Chapter 28 Chapter 28

When I found my seat on the plan, I fought the urge to pass out and

dialled Leo's number as they did the safety speech.

"Ella," he said after picking up. "Where are you?"

"On the plan and your men are with security. Turns out, two men

dragging an almost unconscious girl through a busy terminal raises

suspicion,” I replied a little spite in my tone.

"Is Max on the plane?" he asked.

"No," I replied. "Why would he-"

"Get off it immediately,” he growled in his Alpha tone. "I'm not fucking

around Ella. I mean it."

I shook my head as a tear ran down my face.

"I'm sorry, Leo," I sniffled. "I'm going to Mexico to get our son and

there is nothing you can do to stop me. Alessio and Xanthus did

everything they could and I am begging you to be merciful on them.

Especially Alessio, he has a young family and-"

"If you want me to be merciful then I suggest you get your ass home

now. Then I won't touch his fucking family,” Leo growled shortly after I

heard him punch something solid. Hopefully an inanimate object.

"Don't be like this, please,” I pleaded.

"Just come home, Ells," he said in a much softer tone. "I was wrong to

tie you up and cut you out of this so come home and we can work it

out together. There is no reason for you to sacrifice yourself to a man

highly unlikely to follow his part of the deal.”

"You've met Andrea. He's ruthless. He doesn't have a single hint of

mercy. If he realises you are trying to outsmart him, he will kill Cato

without hesitation,” I replied. "I know that you aren't used to following

other people's orders but this time, we don't have a choice.”

"There's nothing I can say or do to stop you is there?" he asked with a

sigh.

"No," I replied quietly.

"When Cato is safe, I'll come for you," he said. "And if you are already

gone, Andrea will die. For real this time.”

"That's if I haven't killed him first," I replied.

"Death seems to good for home," Leo said. "I'd rather-"

"Leo," I interrupted in a stern tone as I realised what he was insinuating.

"I didn't spend years trying to install morals in you for them to

disappear the second I leave. Don't stoop to his level whether you think

he deserves it or not. Doing more than is necessary to end his life is

immoral. Remember that."

"Nothing like a lecture about treating the literal devil with morality,” he

said. "You're too good for your own good, Ella."

"Just promise me that if I'm not there to keep you in shape, you won't

slip back to your old self, Leo," I said. "Please."

"I promise. But you are coming back," he replied. "You're a cockroach,

remember? No one can kill you.”

"Yeh, I'm a survivor,” I agreed.

He laughed a little before sniffing his own tears back.

"We're about to take off," I said. "I have to go."

"Call me when you land, okay?" he said. "I can't say goodbye yet."

"But just in case, I love you, Leo," I said more tears falling down my

cheeks.

"I love you too," he replied before I had to hang up.

I couldn't deal with anymore for fear of running off the plane and

straight back to him. I wiped the tears off away before leaning against

the window as we were all told to turn out phones on aeroplane mode.

Shortly after, we began moving along the runway. I noticed what

looked like a security car speed up to the plane and a couple of security

officers pile out. Leo must have had something to do with that but

they were too late, we were gone.

With the relief of a successful escape, I closed my eyes and le the

powerful effects of the pill take over.

Hours later, I awoke to the sound of the plane thudding on the runway.

I bolted up right from the shock of the rude awakening and looked

around me to see all the other passengers excitedly awaiting their

vacation to Mexico, or getting ready for a boring business trip, or

thrilled to be visiting their families.

Not me. I wasn't in for nearly such a fun time. As soon as we were

allowed to turn our phones off aeroplane mode, I called Leo.

"I've landed," I said as I followed the busy crowd off the plane. "Am I

going to have trouble with security here? I saw a car of officers try to

stop the plan which I don't doubt you were behind."

"I tried but unfortunately it's difficult to pay off security already paid off

by Andrea Martinez," he replied with a sigh. "You won't be stopped

anywhere in Mexico by the police. So what's your plan?”

"Andrea, texted me his number. I'm going to call him," I replied.

"So you're just going to go along with it?"

"I figured that that is best. I don't want to risk provoking him,” I

explained.

