. I think Talon only knows how to feed rabbits.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t check the deep freezer?” I take another bite of food, turning my attention to watch Leandro bite into the biggest burrito I’ve ever seen.

He chuckles and covers his mouth. “Fuck no. It looked like somewhere someone stored bodies. Hide evidence...” He frowns for a second and takes another bite.

“Would’ve been nice if Talon managed to do that for me,” I quip.

“Worthless CEO. Never getting his hands dirty.” Leandro sets his burrito down on the wrapper.

If only that were the truth. Talon has done a lot of shady shit as the enforcer of the Looking Glass chapter.

“Right?” I say, trying to play along. “He’s probably just out partying or some shit, putting me off on you.”

He takes a sip from a soda cup. “He does seem like the type to get around. A man like him wouldn’t be lonely...”

I frown at the thought. Even thinking that Talon could be out with another woman right now gets under my skin, flaring jealousy through me.


Tags: Ginna Moran Romance