Page 44

Azura

I haven’t even gotten to the entrance to the motel when the phone beeps, and I look down at it. Judah. I feel sick, and my heart is thumping before I even click on it.

I hate being around him. I hate how whenever he is near, something always goes wrong. I just wish he was gone from my life for good, or better yet, I wish I had never fucking met him.

I look down at my phone, frowning at the message.

‘I want you to take out any weapons you are carrying and toss them in that trash bin. Then make your way around the back and up onto the rooftop. Leave the phone there, too. Don’t play smart. I’m watching you, my pet.’

He’s here, I tell Leo through the link, trying to sound as normal as possible. I hate him with a passion. I am glad Leo is near… I feel a little at ease.

Stay calm, I’m right there with you. His voice is powerful, calm, and confident, which equates to sexy as hell.

That sick feeling only grows with each step as I take out the dagger that Leo had given me. He had also given me a few other items that don’t really look like weapons but would give me some protection, although he was sure I wouldn’t need them.

What is with you and all these gadgets? Are you Batman? I ask through the link as I toss the phone and dagger into the trash.

A billionaire with a troubled past and smart as fuck? Kinda fits, but no, because I’m not a hero. You’re becoming mine…

Well then, Leo Rossi, are you a villain? I ask, almost cursing myself for sounding a tad too flirty.

Do you need to label me, Azura Rayne Westwood?

Maybe?

Then I’m just someone doing what I need to do. Call it whatever the fuck you want. I don’t need to be a hero or a villain. I’m just something in between.

I spot the rusty metal steps and look at them. They lead all the way up… slowly, I begin walking up them, trying not to smile at his tone. A sharp wind blows, and I scan my surroundings.

Well, I think Batman fits, but then, he doesn’t have a sexy butt. So maybe you can be Buttman or Sexy Butt? I cackle, trying not to laugh out loud.

Very amusing… now focus. Where are you headed?

He wants me to make my way up to the rooftop.

And you didn’t tell me that? Be careful, and do not antagonise him.

Understood, I reply, keeping my face blank just in case he is watching me.

The stairs creak and clang under my feet as I continue slowly upwards. The noise feels too loud in the silence. An occasional car driving past can be heard, or a street cat. I am extra aware, trying to listen out for anything; even the rustling of the leaves in the trees feels loud. My mind turns to other things. Is Song with him? Is she safe?

I am near the top when Leo’s voice comes again.

I can see you, and I have the camera connected. Don’t try anything reckless, okay?

Okay. I’m not a reckless person.

Sure you aren’t, comes his sarcastic response.

I reach the top and realise that just talking to him had helped the unease that now returns with a vengeance. I scan the area, my heart skipping a beat when I see the slumped body of Song tied up against the railing, her blond and ash hair catching my eyes. My stomach twists sickeningly as I see the bruises and cuts along her entire body.

“Song!” I am about to run over when a shadow falls over me. I turn just in time to see Judah lunge at me. I duck, stepping back. “Stay back,” I growl murderously.

Keep your distance, try to stall him, Leo’s voice comes, calm and in control.

“Ah, Little Pet… how I’ve missed you…” Judah says, his voice sinister and dark. He walks slowly as he advances on me like a predator would, but he forgets that I’m not his prey…

“Shame. I didn’t miss you,” I counter, my eyes flickering to Song. The distance between us is growing as I keep stepping back, making sure I am far from the edge of the building.

“So, that bastard who texted me really thought he could keep you?” He spits venomously. “Your so-called mate?”

“I’m not a fucking pet or animal that anyone can keep. I do what I fucking want. We were done a year ago, Judah. Just get the hell out of my life!”

“We had a deal. You will obey me, and then I will decide if you can go.” His eyes flash dangerously.

“I don’t care about the deal anymore, Judah, I’m done! Want to release those videos? Go for it,” I say icily.

“Don’t push me, freak, because I fucking will.” His eyes darken as he advances on me, his face contorted in rage. How did I ever find him handsome? How did I ever even kiss him? Just the thought makes me sick.

“Fuck off.”

Relax, Leo’s voice comes, calm and in control.

Don’t tell me to calm down, I growl back.

You are only going to anger him. Trust me. Think with a level head.

“I would be very careful if I were you,” Judah growls, and he is in front of me in a flash. I tense, staying alert, ready to protect my baby if I have to.

“Fine. You wanted me, you got me. What do you want with me?” I ask coldly, trying to control the anger that I want to unleash, and I know if I wasn’t pregnant, I would have. He is within reach now, and although I feel stronger since both Leo and I have marked one another, I don’t want to risk anything. Especially when I know what he is capable of.

“I want so much… but the question is, have you really removed all your weapons? Strip for me just how you used to.” I frown, my anger flaring through me as his eyes rake over me, making my skin crawl. “Let’s see that body of yours again. Watching those videos just isn’t enough, you know?” Judah continues.

I suddenly feel such an intense wave of anger it makes me gasp and step back. These… these emotions aren’t mine…

Fucking bastard, Leo’s venomous growl comes.

My heart is pounding as Judah takes out his gun, cocking it and pointing it at me.

“Strip, you bitch, before I fucking blow your brains out,” he hisses.

I’m right here, Leo’s trembling growl of pure rage assures me.

I remove my jacket slowly, knowing I have the bodysuit on anyway. It is then that I see the black shadow behind Judah. Leo.

“And I will fucking blow your brains out if you ever talk to her like that again,” he hisses venomously, his steely eyes full of rage, as he holds the barrel of his gun against Judah’s forehead.

