“I want to see you naked, Suzy,” he told her gruffly as one of his hands moved to the zip on her jumpsuit, “Naked and wanton!” She felt hot, feverish—she was making out with Leo! Had she forgotten who he was? “No!” She pulled out of his arms, her expression one of panic as he reached for her again. “Let me go,” she instructed coldly.Puzzlement darkened his eyes at her vehemence, but he sat back in his own seat, his hands held up defensively. “Think all you want of me, but I've never tried to force a woman,” he assured her raggedly.She knew he had never needed to, that his brand of lovemaking could become addictive. “I know that,” she conceded shakily, shaking back the swathe of her hair. “I—it was a mistake, that's all.”Leo shook his head, his eyes steely. “I don't make mistakes, Suzy. I want you. And a minute ago you wanted me too—”“No,” she denied heartedly. “I told you, it was a mistake. I have to go in now.” She swallowed hard, wishing she had found the strength to go in ear
The bottle slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on the counter. Her heart lurched into her throat as she spun around, eyes wide.Leo.He stood in the doorway of her kitchen, casually leaning against the frame, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. His dark eyes were locked on her, that same predatory look she’d seen before, as if he enjoyed watching her squirm.“Jesus Christ, Leo!” she gasped, clutching the counter to steady herself. Her pulse was racing, the sudden rush of adrenaline making her lightheaded. “You really have to stop doing that. What the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes swept over the room, taking in every detail, as if he owned the place. He stepped forward, his gaze returning to her, amusement dancing in his eyes. “So many questions. I have my ways,” he said smoothly, walking further into the kitchen. “You look like you’ve been busy.”She stared at him, her heart still pounding in h
He still held her arm, and although his touch had been a bit rough when he grabbed her, it was gentler now, and Susan could feel his thumb moving so softly against her skin. It was weird how his touch could go from fierce to tender in seconds, just as it had when they kissed. Firm, yet not unkind. With the kind of man he was, she'd have expected him to be… Well, rough.“Why did you regret your response?” he asked again, his dark eyes trained on Susan’s face. “Why regret something you clearly enjoyed?”She felt the heat radiating from him, an intensity that sent a rush of conflicting emotions through her—fear, frustration, and something far more dangerous she couldn’t name.“I regret that night because,” she began, her voice low but steady, trying to meet his gaze without faltering.A flicker of something unreadable passed over Leo’s face when she paused again. “Why?” he pressed, his tone deceptively casual. “It was just a kiss. Why does it bother you so much?”Susan’s breath caught. T
The rhythmic beat of music pulsed through the gym, and Susan moved through each exercise with laser focus, her body pushing to keep up with her racing thoughts. Frustration surged with each repetition, and she felt the tension build, but the burn in her muscles was a welcome release.“Whoa, slow down, girl,” Caroline’s voice pulled her back to reality. Her friend was giving her a raised eyebrow from across the row of weights. “What’s got you so tense?”Susan paused, catching her breath, and forced a casual shrug. She couldn't exactly open up to her friend about the gang boss she'd gotten herself involved with, so she managed a small smile. “Just... work stuff.” She lied, and knew as the words left her mouth that Caroline would not believe her as she was such a terrible liar. Caroline gave her a knowing look but didn’t press. “Right. Well, from the way you’re going at it, I’d say it’s more than just work, but I won't pry.” She grinned slyly. “You need a distraction. Like, an actual di
The apartment was cozy, filled with the warmth of Susan’s home-cooked meal, and the light scent of roasted chicken and herbs lingered in the air. She watched Samuel take another bite of rice and salad, his face softened by a rare moment of calm. For the first time in a while, they were sitting down together, sharing a meal without the shadows of debt or danger lurking in the background—at least, that’s what she wanted him to think.“This is good,” Samuel said, gesturing to his plate. “You still make the best chicken.”Susan gave him a small smile. “Mom taught me well. I had to learn to keep you fed, remember? You weren’t exactly a picky eater, but you could finish a meal before I even sat down.”He chuckled, and for a moment, the tension lifted. They finished eating, their laughter filling the small space, the closeness of siblings who had faced far too much together. But as they settled in the living room with mugs of tea, Samuel’s expression grew serious.“So... I still can’t figure
Susan smoothed down her dress, taking a final look in the mirror. The short, sky-blue gown hugged her figure elegantly, giving her a polished look that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Tonight, she’d left her hair loose, letting soft waves fall over her shoulders, and had put a little more effort into her makeup. She wanted to feel like herself again—something she hadn't been able to do since getting involved with Leo.She shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. Tonight was about Jeremy, the charming guy she’d met at the gym. He seemed nice, normal even, and she desperately needed that kind of stability in her life. As she got ready, she thought about how different Jeremy was from Leo. Where Leo was intense and unpredictable, Jeremy felt safe and grounded.With a final glance in the mirror, she grabbed her purse and stepped out, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach. The drive to the restaurant was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension, but she told herse
