Page 61

Azura

T he journey was pleasant, and despite feeling a little nauseous at times, I wouldn’t have changed anything about it. Leo’s constant touches, the way he caressed my thigh, the way he tilted his head as he drove, giving me the perfect angle of that sexy jaw of his, or the way he looked at me… well, I couldn’t focus on anything else much.

But there is one thing that really got to me. It is the tin of cookies that Jackie had given me. There inside is a small square of paper with the words ‘read when alone’ on it, tucked under the first layer of cookies. I’m curious, but with Leo being so sharp, I snuck the note into my boot to check later.

Song, the twins, and I had texted a little, too, and both the twins were disappointed that they were at the academy. As for Song, she’s had a die-hard crush on Rayhan for ages. Well, that isn’t anything to be surprised about. He is damn handsome, and the majority of the girls at the academy are smitten with him. Rayhan is much like the Arden twins. All are rich, sexy, and powerful, although those brothers have been abroad for a few years. With Rayhan being here in the country, we hear of him often, and then there is the fact that he is mated. There is just something about wanting something you can’t have that is enticing. Sky used to even sell his pictures, which she would take sneakily, for pretty high prices, and the girls would happily buy them, as well as a couple of the boys.

The moment he steps out of the mansion, I hear Song gasp, squeezing my arm. She sure has a strong grip! But it is Leo who has my attention. His entire body tenses and his eyes seem to become far colder than I have ever seen them. His aura is raging around him, and even Corrado looks scared in Alejandro’s arms, clearly sensing the tension. I reach out, wrapping my hand over Leo’s larger, fisted one, and it feels like something snaps between the cousins, and Leo looks at me.

You got this, I say as he slowly takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. Rayhan walks towards us, glancing at me and giving me a small smile.

“Hey, Azura, it’s been a while. How have you been?” He asks, stopping beside Alejandro.

“I’ve been great. How are you?” I ask, feeling my cheeks heat a little under his gaze. Dammit, Azura, focus. Yup, he is damn handsome…

Yeah, fucking focus. Leo’s cold voice comes through the link, giving me a pointed look.

I slam my walls up, thinking I do not need Leo to know that I do find his older cousin pretty handsome. Can you blame me? He is absolutely yummy. Okay, Leo is yummier and way sexier, but that does not take away from the model-like god in front of me. Urgh, focus girl.

So, my mate had, or shall I say has, a crush on that bastard? Leo, ever the smartass, remarks. Am I that obvious? He isn’t looking at me, but I’m not sure if he is annoyed or not. Well, I sure hope not, but I guess if he had a crush on someone I disliked, I wouldn’t be happy.

Hey, I liked him when I was like ten. He was my first crush, and it was just a silly little girl’s fantasy, I retort. His eyebrow shoots up, his eyes flash steel blue, and I kind of think I made it worse. Don’t blame me, it’s the damn Rossi gene. Maybe it was because he looked a lot like my future mate? I try, putting on my best innocent face. Wait, are you jealous? I taunt. His frown deepens, and I realise I really am making it worse.

“Rayhan! This is Song, my friend…” I say, pushing Song forward, hoping Leo doesn’t push it. She gives me a glare, her face on fire as Rayhan gives her one of his charming smiles.

“Nice to meet you,” he replies in his sexy melodic voice, taking her hand and giving it a kiss. Song squeaks, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“I don’t get what the fuck girls like about him,” Alejandro grumbles.

“No kidding,” Leo growls as Rayhan smirks and looks down at Corrado. It is obvious he isn’t as snarky as the other two Alphas.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“Corrado. Corrado Herrmann Rossi,” Corrado replies, watching him curiously.

“Nice to meet you, Corrado Herrmann Rossi.” Rayhan gives him a wink before turning his attention to Leo. Tension seems to settle between them. “Leo… good to see you,” Rayhan says, offering his hand to him.

“Rayhan.” Leo’s voice is cold as he takes the offered hand. They exchange a shake before Leo lets go pretty fast. I don’t miss the small soft smile on Rayhan’s face, but he masks it fast before Kiara claps her hands.

“Shall we head inside? I’m sure everyone must be hungry.”

“Oh, yes, please. Azura Mommy will be happy with a nice meal,” Corrado declares as Alejandro puts him down, and Kiara holds her hand out to him, which he takes happily.

“He sure knows you can’t fucking cook,” Alejandro snickers, and I pout.

“This kid,” I sigh.

Kiara looks at me curiously, and I know it is because of what he called me. Her eyes, which are now poking out at me, say enough. I motion with my eyes that I’ll tell her later, and she gives me a small nod, smiling slightly.

We all head inside, and Leo brings up the rear. I feel him hesitate as we cross the threshold, and I slow down, falling into step with him.

