Page 62

Azura

“ H ey! You’re here?” I ask, rushing over to him and flinging my arms around his neck. He catches me, lifting me off the floor, and gives me a warm, crushing hug.

“I couldn’t miss this reunion now, could I?” He places me back on the floor, and I grin.

“So, you knew,” I say, and he smirks slightly, just as Kiara comes over, and Dante wraps his arms around his tiny Mama.

“Maybe. Hey, Mama. How have you been?” He asks, kissing her forehead as he looks down at her.

“Better now that you’re here,” Kiara replies, caressing his face. He smiles down at her.

“Then I’m glad I’m here.”

Ah, he is annoying with his perfect hair, but he is a mama’s boy and treats her like a queen. Kiara smiles up at him and gently moves away.

“Well, you’re just in time for dinner.”

“Perfect,” he says, turning to me.

Like always, it feels like he is peering into my soul, even with those shades on. He doesn’t say anything and simply smiles before we head to the lounge. I realise it’s been ten years since the three cousins will be reuniting. Each of the Rossi brothers has one son, and there is roughly a nine or ten-year age gap between the three.

The moment we enter the lounge, I feel the power of the four Alphas hit me at once. It is a lot harder to ignore it when it is this intense, and I can tell even Song feels the same or worse. Damn Rossis… I know all four have it reined in, but they are still so strong.

“So, you’re fucking back?” Alejandro asks from where he is relaxing back on the sofa. He stands up and pulls Kiara into his arms, kissing her neck.

“Isn’t that obvious?” Dante replies with a small smirk. “I’m not really that easy to miss.”

“Dante, it’s been a while. How have you been?” Rayhan asks, standing up and meeting his cousin with a brotherly hug, one Dante returns. Rayhan slaps his back before moving back.

“I’ve been good. How about you? How’re Delsanra and the kids?” Dante asks.

Delsanra had been Dante’s childhood crush. I didn’t blame him, Delsanra is as gorgeous as Rayhan is handsome, and Dante sees her in her demon form, which is said to be incredibly beautiful, all the time.

“They’re great. Del’s been a bit worried as Si’s starting at the academy soon,” Rayhan replies.

Sienna is Rayhan’s twelve-year-old daughter. His son, Ahren, is thirteen and already at the academy.

“Si will be alright. She’s still young,” Dante replies, turning his attention to Leo. Rayhan frowns slightly, and I know he is analysing Dante’s words. It is hard not to; often, he may say something that may mean more… “Leo, this is a pleasant surprise.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t a fucking surprise to you,” Leo replies as he stands up, looking at the taller man, but it is obvious that no matter how cold he acts, he holds nothing against his younger cousin. He only proves my point when he holds his tattooed hand out to him. Dante smiles slightly.

“Can I at least pretend that it is a surprise? Ten years… that’s a long wait. Life is short, and every moment should be cherished.”

Leo frowns as Dante ignores his offered hand and instead gives him a hug. My eyes meet Leo’s over Dante’s shoulder, and I give him a small nod before he hugs Dante back. I can’t help but smile softly. With Dante here… I feel that things can be sorted between Leo and Rayhan a lot more smoothly. He is the wise old man who will get it done. I am positive!

Leo moves back, and can I just say, my man looks so damn sexy right now? My gaze dips to the bulge in his pants, and I can feel him watching me, my core throbbing. Oh, how I want to take his dick in my mouth all over again.

I like the fucking idea too. Considering there’s still a lesson I need to fucking teach you to remind you who the fuck you actually belong to, his growl comes through the link as his eyes find mine.

Yes, please…

His eyes flash, and I walk over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck for a moment and resting my forehead against his shoulder.

I can’t wait… I whisper seductively through the link, trying not to react to his dick pressing against me. I’m proud of you, Baby. He doesn’t respond, but his arms wrap around me tightly.

“Song, hey,” Dante greets.

“Hi,” she replies, giving him a smile and a small wave. Dante turns his attention to the open patio, where Alessandra suddenly looks up.

“Dante!” She exclaims, a huge smile crossing her lips.

Yup, Dante is the only one who can get that pile of grumpiness to smile. They close the gap between them before Dante goes down on one knee, hugging her tightly.

