Chapter 222

Chapter 222
Hannah

"Is everything okay?" I asked as he closed the door behind us.
Leonardo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked to the bar cart by the window and selected a crystal decanter. The evening light caught the amber liquid as he poured two generous glasses.
"Drink," he said, handing me one.
I accepted it warily, watching his face for clues. His expression remained neutral, controlled, but there was a tightness around his eyes I hadn't seen before.
"You're scaring me," I said, taking a small sip. The whiskey burned pleasantly down my throat.
Leonardo took a long drink from his glass before setting it down on the marble countertop with a definitive click. "Our arrangement needs to end."
The words hung in the air between us. I blinked, certain I had misheard.
"What?"
"It's over. The sugar dating." His voice was matter-of-fact, like he was canceling a dinner reservation. "The attacks against me are increasing. It's not safe for you to be around me anymore."
I set my glass down, afraid I might drop it. "But I... I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"
"This isn't about you. Most of the attacks have happened when you're nearby. It's not a coincidence."
"So what? I can handle myself," I argued, suddenly feeling desperate. "I've been fine so far."
Leonardo's eyes flashed. "They could use you to get to me. They almost did at the yacht party."
"But—"
"This isn't negotiable, Hannah." He picked up his glass again, draining it in one swallow. "This situation won't be resolved quickly. It could take months. You should focus on your studies."
I felt like the floor was tilting beneath me. Just days ago, we'd been in Italy together, and now he was cutting me off without warning.
"That's it? You're just... ending everything? Just like that?"
"Yes." He reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. "This should cover the remainder of our agreement. In full."
I stared at the envelope but didn't take it. "I don't want your money."
"Take it," he insisted, setting it on the counter between us. "Consider it severance pay."
I laughed without humor. "Severance pay? Like I'm some employee you're laying off?"
"You know what I mean."
"Do I?" My voice rose. "Because it seems like you're making decisions about us without even discussing it with me."
Leonardo's expression hardened. "There is no 'us,' Hannah. There was an arrangement. One that is no longer viable."
His words stung more than I wanted to admit. I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to hold myself together. "Fine. Whatever."
Leonardo sighed, softening slightly. "Your mother's medical bills have been covered, as promised. Who else does she owe money to? I'll settle those debts as well."
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Why would you do that?"
"I said I would take care of you. That doesn't change just because our arrangement is ending."
"I... I'll get you the information tomorrow," I said, still processing his abrupt shift in demeanor.
"Good." He moved to the window, looking out at the city lights. "I've also paid your tuition at Hawthorne. In full. You can finish your studies without financial worry."
I stared at his back, speechless. The amount he was talking about was staggering.
"You don't have to do all this," I said quietly.
"I want to." He turned back to face me. "Keep the penthouse and the car too, if you want them."
I shook my head immediately. "No. I'm not using them."
"As you wish."
An uncomfortable silence stretched between us. I had a thousand questions, but one pushed its way to the front.
"Did you find someone else?" I blurted out. "Another sugar baby?"
Leonardo actually looked surprised. "No."
"Then why—"
"If I wanted a sugar baby, why would I end our arrangement? Why wouldn't I keep you around?" He refilled his glass. "This isn't about finding a replacement, Hannah. It's about keeping you alive."
The intensity in his voice made me shiver. I believed him, but it still felt like there was something he wasn't telling me.
"So that's it? We just... never see each other again?"
"I didn't say that." He took a step closer, his gaze locking with mine. "Call me if you need anything. Anything at all."
"Okay," I whispered, suddenly aware of how close he was.
"I mean it." His hand reached up, almost touching my cheek before dropping back to his side. "My resources are still at your disposal."
"Why are you being so nice about this?" I asked, suspicious. "You're breaking up with me but offering to pay my bills and telling me to call if I need help? It doesn't make sense."
"Breaking up implies we were together," he said, his voice cool again. "We weren't. And the financial assistance was part of our agreement. I'm simply fulfilling my end."
I nodded, feeling foolish. Of course, that's all it was, a business transaction being terminated early with proper compensation.
"Right," I said, reaching for the envelope. "Well, thank you for the... severance package."
Leonardo watched me tuck it into my purse. "The car is waiting downstairs to take you home."
"You already arranged that?" I asked, hurt that he'd planned this whole dismissal so efficiently.
"I told you, it's not safe for you here."
I looked around the penthouse, remembering all the intense moments we'd shared here. It felt surreal that I would never return.
"Can I at least know what happened? What changed?"
Leonardo hesitated, weighing his words. "After our return from Italy, I received intelligence that you've been identified as... important to me. That makes you a target."
"But I can be careful," I insisted. "We can be more discreet."
"No." His voice was final. "I won't risk your safety."
I wanted to argue further, but the determination in his eyes told me it would be futile. Instead, I finished my drink and set the glass down.
"I should go."
Leonardo nodded, his expression unreadable. "The car is waiting."
As I moved toward the door, he caught my wrist gently. The unexpected contact sent electricity up my arm.
"Hannah."
I turned, hoping irrationally that he'd changed his mind.
"Yes?"
"Be careful," he said softly. "Don't trust anyone you don't know. And if anything seems off, even slightly, call me immediately."
"You really think I'm in danger?"
"I think I have enemies who would use anyone close to me as leverage."
I nodded, trying to process what he was telling me. "I'll be careful."
He released my wrist, his fingers trailing along my skin in a way that seemed almost accidental. "Good."
At the door, I paused, unable to leave without saying more. "Will I see you again?"
Leonardo's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "LA is a small city for people in certain circles."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the best I can give right now."