You did great, I murmur through the link, slipping my hand into the back pocket of his jeans. He looks down at me.

Hmm… I ain’t letting that shit from earlier slide, he says icily, and I cock a brow.

Shall I start looking into your past and at every single woman you ever had a crush on? Bet they all had big asses and big boobs, right? I counter, suddenly feeling very possessive.

Don’t really know if I can even class them as ‘liked’ because it sure as fuck doesn’t even make a dent in comparison to what the fuck I feel for you.

Oh, fuck… he sure knows how to make a woman wet. My heart is thundering, and I don’t even realise we have stopped until Leo’s hands grab my ass and yank me against him.

“Fuck, you’re just so damn good with your words…” I grumble.

“I’m just fucking honest,” he says, and I squeeze his ass as I tilt my head up.

“You know, you’re way sexier?” I whisper, trying not to focus on how my body is reacting to him.

Our eyes meet. That sizzling chemistry raging between us makes it hard to breathe, but I don’t care, and when he leans down, his tongue flicks out. I caress it with my own, feeling my pussy clench. Oh, fuck. There is just something so damn hot about this…

I slip my hand out of his pocket, wrapping my arms around his neck as Leo captures my tongue in his mouth, kissing me hard. I sigh softly, kissing him back. We are lost in one another until someone clears their throat. I pull away, much to Leo’s irritation, as he turns and gives the smirking Alejandro a scathing glare.

“Don’t tell me you’re lacking that much action that you need to watch the fucking show,” Leo says coldly, his hand still around my waist.

“Oh, far from it. I don’t call Amore Mio Nympho for nothing. I just never knew you two were fucking together,” Alejandro counters cockily.

“Fucking together…” I smirk, knowing he didn’t mean that in that way. Both men look at me before Kiara comes out into the hall.

“Come on, guys, have some refreshments before lunch.”

“Great,” I say, reluctantly pulling away from Leo and sauntering over to Kiara.

I can feel her watching me as we walk side by side, but she says nothing, and for a moment, I wonder what it is, considering she isn’t smiling. She looks… concerned. Could it be that she has already sensed Leo’s health issues?

A short while later, we are getting ready to have lunch. Kiara has gone to check up on the food that she has prepared, and I really can’t wait to eat! She really is one of the best cooks in the world. I would have gone to help her, too, but I don’t trust leaving Leo alone here with them. He needs me.

Corrado is playing in the garden with Alessandra. Despite her grumpy personality, she has still given him some colouring books and crayons whilst she sits on the garden steps and reads her book.

The lounge is a little tense, with Leo sitting silently, his exterior ice-cold. Song and I are talking to Alejandro, with Rayhan adding to the conversation here and there. I think by now, he knows that Song is a little jittery around him, but he is as smooth as ever and doesn’t make it obvious or put her on the spot. I think he is used to it.

“So, what the fuck were you doing at Leo’s pack? This ain’t got anything to do with the same shit when you told me to watch the girls, right?” Alejandro asks Leo.

“It’s dealt with,” Leo replies, frowning slightly.

“Good to know. Not going to share what that shit was about?” Alejandro asks, observing the three of us.

“It’s not necessary,” Leo counters, his arm going around my shoulders once again. My heart races, and I can feel Alejandro’s eyes on us again.

“So, when did you two figure your own shit out?”

“Is that any of your fucking business?” Leo shoots back, raising an eyebrow.

“If I make it my business, it fucking is,” Alejandro replies with a cold smirk. Rayhan smiles slightly, clearly amused.

“It’s like I’m seeing double,” he remarks.

“I totally agree. Right down to the tattoos and all,” I snicker, earning a look from Leo.

“We are nothing alike,” he growls icily. Alejandro smirks.

“Deny it all the fuck you want,” he says, taking out a cigarette pack and offering Leo. It is almost like a test. Refusing it to prove he’s not like him… but I also know Leo is a stubborn ass and ignores him. I reach over instead, taking one from Alejandro. Leo cocks a brow as I place it between his lips.

“Don’t be stubborn,” I murmur as Alejandro tosses me the lighter. I catch it and flick it on, bringing it to the edge of the cigarette. Our eyes lock, and my heart thunders at how incredibly smoking hot he looks.

Goddess… I press my thighs together, and Leo smirks slightly, his gaze dipping to my chest for a second before he looks away, taking a long drag of his cigarette. His arm that is around me loosens slightly, and he begins tracing circles on my shoulder teasingly, sending delicious tingles through me.

“As much as I’m enjoying the bonding, we do have a guest present who can’t heal from all the second-hand smoking,” Rayhan remarks lightly. The patio doors are wide open, but he has a point. Song smiles slightly, and I swear I am not going to let this go. Oh, girl, I’m teasing you for forever!

