The Million-Dollar Heart

Griffin bit her lip, her worry evident in her wide eyes.

No matter how much you prepare, the thing you fear the most always seems to find a way to happen.

"Vivienne, you don't think the guys will take Leopold out back for a rough-up, do you?" she whispered, sneaking over to ask Vivienne.

The only outcome she could imagine was Leopold getting a piece of their minds, quite literally.

Vivienne offered a reassuring smile, "Don't worry about it. They know better than to actually hurt Leopold."

At most, they'll find some other way to vent.

Meanwhile...

Leopold was cornered in an empty parking lot, surrounded by a group that looked less than pleased to see him. Jerry, cracking his knuckles leisurely, led the charge. "Alright, Leopold, spill it. How are we handling this?" With a heavy heart, Leopold glanced at the intimidating setup and then back at the two brothers pinning him down, swallowing hard.

This was a setup if he'd ever seen one.

Accustomed to playing the weaker card, he immediately went for sympathy, "Guys, come on. Today's the christening party for Vivienne's twins. If I show up looking like I've been mugged, what will people think?" Daniel snorted, cutting him off, "You think Vivienne's always going to take your side?"

As if they were invisible in Vivienne's eyes.

Jerry sighed, looking directly at Leopold, "We've been good to you, haven't we?"

Leopold, knowing full well he'd kicked the hornet's nest this time, could only nod in agreement, afraid to utter another word.

Jerry raised an eyebrow, "And how have you repaid our kindness?"

but here

they supposed to swallow

Silence from Leopold.

what, this pit was not one he could talk his

swear, I wasn't on purpose.

him up by the collar with a threatening tone, questioned, "Becoming godfather to Vivienne's twins just slipped out,

Leopold blinked earnestly, nodding.

was

thought

always the quiet one, pulled out a white pill, his demeanor icy, "Not coming clean, huh? Good thing I've got

ruthless, whatever he was proposing could

the horizon,

narrowing, "That's more like

verge of tears, pleaded, "I swear, I didn't do anything. I just asked Vivienne

and she agreed? What, do you

an eyebrow, "Thinking you can fool us with that excuse?

"Knew you were too slick. Not honest,

do

handful of peanuts, about to shove them in his mouth. Leopold,

just moments away, showing up swollen and red was not an

Sterling family name, I'm telling the truth. Call Vivienne if you

full well Leopold's fear of his family's wrath, they considered his words might actually hold

her now. If I've lied about anything, do whatever

yet curious, they huddled, whispering, "Maybe he didn't have the guts after all. If Vivienne agreed, there must be a reason." "Still,

his mouth shut, chimed in, "Guess I'm

him