A look of disappointment crossed his face, but he nodded. “Of course. I hope everything’s alright.”“Yes, it’s fine,” she assured him, but couldn't ignore the disappointment on his face. “I'm so sorry, Jeremy. Believe me, I was really having a great time with you. How about we do this again sometime,” Jeremy nodded, “Sure, I'd be delighted to,” he said. Susan grabbed her purse as she stood. “I’ll…call you soon.”As she walked out of the restaurant, her mind raced with questions. Leo’s message had been short—straight to the point, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted from her now. All she knew was that any chance of a simple, normal night was gone, and once again, she was being pulled back into Leo’s world._________The Summit was open when Susan got there, unlike the last time. Susan found her way upstairs to the lounge with a swirl of irritation and intrigue buzzing in her chest, where she met Connor who then led her to Leo's private room without question. Guess he'd b
Susan blinked, her anger momentarily displaced by confusion. “What?”He gave a slight, almost teasing smile. “You said I interrupted your date. And I have to say, you look... breathtaking. It’d be a shame to let all that effort go to waste, wouldn't it?”Susan opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. The intensity of his stare was overwhelming, clouding her thoughts, and she felt herself wavering.“Let’s make a deal,” Leo murmured, his voice dropping. “You let me take you to dinner, and I’ll consider your proposal. How does that sound?”Her mind was a whirl. His closeness, his scent, the magnetic pull she couldn’t escape—it was all too much. She took a deep breath, feeling her resolve falter as his words sank in.“You will?” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but she couldn’t look away.“Cross my heart,” he said, smiling, his gaze steady and unwavering.After a moment, Susan nodded, barely trusting herself as she answered. “Fine.”_________Susan sat in Leo's sleek black
“So… How are you feeling?” Samuel asked Susan after she dropped off their mother at his apartment one evening. Susan stopped short. He had offered to walk her to her car, but there was something in his voice—a knowing edge—that sent a ripple of nerves through her. Susan shot him a glance, “Mom told you, didn't she?” she asked gently. Samuel nodded, his expression both apologetic and concerned. “Yeah, she did.” Susan exhaled, a mix of relief and apprehension washing over her. She’d been dreading this conversation, but now that it was happening, she realized she was grateful she didn’t have to find the words to break the news herself. She braced herself for the questions she knew were coming next. They got to her car, and Susan turned to face her brother. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Samuel asked, his voice tinged with hurt. “I mean, I know I’m not the easiest person to deal with sometimes, but this…” He paused, searching for the right words. “This is something… beautiful, Suzy.” H
Susan nodded, taking a sip of water to avoid further scrutiny. “Yeah, just a lot going on.” Samuel chimed in, changing the subject. “Mom, she's doing so well at work. With the way she's always busy, I bet she’s going to be running the place in no time.” Susan shot her brother a grateful look. “Hardly. But thanks for the vote of confidence, Sam.” The conversation shifted again, moving to Elizabeth's plans for the week and Samuel’s idea of signing up for a cooking class. Susan laughed along, grateful for the reprieve from any personal questions. Samuel left for the kitchen and reappeared with dessert, and the mood lightened even more. When dinner was over, he insisted on cleaning up, while Susan and their mother went up to the living room to talk. “You seem carried away by your thoughts,” Elizabeth told Susan when they were finally seated and alone in the living room. “I do?” Susan asked in astonishment. Clearly she'd not done a good job of hiding her feelings properly. “Yes, y
Susan set the plate of rice, stew, and salad in front of her brother and turned to fetch a bottle of wine and a glass. By the time she turned back, Samuel was already halfway through his first bite, chewing with exaggerated enthusiasm. “Wow, at least pretend to have some self-control,” Susan said with a smirk, placing the wine on the table. “You act like you haven't eaten in days,” Samuel didn’t slow down but grinned between bites. “You act like I’ve eaten something decent in the past week,” he said, his words muffled by a mouthful of food. “Seriously, though, I’ve been living off instant noodles and takeout. I barely have time to cook anything worth eating these days. I'm a busy man, you know. I leave for work early and I come back late at night or in the evening, then I repeat the same thing the next day.” “Ever heard of meal prep?” Susan teased, pouring him a glass of wine. He waved her off. “Too much effort. Maybe I should just get myself a wife. Problem solved.” Susan raise
