Chapter 5

"You didn't seem to have an issue with that last night. " I was surprised at his bluntness but I simply smiled and slid the documents to him.

"Before anything is set in stone, you have to sign these documents first. " He looked at me with this smile and then he regained his composure. 

He picked the papers up and started flipping through them. "This is a lot. All this just to be able to buy art?"

"I need to know your taste in art, your price range, I need to know your financial status and source of income and I also need to know that you're a law-abiding citizen. Take your time and go through it, there's no rush."

"I don't have an issue with every other part but my financial status, you know better. I'm wearing a $50,000 suit, that should say a lot. And let's be honest, we know that half of your clients are drug lords, mobsters, and Wall Street guys who buy art as a form of hiding their money in plain sight, so my relationship with the law shouldn't be a problem. I'll sign the papers though." He brought out a pen and was about to start signing. 

"I'd advise you to go through it with your lawyers first." He just kept on singing until he had signed all the papers. I just sat there typing away. He's a big boy, whatever happens, it's his signature that's on the document not mine.

"I don't need to. I trust that you wouldn't dare cross me. Since that's signed and I'm personally delivering it to you, I'll make a deposit of 600 million euros for the artwork and I expect it to be delivered to my storage facility. Any other information should be sent to my office." 

"The painting you want is worth 345 million dollars."

"I know." We both got up and I gave him a handshake but his hands lingered. 

"What are you doing Mr. Black?" I asked flipping my hair to the side. Yes, he is hot and rich and everything most women want but he's also bad news. This is not the kind of man I need right now. 

"Mr. Black? All through last night I remember you screaming 'Karrion!' at the top of your lungs. Why so formal today?"

"Because last night was a mistake and a one-time thing and it's not going to happen again. This relationship is strictly professional." He still didn't let go. "Let me go... Mr. Black. " I said faking a smile. Instead, he walked to my side of the table, all the while never releasing my hands or breaking eye contact. He got in front of me and pulled me to his chest roughly. His hands went around my waist tightly. 

"I see it, you know. " He said looking into my eyes. 

"See what?"

"The things you want me to do to you. They're showing in your eyes and I'll fulfill them...real soon." His words were calm yet calculated. He held my gaze and then stepped back and released my waist. "But till then, I expect to get the full worth of my money." He took a few steps toward the door and then turned to me. "Oh, and next time you're sent on a mission to me, steal something more valuable. The Lamden file is useless without someone who can decipher it. I'm sorry to tell you that all you accomplished last night, was getting in bed with me." And he was gone.

I worked for a few more hours and I don't know how time slipped away because as soon as I checked my watch, it was almost 10 pm! I was late for dinner and I knew that Leo would flip but I had to work. He stays in his office at the organisation all day but I have to switch between here and the organisation, so there will be days when I run a little late but that shouldn't be an issue. Right?

"Leo?" I called out as I walked into the large yet always dark apartment. His apartment gave me Harvey Spectre vibes. It was edgy and yet, classy.

"I'm out here!" I walked out to the balcony to meet him. He was still in his work clothes, just without the suit jacket and his sleeves were folded to his elbows. He had his usual glass of scotch in hand and he was leaning against the railing, staring at the beautiful city of Venice.

"It's cold out here Leo, why are you here?" I asked as I went and stood next to him. I loved the warmth that radiated off him.

"It's my job to keep an eye on the city, isn't it?" Oh, he's upset. He's usually a man of very few words but whenever he sounds so...uninterested in something, he's upset.

"Yeah." I turned to face him but he didn't even give me a second thought. "I'm sorry I missed dinner. I lost track of time and I forgot to call you and...."

"And what Sophie?! What exactly is your reason for coming home by this time? It's past 10 pm! In our line of work, anything could've happened to you. I tried to call and you never answered and when I tried again, your phone was off. Do you have any idea the scenarios that ran through my mind?" Like I said, he's a tad bit overprotective. Believe me, he means well.

