Chapter 19

ELLA

Since Luca was in mine, I took Rosa’s car up to the town and marched into the police station and straight to the front desk.

“My son has been kidnapped,” I announced to the bored-looking police officer at the desk.

She suddenly sat up straight and alert.

“What is his name? Age? Description?” she asked, typing something on the computer.

“Cato Loren. He’s seven years old, blue eyes, blond scruffy hair, he’s wearing a red T-shirt and denim shorts… umm white, kinda muddy trainers,” I replied frantically as she typed.

“And what makes you think he was kidnapped?”

“He was playing in the woods, and I heard a scream and then the engine of a car drive fast away,” I said. “I also had a phone call.”

“Which direction did the car go?” she asked.

“South. Possibly to Mexico.”

She looked up at me with a confused look.

“Cops are already being deployed, but what makes you think they are going to Mexico? Do you know who has taken him, miss? And who was the phone call from?”

“You are currently holding my husband because he’s been accused of abducting me, involvement in drug trafficking, and attempting to murder a man called Andrea Martinez. I believe it is him or someone working for him.”

“Okay,” she said, typing some more. “We will alert Mexican border control and Canadian border control just in case. Do you have any more details? Did you see the car? Anyone in it?”

“No. Can I speak to my husband?” I asked, tapping my fingers on the desk.

“Just hold one second,” she said, picking up the phone and dialing a number.

“Leonardo Loren’s wife is here wanting to speak to him concerning a possible abduction of their son,” she said down the line before, “Yes, I’ve sent out officers.”

She then put the phone down and pointed to a door.

“Go through there, third door on your right,” she said. “We wouldn’t normally allow visitors considering the severity of his allegations, but under these circumstances, the sheriff has been kind.”

“Thank you so much.”

I entered the dingy, dark corridor, and I counted four doors on my right.

There was a guard that unlocked the door for me and then just Leo, a table, some kind of recording device, a camera, and a small, weak bulb.

“Ella!” he exclaimed, standing up and breaking the handcuffs holding his hands behind his back and pulling me into a tight hug. “Please tell me the kids are safe.”

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

“They have Cato,” I whispered.

His jaw clenched as he looked at me.

“Cato,” he repeated almost inaudibly. “Has Blair closed the borders? Sent out men? What about Luca? What is he doing? And my dad?”

“Blair is doing everything he can, and last time I saw Luca, he was driving full speed after the car that took him. Antonio’s helping too, and the police are on it too.”

“This was their plan. Get me out of the picture and then strike,” he replied, putting his head in his hands.

“I need to get the fuck out of this place,” he hissed, kicking the table so that it fell over and the recording thing smashed onto the floor.

At that point, my phone began to ring. It was the no caller ID again. Leo suddenly looked up and took my phone out of my hand.

“Is this Andrea?”

“Probably,” I said as he moved his thumb to swipe across. “Wait. Let me answer it,” I interjected.

Leo nodded and handed my phone back to me. He was practically shaking with fury, so I took his hand and held it in mine in an attempt to calm him down.

“So, by now, you should have somehow realized that my men have your precious son,” Andrea’s voice said. “The heir, I believe?”

“Where are you taking him?” I growled.

“Oh relax, will you?” he said in a sadistic kind of tone. “If you do exactly as I say, I won’t lay a finger on him.”

I exchanged nervous looks with Leo.

“I’ll do anything. Just do not hurt him,” I begged. “Please.”

“Brilliant. Pop down to Mexico alone and we’ll deliver him straight back,” he replied in a cheerful tone.

“How do I know you’ll do it?”

“What choice do you have but to trust me? And if you try anything smart, Blanca, I’ll kill him without hesitation. You know that I ain’t fucking around here. I want you and only you. I’m not gonna settle for anything else.”

He then hung up, leaving me rushing with anger, desperation, and fear.

“I have to go,” I said, looking up at Leo who had heard every word.

“No fucking way,” he replied, grabbing my wrist.

“Then what do you suggest?” I asked, looking down at his fingers wrapped tightly around my wrist. Not gonna lie, it kind of hurt. “They have our son, Leo. We are in no position to do anything but what he says.”

