Page 25 of Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire
“Not long ago. You were asleep, so I didn’t disturb you,” I reply, standing up and lifting him onto my shoulder. He grins, holding on tight. I pause to stub out my cigarette before heading to his room.
“I tried to stay awake, but Jackie said I should sleep. I want Grandad to come home. I get bored. Will you have a day off soon?”
I have something I need to take care of that doesn’t involve pack work, and I have been swamped for the last few months with it, but after tonight, I’ll have a bit more time. Revenge sure is fucking sweet.
“I can’t promise that, kid, but I’ll try,” I reply quietly, frowning as I push the door to his bedroom open wider and crouch down as we enter so as not to bump his head. I place him on his bed, and the look of disappointment in his eyes makes me feel the need to explain myself. “I have a lot going on, Corrado. Things I need to take care of.”
“But you always have things going on… I want you to be here with me.”
He is fighting back tears, and I stroke his hair. He needs someone who can take care of him. The only problem is although Nikki treats him well, he doesn’t warm up to her. Plus, he is mine. I can’t expect it of her. What the fuck do I do?
“Well, how about I sleep with you tonight?” I suggest, lookingat the tiny car bed.
“Yes!” His excitement lights up his eyes, and I give him the tiniest of smiles as he moves right to the edge. This pup would sacrifice his own space and everything for me. I get onto the tiny bed, my legs dangling off just as they always do, and I hold my arm out to him, allowing him to pounce back into my arms. “Now I’m happy,” he declares, staring up at me with pure happiness in his eyes.
“Yeah? Now sleep.”
“Will you please take a day off, Daddy?” I look into his eyes. This pup is the thing I really fucking care for. Sure, Nikki and the pack are close seconds, but nothing beats him.
“I’ll try,” I reply after a moment, making his heart skip a beat.
“Yes! Thank you!”
“Now, sleep,” I order seriously.
He nods, and, despite his excitement, he soon becomes drowsy. His breathing becomes steady, and shortly after, he is fast asleep. I pull my phone from my back pocket, looking at the time. I’m sure the news will have reached him by now…
I turn on a news channel, keeping the volume low as I stare at the short clip of a plane that had exploded mid-flight.
“… currently debating if the explosion was due to a technical issue or if this was a targeted attack. On board was twenty-seven-year-old…” I smirk coldly.
“That’s what happens when you mess with me,” I mutter, switching it off.
I take out a small burner phone from my back pocket and dial a number. I wait for someone to pick it up. The moment it is answered, I don’t wait for anyone to speak.
“I hope you enjoyed your gift. Courtesy of The Heimtückische Wölfe Cartel.” My voice is low, but the power that is in it shows I mean business. A roar of pure rage rings through the phone.
“How dare you kill my son! I made the mistake, not him! Iasked for forgiveness!” My smirk fades, and I stare at the phone.
“There is no space for mistakes in this business, Web. Take it as a warning. Try to double-cross me again, and I will fucking kill each and every person that you love. Schurke Wolf forgives no one.”
Another roar of anger follows, and I cut the call. My message has reached him loud and clear. No one messes with me and gets away with it. I dial another number and sit up, slowly easing Corrado off my arm.Sorry, kid. I got some work to handle, but I’ll be back before you wake up.
I leave the apartment, stepping out into the hall. Only the lift and a flight of stairs lead off from here, with the entire top floor being mine.
Is she asleep? Not that I fucking care.
I crush the burner phone and take out my usual one, calling Eric.
“Hi, Alpha.”
“Any updates?” I ask.
“No, there was no scent to catch onto. Whoever was with her, they just vanished… I’m back now, but the team is still out there.”
“Good. Keep looking. I want to know exactly who else was there.”
I hang up, frowning as my mind wanders to Azura. There is definitely a reason she wants to stay here. She had tickets to Sweden, which means she was leaving. Is it the rejection that is making her want to run? I know the emptiness inside doesn’t go away… is it that, or is there more? No. There is definitely more. Her staying here is the biggest sign of that. I had seen her cogs working before she suddenly wanted to stay. She is up to something…