"Ella Jones. I feel like I don't even know you anymore. Why couldn't you

ever go along with what I said?" he questioned.

I laughed before sitting on a bench just before passport control.

"Because you don't have a gun.”

There was a breath moment of silence.

"Leo?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you mad at me?" I asked.

"I was. Very. You ignored my orders and as a result, I may never have

my mate again and my kids may never have their mother again but I

can't be mad anymore. They threatened our kid and nothing is going to

stop you saving him. I get that but fucking hell I'll miss you. I miss you

when I leave the same room as you. I don't know how I would cope

with forever,” he replied

"I'm sorry,” I whispered.

"Don't be sorry," he replied. "Don't you dare.”

"I'l do everything I can to stay alive. If I don't give him a reason to kill

me, he'd rather I was alive too, right?" I asked thinking back to how

fond of me (my body in particular) he was.

"I can't bear the thought of that either, Ells," he replied after a while in a

broken voice. "Him using you for that sort of thing.”

"But you'd rather that than him killing me, yes?" I asked.

"Yes," he stated.

"Promise me that you'll take care of the kids," I said a tear running

down my cheek.

"Of course, Ella. Of course, of course.”

"And yourself. Miss me for a little while and then move on okay? I don't

want you to suffer forever. Find a way to be happy again. Whether

that's with someone else or whatever. I don't care, just be happy. And

make sure my Mom is okay too. She's already lost Connor, this will tear

her apart,” I explained.

"You'll survive this, Ells. I know you will. Just like a cockroach,” he

replied. "And I'll come for you. I promise.”

"Are you ready to say goodbye yet?" I asked watching as the queue for

passport control quickly died down and I was the only one left in the

waiting area.

"I don't think I'll ever be.”

"What about a goodbye for now?" I questioned. "We'll meet again,

Leonardo. I'm sure of it."

Tears were now streaming down my face.

"Well until then?" he said. I was sure he shared my tears. I could hear it

in his voice.

"Until then,” I whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too," he replied before he hung up and I was left all alone in

the room.

I clutched my phone to my chest and screwed up my face desperately

trying to hold in a howl.

Instead, it escaped in broken sobs and patchy cries as I gasped for

oxygen.

Why is it that you don't realise the extent of your love for someone

until you don't have them anymore?

I don't think I could have loved him anymore.

For a moment, I considered going straight back to Seattle. The next

flight could only be a few hours away. But then I remembered why I

was here. What I had to do.

Save Cato.

I took a few more moments to compose myself. I let the tears dry into

stains and the grief sink deep within before standing up and walking

bravely to passport control.

"I saw you crying over there. Are you alright, Miss?" the woman asked

as she checked my passport on her computer.

"Not really," I replied.

"Is there anything I can do?" she asked with a kind smile.

"Not really. But thank you anyway," I said taking my passport and

heading into Mexico.

I called Andrea. He was delighted to hear of my arrival and said there'd

be a car to pick me up within the hour.

And there was. Twenty minutes, a black, tinted window car rolled up in

front of the airport where I had been sat miserably on the floor. A

Mexican climbed out and quickly scanned the crowd. When his eyes

landed on the only blonde woman in the entire place, he marched

forward and picked up my rucksack.

"Come with me," he said dryly.

I stood up and followed him back to his car where he hustled me into

the back seat.

We drove in silence through the desert for about twenty minutes

before arriving at the same warehouse. I hadn't even been two weeks

since I was last here. Since I left and thought I'd never have to come

back again.

The driver took my arm and led me into the building. I could hear

voices and laughter inside that immediately ceased when the door

opened.

I froze as I lay my eyes on Andrea, sat on a chair in a circle of three

other men. The driver pushed me further in and Andrea gestured for

the other men to leave.

He stared at me with an evil smirk plastered across his lips before

beckoning me with his finger. I hesitantly stepped a little closer as he

continued to eye me out. I got to about two metres away before he

opened his mouth to speak.

"Blanca, how wonderful it is to see you again,” he said in an amused

tone.

"Where is my son?" I asked.

"We will get to that in a moment,” he said standing up and striding

closer to me.