“I missed you,” she whispers.

“And I missed my favourite sister, too,” he says, ruffling her hair. She plants a kiss on his cheek before she points to the garden.

“That’s Leo’s son,” she tells him, to my surprise, but she doesn’t have any issue with conversing with Dante. Dante stands up and walks over to the garden, where Corrado is watching him intently.

“Hey, Corrado,” Dante greets.

“You know my name?” Corrado asks curiously.

“Of course I do.” Dante smiles, holding his hand out to him. “How would I not know my nephew’s name?” I wonder if Dante also knows his truth. Either way, it isn’t like he will tell anyone.

Corrado looks at him with his head tilted, and I know he is probably feeling the effect of Dante’s aura. Dante smiles faintly, ruffling his hair.

“I’m your dad’s cousin.”

“Oh, hello! I never knew Daddy had a big family,” he says sadly, looking at Leo. His eyes light up, and he smiles when he sees us hugging, forgetting all about his disappointment. I don’t blame him, but I promise going forward, this kid of ours is not going to miss out on anything else!

Once they have finished their exchange with one another, we all make our way to the dining room, where the table is already laden with the delicious dishes Kiara has cooked. I am actually incredibly hungry! I tuck Corrado’s chair in as he sits between Leo and me, with Song seated opposite me, and, to her luck, she is right opposite Rayhan. I give her a wink before we all tuck in…

Leo

It is later in the day, and I know Kiara wants to get her hands on me. Although she doesn’t say anything in front of the rest, I feel her watching me several times. At one point, she places her hand on my shoulder as she chats about something. I have a feeling she is trying to assess the level of my pain, but I move away from her touch fast.

My main issue is the bastard. I don’t want him fuckin knowing. But I also know the answer I will get from Kiara, and I want to delay it until after I have dealt with Rayhan because Azura will need me when she hears it from Kiara herself, that there is nothing that she can do. But I’m not against searching for further solutions.

The women are spending some time together, and Azura will also go to speak to Atlas later. I asked her if she wanted me to come, as did Kiara and Song, but she was adamant about handling it alone. I guess that fucking makes sense. Who would want a fucking audience? But if she needs me, I’ll fucking be there, besides she is fucking awful at keeping her walls up. It is like a constant conversation going on in her head.

I am now walking around the pack ground with Alejandro, Rayhan, and Dante. I didn’t argue when Alejandro suggested it. I could use the fresh air, but I would have preferred having Azura with me. Corrado isn’t even fucking bothered when I leave, happily content.

“That shit is all new. We made it around four years ago,” Alejandro explains, pointing at the huge training facility before glancing at me. “It’s taken from the blueprint and design concept that you created; we integrated the same into the academies.”

“Yeah, I can fucking tell,” I say. Marcel is fucking annoying at times.

“I did leave you a message to ask if you were okay with me using that shit,” Alejandro says as I smoke my fourth fucking cigarette since getting here. Being in their presence is fucking my head up.

“Yeah, I saw it. You can imitate shit, but it just pushed me to improve and create something better without Marcel shoving his nose in my fucking business,” I say coldly. “Besides, you were fucking trying to rile me up when you sent emails of the plans for the academies.”

“At least that shows you were at least fucking reading my emails,” Alejandro smirks victoriously, which I return with an icy glare.

“You have an impressive mind with ideas and concepts that could earn you millions. Have you ever considered starting a business and selling ideas to other packs around the world? Even security systems for humans?” Rayhan suggests. I frown but ignore him. I’m not ready to talk to you.

“Hm.” I simply grunt.

We fall silent, and my mind goes to the bullets. If anything was to happen to me… then I need someone to clear that shit up…

“There is something that I think perhaps you may want to tell your council or other packs about. Let’s speak somewhere secluded,” I say, taking a drag of my cigarette.

Alejandro frowns but nods, changing route and heading to headquarters. This has been changed, too. Alejandro leads the way to his office, his men clearing the path for us. The murmurs of awe follow, and I guess it isn’t every fucking day they see four Rossi Alphas together. That, or they are fucking shocked I am here. The moment Dante shuts the door behind us, all three of them look at me as I walk over to the window, looking out at the pack grounds.

