A look of disappointment crossed his face, but he nodded. "Of course. I hope everything's alright."
"Yes, it's fine," she assured him, but couldn't ignore the disappointment on his face. "I'm so sorry, Jeremy. Believe me, I was really having a great time with you. How about we do this again sometime,"
Jeremy nodded, "Sure, I'd be delighted to," he said.
Susan grabbed her purse as she stood. "I'll…call you soon."
As she walked out of the restaurant, her mind raced with questions. Leo's message had been short—straight to the point, and she couldn't help but wonder what he wanted from her now. All she knew was that any chance of a simple, normal night was gone, and once again, she was being pulled back into Leo's world.
_________
The Summit was open when Susan got there, unlike the last time.
Susan found her way upstairs to the lounge with a swirl of irritation and intrigue buzzing in her chest, where she met Connor who then led her to Leo's private room without question. Guess he'd been waiting for her arrival.
The door barely closed behind her when she spotted him, standing by the window, hands in his pockets, his silhouette outlined by the city lights outside. He turned, his eyes traveling down the length of her sky-blue dress with an appreciative glint.
"Is the outfit for me?" he asked teasingly, his gaze lingering just long enough to make her pulse quicken. "Because I must admit I love it. Although you might be disappointed to see that I didn't return the favor. What's the occasion?"
Susan held his stare, fighting back a shiver. This was exactly the problem. She didn't feel like this when she was with Jeremy, the man who should be a safer choice, but with Leo... she was painfully aware of every glance, every smile. But she steeled herself, determined to keep her focus, so she rolled her eyes, and ignored the thrill that went down her spine as his eyes raked down her body.
"Well, it's not for you," she retorted, crossing her arms. "What do you want, Leo?" she asked.
"Ouch," he said, "No hello. How are you doing? How have you been? You are one mean woman,"
"I was out on a date, and you interrupted it with your text,"
Leo's smile widened, utterly unapologetic. "Good," he replied smoothly. "I would've done it again if it meant getting to see you look like this." His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Besides, I'm not sorry. You being here is worth every interruption."
Susan rolled her eyes, refusing to let his charm soften her frustration. She cleared her throat. "So, why did you call me here?"
Leo leaned against the edge of his desk, watching her as if he was assessing every shift in her expression. "I've got more cash that needs washing," he said casually. "I want it done by the end of the week."
She let the silence stretch, buying herself a few seconds to gauge his reaction. This time, she wasn't going to work for nothing. She'd been waiting for the chance to make her own terms, and it was time to test his response.
"I'll do it," she finally replied, raising her chin.
Leo looked a little surprised, "Really? I was expecting an argument…What happened to 'I'm not doing this anymore. I quit,'"
"I'm not done talking," Susan told him, holding his gaze, "You made it clear that quitting wasn't an option, so I'm in, but not for free. This time, I want a cut of the profit."
For a second, Leo's expression shifted, his eyebrows raised in surprise, but it quickly melted back into that familiar, calculating grin. He pushed himself off the window, stepping closer, his gaze intense as he studied her.
"A cut?" he repeated, as if savoring the sound of her demand. "First of all you're not doing this for free. You're repaying a debt, and what makes you think I'd agree to that? What makes you think you're in any position to make demands?"
Susan met his stare, feeling the defiance spark in her. "Because I'm the one doing the job. I've done it before, and you know I can handle it. And if you're willing to interrupt my life, the least I deserve is a share for all the risk."
Leo's lips curved into a slow smile, a mixture of intrigue and admiration flickering in his eyes. He seemed to be enjoying her assertiveness, the way she didn't back down.
"The answer is no," he said finally, his voice calm, unbothered.
Susan's eyes narrowed. "You can't say no," she countered firmly, standing her ground. "You need me, and we both know it."
Leo chuckled, the sound low and mocking. Slowly, he closed the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. "Actually, I don't," he said, his tone dripping with a dismissive confidence that made her blood boil. "Do you really think you're the only one I have doing this for me? Think again."
His words hit like a slap, cold and indifferent, chipping away at her pride. Anger surged, hot and unrestrained, rising in her chest until it spilled over. She straightened, lifting her chin defiantly, her voice trembling with the intensity of her frustration. "I'm not doing anything for you anymore until we come to an agreement about this," she said, her voice shaking. "Do your worst, Leo. Hurt me if you must—my life has already gone downhill since you entered it, so why not? But I'm done risking myself for nothing. If you don't want to work something out, then send one of your other goons to do your dirty work."
Her chest heaved with the force of her words, anger radiating from her as she stared him down, refusing to back down. Leo watched her, that maddening smirk barely fading, as if he enjoyed her defiance, as if it was some kind of game to him. His gaze was unblinking, intense, holding hers until he raised a hand slowly.
Without breaking eye contact, he reached out, his fingertips grazing her cheek as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The simple touch sent an involuntary shiver down her spine, leaving her breath caught in her throat. His hand lingered for a moment, and she felt that same electric charge between them—something simmering, dark and consuming.
"Still want to go on that date?" he asked, his voice unexpectedly soft, the shift in topic so abrupt that it left her reeling.