“Alright,” he answers and hangs up.
I start pacing, trying to figure out the easiest way to tell Leo we’re leaving. I can’t just sit around while everything else is going on.
My phone starts ringing again, and I almost don’t answer when I see the name flash across the screen.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Beautiful,” Zane greets. “How’s your boy toy?”
“He’s fine. Thank you again.”
“Yeah,” he replies, and he goes silent. I have to look at the phone to see if he hung up.
“Why are you calling, Zane?” I ask, trying to keep the impatience out of my voice.
“Can we meet?”
“Now isn’t really a good time,” I answer. It isn’t the right time for so many different reasons.
“It’s important, Alessa,” he implores. “I need to see you.”
I sigh. “I can, but it probably won’t be today.”
“The sooner, the better, Les.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I get it,” I agree. “I have to go. I’ll let you know when.” I hang up and drop into one of the patio chairs by the pool.
I lay my head back to stare at the sky. Now I can add two morethings to the never-ending list of shit I need to do. I hear the patio door open and don’t even look, thinking it’s one of the guys until a floral scent hits my nose. I lift my head up when Leo’s mom sits beside me.
“It’s beautiful out here,” she sighs. “I didn’t realize California was this pretty.”
I smile. “It has its moments.” I look at her profile and can’t get over how much Leo looks like her. He definitely got her lips with the same color hair, eyes, and the same proud nose. She’s tall and thin and has one of the most relaxing personalities, just like Leo.
She turns to look at me. “I was wondering if we could talk.”
I nod. “Of course.”
She sighs and folds her hands in her lap. “It’s a mom’s duty to worry. I will always worry about my son, no matter how old he gets. I’m trying to be accepting of the life he’s chosen for himself, and all I want is for him to be happy. He seems very happy here, and he loves you so much.” She smiles at that. “I just need you to know woman to woman that I know who you are. I knew the name Poletti sounded familiar when Leo told me, but it didn’t hit me until I saw this house.” She grabs my hand. “I need to know you will keep him safe.”
“I’ll do everything in my power,” I promise. “But Katherine, youcan’tknow who I am,” I tell her, hoping she gets the hidden meaning.
She waves her other hand. “You’re Leo’s girlfriend, and that’s all I know.” She squeezes my hand. “You have a house full of guys in there that adore you. I wanted to reject the idea last night when Leo told me until I saw you guys together. I’m glad he’s found all of you.”
“I’m glad I found him too,” I reply honestly with a smile. “I love him.”
She tucks her hand on my cheek; it is such a motherly thing that I want to cry. “You are a part of this family now. If you ever need someone, please don’t hesitate to call.”
I nod because my voice is all choked up. She pulls me into a soft hug before going back into the house.
Maybe her showing up isn’t such a bad thing.
Leo,Gage, and Dex take Leo’s mom to lunch and sightseeing, which leaves me two hours to get ready to ambush this meeting with Spinner. They’re taking her to one of my restaurants which I deemed safe, and I don’t think Viktor is dumb enough to wage an attack in broad daylight.
“He’s supposed to be there at two,” I tell Ryder. “We need him to get there, and then we can go in.”
We’re sitting in my office going over the plans for the day. Ryder has his feet propped on the desk on the other side. “We can stake it out, or we can go in hot.” He shrugs. “It’s up to you.”
“What if this is a setup?” I ask the one question that has been plaguing my mind.