“I’m okay,” she says, blushing so much. I just wish Skyla was here to tease her.

“Kiara will heal her,” Alejandro offers with a small grin at Song as if that made everything alright. I shake my head.

And that is why Rayhan is swoon-worthy. But I can’t deny it is the bad boy with a ‘devil-may-care’ attitude next to me that turns me on.

Keep looking at me like that, Baby Girl, and I will fuck you until you can’t fucking walk, his animalistic growl promises through the link. The idea isn’t bad… and I suddenly remember Jackie’s note.

“Be right back,” I say softly, kissing his lips. His hand twists in my hair, and he kisses me back before letting go of me.

You’re up to something, he says as I get up, feeling his eyes on me. He somehow makes me feel so damn sexy…

Not really, I lie, leaving the room.

I hurry to the bathroom and take my shoe off, emptying it and picking up the small square piece of paper that falls out. Frowning, I open it and read it.

‘Leo is unwell. Please get the Queen to try to heal him. Only you can do this.’

I stare at the paper, my heart thudding, and I realise this is probably what she had wanted to talk about at the party. She had said something about doing the right thing and breaking promises. Goddess, she is such a good friend who actually cares for Leo.

Now the tin of cookies makes sense. I guess she didn’t trust my phone because Leo is so tech-savvy. I reach into my pocket, wanting to call her and thank her, but I realise I have left my phone in the car. I slip the note into my pocket instead and exit the bathroom, walking down the hall slowly. She is going through so much, yet she is still being damn strong. She is Delta material. I pause, mind-linking Leo.

Want me to tell Kia? I ask. Silence follows before he speaks after a few moments.

Fine, but I don’t want anyone else to know. His voice is quiet, and he has his emotions masked, so even I don’t know what he is feeling.

It’s going to be okay, I say, but the fact that he doesn’t think Kiara can heal him eats me up. It is scary to know that this may not work, but I refuse to let that thought get me down.

I enter the kitchen to see Kiara sprinkling some flaked chocolate on the trifle bowls whilst Claire, one of her housekeepers, is placing dishes onto a tray to take to the dining room.

“Hey, Claire,” I say, smiling at her.

“Hello, little miss. It’s lovely to see you again,” she replies, giving me a jolly smile before she bustles out of the room with the tray laden with food. She is getting older, but it doesn’t deter her from keeping the job.

“The food smells too good,” I say, inhaling deeply.

“Thanks. So, you two worked it out?” Kiara asks with a smile and eyes that scream ‘details!’

“Yeah…” I say, trying not to blush as I remember last night. “Yesterday, actually…”

“Ah, that explains the incredible glow. First, I thought it was just the pregnancy,” she teases. I pout.

“Something like that…” I walk over to the counter and lean on it opposite her as she places the dessert bowls onto the tray. “I mean, I found out the reason he was refusing me…” Her smile fades, replaced with concern, as she watches me. Goddess, this is hard… “He’s ill, Kia… thanks to Endora. He’s dying,” I say softly, looking down at the counter, unable to look her in the eyes. My voice sounds far more vulnerable than it is meant to. Her heart skips a beat, and she reaches over, cupping my face. She forces me to look at her.

“We will fix that. He isn’t going to die,” she says, her voice full of confidence and determination. I nod, unable to tell her that he may not be able to be healed by her. I know if I voice that fear, I’ll end up crying.

“He doesn’t want everyone to know, so if you could try to heal him when we’re alone,” I request quietly. She nods, walking around the island and giving me a tight hug.

“Don’t give up hope, Zu,” she comforts me softly.

I nod, finding comfort in my sister’s embrace, when a powerful aura suddenly fills the room, and a deep, husky voice interrupts us.

“Am I intruding?”

I pull away, turn, and stare at the tall, muscular man in the doorway. I was not expecting him to be here. He is just an inch short of seven feet and dressed in a pair of jeans with a black T-shirt and jacket. He has a head full of tight, glossy black curls, an angular jaw, and plump lips. A Rossi through and through. A pair of shades covers his eyes that are a deep red, something he wears the majority of the time, as rarely can anyone bear to look him straight in the eyes. Even with the amulet of concealment around his neck, his aura is exceptionally powerful and intense, different from any other I have ever felt, even making Leo’s and Alejandro’s pale in comparison. The pull that comes from him offers calmness and strength. There is just something different and otherworldly about the being before me, something that makes you want to lower your head and submit. Something I’ll never admit, of course. I mean, I won’t bow to that giant shrimp! I’m a full day older! But this is the feeling when you are in the presence of the one and only Demi-God himself.

A small smile crosses his lips, and I know behind those shades, he is looking right at me.

“Hey, My Temperamental Miracle.”