Page 38

Leo

I t’s the following day, and after crushing Corrado’s heart last night, I feel fucking awful. He had been asleep on the sofa when I returned, the uneaten food still on the table. He had gone to sleep hungry…

So, the first thing I do this morning is promise him that tonight we are going to cook together because Azura is going to come over. That cheered him up, and I am going to fucking make sure nothing fucks it up this time around. I leave him with Winona; they will go buy the list of groceries I had sent to her.

I am currently in my office at headquarters, waiting for Jackie. Last night I told Eric to make sure she stayed in her apartment until she was called for. Emmet is in a cell which stops him from linking anyone, and before I talk to him, it is Jackie I need to deal with first. The knock on the door makes me look up before it opens to reveal Eric, Nikki, and Jackie. Jackie’s eyes are bloodshot, and it is obvious she has cried a lot. Eric looks sympathetic, but I already had a word with him regarding Emmet. He had been there when shit went down anyway, and he knew what Emmet’s temper was like. The two had never seen eye to eye often enough.

“Did I ask for an entourage to accompany her?” I ask.

“She’s in a state, Leo,” Nikki says, her eyes shadowing when they fall to the mark on my neck.

Even with the tattoos on my neck, her mark isn’t hidden away. I won’t deny that I examined it closely. It is a heart of fire in two shades; half is silvers and blues whilst the other is navy and blacks. It may look like a heart created from flames, but if you look closer, you can see that it is, in fact, two wolf heads nuzzling together with fur made of fire.

Hurt flashes in Nikki’s eyes before she looks away, placing her arm around her sister.

“I’ll wait outside,” Eric says, giving a small nod. I wait for the door to shut as both sisters take the seats opposite me.

Is it true that Azura is pregnant with your child? Nikki’s voice comes through the link. My eyes flash as I look at her.

You know the answer to that already.

Wow. Her voice is bitter and irritated. If Jackie wasn’t here, I would have fucking snapped, but I don’t want to stress her out even more.

We did nothing wrong. She is my mate. My fucking mistake was not ending it with you that day I got back. For that, I’m sorry, alright? So let’s end this shit now. We are over, I reply icily. I don’t want to have this conversation with you again, so move the fuck on. Her eyes glisten, and what fucking irks me is that her sister is in a state, and she is far more concerned about me.

Leo, you have ignored every message that-

“Leave,” I command. My eyes are enough of a warning, and she simply shakes her head before standing up and storming out. Once the door snaps shut behind her, I stand up and walk around the desk, leaning against it next to Jackie. “I know this is all hard, and although you are probably fucking confused about the entire situation, I need you to be honest,” I say, leaning closer. My hands thread together in front of me as I rest my elbows on my thighs. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with glittering tears.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know he’d try to hurt her. If I knew you were her mate, I would have told you about the baby,” she sobs, her face filled with guilt before she breaks into tears. I frown, not expecting that.

“You knew about the baby?” I ask. She nods.

“She asked me to keep it quiet because you knew who her mate was and that you might tell him, and he wasn’t a good person… and when I found out she was mated in this pack, I understood it. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologise, you kept her word…” Wait… did Emmet know? My heart thumps, remembering Emmet’s words. “I know your secret.” “Jackie. Did you tell Emmet?” Her guilt-filled eyes meet mine, and she nods.

“I never thought he’d hurt her, especially since he knew…” she whispers.

My eyes blaze as white-hot pain lashes through me.

He kicked her in the stomach.

He intentionally targeted our pup.

“Do you know where he hurt her?” I ask her, my voice shaking slightly as I do my best to contain the searing rage that is rushing through me. “He kicked her in the fucking stomach.” My voice is dangerous and menacing, and her face pales. She shakes her head, clamping her hands over her mouth.

“No… he, no… it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have -”

“No. It’s his fucking fault, and he will pay for it. Emmet will not be pardoned for his fucking crimes.” A sob leaves her as she crumbles in front of me, a woman who has been broken by her mate and his actions.

“What have I done… Emmet… why did he do this? Leo, what if you let him go? Don’t let him stay in the pack. Exile him, and -”

“Do I look like a fool to you? If you set a criminal free, he will come back for revenge. This wasn’t an accident or a crime committed by misjudgement, but one he carried out intentionally. Emmet not only abused you, but he also tried to harm an unborn pup and a pregnant woman. It doesn’t matter if she is the rightful Luna of this pack or the fact that that was my child he tried to hurt. They are crimes that I’m not going to forgive, whether they were against an Alpha or an Omega, and he will be punished.” My voice is cold, but despite my calmness, there is no fucking way I am going to pardon him. When an enemy walks free, they are a danger just waiting to happen. Emmet will stay in prison for life, or at least the next thirty years before I decide what to do with him… or… someone else does…

“Will you kill him?” She asks in a hoarse whisper.