Susan stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, staring at her reflection as if it belonged to someone else. Her usually vibrant complexion was pale, her eyes puffy and shadowed, and her hair hung in disarray, as if it had given up along with the rest of her. In her trembling hand was the pregnancy test kit that seemed heavier than anything she’d ever held. Behind her, Caroline perched on the edge of the bed, her expression a mix of concern and impatience. “Just take it to the bathroom and pee on it, Susan,” she said gently but firmly. Susan turned away from the mirror to glare at her best friend. “I know how it works, Care,” she snapped, though her voice was shaky. “I’m not stupid. I’m just… scared.” Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the test. “What if it’s positive?” Caroline met her gaze with calm resolve, crossing her arms. “Then you deal with it. One step at a time. But you’re not doing yourself any favors by dragging this out.” She tilted her head slightly. “You’re goin
The room fell into a heavy silence. She finally turned back to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You were right,” she said, her voice trembling. “You were right to push me away. I should’ve listened. I should’ve stayed away.” Leo didn’t move, but she saw the flicker of pain in his eyes. “Susan…” “No,” she interrupted, shaking her head. “This isn’t working. It’s not good for either of us. As much as it hurts to say it, we need to cut ties, Leo. Completely.” She swallowed hard, the words almost choking her. “It’s the only way.” Leo leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He didn’t argue, didn’t try to convince her otherwise. He just sat there, staring at her like he was memorizing every detail of her face. “I get it,” he said finally, his voice low and rough. “You’re right.” Susan’s heart broke a little more at his calm acceptance. A silly part of her wanted him to fight her on it, to tell her she was wrong, that they could make it work. But deep down, she k
Justin Beck adjusted the rearview mirror, his eyes fixed on Susan’s car as it pulled out of the driveway. “You see that place?” he muttered to his partner, Collins. “Guy’s living like a damn king.” Collins Hallman smirked, his fingers drumming on the dashboard. “Bet the wallpaper in that place costs more than my house.” “Focus,” Justin snapped, watching as Susan’s car turned onto the main road. “This is it. She’s got to be making the drop.” “About time,” Collins said, sitting up straighter. “Vince better not be screwing us over.” “He knows what’s at stake,” Justin replied. “Let’s tail her. Keep it subtle.” They followed Susan’s car at a safe distance, their unmarked sedan blending into traffic. Justin’s grip on the wheel tightened as adrenaline coursed through him. Months of surveillance, countless hours piecing together this case—it all came down to this. “She’s heading downtown,” Collins said, checking the GPS. “Warehouse district, maybe?” “Looks like it,” Justin said, his ey
Her brows furrowed as she processed his words. “Wallpaper?” It sounded like a smart plan, but Susan still had questions. She stared at Leo in stunned silence, her arms crossed defensively. “You’re telling me you’re going to use Vince, the same guy who just betrayed you, to trick the cops?” Leo’s smirk returned, though his tone was all business. “Exactly. Vince may be a lot of things—greedy, reckless—but he’s not stupid. He knows if he screws this up, it’s over for him. He’s desperate to prove he’s still useful.” “And you trust him?” she asked, her voice dripping with skepticism. “I trust that he’s more afraid of me than he is of the cops,” Leo said coolly. “That’s all I need from him. He’ll tell them you’re making a delivery of counterfeit bills. They’ll follow you, hoping for a big bust, but when they search your car…” “They’ll find wallpaper?” Susan interrupted, her brows lifting in disbelief. Leo chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Exactly. Rolls of wallpaper. Compl
Susan almost shot out of her chair in anger, her heart pounding. The only thing that kept her rooted was the dozen eyes in the restaurant that would turn on her if she caused a scene. Still, every fiber of her being wanted to scream at him, to reach across the table and slap that smug grin off his face. Was he insane? Did he seriously think she would let him gamble with her life like this, especially now that the cops were probably watching her every move? “You must be crazy if you think I'm going to let you threaten me into doing anything I don't want to do, Leo.” she hissed, her voice low but venomous, “Is this why you asked me to come here? This—this reckless plan is your solution?” Her hands trembled as she grabbed her bag off the table and rose, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. “Stay the hell away from me, Leo,” she said, voice cracking with fury, and without giving him a chance to respond, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the restaurant. ______________
“Boss, please—” Vince’s voice cracked as Connor and Asher rose from their seats, grabbing him by the arms. “No! Boss, please! I can fix this!” he screamed, struggling as they dragged him toward the door. Leo followed, his steps slow and measured. When he returned alone fifteen minutes later, his shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his hands were clean. But there was a faint, almost imperceptible smear of red on his knuckles. He sat down at the head of the table, lighting another cigarette, exhaling smoke into the heavy silence. “Now,” he said, his tone brisk, “let’s make sure the cops never get close again.” His mind was racing ahead. He had dealt with the rat, but the damage was done. The cops were on his case, and he needed to find a way to tighten his grip before everything unraveled. __________ “Fancy place for a meet up,” Susan said as she took a seat in front of Leo at the restaurant he'd requested her to meet him at. She'd spent days obsessing about the cops that she though