“What is it, Leo?” Alejandro asks.

I frown before I begin, “I created a weapon that can kill our kind the moment it penetrates the skin. You don’t even need to hit a vital point for these bullets to work…” I feel the room tense, but I don’t turn to look at them. “It’s a weapon that was meant to only be used by my most trusted if we were ever under attack… however, the man I trusted like a brother stole it and mass-produced it, selling it to several cartel and mafia organisations. According to my data, a couple of buyers were also supernatural.” I now glance back at them; Dante’s face is as passive as ever, whilst the other two are frowning as they listen.

“Are you sure it’s that dangerous?” Alejandro asks, his brow furrowed.

“Yeah. There’s someone who had some of these bullets, and they sure as fuck worked. These bullets can kill so fast that if you are in wolf form, the body doesn’t even revert to human form. Emmet Garrons produced fucking thousands. I’ve still not fully managed to account for all fifty thousand. I’m trying to track them down, but you may want to let other packs know, just in case any of them come into contact with them.”

“There’ve been two cases that now seem to make sense,” Rayhan says quietly. “Uncle, remember I mentioned to you how we were unable to figure out how the rogue that I found near my pack was killed?”

“Yeah, that was a couple of months back. Luckily, there haven’t been many stories. So, I’m sure those bullets aren’t just fucking flying around, but fifty thousand… that could fucking wipe out most of our kind in the country,” Alejandro says seriously.

“Yeah. I know. We’ve traced down some and are taking them back. I plan to buy the rest back from all the buyers they were sold to by any means,” I say coldly. Web will return them to me, or I will be fucking ruining him, and take them by force…

“We’ll get on it. If you have a sample, I’m sure some of our trackers can do something to help,” Alejandro says as I turn back to them.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be so fucking chill about it. Why? Is it because I’m a fucking Rossi? I fucked up, right?” I ask coldly. I know I am trying to instigate them, even if it isn’t fucking working. Alejandro sighs.

“No, it wasn’t your fucking doing but your Delta’s. So, if anyone needs to be punished, it’s him,” Alejandro says from his seat. Rayhan is sitting opposite him, nodding his head in agreement.

“An Alpha is the one who needs to take fucking responsibility for the actions of his people…” I say quietly. Dante smiles faintly as he turns to me from where he is leaning against the door.

“And you’re doing that by tracking these bullets down. I’ll help. The more of us looking, the faster it’ll get done. We all make mistakes. Don’t blame yourself. We only learn from them,” he adds after a moment.

“Agreed.” Alejandro nods.

I don’t reply, staring out the window. No one had brought up the reason why I had asked for Rayhan to come here, and I know I am going to have to fucking do it myself. I’d rather get it over with soon. I don’t want to fucking be in his company for long. I look directly at Rayhan.

“Let’s go for a drink. It’s time we talk,” I say coldly. His eyes meet mine before he gives a nod.

“Sure,” he replies quietly.

“I can’t wait. Drinks sound fun,” Dante adds. “When are we leaving? I know a club not so far from the pack.”

“We? You ain’t fucking coming.” I raise an eyebrow.

“Sure I am. You can’t have a boys’ night out between brothers without me,” he counters.

“We are not brothers. You and your old man need to stop acting like you are my fucking family,” I say coldly.

“We are, though. Nothing can change that, and if we can call our pack our family, then why can’t I call my own blood, brother?” Dante asks. His voice is calm, but there is a subtle hint of victory in it. Fucking Rossi.

I wonder why he wears those shades. In all the images I have ever seen of him, he has them on. Sure, his eyes are red, but on pack territory, is it necessary? Something tells me there is definitely another fucking reason behind it.

“Well, then, I guess that shit’s sorted. You three fuckers head out. I’ll make a start on getting a team together to head out and see what we can find on these bullets.”

“I’ll send you the reports and details,” I say, taking my phone out and texting Dan.

“Sounds like tonight is going to be eventful…” Dante murmurs.

“No shit,” I mutter.

“So shall we head out in, say, an hour?” He suggests.

“Sounds good,” Rayhan says, and I simply nod.

I need a shower and a little time with my girl. Then… then it is time we talk this shit out so I can let it go and move on.