I look between the father and son. From what I remember, Leo wasn’t like this towards his Dad… I mean, it’s just the rest of the Rossis he has a problem with, right?
“Thank you, it’s yum,” I compliment, taking a big gulp.
“You have a moustache, Azura!”
“I rock the look, right?” Corrado laughs, and I can feel Leo’s glare burning into my back.
“So, tell me, Azura, what brings you here?” Marcel asks, flipping the lamb chops over. I see Nikki raise her head slightly, paying attention.
I remember the message Leo had sent earlier, and although he has decided on the story, I don’t like it. If I really want to mess this up, I know I could, and there is fuck all he can do about it, but I need him not to lose his shit. So, I sigh heavily, clutching my glass with both hands as I lick my lips.
Okay, girl, work those eyes. I blink slowly, looking down at the milkshake before I look at Marcel.
“My mate,” I say sadly, making the corners of my lips dip downwards. Only one person is immune to this fa?ade of mine,and that is Mama…
“Your mate?” Marcel asks sharply. I nod, taking a small sip of my milkshake. Damn, this is so yummy. If Nikki doesn’t want any, perfect, more for me!
“Yes. He marked me, and then he left me, and since he’s from this pack, Leo is trying to make him come around and accept me,” I say quietly. The lie leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I don’t know if Leo is trying to earn brownie points in his Dad’s book, but I hate it. Not to mention that it hurts. For a moment, I let my real emotions show on my face as I look up at Marcel. “Please, don’t tell anyone I’m here. My parents think I’ve gone to Sweden, and I don’t want trouble.” Marcel is frowning, his chest heaving as he turns to Leo.
“Who is it?” He asks dangerously. Leo raises an eyebrow, but it is the words he speaks that cut like a knife.
“I’m handling it. We can’t force anyone to do anything. Remember, Marcel? Or is the daughter of an Elite so precious that she just can’t be rejected?” His icy reply comes.
“Leo,” Marcel warns.
“I’m handling it. I’m trying, despite that little fact,” Leo replies coldly.
Like hell, you are fucking handling it.
“You better handle it, and swiftly.”
“Excuse me.” I smile, placing my glass down and wiping my mouth on a tissue as I walk towards the mansion. I need a minute.
Entering the mansion, I open a few doors before I find the bathroom. Stepping inside, I shut the door behind me, closing my eyes as I lean against it.
The daughter of an Elite. It is funny how differently he thinks of me. If only he knew who I really am.
The daughter of an Elite? No. I am just a freak who should have died. But either way, it is the same thing, right?
Some dislike me for my birth, others dislike me because of my personality, and then there is Leo, who hates me for being the daughter of two amazing people. My parents have done nothing to him. They don’t deserve his hatred. And if they are the reason he doesn’t want me, then it’s his loss because they are fucking amazing.
I look into the mirror, trying to calm the storm within me. I know Marcel won’t tell anyone, but I really need to get out of here. I leave the bathroom after splashing my face and head back to the garden.
“I look so cool.”
I stop in my tracks, spotting Leo crouching down by Corrado as he slips his sunglasses onto his face. A small, proud grin crosses Corrado’s cute little face as he turns to Nikki.
“Nikki, do I look cool?”
“Awe baby, you do! Super cute!” She smiles at him, and I simply stand there, feeling so out of place.
You’re leaving tonight, Azura. End of story.
Placing a blank expression on my face, I saunter into the garden just as Nikki walks over to Leo, locking her arms around his neck. I don’t know why it stings when he grabs hold of her hips.
“I’m sorry, babe,” she whispers, and if I thought the day just couldn’t get any worse, she kisses him straight on those plump lips of his.
I turn away, doing my best to control the pain in my chest, my eyes stinging as I take silent, steadying breaths. Shit, it hurts. A whole fucking lot.
His Hope
Azura
“Later.” Leo’s quiet, cold voice comes as I walk over to Marcel.
“Babe…”
Conceal how you feel. You got this, girl.
“It smells so good,” I say, smiling as I look at the flames.
“Be careful, Azura, it’s very hot,” Marcel warns. The heat of the grill is nothing compared to the burning pain in my chest.
“I don’t mind getting burned,” I reply quietly before giving him a smile. “So, where did you go on holiday?”
“Well, I was in Scotland for the most part, and then I stopped at a few places before my visit to Alejandro was cut short.” I can feel Leo’s irritation, but I don’t bother paying him any attention.
“I’m sorry about that,” I reply as I pick up the platter of cooked meat and carry it to the round table, where everything is already set up. I don’t want to sit at the table with him, but I have no choice.
When Corrado jumps into the seat between Marcel and me, I expect Leo to take the seat next to his father, but instead, he takes the seat on my left. I clench my jaw but don’t even spare him a glance as I begin filling my plate. Nikki sits down last, placing her hand on Leo’s bulging bicep before she moves back, a small smile on her face.
“It’s tasty!” Corrado declares, and I smile as I carry on building my tower burger.
“That’s so big!”
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