A few minutes later there was arguing on the other side of the door and then silence and then another knock. This time, Faith didn’t make a move, having learned that lesson—almost the hard way.

“Faith, let me in. I don’t have my key on me.”

She released the breath she’d been holding and let Leo in.

“Get your cat and come with me.”

“W-where are we going?” Although it was ludicrous, by this point she was afraid he’d lock her in the dungeon and tell the family they had a fight and broke up. Angelo was right about the trouble her presence was causing.

“You’re sleeping in my room.” He must have seen the fear that passed over her face, because he continued with, “I need you where I can keep you from my brother. He’s not going to start banging on my door and being an ass in the middle of the night.”

Faith tied the robe around her and bent to pick up Squish, who’d been rubbing against her legs and purring, oblivious to the surrounding drama.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she took Leo’s warm hand. In spite of everything that had happened tonight and the heightened danger and seeing Leo’s anger and Gemma’s warnings about her brother’s dishonesty, Faith couldn’t help the way she felt safe with him. Her hand in his had become a welcome comfort.

Even so, sleeping in his room reminded her of when he’d first brought her home. Would he try something now? She was surprised to find her attitude to that possibility had shifted when she wasn’t paying attention. Being the object of his protection, and the displays of public affection he’d shown her for the sake of the family, had done a funny thing to her heart. Now the idea of sleeping with him didn’t seem quite so terrifying or horrible.

But it didn’t mean she was stupid.

When they reached his room, she dropped the cat on the floor, who went right up to the love seat Max was curled up on and hissed. The dog jolted from a dead sleep at the sight of her and leapt off the furniture at her demand. She stretched in the spot he’d made warm for her and then flicked her claws a couple of times before snuggling into the soft fabric. Max did the dog equivalent of a shrug and slunk to the chair, curling his large body into the smaller space that would have been better suited for the cat, had Squish been willing to settle for second best of anything.

Leo locked the bedroom door and shook his head at the animals. “I think Max doesn’t realize he ever got bigger than a puppy and can actually defend himself.”

Faith stood frozen on her side of the bed, afraid to make a move. Would he make her sleep in here naked again?

“Get in bed.”

“I… um…” She blushed.

“Take off the robe and get in bed. It’s after three. I don’t do well on little sleep.”