Lia didn't say a word as she and Leo walked out of the corridor where Vanessa had cornered them. She could still feel the sting of Vanessa's voice in her ears—out of your depth… Sweetheart… danger doesn't care who you're trying to impress.
She was fuming by the time they arrived at Leo's office.
The door closed behind them.
"Why didn't you tell me she knew about the investigation?" Lia demanded, dropping the files onto his desk. "She humiliated me in front of you."
Leo didn't bat an eyelid. "Vanessa humiliates everyone. It's what she does."
"That doesn't make it okay!" Lia's voice cracked with anger. "She acted like I don't belong here—like I'm some charity case you dragged along."
Leo's jaw tightened. "You shouldn't let her get in your head."
"She got in your head," Lia shot back. "Otherwise you wouldn't be this angry."
Silence fell, keen as a blade.
Leo stepped closer, his eyes stormy. "I'm angry because she's right about one thing—you are in danger. And you don't understand how serious this is."
Lia's chest squeezed. "Then explain it to me! Instead of freezing me out or letting your, whatever-she-is, attack me."
He let out a harsh breath. "Vanessa is nothing."
"She didn't act like nothing," Lia muttered.
Leo took another step forward, his voice low and frustrated. "I'm trying to protect you."
"By keeping me in the dark?" she snapped. "By treating me like a mistake?
His eyes flickered—hurt, guilt, something unguarded.
"You're not a mistake," he said quietly. "You're the one person I can't afford to lose."
Her breath caught.
The tension that pulsed between them shifted from anger to something far more dangerous.
Lia swallowed hard. "Then stop pushing me away."
Leo stared at her as if those words hit deeper than she meant.
Because for the first time…
He had not a single argument left.