“There has to be another way,” he stated adamantly as he looked down at me with his big blue eyes. “I am not going to allow you to sacrifice yourself when I have an entire army at my disposal.”

“You heard what he said. Trying could risk Cato’s life, and that is not something I am willing to gamble with,” I said, trying to break out of his grip.

“And your life is not something I’m just going to let slip away either,” he replied in a deeper tone.

“Leo,” I uttered. “Let me go or I will fight you.”

“So I’m supposed to just sit and watch my mate go off to her death? What makes you think they’ll give our son back anyway?” he asked. “Martinez cannot be trusted.”

“We don’t have a choice, Leo. I’d rather die than let Cato get hurt,” I hissed, trying to break free again. “You can do everything you like to save me but only when Cato is safe.”

“There will be a better way,” he repeated.

I shook my head.

“No,” I whispered. “You have to let go of me.”

“I’m sorry, Ella, but I won’t do that,” he said, pulling me closer. “I can’t.”

“Can I remind you which one of us is currently in custody? You can’t stop me.”

He suddenly lurched forward and snatched my phone from my hand.

“Leo!”

He dialed a number, and it only rang once before someone picked up.

“Dad, it’s Leo. Come to the police station, pick up Ella, and do not let her out of your sight no matter what she says. That is an order,” he said, before hanging up and handing my phone back to me.

“You are not going to Mexico alone. Understand? We are not giving in to them that easily,” he said in his alpha tone.

I narrowed my eyes, refusing to break the stare first.

When I thought he wouldn’t be expecting it, I launched a kick toward his groin. He blocked it, grabbed my arms, twisted me around, and pinned me to the table, front down, within milliseconds.

“You know that you can’t beat me, Ella. We’ve been through this so many times,” he said, holding my wrists against my back.

“And I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there to protect him but at least let me be here to protect you. We will find another way, I promise.”

“Leo.” I growled. “I can’t let him get hurt.”

“You can’t trust Andrea. Throwing yourself in there too is only going to make things worse. I will get myself out of here, and then we can get through this together.”

I took a deep breath in before letting out the loudest scream I could. Leo’s hand smacked over my mouth, but it was too late, the footsteps of a guard were already heading for the door.

Leo pulled me to my feet and held my hand instead of my wrist moments before an officer burst into the room.

“What is the problem?” he asked, gun in hand. “Are you okay, miss?”

“He made me jump, sorry, Officer. It was all in good nature,” I said. “But I need to go now anyway,” I added.

“No,” Leo interrupted. “No, you don’t. Not yet. Honey, yoga was canceled tonight, remember?”

The guard narrowed his eyes and looked between us.

“Yes, but I’m meeting your mother for coffee,” I replied.

Leo squeezed my hand tightly, and I could sense his rage rising again.

“No, that’s tomorrow. She doesn’t need to go yet. Could you leave us for a minute, please?”

“Miss, do you want me to go?” the guard asked.

“No, it’s fine. I’m leaving,” I replied, trying to get out of Leo’s grip.

“Antonio’s picking you up. He won’t be here for another five minutes at least. You might as well stay here,” Leo said quickly.

“I have an errand to run,” I said, pulling at his grip again. He roughly pulled me closer to him with my arm, which the guard immediately saw.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to put your hands up,” he ordered Leo, pointing his gun and pressing a red button on the wall.

Seconds later, another three officers appeared in the doorway, all armed with guns.

Leo slowly let go of my wrists and let me move away.

“Put your hands up!” another officer bellowed.

I looked up into Leo’s dark, furious eyes and mouthed a “sorry” before stepping toward the door.

The officers then began tackling him to the floor and recuffing his wrists. I took the opportunity to flee down the hallway and out onto the parking lot.

I could hear Leo fighting the officers as I raced to my car.

Keys. Keys. Fucking keys. Where did I put the fucking keys?!

And then it dawned on me, Leo must have taken them out of my pocket without me noticing.

Smart-ass motherfucker. He was always one step ahead.

Guess I’ll have to get the bus to Mexico, then. I ran out of the parking lot and down the road toward the bus stop. The police station was a mile out of town, but it was only a short run along the forest track to get there.