He cupped my face in one hand and tucked a strand of hair behind my

ear with the other. Then, before I could see it coming, he struck me

across the face causing my nose to immediately spout blood.

"That was for escaping me," he whispered in my ear before pushing his

lips against mine.

The kiss only probably lasted about 5 seconds but for me, it felt as

though he was never going to stop. I could do nothing but stand

motionless and let him do it without risking both Cato's and my own

life.

When he was done forcing himself upon me, he pulled a handkerchief

from his pocket and dabbed the blood on my nose. So he's gonna hit

me then clean up after himself? Psycho.

Eventually, he let go of me and said something in Spanish to the driver.

He left and a few short moments later returned holding the hand of a

small, blonde, seven-year-old boy.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw my son. He didn't look hurt or scared

or even unhappy and the driver let go of his hand allowing him to run

forward into my arms.

"Mommy!" he cried as I clung to him tightly.

"Cato," I whispered stroking his hair as I lifted him into the air. "Are you

okay?"

He nodded excitedly.

"Juan is showing me how to play cards!" he replied.

"Who's Juan, sweetie?" I asked and he pointed to the driver. "And can

we have Mexican for dinner more often?!"

I smiled and hugged him tighter.

"Of course,” I replied knowing that I may never make him dinner again

"And Andrea is teaching me Spanish!" he added with pride in his voice.

I looked over Cato's shoulder at Andrea, loathing him slightly less

knowing that he treated Cato well.

"Time to say adi6és to mama, Cato," he said. "You have a long journey.”

"Are you not coming home too, Mama?" he asked looking at me

suddenly far less happy.

I shook my head and squeezed him a little further.

"No, bambino. I have to stay here," I replied.

"Why?"

"So that you can go home. Like a swap," I explained.

"Will you be back?" he asked

"Maybe, maybe not," I said truthfully. He was only seven but he was old

enough to understand.

"I'll miss you," he said clinging tightly.

"I'll miss you too, Cato. But you have to promise that you'll look out for

everybody. Papa, Silas, Mathias, Francesca, Marie, Lili, Stefano,

Zacharias, Granny Rosa, Grandad, Granny Mara, Luca. Everybody, okay?"

He nodded.

"I promise,” he whispered burying his face in my shoulder.

"Good boy," I said kissing his head as the driver, who I now knew was

called Juan, approached. "I love you lots and lots.”

"I love you lots and lots more," he replied.

"Come on, Cato," Juan said placing his hand on his back.

"No!" he cried as he tried to prize him out of my arms. "Mama, no!"

He clutched me tightly and was soon wailing as he was ripped out of

my hands. With floods of tears running down my cheeks, I watched as

he was dragged out of the warehouse and then listened as he was put

in the car and driven away.

"You have kept your side of the deal, now I will keep mine. He'll be in

Seattle by nightfall,” Andrea said. "That is unless your Alpha tries

anything between then and now.”

"He won't," I replied wiping my eyes.

"That is good to hear,” he stated sitting down at the same chair he was

on when I first came in.

"You're weren't trying to trick us?" I asked incredibly relieved.

"I have no interest in hurting a little boy even if he will grow up to be an

Alpha," Andrea explained. "And besides, I've got what I wanted," he

added with a smirk.

"If you are going to kill me, can you get it over with?" I questioned.

"Oh, no, Blanca. You don't get that kind of privilege anymore," he

replied. "Come here," he added tapping his lap.

I hesitated for a moment before slowly walking forwards and perching

on his knees.

"You're going to be my little bitch. You're gonna do everything I say,”

he whispered in his thick Mexican accent into my ear as he wrapped his

arms around my waist. "You're gonna work for me, entertain me, cook

for me...can you cook, Blanca?"

"A little,” I replied.

"Good. I wanna try some of your Italian shit. And in doing all of this,

you can repay me for all this trouble you've caused.”

"And if I don't?" I asked.

"Then I will kill you," he deadpanned. "In an utmost unpleasant, drawn-

out manner. So which will it be, Blanca?"

"You leave me little choice,” I replied.

"Excellent," he chirped before kissing my neck, right where Leo's mark

was. "Now let's get somewhere that Alpha of yours will never find you."