Then, everything moves too fast. Judah turns, raising his gun just as Leo kicks Judah’s wrist. I hear something snap, and the gun goes flying, a shot going off. Judah growls in rage, his dark aura swirling around him. My heart is in my throat as the smell of blood fills the air. I see Judah lunge at Leo, and both men fall to the floor in a scuffle. Leo is stronger and definitely more agile, but Judah seems to be fast… too fast. His movements look strange, almost inhuman. Well, we aren’t human, but the angles his body move at look abnormal.

They are a blur as both exchange powerful hits. I run toward Song, only for Judah to yank me away as he escapes from Leo. I hiss when his hand wraps around my throat in choke hold. I elbow him, slamming my foot up behind me straight in his crotch.

“Bitch!” He yanks me back, and just when I feel my arm being violently pulled behind me, Leo is in front of us. “I have -”

Judah is cut off when Leo shoots him at point blank rage. He dodges instantly, forced to let go of me. Leo pulls me against him, his arm snaking around my waist possessively. My heart pounds as I look up at him. Even in this dangerous moment, my core clenches as I look up at him. His eyes are cold and deadly. Yup, I love a bad boy. Especially this one. And those piercings, that I never knew I had an interest in, are now something I love. His hand squeezes my waist gently, reassuring me before he moves me behind him.

“You just signed your death warrant,” Leo hisses, glaring at Judah, who has narrowly dodged the bullet. I come back to reality, looking around before rushing over to Song.

“Song!” I whisper as she looks at me through her bruised, puffy eyes. “How dare he…”

“I’m all good,” she says, trying to smile the moment I remove her mouth gag. “I’d help, but he has poisoned me.”

“Seriously, girl, stop thinking about helping,” I whisper, beginning to work on the ropes around her legs. I hear footsteps and turn to see several of Judah’s boys approaching, guns in hand. Some I remember…

“Not so fast boys,” a deep voice warns, and both Song and I turn to see four men. I grip the ropes and extract my claws to slash through them before pulling her to her feet.

There are four of them, all dangerously handsome, well built, and dressed in black, but they ooze power. One of them breaks away as Judah’s men rush at them, but before I can pay attention to what is happening, I feel a searing pain in my chest. I double over, and it takes me a moment to realise it isn’t my own.

“Azura!”

“Leo!”

I turn, panic and fear for Leo consuming me, to see Leo is still standing, whilst Judah is clearly losing. Leo’s aura is incredible; I can see the sheer level of it whipping around him like a violent storm. He really is a Rossi… his power is incredible. It feels like waves of power are rolling off of him. Things seem to be moving in slow motion. I see Leo draw his gun, cocking it and aiming it at Judah, who is scrambling to his feet, bloody and raging with anger, but it is nothing compared to the anger that I can feel within me from Leo, despite how composed and in control he looks.

Why am I in pain…?

“Azura…” Song murmurs, her arm now supporting me. I can’t breathe. What is happening?

“I have a million fucking questions, but everyone knows the sooner you kill the bad guy the better. Before I finish you off, I have one question… where did you get those bullets?” Leo growls, slamming him to the ground, his foot on Judah’s chest. Judah simply lets out a choked laugh.

“Wouldn’t you want to know? I’m not telling you anything,” he spits back, grunting when Leo places more force on his chest with his foot. “You fucking Alpha!”

“If that’s how you want to play, fine. I’ll get my answers one way or another. See you in hell…” Leo says, his voice void of all emotion.

He pulls the trigger before my very eyes, shooting him square in the forehead. Judah’s gaze snaps to mine as Leo empties his gun, making sure every last bullet impales Judah’s chest. His eyes are filled with something, but he doesn’t speak, and I am in too much pain to. His body jerks with every shot, and I have to look away.

“He’s dead,” one of Leo’s men says calmly to Leo.

“Yeah, Jax, I can fucking see that,” Leo growls back, but it is clear the anger he feels is not gone. Is this really it? The end of Judah? I am shocked he didn’t escape. It feels surreal.

“Is he really dead?” I ask hoarsely as I exchange looks with Song. “I’m shocked he didn’t try to escape.”

“I think he is, Hun,” she replies, giving me a small smile.

“He’s dead. I had an electric voltage barrier placed around this motel; if he tried to leave, he would have been fucking fried,” Leo replies icily. He has some cuts and bruises but nothing major… then why am I hurting?

“Like a toasted barbeque. Shall we bring the body back to the pack?” One of his men asks.

“Yes,” Leo replies, crouching down to check if he really is dead. “He’s gone.”

I let out a breath I never knew I was holding. He is gone.

“Come on, ladies, let’s get you both somewhere safe,” Jax says, his green eyes calculating as he looks us both over. “Luna?”

I can’t answer, the discomfort in my chest growing.

“Shit. Did she get hurt?” The one in the taxi, Li Sheng, comes hurrying over.

What is happening? I press a hand to my upper abdomen as I lose my balance. Both men reach for me quickly, but it is Leo who catches me. The intense sparks and his scent cocoon me. This is my safe place.

“I… I don’t know what’s happening… it hurts,” I whisper, my vision darkening. “Song.”

“We got your bubblegum friend,” Jax’s voice promises, and I think I hear a huff from Song, but I’m not sure.

The warmth of Leo’s body and the sparks that dance along my skin feel relaxing, despite the pain. He lifts me bridal-style, but he is panicking… why?

“Fuck. Azura!” I hear him curse as my vision darkens. What… why am I... wait…

Leo… Leo… are you hurt? I manage to murmur through the link as I clutch his shirt, forcing myself to look up at him through my lashes.

A glimmer of guilt fills his eyes before I lose consciousness, and my world turns dark…