Finding Forgiveness

“Something is not right here and if Andrea is involved, I want to ensure they are safe,” I replied. “And I trust that they will be with Antonio and Rosa.”

Luca nodded before going downstairs to get the littlest Lorens as Silas went up the next flight of stairs to where the children’s bedrooms were to pack his bag.

I went into Leo and my’s shared bathroom, where they all liked to brush their teeth and grabbed the toothbrushes and a pack of diapers. I then helped various children find their pyjamas, their underwear and their favourite cuddly toy before marching them all out of the house fifteen minutes later.

Another five minutes and everyone was strapped into my very large, bus-like car and we began our journey to granny and grandad’s.

“You probably won’t see me or Daddy until tomorrow,” I began as I drove. “Be good for Granny and Grandad and Cato, Mathias and Silas, look out for your younger siblings, okay?”

My eldest three in the back seat nodded and I saw Cato wrap his arm around Francesca.

“Where are you going?” Mathias asked.

“To the police station. Daddy’s been arrested,” I said honestly.

“Daddy’s been arrested!?” Silas exclaimed. “Cool!”

“No, honey. It’s not cool. It’s very serious,” I replied.

“What did he do?” Cato asked.

“Nothing at all. A dangerous man named Andrea has accused him of some things he hasn’t done. They’ll let him go when they realise he is innocent,” I said although that wasn’t exactly true.

Leo did try to kill Andrea.

When soon pulled up on Rosa and Antonio’s long drive.

Rosa came out of the house and greeted her excited grandchildren with delight.

“Ella!” she said as I lifted Zacharias out of his travel seat and Luca did the same with Stefano. “We weren’t expecting you.”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Yes, I’m sorry to spring this upon you,” I began. “But something has happened. Is it alright if the kids stay for a night? Maybe two?”

Cato, Mathias and Silas bombarded Antonio, who had just joined his mate on the drive as,? Rosa took Zacharias from me.

“Of course but what has happened?” she asked a concerned look. “Where’s Leo?”

“Bambinos, why don’t you take your stuff upstairs?” I suggested.

They all nodded and ran up the stairs to the rooms on the first floor that they usually stayed in.

“Leo’s been arrested,” I began.

Both of their faces dropped three miles.

“Arrested? What? Why?” Antonio questioned.

“Andrea Martinez is alive,” I stated.

Their faces dropped three more miles.

“But Leo shot him-” Rosa said.

“Somehow the bastard survived,” I replied. “And now he’s accused Leo of attempted murder, abduction and involvement in drug trafficking and who knows what he’ll do next.”

“Oh fuck,” Antonio said.

“Ella,? come in,” Rosa said placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I’ll get a pot of coffee on.”

When the coffee was made, the three of us sat around the table trying to decide what to do while Luca entertained the kids.

“You shouldn’t have left your mate,” Antonio stated after minutes of silent thinking.

“Antonio!” Rosa exclaimed.

“None of this would have happened. Have you not noticed by now that when you are away from him, things turn to shit?” he said slamming his hand onto the table.

“Now is not the time,” Rosa said putting her hand on his.

“Things turn to shit whatever I do. My own mate fucking killed my brother,” I argued.

Antonio didn’t like being argued with. No one did it except me which is why he had never been too fond of me.

“It doesn’t matter what happened in the past. We just need to concentrate on getting Leo out of there and dealing with this Andrea man, okay?” Rosa said as Luca came into the kitchen with Cato, Silas, Mathias, Francesca and Marie.

“Ells, is it alright if I take them out to play in the woods?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Don’t let them go too far,” I said putting my head in my hands.

When I heard the door shut I looked up at Rosa and Antonio and sighed.

“I’ve bailed him out before. I’m sure I can do it again,” Antonio stated.

“When he was sixteen and arrested for stupid things like vandalism. Not attempted murder, abduction and involvement in drug trafficking!” Rosa replied.

“That’s exactly what he said,” I replied. “He also pointed out that it’s a federal investigation just to add salt to injury.”

“At least he’s not guilty of one of those things,” Rosa said as the front door opened.

“Ella you left your phone in the car and it’s ringing,” Luca’s voice called. “There’s no caller ID but maybe it’s Leo from the police station,” he added appearing in the kitchen.

He passed it to me as it continued to buzz.

“Hello?”

There was a few moments pause before a voice came through the line that filled me with pure dread.

“Hola, Blanca,” Andrea’s devilish voice slurred. “I thought you’d be a little lonely without your Alpha. You know I have men coming for you? Now that Leonardo Loren is out of the picture, they shouldn’t have any trouble getting you either.”

“How are you still alive?” I asked after a nervous gulp.

“See Blanca, your mate may be the most feared man in the world, an excellent fighter, strong, powerful, smart, yadada… but he doesn’t know much about guns. Pretty good for a beginner but my heart and my brain are still just about intact. He missed. And you are going to pay for that.”

I gripped the phone in my hand and exchanged looks with Antonio.

“Let me speak to him,” Antonio said, imperatively.