“I want to. I want to rip him limb from fucking limb for what he did. Don’t forget, Jackie, he was like a brother to me. But I won’t do that because it would cause your downfall if I did,” I reply quietly.

“He hurt a baby.” She is crying again, rocking in her seat. I move away from the desk, and crouch down in front of her.

“Jackie.” I take hold of her arms, hating seeing her like this. “Tell me. How long has he been hurting you? Please don’t lie.” She doesn’t remove her hands from her face as she continues to sob, her pain and anguish clear.

“It was on and off… maybe it started a year after we were mated. It was just a shove or slap here and there, but then it became more frequent,” she whispers, her voice breaking. So, for a few fucking years…

“And not once did you think to tell me or Nikki?”

“He was your friend, and I love him.” She looks torn.

“Friend or not, I wouldn’t side with someone because of who they are… I would have sided with the truth.” Yet despite Azura just being a young woman, you straight up rejected her because of who her parents are. I sure am a fucking hypocrite.

“I’m sorry I said that Azura lied that day. I owe her an apology for that and for spilling her secret... I’m sorry.”

“The question is, what will you do now? Emmet will be tried in front of the pack, and he will be fucking imprisoned, rest assured. But now it’s on you. Will you stay as the mate of an abuser, someone who tried to kill an unborn child, mated yet apart, or will you let him go and build your life once more?” I ask softly. I know she is in pain, but she needs to make the decision.

“It’s not that easy. You mean rejecting him, right? The pain of rejection after marking is devastating,” she whispers brokenly. Gone is the smiling woman who always cares for others… I just wish that she could smile genuinely, not a fake mask whilst suffering inside. “Rejection is terrifying…” she whispers.

I know how painful rejection is… and I hate that I fucking put Azura through that… but what now? Do I somehow find someone to break the bond, so she can live when I die? I force my attention back to the woman in front of me.

“I know it is. It will hurt, but with time those injuries will heal. He is an abuser, Jackie. You deserve better,” I say quietly, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. “Whatever you decide, I won’t judge you… but he will remain in prison for his crimes. The rest is up to you.” She nods brokenly. It isn’t going to be an easy decision, but it is up to her now.

“Whatever I decide, will it affect anything else?” She asks, quietly wiping her cheeks only for more tears to fall.

“Only for yourself,” I reply. She nods, and we fall silent. I stand up, leaning against my desk, and light a cigarette.

“Leo… the Queen is here… can you ask her for help?” She asks hesitantly. My eyes flash, and I frown.

“No, and I don’t fucking want you mentioning that shit again.”

I’ve made sure to avoid Kiara, knowing she can fucking sense when someone is in pain. I need them gone from here. I have already talked to Marcel, saying they need to leave. I don’t want them overstaying their fucking welcome. She doesn’t reply, simply nodding.

“Can I have a week…? To decide?” She asks, fiddling with her fingers. I nod.

“I haven’t talked to him yet, either, so I don’t fucking kill him in the process. I need to cool down first.” She looks at me sadly and nods.

“I’m sorry that he betrayed you, too… I know you trusted him…”

“That’s life, people come and go… you can’t trust anyone. Not even those who you may consider your own.”

“Not always. Please don’t let Emmet’s betrayal remove you further from those who love you,” she pleads gently, almost fearful. I don’t reply, my face an emotionless mask.

“One week then… if you want to speak to him before that, you can let me know. No one is to see him without my permission, and that includes you,” I say dismissively, not wanting to delve into my own matters.

“Okay,” she replies quietly, getting up and walking to the door.

“If you need to talk, I’m here, and there are many in this pack who will willingly lend an ear. Don’t bottle that shit up inside.”

“You, too.” She forces a smile, although I know she is ready to break into tears again.

The door shuts behind her, and I smoke my cigarette, lost in thought. I’m not ready to talk to Emmet yet. I had visited the confinement centre earlier, but I didn’t go into his cell. He had been sitting on the bed, hands cupped behind his head, unmoving. But I wasn’t ready… not yet… I need to calm down first. I spoke to Jax last night, and it was fucking obvious he hadn’t even realised when the drug had taken effect. Only Emmet would have the answer to what his aim was…

He wasn’t meant to know Jax was there watching over Azura, but he had known he was there and drugged him. So, I want to know why he had targeted him. Was it because he hadn’t wanted anyone watching or because I had lied that he was Azura’s mate? Either way, I’ll fucking find out when I go to see him.

