Page 55 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire (The Rossi Legacies #1)

Azura

I t’s the following day, and after a restless night, I have gotten dressed in blue jeggings and an oversized white top. Leo has just popped over, saying it is time to talk to Corrado. There is something different about him, but I can’t pinpoint what it is. He is wearing a white tank top and grey sweats. His hair is a sexy mess, and it is obvious he has been running his hand through it a lot, and he looks a bit pale. But there is something else… did he even get any sleep?

He first takes Corrado to the garden, and I see him crouching in front of him and, from what I can make out, apologising for last night. Corrado stands with his arms crossed, looking displeased, before hugging him and smiling. Children really are so innocent…

They come in soon after, and Leo looks at me.

“Shall we?”

“Sure,” I say, turning away from him and allowing him to lead the way.

“It’s so fucking hot,” Leo mutters as the three of us head to the lounge.

Have you even planned what we’ll say? I ask him through the link. I really don’t want to do this, but I know for Corrado, I will. At least he is letting Corrado know that he will be a big brother, despite not really seeming to care about seeing this baby again.

No.

I frown slightly but say nothing, not knowing how this is going to play out. I shut the door behind us, the airy room making the sounds of our heartbeats sound even louder. I don’t respond as I cross my arms, and Leo sits down, making Corrado stand in front of him.

“Daddy, why are you so serious?” He asks worriedly.

“There’s something that I need to tell you.”

You or we? Leo looks at me, and I stare back emotionlessly. If he wants help, he will have to ask for it.

We. It feels like an eternity. The pain and intensity of his gaze make me look away first.

“There’s something that the both of us want to share… but I need you to understand, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy,” he says, looking up at me. “Did you and Azura make up?”

“Make up?” Leo raises an eyebrow.

“Because last night you argued,” he states. I feel awful. So, even this kid picked up on the fact something is wrong.

Nice going, I say icily. Leo doesn’t respond.

“This is about something else.”

“Oh…” He is clearly disappointed, and I can’t help but go and sit next to Leo for Corrado, but I make sure there is a gap between us.

“Azura is having a baby,” Leo says hesitantly. For once, Mr. Smartass obviously doesn’t know how to go about this.

“Ooo,” Corrado says, turning and staring at my stomach. “But, Azura, your belly isn’t big… where is the baby?”

“It’s still little yet,” I reply with an amused smile. He really is such a cutie. I see Leo massaging his neck as Corrado’s face falls.

“Where’s the baby’s daddy?” He asks before looking at Leo worriedly. He steps closer to him. “Can we still keep her? Please, Daddy, you can be Azura’s baby’s daddy, and I will be a good big brother! We will take care of her!” He whispers. This is going to hurt him… do we need to do this?

“Corrado, it’s… no, we can’t.” Leo places his hands on his shoulders. Corrado’s face falls, and he looks absolutely devastated. Leo glances at me – a silent request to help. If it didn’t involve this cherub, he could have gone to hell.

“Come here,” I say, smiling gently at the child and forcing myself not to let my emotions show. I reach for him, and Corrado shuffles towards me, looking confused.

You really don’t know how to do this shit, I shoot through the link. Heck, even I don’t know what to do.

“Corrado, this baby is your daddy’s… which means you are going to be a big brother,” I begin, realising that no matter what angle we do this from, it is going to hurt him.

“I’m going to be a big brother!” He gasps, his eyes widening before they sparkle with excitement. “Daddy! I’m going to have a baby brother or sister!” He exclaims, looking at his dad excitedly.

“Yes, you are, kid,” Leo replies, smiling faintly at him as he ruffles his hair.

“So Azura and the baby can come live with us. The baby can share my room!”

Yeah, explain shit to him now.

Our eyes meet before he looks at Corrado, but when I think he’ll be able to explain it, he simply looks away, frowning.

“Corrado.” I reach for him once more, and he looks up at me with even more adoration than before.

“Yes, Azura?”

“I won’t be staying here; I’ll be returning to my own pack… but I promise you I will send you lots of videos and pictures. And we can video-call and visit. I promise,” I explain, my heart breaking as I watch the little boy crumple before me. His excitement is dissipating, and it is replaced by sheer sadness, his eyes glistening with tears that begin welling up in his eyes fast.

“Why?” He whispers, raising his fisted hands to his eyes as he begins crying. “Doesn’t Azura want to be my mommy, too? I promise to be good. Does Azura not love me? I won’t ask for anything, Azura, I promise I’ll be a good boy.” I can’t stop my own tears from streaming down my cheeks as I drop to my knees in front of him and hug him.

“No, baby, it’s not you… I promise I love you so so so much,” I whisper, my voice breaking.

“Then why won’t you be my mommy, Azura?” He sobs.

“Corrado… enough. Come on,” Leo’s voice comes, thick with emotion, as he pulls Corrado from my arms even when I don’t want to let go of him.

“But, Daddy…”

“That’s an adult decision, Corrado. Azura is leaving tomorrow,” he says quietly before he stands up, lifting his son into his arms and walking away. He pauses at the door and glances back at me; the look of regret is clear in his eyes. I can hear Corrado’s sobs as he asks what he did wrong.

“We have to go to Azura, please, Daddy… don’t let Azura go. Don’t let our baby go away. I be a good big brother, Daddy. I promise…”

Corrado’s words break my heart, and they are the only thing that I can focus on as I kneel there, silently crying my heart out. “Doesn’t Azura want to be my mommy, too?”

I clamp my hands over my mouth to stifle my sobs. I can’t breathe properly… the pain is almost suffocating me.

Of course I want to be your Mommy. I would have been the happiest person in the world, as would this baby, to have you in our lives…

Then why don’t you fight for what you want, Azura?

I freeze, staring at the floor in front of me, suddenly feeling cold at my own question. Why don’t I fight?

Because it just hurts too much…

Maybe I’m not as strong as I always thought I was. Since when do I cry over something?

Fight for what you want.

I run my hand through my hair, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Leo is giving me whiplash… but… when I stormed off last night, he came after me. Maybe he just needs some time. It is like at the same time he is telling me that he wants me, he then pushes me away. Why?

Maybe there is more to it, but it is hard for me to think past my anger…

Look harder… Not everything is as it appears…

Dante’s words return to me, and I know that whatever he says always means something. Look harder…

Am I missing something? Is there a reason for Leo’s hot and cold attitude? Goddess! What should I do?

“Corrado!” Leo’s voice comes, and I hear the front door slam shut. I stand up, rushing to the window, only to see Corrado running down the lawn as fast as he can, and I frown, my heart breaking for his little soul. Even when Leo picks him up with his little fists pummelling his shoulder, I am still unable to let it slide.

Fuck this, for Corrado and this little one. I suddenly feel as if I have been hit with clarity. I know what I need to do… even if it isn’t going to be the easiest. I run from the room and out into the front garden.

“Corrado!” I shout, running over to them. He turns, looking at me with his tear-stained face.

“Azura…” I hold my arms out to him, ignoring the spark that rushes through me when my arm brushes Leo as he holds his arms out to me.

“It’s okay, kiddo… you can keep me… I will be your Mama if you want me to because I really do want to be your Mama, too,” I whisper, hugging him tightly. I hear Leo’s heart race and sense his intense gaze upon me, but I ignore him as Corrado hugs me tightly, his tears soaking my shoulder.

“Promise, Azura?”

“I promise.”

I promise on everything I have. I don’t care what Leo thinks or what I feel…

I don’t know how, but if it means making a child happy, a child who I am lucky enough to want me to be their mama, then I will sacrifice my own ego for him… because no child should feel unwanted, especially by those they love.