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He’s Leo.
“Then I teach them to be.”
“And what if I’m not afraid of you.”
“You’re different,” Leo says, taking another bite of the appetizer then leaning back in his chair.
“How?” I ask, almost hoping he says something sweet.
“Because you’re also a leader. And from all I’ve heard, you’re a good leader. Good leaders aren’t scared of other leaders, even if they should be.”
That’s a compliment alright, but it’s not exactly romantic.
“You’ve never been scared of someone who challenged you?”
“No.”
“Not even me?”
At that, Leo leans forward again, his smile rising, his dimples deepening.
“Of course,” he lilts sarcastically. “How could I forget about the fearsome Sophia Xiphias?” A deep hearty laugh echoes from his lips. “The only time I’m afraid about you, is when I think of losing you.”
His words come out so casually that it takes me a second to realize what he’s just confessed. I think it takes him a second too, because by the time I understand what I just heard, Leo has gone rigid.
“… Is that why I’m still locked up in this brownstone?” I ask, pushing my hand under the table so he can’t see that it’s shaking.
Leo didn’t mean to say that, it was too vulnerable. But he did, and I know it’s true.
After an intense battle plays out in his raging blue eyes, Leo seems to accept something that sinks his shoulders and eases his mind.
“I’m holding you here because it’s for the best.”
“The best for who?”
“For both of us.”
“How is it good for me?”
“Because if you were still on the outside, Retsos would control you. Hell, you’ve said it yourself, you wouldn’t be anything more than a puppet.”
“Am I not your puppet while I’m locked up in here?”
“Have I made you do anything you don’t want to do?”
Now it’s my turn to sink into a heavy realization. “… No. I mean, besides bringing me here in the first place and tying me up.”
“That was for your own safety.”
“How?”
“I could tell you were feisty right away,” Leo smirks. “If you weren’t tied up, you would have attacked me. I have no doubt. And I can’t control myself if I’m attacked, Sophia. I just react. I kill.”
“… That sounds like an excuse…” I mumble.
“It’s the truth. And so is this. I’m glad I stole you from that monster.”
The candlelight flickers between us and even through his impenetrable face, I can sense that he’s telling the truth… or maybe it’s just that I want it to be the truth.
