Page 39 of Reckless Love

Chapter 14

We showed up at Bancroft Sports unannounced. Not because I was trying to surprise Leo but because I forgot. William had barely stopped talking as I drove. We talkedovereach other as much as we spoketoeach other. It was a cacophonous mess of verbal diarrhea that endedin us staring at Leo as he came down the elevator to meet us at security.

“I probably should have called him.”

“Might have been nice. Too late now.”

I glared up at him. “Thanks for the support.”

“Any time little sister.”

Leo stepped out of the elevator and came towards us with a look of curiosity. “Esme. William. What a surprise.” He eyed my brother as he kissedme. Then he murmured in my ear. “Everything okay?”

“We need to talk to you and Marie.Now.”

He looked back and forth between my eyes before he nodded. “Why don’t we start in my office?”

Probably smarter.

It was the quietest we’d been in twenty minutes as we walked the corridors of lunchtime at Bancroft Sports. It appeared most of the staff was out of the building. Cubiclesstood empty with blank computer screens. A few of the surrounding offices had their blinds closed or people inside working away the day.

Leo’s office was in the corner with a nice view of Tampa Bay. He let us in and closed the door. “What’s up?” He smoothed his tie as he invited us to sit. None of us sat. Instead we both spoke at once.

“It’s Jonathan.”

“I thought it was Rosie.”

Leo looked back and forth between us. “I’m going to assume we’re all discussing the thing we can’t discuss?”

“Yes.” We both replied at once. His voice deep and firm, mine shrill by comparison.

Okay, it was shrill no matter what. My emotions were running roughshod all over me at this point. I was flushed, my hands were fluttering around like a damn pair of birds, and every timeI spoke I tried to force the words out faster.

Overall it was not a pretty picture, nor was it terribly effective.

“How could you honestly think it was your sister?” Leo growled at William. He set his jaw like he was seriously considering punching William.

My brother put up his hands. “Come on. It was her before. You can’t blame me for wondering.”

“Icanblame you.I do blame you. For a lot of shit, not just this, but I have a feeling we’ll have a few years to work our problems out. Right now just know I’ll throw you out that window if you say anything about Esme.”

I...didn’t know what to do. They stared each other down while I just stood there with my jaw on the ground like a damsel in distress as two men fought over me.

Not like for possessionor anything creeptastic like that. I just meant they were fighting over my wellbeing with threats of violence against each other should either of them not perform to the other’s satisfaction.

It was weird.

It was also kind of amazing.

I hugged William tight then pushed away to hug Leo. I held him close and kissed the crap out him.

“What’s that for, love?” His thumbsbrushed my cheeks as he held my face.

“For caring. You too.” I turned back to a very stunned William. “This is...nice.”

“Yeah,” he nodded and appeared to be overwhelmed with emotion, “it is.” Then he reached out. I went back to him and buried my face in his chest. “You know what, Rosie? We can do whatever we want from now on. Even nice things like love each other.”

“Jesus,”Leo sighed, “he’s serious.”

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