Page 17

CHAPTER 17

TYSHAWN

Leo and I got the goods baked that night so we didn’t have to wake up early to do it. We left the cabin early the next morning so June could have the cookies, croissants, and cupcakes before it was time to open the coffee shop.

After we dropped them off to June—who was a little too excited so early in the morning—Leo asks if I want to go back to his place to take a nap. Although I rarely take naps, I’m not used to waking up at four in the morning to pack a car and drive an hour home. For some reason, I can’t fall asleep in cars, so I spent the time talking to Leo about the camp counselor, making sure our plan is watertight.

Now, I’m exhausted. “Yes, please,” I answer his question, leaning my head back against the passenger seat headrest.

The building we pull up to is nicer than anything I’ve ever seen. It looks like something from a movie—all sleek steel beams and floor-to-ceiling windows. Sleep is forgotten when I step inside the building, looking around with wide eyes. I spin around to take it all in. Everything is so bright and clean, so modern. There’s even a doorman and valet.

“This is nice,” I mutter to Leo as he stops by the bank of elevators.

“It’s home,” he replies simply.

We take the elevator up to the fourteenth floor, and Leo holds the door for me. Leo tells me only two condos are on this floor, and he owns the one directly in front of us, and the one around the corner is vacant. “I wanted to buy that one and knock the walls down, but the contractors said something about load-bearing walls that I didn’t understand and nixed the idea. Mine is enough space as it is.”

He pushes the door open and steps to the side, allowing me to step in. An involuntary gasp leaves me. This place is fucking amazing. The floor-to-ceiling windows are here as well, but instead of them being uncovered to allow unobstructed light to filter in, Leo has the same kind of gossamer curtains that he has at his cabin in the woods. Though here, the curtains are black.

Instead of the light colors of the cabin, these colors are darker and a little ominous. It fits him.

His living room has one of the largest leather sectionals I’ve ever seen, the material appearing buttery soft. The black of the material plays off the red pillows nicely. Just looking at it brings back my earlier exhaustion. I wouldn’t mind taking a nice nap on that couch.

Even though Leo has carpet, a large red-and-black rug is in the middle of the living room floor that my bare feet would probably sink into. There’s more black than red, the splash of color dotted here and there, creating a space of dark foreboding that I find intoxicating.

I walk over to the window, sliding the curtains back gently so I can look down at the street. I’m not a fan of heights, but this view is perfect.

“Wow, I love your place.” My apartment is on the second floor, not getting views like this. Where my place is modest and we live within the middle-class price range, this building is clearly for the wealthy. A memory of Leo saying he wouldn’t have to work for twenty years if he didn’t take hitman contract rings in my head, meaning he’s well-off, but I didn’t think that included living like this.

“It can be our place.” He doesn’t say it as a question, more a statement of fact as he comes to stand beside me. “There’s plenty of space for you.”

“You want me to move in with you?” My voice is full of incredulity.

Leo grabs me around the waist, spinning me so I’m looking up at him. “Of course I do. I told you, kotenok. You’re mine. You’re not going anywhere. So after you wake from your nap, we’ll start bringing your things over.”

Giving him a dry look, I ask, “Aren’t you going to ask me first?”

His face twists up in confusion. I’ve never seen anything so adorable in all my life. “Why would I do that? You’re going to say yes.”

“Ugh, you’re literally the worst.”

“You said ‘the best’ wrong,” he quips, laughing at me when I put my hands on my hips with a lot of attitude.

“Whatever. Just show me around my new place, since I don’t have a choice on if I’m moving in or not.”

“Smart man,” he mutters before kissing me quickly. He laces our fingers together and shows me around my new condo. The kitchen is to fucking die for. I can’t wait to get in there and start baking. He has a double oven and a six-burner cooktop. I have so many ideas for things I can cook in there.

“June and Blu live upstairs. They own the entire fifteenth floor, so if you want to go up, simply give June a call so he can unlock the elevator.”

“The entire floor? How?”

Leo shrugs, pulling me into the bedroom and sitting me on the bed. He squats in front of me and takes off my shoes. “That’s the only floor they built to take up the entire floor. He told me his parents were looking at it, but when they turned it down, he bought it.”

