I pursed my lips at the knowledge that Leo had told his dad about me.
“I’ll tell you everything soon. I’ve got to go. Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, son.”
He tapped the console again and called another number.
“Sarah? It’s Leo. I’m not coming back to the office today. It’s a family emergency. Please let Daniel know.”
“Will do,” a female voice said. “Hope you’re okay.”
“I will be. Talk to you later.”
The line went silent and he reached over, taking my hand and threading our fingers. He squeezed, his grip hard, as if he wanted to affirm I was okay.
“He didn’t...assault me,” I said, my voice gravelly. “It was close, but you made it in time. I assume Dmitry gave you our location.”
Leo nodded.
“I knew he was a good kid,” I whispered, closing the eye that wasn’t already swollen shut. “I want to save him.”
“Let’s get you cleaned up first,” Leo said, anger in his tone. “Those bastards are pieces of shit for hurting a woman. I can’t wait to watch them both take their last breath.”
“Don’t stoop to their level.” I squeezed his hand with as much strength as I could muster. “You’re sogood, Leo. I don’t want to be the reason you lose that.”
As I settled into the seat, my muscles slowly began to lose their rigidity, and I realized my adrenaline was fading fast.
“Don’t go to sleep, sweetheart,” Leo said. “You might have a concussion. I need you to stay awake until Adrian treats you.”
“How bad is my face?” I asked, tenderly touching my swollen cheek.
Leo grimaced but remained silent.
“That bad,” I muttered. “Yikes. I finally wore you down, and now I probably look like Quasimodo.”
“I know you’re joking, and that’s a good sign. But I can’t joke about almost losing you.”
My heart slammed at the tender, serious words.
Leo pulled up to Michael’s gate and rang the speaker box. The gate buzzed open and he drove into the driveway, parking in front of Michael’s large home.
He jogged around the car and lifted me from the passenger seat.
“I’m too tired to argue with you about walking,” I said, cuddling into him as I drew upon his strength.
“I want you to lean on me, baby,” he said softly as he approached Michael’s front door. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Alexis opened the door, her gaze concerned as she ushered us inside. Leo strode toward the living room where Bianca was waiting.
“I’ve got a basin of water and a first-aid kit,” Bianca said. “It will have to do until Adrian gets here.”
Leo gently placed me on the couch. Looming over me, he smoothed the hair from my temple. “I’ll be right here.”
I nodded, overcome with emotion at his firm protection of me.
Bianca sat beside me on the couch, tenderly cleaning my face as I tried to stay awake. Michael entered, his face a mask of anger and frustration as he and Leo talked in hushed tones near the doorway.
Eventually, Adrian arrived and examined me and gave me a few stitches on the worst lacerations.
