Alpha Loren

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?" 

texted me his number. I'm going

you're just going to go

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

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

before sitting on a bench just before passport

have a gun."

was a breath moment of silence.

"Leo?" 

"Yeah?"

at me?"

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

sorry," I

replied. "Don't you dare."

I can to stay alive. If I don't give him a reason to kill me, he'd rather I was alive too, right?"

either, Ells," he replied after a while in a broken voice. "Him using you

you'd rather that than him

stated.

me that you'll take care of the kids," I

Ella. Of course,

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

a cockroach," he replied. "And I'll come for

control quickly died down and I was the only

I'll ever

"We'll

were now streaming down my face.

was sure he shared my tears. I could

I whispered. "I

hung up and

to my chest and screwed up my face desperately

broken sobs and patchy cries as I gasped for oxygen. 

the extent of your love for someone until you

think I could have

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

Save Cato.

the tears dry into stains and the grief sink deep within before standing up and walking bravely to passport control.

alright, Miss?" the woman asked as she checked my passport on her computer.

I replied.

she

said taking my passport

arrival and said there'd be a car to pick me up within the

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.

he

followed him back to his car where he hustled me into the back seat.

twenty minutes before arriving at the same warehouse. I hadn't even been two weeks since I was last here. Since I left

into the building. I could hear voices

of three other men. The driver pushed

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

you again," he said

son?" I asked.

get to that in a moment," he said standing up and striding closer to me.

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

for escaping me," he whispered in my ear before

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

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

me and said something in Spanish to the driver. He left and a few short

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

I clung to

I whispered stroking his hair as I lifted him into the air. "Are you okay?"

He nodded excitedly.