I like that June is so close. Even though we’ve only met twice, I like his vibe. And he knows what it’s like to knowingly date a psychopath and a serial killer. If we have nothing else in common, we have that. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in that regard. We could also hang out when the guys have a kill together—Leo told me he and Blu sometimes get together and kill one of the guilty parties June vets.

God, I never thought I’d want to go on a murder double date.

“Arms up.”

Snapping out of my musings, I lift my arms, and Leo drags my shirt over my head. He tosses it to the floor and looks at my naked torso. “God, you’re fucking beautiful everywhere.” He reaches out and lightly grazes a finger over my nipple, causing me to moan and arch into his hand. “So responsive to me. I fucking love that.”

Before I can get too turned on from his touch, Leo rids me of my pants and tells me to slide up to the top of the bed. “Come on. Let’s nap. Then we can pack some of your stuff. You owe me a date tonight.”

I yawn, sleep already bogging me down. “Okay.”

Leo kisses the top of my head, then exhaustion takes me under.

A few hours later, I open my eyes, grinning as Leo kisses my shoulder. “Hey.” My voice sounds thick with sleep.

“Hey. Do you feel better?”

I nod, turning onto my back to look at him. Fuck, Leo is hot. His hair is messy, all over his head like a halo. Those deep dimples make an appearance as he grins down at me before planting a soft kiss on my lips. I’ll never get enough of kissing Leo. When his plush lips meet mine, I’m like a puddle of goo at his feet.

“You going back home to pack, right?”

I give him a wry grin. “Do I have a choice?”

“Of course you do, kotenok. I already made it,” Leo quips. I roll my eyes. “Do you need me to help?”

I roll out of bed and stretch, my arms over my head as I rise on my toes. That nap was fucking delicious. My phone reads 10:18, so I didn’t sleep long. It’s crazy that I feel like I slept forever but it’s still midmorning.

Leo slides behind me, grabs me around the waist, and draws me onto his lap. I giggle, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “You like touching me.” It’s not a question. It’s a statement of fact. Leo is handsy, and I love it.

He hums, the rumble drifting through my palm placed on his chest. “Do you have a lot that needs packing?”

“No. But I won’t pack everything right now. Just enough for a few weeks. Sam and I have to sit down and discuss the lease. Luckily, we only have about three months left, and we haven’t decided if we want to renew or not. I guess it’s fate that you came along, huh?”

“Or that you walked in on me after a fresh murder.”

An unexpected laugh forces its way up my throat. “God, you’re terrible.”

“Don’t take too long. You still owe me a date, kotenok.” Leo slaps me on the ass when I head to the bathroom.

It only takes us about twenty minutes to get dressed and out of the condo. Leo gives me an extra key, and my heart skips a beat because I'm moving in with him.

This is really happening. I always thought when I moved in with a man other than Sam, we’d have been together for some years, having gotten to know each other’s quirks and habits by spending the night at each other’s houses and making it known that we don’t plan to be with anyone else. Leo has done that, right? Albeit in a very demanding way, but he told me I’m his end game.

He’s mine too. It’s super fucking new, but Leo is it. I feel so comfortable around him, so safe. He’s been nothing but caring and loving to me since we met. He assures me my rambling is okay and doesn’t criticize me for wearing makeup.

The most obvious way he’s shown me that we’re forever? He let me see who he really is. After I walked in on him killing that man he could have killed me. No one knew where I was. No one would have known. But he kept me alive to explain things to me.

After walking me down to my car and helping me into the driver’s seat—despite my protests—Leo drags me to his mouth, kissing me greedily. I melt into him, turning so he can deepen the kiss. My hands glide through his hair, holding him close as he ravages my mouth.

I groan, then pull away from him, breathing heavily. “If you keep that up, I won’t want to pack.”

Leo licks the seam of my lips, and I groan again. “You can always wear my clothes. They look good on you.”

“Thanks, but no. I would like to wear my own underwear. I’ll be back soon. I’ll get enough for a few weeks.”

I’m on cloud nine during the drive to my apartment, and when I unlock the door, I practically float inside. Sam looks at me from the couch, eyes widening with happiness when he sees me. “Hey! I was going to call you.”