"There was just a lot for me to do at the office today. Babe, I'm sorry. For missing your calls, for missing dinner and for making you worry. " I forced his face to look at me and I placed both hands on both sides of his face. "I'm sorry."

"What was Karrion doing at your office today?" How did he...of course, he has someone watching me. Just to be sure, I'll try my card of ignorance. 

"What are you talking about?" 

"Don't even try to lie." He said as he turned and walked back into the apartment. I sighed before following him.

"He was there for business. "

"What did he want?"

"Art. "

He scoffed before pouring another glass of scotch. "Karrion Black came to you, to buy art?"

"Yes."

"Unbelievable. " He said laughing. What was so unbelievable?!

"Really? What do you think he wanted?" I asked sarcastically but somehow, I knew he would have an answer.

"I don't know...maybe you?" This again.

"I thought you said we weren't going to talk about this again?"

"Well, we are! I try so hard to protect you, and it seems like all you ever do is throw yourself into danger's arms. Why? Just tell me why."

"Because I know that you'll always be there to bail me out. I can and will handle Karrion, but you need to trust me." He sighed like he was so tired he had no words. 

"As your boss, I'll tell you this, if you get involved with that man, you're done with the organisation and you'll be labelled as a traitor and you know what that means. But as your friend and lover, if you get involved with that man, you'll be digging a hole too deep to get out of when you realise that you've messed up." He was suddenly interrupted by his ringing phone. He looked between us for a second before answering the call.

"What?!" ...." and we can't reschedule?!"...... "fine, tell her I'm on my way." That was all I heard and then I saw him grab his jacket.

"What's going on?"

"I have a meeting to attend."

"It's almost midnight. "

"Then you can go to bed. Feel free to stay or go. I don't care at this rate." Those words stung me like hell. I cared about  Leo and I wanted things to work out but....

"Leo wait." But he was out of the door. He was upset and with good reason, of course, so I'll probably just leave and see him tomorrow morning at work.

I left Leo's apartment and headed home. He claims he cares about me but he doesn't want to make things official. I'm not sure I can keep up with this anymore if he isn't ready to tell me where this is going. I discarded all thoughts as I headed into my apartment. It was dark and chilly so I headed upstairs and drew myself a warm bubble bath.

**********Leo's POV************

I walked into the office half pissed at Sophie and half pissed at the person who pulled me out of that conversation. I stormed into my office so pissed that I didn't even notice the person who was seated there.

"Who demands a meeting by 12:34 in the morning?! You better have a good reason for this!" I said as I stormed in.

"Well, I do. And does it matter ?" I turned as I heard a very familiar voice. 

"Olivia freaking Grant," I said with a charming smile on my face. She got up and walked over to where I was and she hugged me. She still had this beauty that followed her every move. 

"No no...it's Grant-Toliver now. And technically, my middle name is Rhea." She walked back to her chair and leaned into it. She had already poured two glasses of whiskey for us. Classic Olivia.

"Noted. So, Mrs. Toliver, what brings you to Italy?"

"I'm here for the Notte Lontano." 

"Really? Cause last I heard, the Notte Lontano isn't for another six months. So why are you here?" She had the look that she always had whenever she had been caught in a lie.

"Fine. I'm here to discuss something important with you before my husband lands in Italy and believe me, you'd rather have this conversation with me."

"Ok." I believe I already know where this conversation is headed.

"A source told me that you have the Lamden file, don't even try to deny it because I know you have it, so where is it?"

"Somewhere safe."

"Where is it? Look, you stole the original, planted a fake with my name and my people's names on it and I could've come here upset that you tried to have me killed but I'm not. Instead, I just want the original file, nothing added, nothing removed."

"I'm sorry but I don't follow. I have the file, I'm just not the person who stole it."

"Then who stole it?"

"You'd have to ask Mr. Karrion Black."