That Bad Boy & That Bad Man Duet (Completed)

That Bad Boy - 11. Leo

After feeding Maude I left her resting in the library whilst I went to check in with Dom.

"How's she doing?" he asks as I settle back in my seat and I can hear his genuine concern.
"She said yes" I tell him, desperate to share the news.

"Leo?" his voice was quiet, concerned but I didn't care, she was mine and I wasn't letting her go. "You proposed! What do you know about her? Damn it Leo, I've got to check her out"

"I know, but it won't matter, she is mine and I'm not letting her go" I tell him and hear his sigh. As my big brother, As my under boss, I know he will need to do due diligence, but I have faith.

"Give me 24 hours before you tell anyone else" he mutters and i can hear him tapping away at his computer, no doubt issuing orders already. "Anything else I need to know?"

I thought back over what she had told me "Her brother, he's adopted, much older than her but their parents left him nearly everything, when they passed last year, something just doesn't sit right with me" I tell him, hoping its nothing, just my imagination.

"Okay, I'll check it out. The library know she was taken ill and I've spoken to her boss, she is off this week, I will cover for you this week as well. Take this time to get to know her, talk to her about her job, if... if everything checks out then she will have to make some big changes, her job cannot continue as it currently does, you know this but she will need to know"

I thought back to our conversation, she loved working at the library, with books, could she adapt? I shook my head, we would work out a way forward together.

"I'll talk to her" I tell him, knowing he's right.
"Do that and I will let you know..."
I cut him off, "No, I want to hear it from her, not unless it's something that I really need to know"
"Okay" he agreed before ringing off.  I lean back in my chair, my eyes closed, taking a moment to gather my thoughts.  My phone ringing and I groan a little when I see who's calling.
"Hey Dad" I greet wondering why he was phoning.

"Leo, is your young lady feeling better?" He asks carefully.
"Why?"
"I am at the office and there is a young man here looking for her, he is threatening going to the police, if we cannot produce her" he explains, and I can just make out a raised voice in the background.
"Hang on, I'll phone you back in five minutes... does he have a name?"
"Liam Campbell" he says before ringing off.

When I teach the library, I can't help but grin at the sight in front of me, Maude is using the old ladder system to slide across the room. "What are you doing baby?" I ask startling her and she squeaks before falling of, making me rush across to pick her up.
"You scared me, I didn't hear you come in" she says poking me. "Are you done with work?" She adds reminding me of why I came to find her.

"Who's Liam?" I growl and she looks up at me shocked.
"Liam? Liam Campbell? He's a friend, sort of... his apartment is opposite mine, he introduced himself when I moved in and sometimes picks up groceries and parcels for me... why? What's happened?"

I sigh, wrapping my arms around her, "My father has just called, your friend is threatening to call the Police on us if we cannot produce you" I tell her, feeling happier at the shocked look on her face.
"I don't understand, why would he do that, how would he even know what happened?"

I hadn't thought of that... "that's a good question, let's call and see" I guide her back to the sofa, dialling Dad and putting the phone on video call.
"Leo, Miss Deering" Dad greets us and Maude blushes before tucking herself into my side.
"Call me Maude please" she replies quietly, smiling at Dad through the phone.
"Maude it is and you must call me Luca. it's lovely to meet you" he pauses and we can again hear shouting in the background "and perfect timing, we have a little situation, would you mind just letting the gentleman know you are safe"
"Of course" she agrees and we watch as Dad turns and heads towards the front desk where two security guards are preventing a man moving towards him.
"Mr Campbell, I have Maude on the phone, please calm down" we watch as Dad turns the phone to him, showing Maude and I sat watching.

"Maude where are you, you're not safe, do you not know who these people are...tell me where you are and I will come and get you" he grates out, reaching for the phone but Dad moves it out of reach.
"Liam, what's going on, why are you there?" She asks him and I see his eyes narrow at me, his anger showing.
"He's dangerous, has he hurt you, why is he keeping you locked up?"
I feel her bristle at my side at his words "Liam, I don't know who told you where I was but you have it all wrong, I am not a prisoner, I am here with Leo of my own free will"
I grin down at her, knowing that's not fully correct, I would have kept her prisoner rather than let her go home...
"Do be so naive, look at him, what would a man like that want with you! Stop being stupid, come back, if you want a man, then I'm here for you!" He puffs up his chest and I just want to hit him, she is worth more than me and I'm worth a million of him!

'Liam, how did you know where I was?" She asks softly and I stay silent letting her lead the conversation.
"Katherine came to your flat, she was banging on the door, angry and told me what was going on, said that you were stealing her boyfriend, she agreed I would be better for you than him!" He repeats and she laughs sadly.
Her voice stays soft but her words are cutting "I thought you were my friend, however this has proven that wrong. I no longer wish to have anything to do with you. Go home Liam, and never contact me again. I am with a man who loves me and isn't afraid to show that or need to belittle me to make himself feel like a man. Our friendship is done... goodbye"

The phone swings back to Dad and I hear Liam shouting as he is escorted to the door "Are you okay my dear" Dad asks her and Maude nods against my side.
"I was wrong about him, I thought he was a friend, I do hope he didn't cause you too many problems" she whispers out and I wrap her closer in my arms.
"It's not your fault baby" I tell her and Dad agrees with me.
"You two should come to dinner tonight" he adds looking at her and I feel her tense up before relaxing back against me.
"That would be lovely, thank you, I need to head back to my apartment..." I start to speak, but her finger on my lips stops me and she continues "I need to pick up some things, until we get sorted"
Pick up things, my mind races and I pull he into my lap, as Dad laughs and I end the call.
"I love you" I tell her between kisses, "how much can we pick up... everything, we could move you in today!" I tell her, totally not joking.
'Don't be silly, I just need a few clothes and we can go from there" she replies kissing me back, somehow sliding across my lap to straddle me. "And I love you too"