CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 209 I’M WATCHING YOU

She rubbed her head against his abdomen like an affectionate kitten, her soft hair brushing against the hard planes of his body.

Leo froze. His breath caught, sharp and uneven, as he felt the warmth of her cheek press against his shirt, right over the lines of muscle that had hardened from years of discipline and training. His body tensed immediately, his self-control snapping taut like a stretched wire. He had endured wounds, fights, betrayal but nothing prepared him for the way this little girl’s innocent gesture nearly unraveled him.

His hand hovered uncertainly over her head for a moment, then slowly came down, resting there. His fingers brushed lightly through her hair as he murmured in a voice that came out lower than he intended, almost husky, "Bella..."

She didn’t hear the warning in his tone—too busy clinging to him, too busy celebrating her victory. Her soft giggles vibrated against his chest, and the sound made his heartbeat slam against his ribs in an erratic rhythm he couldn’t control.

Leo clenched his jaw, his other hand curling into a fist at his side. If she knew how close she was to setting his restraint on fire...

But she didn’t. She only looked up at him with shining eyes, happiness written all over her face.

After Bella left, Leo barely managed to keep his composure before rushing into his room. The moment his bedroom door shut behind him, he tore open the buttons of his shirt, yanking it off as though the fabric itself burned him. His chest rose and fell heavily, breath shallow, jaw clenched tight. Without hesitation, he strode straight into the bathroom, twisting the faucet until ice-cold water burst forth from the shower.

He stepped beneath it, letting the rush of water pound against his head, sliding down over his sharp jawline, his broad shoulders, the sculpted planes of his chest. Droplets clung to his lashes, streaming over his stormy eyes that refused to clear. But the water did nothing to cool the fire raging inside him.

Leo pressed both palms flat against the tiled wall, his head bowed, strands of wet hair sticking to his forehead. His eyes burned shut, but the images refused to leave. Bella—her wide innocent eyes staring up at him, her small lips trembling, her soft voice whispering "pretty please." Her delicate arms wrapping around his waist, her cheek brushing against his abdomen as if she belonged there. The memory made his entire body tighten, a raw ache tearing through him.

His throat worked as he breathed harshly, shoulders straining under the weight of his restraint. He tilted his head back, water cascading over the hard lines of his throat, sliding down the ridges of muscle across his torso. But instead of clearing his thoughts, it only carved them deeper, as if each drop whispered her name.

He imagined her again—looking up at him with those innocent, tear-bright eyes, trusting him, depending on him. And then, without his permission, the thought twisted darker...her lips parting beneath his, her breath stolen, her body trembling as he held her captive in his arms.

Leo cursed under his breath, his voice low and rough against the hiss of water. He slammed one fist lightly against the wall, his veins standing out against his tanned skin. His self-control had always been unshakable, but tonight—it felt like it was fracturing piece by piece, all because of a girl who didn’t even realize the storm she was creating inside him.

Still pressed against the wall, eyes closed, water rushing down his body, he muttered hoarsely to himself, "Damn it... Bella..."

****

"I know he’s only worried about my safety," Bella muttered under her breath as she sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers brushing lightly over her phone. A faint smile curved her lips when she tapped the hidden folder—a tracker app buried so deeply no ordinary person would ever notice. Leo thought he was subtle, asking one of his hackers to install it. But Bella had caught it the moment they touched her device.

She hadn’t deleted it though. No—why destroy a gift when she could bend it to her will? If Leo wanted to track her, she would let him... only it would be her rules, her map, her story. With a few swift taps on her tablet early that morning, she rerouted the system, weaving in ghost signals and false locations. Now, wherever she wished to appear, the tracker obediently told that story, and not a single trace of her touch remained behind.

By the time breakfast ended, Bella was calm, collected. She excused herself politely, returned to her room, and reappeared moments later with her simple handbag. Inside lay her essentials—her phone, her slim silver tablet, and a card tucked carefully into the lining. All innocently arranged, yet each piece could unlock entire networks if she willed it.

Leo’s sharp eyes followed her every move. As she stepped into the car, fastening the strap of her bag, he stood by the doorway, lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line. To him, she still looked fragile, naïve, in need of his watch. The thought made him send a quick message to the shadows—his unseen guards waiting to follow.

"Keep your eyes on her," he typed, before slipping his phone into his pocket. He exhaled slowly, relief softening his stern features. "Sorry, Bella," he thought silently, "safety comes first."

But on the other side of the tinted car window, Bella was already several steps ahead. Her tablet hummed faintly as she rested it on her lap, screen glowing against her fingers. Lines of green traced across a dark map, marking out streets and turns, while small red dots blinked steadily at the edges. Leo’s guards. Every one of them.

Her brows furrowed slightly, though a hint of amusement sparkled in her eyes. "I knew it," she whispered. She pinched the screen, zooming in until the red lights shifted like obedient little pawns. "Leo... you really think you’re watching me. But the truth is..." her lips curved into a quiet smile, "I’m watching you."