Chapter 48 - Fire in the Heart

“That fucker…” Alejandro is the first to speak as he sits forward, his arm still around Kiara, but he is frowning deeply.

“He…”

“Another Alejandro.” Liam doesn’t sound happy; his usual smile is gone. “So now the mark makes sense. He marked you, and then when he found out you’re a Westwood, he rejected you for that very reason, correct?” His voice is cold, and for someone who can be pretty dense, I wish he hadn’t picked up on it so fast, but when it came to serious matters, Liam is not to be messed with.

I don’t say anything, trying to hide the pain I feel at the memory of that night. Liam had seen me, the way he had broken me…

Everyone is quiet, my silence screaming my response. It is too silent, and then anger appears on Dad’s and Alejandro’s faces, matching Liam’s. Kiara looks… guilty. I don’t want them to blame themselves. Goddess!

“Look… whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter. Marcel returned yesterday, and he found out, so I’m not alone here. If things don’t work out, I’ll come straight home.” It isn’t exactly a lie. I will go home when all this is over, even if the thought of leaving him makes my heart ache. I hate this.

“Marking you and rejecting you, that ain’t fucking tolerable,” Alejandro growls. “I’m going to -“

“Let Azura handle it,” Kiara cuts in firmly. “Dad, Alejandro, Liam, look… I know that not every mate is worth fighting for, but Leo does have a good heart. Deep down, I feel if he just let it go, he would be the best mate for Azura… if he knew -” I place a finger on my lips, not putting it past him to have maybe bugged the place. “I’m sure he’d take care of her,” Kiara continues.

“Also, Alejandro was horrible until Kiara made him into her big puppy! I’m sure Azura can do the same with Leo! Only a Westwood woman can tame a Rossi!” Raven exclaims.

I don’t know what to say, knowing Nikki is there in his bed. I won’t fight for him when he doesn’t want me… well, aside fromphysically. I also don’t want to burst her poor bubble. I look at Dad and Mama. Dad looks pissed, his jaw clenched and his eyes hard.

“I don’t get why both my girls are mated to Rossis… isn’t the pain that one of them went through enough?” Alejandro frowns, but he says nothing, a glimmer of guilt in his eyes, clearly knowing what Dad said is true. Kia gives his arm a gentle squeeze, leaning into him. She has forgiven him, and they are one of the best couples around.

“I want to fucking punch him a few times myself. Call me selfish, but is it wrong that I think perhaps it is Azura who can make him let go of the bitterness and hatred from within him? That she’ll be the one to melt his heart of ice that he’s let harden with all the anger that has consumed him? Just the way Amore Mio did to me… I’m not saying you shouldn’t fucking be pissed, Elijah, but the fact that another of your daughters is mated to a Rossi just shows they are fucking strong enough to deal with us,” Alejandro says, smoking his cigarette. “She’s also right. Leo is similar to me, and although she and Kiara are opposites, both are strong women.”

“So, you’re saying she should stay there when Goddess knows how he’s treating her?” Liam asks with concern and irritation in his eyes.

“You made mistakes too, Liam,” Elijah reminds him, rubbing his temples. “If he hurts her… I won’t care who he is…” His threat remains open, the anger in his eyes as they burn bright, cobalt blue. Indigo… I know he will still never forgive himself for what she went through…

Liam doesn’t reply, obviously remembering what he had done in his past. Their story was complicated, and although it was a long time ago, it just shows that no one is perfect. These men before me love their mates with their entire souls and beings, yet they have made mistakes.

“I won’t let anyone hurt me, I’m not weak. I will come home if I realise it’s not worth staying here…” I promise. Mama nods slowly.

“Okay, and I expect at least a call or message every day,” she says firmly. I nod.

“Okay, promise,” I reply.

“I know you’ll be able to get through to him,” Alejandro says quietly. “No fucking pressure. It’s something I never managed to do, but I hope you can.” Kiara looks at him gently, sympathy in her eyes as she leans into him.

“And it’s not your duty to. If he doesn’t treat you right, come home, angel,” Dad says firmly. Mama simply gives me a faint smile.

“Whatever you do, we are here for you. You are a woman who can make her own choices. Just do what you feel is right and think before you act.” Yeah, I never did think…

I nod. I feel awful… both Marcel and Alejandro have faith in me…

I bid farewell to them before ending the call and slumping back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling. Even if he doesn’t show it, it is obvious he has hope that I can get through to Leo. I don’t know how they expected me to do that. The guy is so damn stubborn! Telling them has made it all the more real… so goddamn real…

I don’t see Leo and I having a serious conversation at all. Ever. But wait, wasn’t that a serious conversation earlier?

I run my fingers through my hair, sighing heavily as I stare at the ceiling. How could I try when he has Nikki?

I sigh, standing up and walking over to the window. I open it, relishing the fresh air. I prefer it over air conditioning. I rest my arms on the windowsill with my chin on top of my arms, gazing down at the glittering lights of the mini-city. Leo’s pack – It sure is beautiful…

I hear a faint bang, and I freeze, looking at the wall next to me. Isn’t that Jackie’s apartment? I walk closer to the wall, but I don’t hear anything.

Hmm. I’m so bored! What shall I do? Maybe I –

Another thud makes me freeze, and I stare at the wall. It doesn’t sound normal… the first thing that comes to my mind is that they are having sex, but the random bangs don’t add up. Should I just go and ask if everything is okay? I’m sure it isn’t someone breaking in…

Being as bored as I am and wanting to get out of here, I decide to just check up for my own piece of mind. Leo never really said I can’t leave… did he? I can’t remember. Oh, well, who cares? He wants me here.

I leave my apartment silently, and I haven’t even shut my door when across the hall Jackie’s door opens and Emmet storms out. He is angry. Scratch that, he is fucking fuming. He doesn’t even see me as he storms to the lift swearing under his breath. I guess he was throwing things in anger. Men…

Once the lift starts descending, I walk over to Jackie’s door and ring the bell. She is nice, and I bet she is feeling down. Maybe I can cheer her up and I won’t feel so bored either. The door opens to reveal a distraught Jackie.

“Emmet, ple-” She stops in her tracks as she stares up at me in fear as she realises I am not Emmet.

I’m seeing red. She has a bruise on her jaw, and I can see the finger marks and blood around her neck where it is obvious she has been grabbed by a clawed hand. Oh, hell no.

Both our hearts are thumping for very different reasons.

“This isn’t what it looks like,” she whispers, but the way she is shaking, trying to cover her neck and the way her heart is thumping…

Lies.

He hurt her. He fucking hurt her.

“What the hell happened?” I ask quietly, trying to control the rage within me.

“Azura, this is nothing. Please just don’t tell anyone. I haven’t told anyone your secret.” She is blackmailing me, but the thing is, I would sacrifice my own secrets and so much more than let something like this go. “Go back to your apartment,” she says softly, fear and confusion clear on her face at my silence. I nod slowly, and she looks at me. “Promise me you won’t tell the Alpha.”

“Promise,” I say quietly. She searches my face which is expressionless, before nodding in relief.

“Thanks, he was just a little angry,” she whispers.

Yeah, and he’s fucking dead.

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