“How’s everything going?” I ask, plopping down beside him.

“Good. Look.” He turns his laptop to me, showing me an enlarged picture of a three-stoned diamond ring.

It takes me a moment to understand, but it clicks, and I can’t help grinning. “You’re going to ask Beth to marry you?”

Sam returns my smile. “Yeah. She’s the one. I can’t see my life without her.”

“She’s a good woman. I like her.”

Beth is a great person—friendly, responsible, and has a heart of gold. She’s much like Sam in that regard. They’re perfect for each other.

I give Sam a quick hug. “I’m happy for you. You guys are great together.”

“Thanks. I just hope she says yes.”

“Yeah, because she’s not head over heels in love with you,” I say dryly. Sam laughs, poking me in the side. “When do you plan to ask?”

“As soon as the ring comes in. I’ve been talking to Beth’s sister, and she somehow got her ring size. She likes lab-created diamonds, so they’ll make it to my specifications.” He points the photo on the laptop, turning the image from side to side so I can see all of it. “I’m hoping it’ll come sometime next week.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Will you be my best man?” Sam asks and my eyes bug out as I look at him. “You’re my best friend, Ty. You’re the one I want to stand up for me.”

Overwhelmed with his request, I sputter even as I nod. “God, I … that’s … okay. Yes. I’ll be your best man.”

Sam grins at me. “Thank you.”

I lean my head on Sam’s shoulder, and he wraps an arm around mine, squeezing me against him. “You plan to move in with Beth?”

Sam tenses. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I know we have a few months left on our lease, but after that, I was going to move in with Beth. We want to buy a house together. But if you need more time or don’t have money to live on your own,” Sam says quickly, sitting forward and looking at me, “I can?—”

“No, it’s okay,” I say. My cheeks heat. “I wanted to talk you about that as well.” I turn toward him and pull a leg under me, blowing out a deep breath. “Leo asked me to move in with him. I said yes. I’ll still pay my share of the rent for the next few months, but we should go ahead and turn in our notice to vacate.” I don’t mention Leo told me I was moving in with him, not asked, but whatever. I like Leo’s approach. “I know it’s fast, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. It feels like I’ve known Leo forever. Is that stupid?”

Sam doesn’t answer right away. He fiddles with his laptop for a bit, placing the order for the ring before turning to me. “It’s fast, yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s not right. When I saw you two together, the way he looked at you … I’d like to think that’s the way I look at Beth. As my granny would say, he’s besotted with you.”

I snort laugh at his use of the dated term. “Yeah, I think he is. Just as I am with him. He’s so perfect, Sam.”

“So are you. Make sure he treats you right.”

“He will. Just as I’ll treat him the same.” I pat his leg and head to my room. Over my shoulder, I say, “I’ll be slowly moving out. I only came to get a few things since we have a date today.”

“Yeah?” Sam asks, getting off the couch and leaning on my doorjamb. “Where to?”

I shrug. “He won’t tell me. But he told me to wear makeup. I’m not sure if he’s planning on taking me somewhere fancy or just wants to see me with makeup.”

“Take something for both possibilities.”

After gathering some clothes and some of my makeup, I pack everything into my car.

When I’m back at Leo’s condo, I raise my hand to knock on the door, then remember he gave me the key to our condo. Smiling, I slide the key into the lock and open it wide.

Leo shouts, “In here,” from his second bedroom as soon as the door shuts. I drop my things in his room and go to where I hear his voice.

“Hey,” I wrap my arms around his neck from behind, kissing him gently behind the ear. “What are you up to?”

He points to the computer. “Getting the address for Mr. Ian McCaffy. He’ll be our plan for tomorrow night.”

Grinning, I kiss him once more, then turn his chair around so I can sit on his lap. “Thank you for letting me join you. I know it’s not personal, and I can be a liability, but thank you for trusting me to try this.”

“Anything for you, kotenok. But I don’t think you’ll be a liability. You’ll do well. Don’t worry, I’ll be there with you the whole time.” His lips meet mine in a gentle kiss. “Now let’s get ready for our date.”

“Am I dressing up or down?”

“Down. Jeans and a T-shirt if you have it.”

“I do. Give me fifteen minutes, and I’ll be ready to go.”