I glance at the time. I had been notified that a car had come to pick up Alejandro and Kiara and that they would most likely leave soon. Good.

I have a meeting to attend regarding the buyers of the shipment, too. Plus, I have done some more research on this fucking Judah. I return to my underground cave and begin dealing with what I have to. Once this entire shipment is sold, I will have enough funding for all the pack pups.

Enough for them to be settled and live the life I want for them. I spend the next few hours trying to find more details on Judah. I have already sent Dan to see what he can find… I am going to get to the bottom of this shit, one step at a time.

It’s now evening , and although the day has been fucking long, I can’t deny that there is something about the coming night that I am looking forward to. For starters, the look on Corrado’s face when I return on time as he stands there in an apron and chef’s hat that he must have picked up today. That is enough to make me smile.

Winona has everything washed and set out for me, and, from what I can tell, the place has been cleaned. Not to mention it smells of something citrus and deep.

I get to work cooking and giving Corrado small jobs, knowing I don’t have much time. Winona sets the dishes before she leaves us to it. I hadn’t really given Azura a time, and so I mind-link her telling her to be here for seven. She replies promptly, and now I fucking feel as if I am running out of time.

“So, Daddy, what have you cooked for Azura?”

“For us,” I state.

“Yes, and for Azura.” Does he have to keep saying ‘for Azura?’ I give up arguing with the kid and add the diced peppers to the pan.

“Spicy rice, grilled tandoori chicken, chips, and chilli cheese bites.”

“Daddy, you didn’t cook the cheese bites.”

“No, but you love them and I’m still popping them in the air fryer. That counts as fuc- cooking.” He giggles and nods, knowing I almost swore.

“Okay! I hope Azura likes it, Daddy… what if she doesn’t?” He stares at the food, and I raise an eyebrow.

“I thought you liked the food I cook.”

“I do, but what if Azura doesn’t?”

“And who cares? I’m sure she’ll eat whatever considering she can’t even cook,” I smirk.

“Oh, yes. Azura can’t cook… then she will like Daddy’s food.” Yeah, she fucking will.

I leave the chicken on the griddle pan and tell Corrado to take the drinks from the fridge to the table. That will keep him busy long enough for me to get changed into something else. I leave the lounge and go to my bedroom. I enter the bathroom to wash my face before I take out some black jeans and a black t-shirt. The bedding has been changed in here, too. Running my fingers through my hair, I return to the lounge only to see Corrado fixing his shirt. He turns and gives me a megawatt smile.

“Do I look okay, Daddy?”

“You look great,” I reply as his eyes examine me.

He frowns.

“Why is Daddy not wearing something nice?”

“I’ve been working all day, kiddo. I like what I’m wearing.”

“It’s not a dinner outfit. Daddy, you look like a bad boy. Azura likes people who look smart!”

Nah, she likes me just the way I fucking am.

“Well, the main thing is you look cute and smart, and this dinner is for you, right?” His smile returns with full force, and he nods.

“Oh, yes!”

I take the chicken off the grill and place it onto the bed of salad before covering the platter and checking the chips. The doorbell rings, and I stiffen. Just the thought of being around her is extremely appealing, yet fucking confusing.

Corrado runs to the door, waiting for me to open it. I cross the room and open the door. Her scent fills my senses, and I can’t stop myself from looking her over. She is wearing a cropped, duck egg, off-shoulder knit top with a black denim skirt paired with over-the-knee heeled boots. The subtle touch of make-up only emphasizes her gorgeous features. She is dressed to kill, and with her looking as sexy as hell, I know this is going to be one fucking hard dinner.

“Hey, boys.” She smiles before crouching down and passing Corrado the gift bag that I hadn’t even noticed she was carrying.

“Hey, Azura! Oh, thank you!” Corrado replies, peering into the bag before giving her a hug.

“You are most welcome!” She stands up slowly, her gaze turning to me, and it is fucking obvious that she likes me in whatever. I almost smirk when she can’t stop herself from running her eyes over me appreciatively. “Not going to invite me in?” She asks, her voice sounding dangerously seductive.

Our eyes lock before I step back slightly, giving her enough space to brush past me. The dangerous sparks of the bond surge through me at the light touch before she follows Corrado into the apartment. I shut the door, my eyes on her ass, as she saunters over to Corrado, who is already giving her a tour of the place. Damn, those legs are fucking fine... Well, this sure is going to be ten fucking times harder than I thought.