“Where are your shoes?” he asked.
I crossed my arms. “My ankle still hurts.”
“You could’ve said something,” he muttered.
“I just did, didn’t I?” I bit back.
His jaw ticked once, irritation flashing beneath that calm mask of his. Not explosive anger. Worse. Controlled anger. The kind that sat quietly before it poisoned someone. Without looking away from me, he spoke over his shoulder.
“Sergio.”
A man stepped out from the dining room like he’d been standing there the entire time. He was shorter than Leo, but still just as dangerous looking, and also wearing a dark suit, and a darker expression. Older than Leo by at least five years, with sharp eyes that swept over the hallway in assessment before briefly landing on me. Then he looked right past me like I was a piece of furniture.
“Yes, boss?” he asked, as if I wasn’t even in the room.
“Call the doctor again,” Leo said.
I frowned. “No.”
Neither man looked at me. Leo continued calmly, “Tell him to come now.”
“I said no.” My voice sharpened as I stepped forward. “My ankle is fine.”
Sergio pulled his phone from his pocket without urgency, like this conversation had absolutely nothing to do with him. “On it, boss.”
“I don’t want your doctor,” I snapped. “I don’t want anything from you.”
Leo finally looked at me again. “You can barely walk properly.”
“I can walk just fine,” I insisted.
“Barefoot.”
“That was a choice,” I hissed.
His eyes dropped once more to my feet before lifting slowly back to mine. “A stupid one. Just like that hairstyle.”
I opened my mouth, but Sergio spoke first.
“Jesus Christ,” he muttered dryly, still scrolling through his contacts. “One week engaged and you already sound married.”
Leo’s stare cut toward him. Sergio didn’t even blink. “What? You asked for honesty.”
“I asked for the doctor,” Leo said in a cold, prim tone.
“And the tiny little wifey says no doctor.” Sergio finally looked at me directly for the first time, completely unimpressed. “Looks like you’re losing authority already, boss.”
“I’m not his wife,” I shot back.
Sergio snorted softly. “That’s cute coming from someone wearing boss’ engagement ring. Is she always this feisty?”
Leo’s expression remained unreadable, but there was something dangerous sitting beneath it now. Something almost amused.
“She likes to argue,” he said. "Part of her charm.”
“I like to be treated like a human being,” I fought back.
“No,” Leo replied calmly. “You like provoking me. See where that gets you. Now, let’s eat.”