Hopping off his lap, I give Leo a kiss on the forehead and trot to his room where I dropped off my clothes. Well, our room. I won’t very well be sleeping in the living room or his office. Smiling, I gather what I need and head to our adjourning bathroom.

Since Leo said we’ll be dressed down, I only apply a light layer of makeup just in case we’re outside—I don’t want to sweat it off.

When I glance up, Leo is standing in the doorway watching me. “You like?” I ask, rolling on a little more mascara.

“I love.” Leo grins, shaking his head. “I’ve never loved anything until I met you. What are you doing to me?”

“Exactly what you’re doing to me, baby.”

I cap the mascara and check over my makeup to ensure it looks okay. I kept it light, only using a fine layer of foundation, highlighter, and eyeshadow. The mascara makes the colors of my eyes pop.

Leo walks over to me, pulling my back to his front. “You’re beautiful, kotenok. I’m a lucky man.”

“Yes you are,” I joke. Leo chuckles, and his dimples pop. Just because I’ve been thinking about it, I poke a finger into one. Leo gives me a crazy look, making me laugh. “I’ve wanted to do that since we met.”

He rolls his eyes. “Come on, weirdo.”

We head downstairs to leave, the valet bringing his car around for us. Leo thanks the man and helps me inside, grabbing my ass before I sit down.

I’m shocked when we pull into a mini golf park. I look over at Leo, who shrugs. “I thought it would be something you’d like. You seem like more of a fun date guy, not a dress up and be fancy kind of guy.”

Grinning, I lean over and kiss his cheek. “It’s perfect.” He’s right. I’d rather do something like this than sit in a stuffy restaurant. That’s not to say our first date was bad, far from it. But this is more my speed. Having fun like a normal person.

We play two rounds of mini golf, Leo beating me mercilessly. It’s the most fun I’ve had in years. A few times, I try to block his shot with either my club or my body, jumping on his back or bumping him with my hip, but it’s like Leo anticipates it and shoots in a completely different direction, his ball still going into the hole.

“Ugh,” I mutter when we get to the end of the course for the second time. “How are you so good at it?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because I analyze everything. I have to with my job, making sure to anticipate everything that could happen and planning accordingly. When I look at the course, I scrutinize how the ball needs to move to get in the hole, so I do that.”

“You don’t just hit the ball like normal people?” I deadpan, putting my hands on my hips.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

Laughing, I shake my head and slide my club in the stand at the end of the course. “Yeah, no fun at all.” We head back inside the park hand in hand. There’s a small fast-food restaurant off to the left that Leo leads me to. We order burgers and fries, taking a seat when our number is called.

“You excited about tomorrow?” Leo asks. He doesn’t have to say what he’s speaking about—there’s only one thing I’m looking forward to.

I nod, popping a fry in my mouth. “I can’t wait. Michael was personal. This will kinda be business, right? I mean, for me. It’s your business all the time. Which reminds me, we need to talk about if I’m going to help in the future. I have to work around my job. Sometimes, I work late, if my boss has a case. I only have a few days left on my vacation time now, so we’ll have to put things on hold until the weekends. Which will suck, since I’ll be working every day during the week, the weekend will be the only time we have to spend together. And—” I snap my mouth shut, realizing I not only rambled, but I also got way off topic of what he initially asked me. “Sorry. Yes, I’m excited.”

Leo grabs my hand and squeezes it gently. “You never have to apologize about your rambling, kotenok. You never hide what you’re thinking. And I told you I like hearing your voice. I’ll never stop you from saying whatever you want.”

I know that’s true. Whenever I go off on a tangent, Leo has allowed me to continue until I cut myself off. He’s never looked impatient or like he wants me to get to the point. I believed him when he told me the first time, but there was always a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that he would grow tired of hearing me prattle on and on about nothing.

“Quit your job,” Leo says, breaking into my thoughts. “You can be my partner full-time, and I’ll split the profits with you. Depending on what people want, you can make over ten grand a night.”

“Work with you?” I look around and lean in to whisper, “Killing people?” It’s loud in the restaurant, many families with young kids sitting around and eating, more shouting and laughing than food consumption, honestly. No one will overhear if I said it in a normal voice, but I don’t want to take any chance.

