I narrow my eyes, “Look, whatever you’ve got going on with her father, is nothing to do with her. You could have him killed inside, what you’re doing makes no sense.”
His grin is cruel. “When someone has crossed you, not once, but twice, you realise that the best form of revenge is to drag the pain out.”
It’s the most he’s given me, so I lean forward slightly. “And at what point will you fill me in on this little plot of revenge?”
He heads for the door. “Despite what you think, Warren, you don’t have to be informed of all my dealings. Some things are meant to be taken to the grave.” He glances back over hisshoulder. “The fact you’re hiding the girl from me; tells me your feelings are running too deep.”
I push to my feet. “I’m not hiding her,” I snap. The last thing I need is for him to take matters into his own hands. “I was earning her trust by making her think she was safe.” He eyes me for a second. “All that stuff with her brother rattled her.”
“Even so, you should move things forward with Nancy.”
“What’s the rush?”
He smirks. “Prove to me there are no feelings for the girl, and I’ll call my bulldog off.”
My heart kicks up a beat. “What do you mean?”
He opens the door. “Prove it or you’ll find out.” And then he strides away with confidence.
Anthony walks in, his head turning to follow my line of sight.
“Everything good?” he asks.
“Define good,” I mutter in response.
“He doesn’t know about Italy?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. But he’s made it clear he wants Mick to know who his daughter is involved with.” I sit back down, rubbing my brow.
He thinks for a moment. “Have you come up with a plan yet?”
I nod. “The engagement.”
He eyes me warily. “How?”
I shrug. “But it needs to happen soon. And it needs to be when all eyes are on me, including the chief of police.”
He nods. “Makes sense. Most of the top dogs for the Met might attend. There will be a lot of important people.”
“Exactly. The perfect alibi.”
“But then you’ll be engaged.”
I nod. “Yeah, that's the only problem.” I exhale. “I looked over your man’s credentials. Hire him to watch Leoni. Whilst she’s giving me the cold shoulder, I need to make sure she’s safe.”
It’s late by the time I step into the elevator to the apartment, way past any decent hour.
It stops on Leoni’s floor, and I step out, staring at her closed door with my heart thumping in my chest.
I move closer, listening for any signs of life, and when I don’t hear anything, I place my hand against the wood and wait there a minute, just to make sure.
When it swings open suddenly, I’m caught off guard, and so is the man who almost crashes into me.
“What the fu–” He steps back, his eyes narrowed in annoyance.
And then I hear Leoni laughing. ‘What now?” She appears behind him, her smile dying on her lips when her eyes land on me.
Heat spreads fast, it starts behind my eyes and spreads through my chest, squeezing with jealousy as it trickles down to my fists, which are now balled and itching to crack open his skull. As if Leoni senses it, she dives in front of him, shaking her head and pleading with her eyes.
