Alpha Leo and the Heart of Fire

14. Discussions & Decisions LEO.

I switched the coffee machine on, smoking a cigarette as I leaned against the worktop, looking down at my arm. The wound was long gone, but the memory remained. She was a fucking psycho, who the fuck went around stabbing people with whatever shit they had at hand?!

I overreacted. 1

I know I fucking did, but the moment Corrado started to show off his doll… I wanted her out of my life. I needed her gone, but I also knew she had reasons that were forcing her to stay, none that involved me. There was something that she was running from, and I was certain it was linked to whatever the fuck happened that night. 1 If I was able to find out, I could have it dealt with, and then tell her she was safe to leave early.

Her phone. I needed to get to work on that shit. “Good morning, Daddy.” Corrado said, as he came out of his bedroom with Winona. “Good morning, you sleep ok?” I asked, crouching down and ruffling his hair. He smiled at me and nodded, giving me a hug. “I slept the best, and Simon the robber slept with me! I want to go to Azura’s again today, ok? She said I can!” 1 I resisted frowning, hiding my irritation as I ruffled his hair. “Don’t you want to hang with Jackie or Nikki instead? Or Winona, I’m sure she takes good care of you?” “But Azura is so fun.” He said.

Yeah, she was fun, and a complete psycho! You never knew what shit she’s going to pull next.

“She even made a doll that looked like you, Daddy!” 11

I raised an eyebrow. “Did she now?”

“Yeah, she said it’s not you but it did look like you.” He grinned as Winona began taking things out for breakfast. I stood up, lifting Corrado onto the worktop. “I’ll make breakfast for us today.” I told her, she had already gotten him dressed.

I had a bit of time before Emmet showed up anyway, and I needed to explain to this kid that he was not to see her again. 1 “Are you sure, Alpha?”

I nodded, and just as she was about to leave, I spoke to her through the mind link.

‘He is not to meet Azura. She is a guest here, nothing more. I don’t trust her entirely. Be more careful next Winona, not everyone who appears to be good is good.’ 1 “Sorry Alpha, I will keep that in mind.’

‘It’s fine.’

‘Thank you, I’ll be back at noon?’

‘Perfect.

She lowered her head to me before closing the door behind her.

“So, what do you want to eat, kid?”

“Pancakes.” He replied without even thinking.

“Pancakes it is, Nutella?”

“Yes, and fruit!”

Flipping the kettle switch on, I took the readymade mix out, adding water before getting the pan. He watched me, smiling happily, and I ruffled his hair before I began on the pancakes. “Thank you for spending time with me, Daddy.”

This kid could induce so many fucking emotions from me, I don’t even know how. I gave him a one-armed hug, squeezing him.

“You don’t need to thank me for anything. I told you that.” I reminded him, pouring some boiling water into a large bowl.

“Yes, but I want to.” He smiled as I flipped the pancakes, adding some Nutella to a small bowl and placing it in the boiling water to soften.

He sighed heavily, and I glanced at him as I took the three pancakes out and added some more. “What’s up?” I asked him, waiting for the second batch to be done. “You know Azura? She can’t cook. She said making sandwiches was cooking.” 2

My heart fucking did some weird shit. I hated when I learned new shit about her, because I hated how it fucking caught my attention. She was a Westwood, remember that Leo.2

“Yeah?”

“‘Yes.”

strawberries and raspberries, scattering them over

teach her.” He added as I lifted him down from the worktop and carried his breakfast

need to stay away from her.” I reminded him quietly

out, I walked to the fridge, taking out a bottle of milk. Pouring him a glass before picking up my

play with.” “Corrado, we have an

was already a grade ahead of the rest of his age group. I made sure he focused on learning the moment he showed signs of being ready. “I don’t like Jake anymore, and Amanda cries all the time.” Corrado was a mature kid in many ways, he didn’t really get on with the other kids his age, and those a little older didn’t really mix with

eyes as if I had just asked a dumb question. “Daddy? Did you marry the first girl you liked?” 2 I raised an

remember she was killed back in the caverns, because her father refused to obey Endora… I remember those days still … Seeing the blank look in Dad’s eyes as he obeyed her blindly… the scary reminder that I was on my own… Even though he didn’t remember half of what he was forced to do, I did. I remembered it all… The horrors of life without even an ounce of daylight. Every night

glancing towards my bedroom door. She was probably still asleep… I knew I had been avoiding her because I just couldn’t

with her lately. Seeing Azura here had made it fucking weird. Sure, I ended it with her, but… try fucking someone when the woman you’re fucking distracted by is in the same

kid, I’m not considering

had found my mate and it was over. I never wanted

work, but then I learned of her identity… I couldn’t accept her… Fuck, how do you accept someone

biologically a Westwood by blood, but she was by birth and upbringing… 1

words made me look at him sharply. “What do you

because you made a mistake, she should ask you.” He continued, eating his food

S

stand. – Marriage… Why couldn’t anyone just take life a day at

a grin as

are the best

“I’m glad, kid.”

‘Leo, I’m outside.

morning champ! Damn, pancakes without me?” “Sorry, Daddy made them, and you

I’m sure a few more won’t make a difference?” Emmet said, dropping into the chair opposite me. ‘Is the shipment here yet?’ I questioned through the

a big one, Leo. Risky as fuck, and I don’t even want to think about the consequences if we’re

past the radar. This shipment alone will give us

all just to make sure every child is financially set? This one was fucking risky. Come

what

who was scrutinising us

room, Daddy.” He suggested, knowing we were talking business through

Smart pup.

I ruffled his hair as he gulped his

stood up, turning the TV in his room on from my

your father, the Alpha, is coming back. Where are you going to keep such a big number of

ready to get their hands on some. When I’m done, I will become one of the wealthiest men in the world.” I said coldly, sitting down in my chair. “At

my

so much as questions me-” “I put you in that position Emmet, we both know the truth, you work for me, not Marcel.” I warned icily, lighting another cigarette. He sighed but nodded. “I know man, but the Alpha said if you settle down and shit, he’ll pass

will be back soon

“I’m sure he’ll visit his precious brother before returning home.” I replied, ignoring his comment about Nikki.

dismissal and

all they fucking did was ruin our lives.” Emmet said coldly, his

I nodded.

yeah, all ok with you and the visitor? I heard shouting last night…” 2 “Did you?