Leo wipes his mouth with his napkin as he meets my eyes. “Yes. When I said you were my partner, I meant in everything. Quit your job and work with me.”

“You’re really fucking demanding,” I say with a grin. Giddiness rises in me as I think about quitting at the law office and working with Leo. That kind of money would help me get my bakery faster, without having to use the business loan. I could find a location that I want , not one I have no other choice but to occupy until I make enough money to upgrade.

“What’s your answer, kotenok?”

“Oh, you’re asking now?” Leo gives me a dry look, and I chuckle. “Yes. My answer is yes.” My excitement bubbles up, and I laugh aloud. “Oh god! I can’t believe it! I can get my bakery by the end of the year.” Tears brim in my eyes, and I hold my hand to my mouth, a soft sob escaping.

I didn’t expect to feel emotional being so close to my dream. But here I am, joyful and crying. A few tears escape my eyes, and I wipe at them quickly. I’m not sad. It’s quite the opposite. Knowing I can make Tessa’s a reality makes my heart happy, though a pang does go through it. My mother should be here for this. But it’s okay. I’ll bring the bakery to fruition for the both of us.

Looking up at Leo, I flash him a smile to ease the worried crease of his brow. “Thank you. My mother would be proud that people will be tasting our food.”

Leo grabs my hand and kisses the back. “I’ll do anything to help you reach your dream, Tyshawn. Anything you need from me is yours.”

Thank you , I mouth, not able to speak past the lump in my throat. I’m overwhelmed by his generous offer. It’s not lost on me that people have to die for me to open my bakery, but if they committed heinous crimes and escaped justice, they deserve it, and I won’t lose any sleep over it.

When the lump dislodges from my throat, we finish our lunch and head home. It’s the best date I’ve ever been on. Probably even more than our first date because I got to see Leo’s playful side. From how he told me he grew up, both with his parents and his grandfather, I don’t think Leo has had a lot of fun. I’ll have to take him on some fun dates so his only enjoyment isn’t dismembering a corpse.

My phone rings just as we’re walking inside the condo. When I see my father’s name on the screen, my heart clenches. I don’t want to feel this way about my father. He’s the only parent I have left, and he’s been a good dad. I need to face how I feel about him head-on and not hide behind my grief. Mom has been gone for two years. My father and I need to hash things out—more like I need to hash things out. He probably doesn’t know anything is wrong. He deserves to know why I’m so distant.

For the second time today, a lump lodges in my throat. It takes effort, but I swallow it down before I answer the phone. “Hey, Dad.”

“Hey,” he says, sounding just as he always does, like he’s happy to speak to me. I wonder if he can hear the distance between us in my voice. “Haven’t heard from you in a while. Wanted to see how you were.”

Relief washes through me when I smile at his worry. It gives me hope there is still affection towards my old man since I’m happy he’s worried about me. “It’s only been a week, Dad.”

“Yeah, I know. But I don’t see you anymore, so hearing your voice is all I have.”

Ouch. The hurt is evident in his voice. It’s time I faced my feelings and talked to my father. As a family, we were always able to talk to each other about anything. That didn’t happen when he got a new girlfriend so soon after my mother died, but that’s what we have to talk about.

Making a quick decision, I say, “I’ll come visit this weekend.”

“Really?” Dad asks excitedly, and I know I’ve been slacking as a son. “I’ll get your room ready.”

“I’ll be bringing my boyfriend.”

Leo looks at me with a wide smile, his eyes dancing with happiness. Those dimples pop, and I grin back, my heart thumping. I’ll never get enough of seeing those dimples.

“That’s great, son, really great. I’ll see you in a few days. Please call your old man in between that time. I’d like to know how you’re doing.”

“I will, Dad. See you this weekend.” I hang up the phone and look over at Leo, who’s stretched out on his couch. “You up for a road trip to meet my dad?”

He grins and nods, hooking his finger for me to come over to him. “I don’t mind meeting your dad, kotenok. Thank you for inviting me,” he says as I lie on his chest. His strong arms wrap around me, and I sigh. I can visit my dad and tell him why I’ve been distant.

I can do anything with Leo by my side.