Page 36 of Fierce Secrets

"Please don't beat each other to a pulp," I said quietly as I rubbed my arm, feeling rather chilly with only the plush robe.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "No guarantees." But there was something shadowed in his eyes, something that made my stomach twist.

"Is it really such a bad thing?" I asked, hating how small my voice sounded.

Gray's expression softened, but his eyes remained troubled. "I love Leo. He's family – a brother to me. But this..." He shook his head. "This can't be."

"Why not?" I stepped toward him. "Gray, I'm not a child anymore. I can make my own?—"

"Not now, Meredith." His tone was firm, and I pursed my lips. "Go be with Sofia while we figure this out."

"Fine. Whatever." I knew there was no point arguing. He was as stubborn as they came. It was both his blessing and his curse.

He disappeared into his room, returning with a bundle of clothes – sweats and a t-shirt of his. Did he have an emergency bag here or something? Was this his safe-house?

"This safe-house, whose is it? Why are there even safe-houses?" I asked as he handed me the clothes.

"Mer, not now. Please," Gray said as he turned away.

Right, because leaving me in the dark was his favorite thing to do lately.

I knew what Leo had done to Logan, what he was capable of. But then the pair of them, with guns, looking like it was something they'd endured before. I really had no idea who they were. What they were capable of.

What they'd done.

I watched Gray leave the room, my heart sinking.

And I'd just slept with Leo. A man who had made it clear he'd done things for me, that'd he'd protect me.

One who was called a monster.

He really thought I’d think he was a monster? Why? Because he beat Logan? No, I knew there was more there. Things they were hiding.

Bad things involving gunfights and blood. I couldn’t turn a blind eye to it even if I didn’t want to believe it.

Maybe Sofia could help me get to the bottom of it.

When I emerged from the bedroom, dressed in clothes that smelled like my brother's rather expensive laundry detergent, I found Leo in the kitchen, nursing a drink. Gray stood by thewindow, arms crossed, staring out at the city like it held answers to questions I didn't even know to ask.

I wanted to say something – to both of them – but the words wouldn't come. This wasn't the time. They needed space, needed to work through whatever was happening between them.

And I needed to figure out who the hell they truly were. Because something about their stories was off, and the way Leo spoke… I needed to figure this all out.

Leo's eyes met mine, intense and unreadable. He didn't speak, but his gaze said everything his silence couldn't. Regret, desire, conflict – it was all there, burning in those icy blue depths.

Roman was waiting by his car when I made it downstairs, his usual stoic expression in place. "How far out is Ms. Savoca?"

I checked my phone. "About fifteen minutes."

"There's a coffee shop next door – open twenty-four hours. We can wait there if you'd like. My treat."

The offer surprised me. Roman had always been professional, distant. But right now, his gentle suggestion felt like a lifeline.

"Thanks."

“Don’t mention it. This arrived for you too. Leo asked me to give it to you.” He opened up the back door of his car and offered me a package. “Bit heavy, best to open it here and leave it in the car.”

I frowned as I accepted it, the weight catching me off-guard.

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