LEO
“Stay here,” I command Azura, taking hold of her arms and pressing her up against a pillar.
“I’ve got your back.” Jax nods, turning his back to Azura as he stands guard. Things have turned into a fucking mess.
I run out from behind the pillar, reloading my gun as I shoot two men dead, ducking behind a table before reaching Ace. Jin is by my side within seconds as we both pull Ace up. He is bleeding profusely.
“Get him out of here, now!” I command, dragging him behind the pillar along with Jin. “I’ll cover you.” Jin nods, shouldering Ace. He’s still alive… which means it wasn’t the bullets tha-
I turn, seeing one of my men fall to the ground, instantly dead. My head snaps up, seeing the men in balaclavas and leather who are shooting wildly.
“They’re here.”
Unease settles into me as I see Azura pale. She didn’t need to say it aloud, nor did I need to hear her thoughts to know these were Judah’s men.
Use the ring!
She nods, sliding it off her finger. She twists the top and tosses it out into the midst of the room. Heavy smoke fills the room, blanketing us, and for a few moments, the sound of gunshots lessens.
Now! I shout through the link to Jin as he nods, running for the exit.
Web’s getting away! Shall I go after him? Jax asks through the link. I can sense the irritation in his voice. I see Li Sheng try to target Web, but he misses, cursing in frustration as a few of the hooded men open fire.
“Don’t risk it, they have the bullets! Clear out,” I growl, pressing my microphone on my collar. “I want everyone to clear the fuck out! Now. I’m taking Azura,” I add. If Judah is listening in and is the one who had initiated the attack, it means he’s here, but there isn’t any way to find him right now. Plus, the chaos would only make it riskier. “We got what we needed from Web. As for the unfinished business between us… his time is fucking near.”
I take hold of Azura’s wrist, sparks rushing through me before I run out from behind the pillar. The sound of gunshots and shouts follow us as the smoke begins easing up a little.
I’m out, Jin’s breathless voice announces.
Perfect. Jax, Li Sheng, get our men out and leave. It might be fucking hypocritical of me, but I need Jin and Ace gone first… they both have mates waiting for them at home… I don’t want to see either of them in Kareena’s place.
We run fast, ducking and dodging, pushing through the chaos, and stopping when someone tries to fire at us. Another dangerous shot comes close, and I stop, hiding behind another pillar and pulling Azura against me. I watch someone empty their gun at the wall ahead of us, a wall where we would have been if I hadn’t pulled us back. She locks her arm around my neck as another bullet narrowly misses us and hits the pillar instead.
“Fucking assholes. This is why I wanted you home,” I tell Azura arrogantly as the man comes running over towards us. She rolls her eyes, shooting the attacker in the leg the moment he comes into view, far too fast for him to even react. He lets out a howl of pain, and another shot from me finishes him off.
“Don’t underestimate me. I swear, I don’t mind pulling the trigger as often as I need to,” she growls. “Besides, I can take care of myself. Remember my shield trick in there?” She adds with a raised eyebrow. Have to admit that shit did save us.
“Yeah, quick thinking on your part,” I murmur, kissing her neck. “Or should I say, acting on reflex, because you sure as fuck didn’t know you could do that shit.” She frowns, pouting slightly, and I know I was fucking right.
“Dick,” she muttered. “Don’t test me, baby.”
From here it’s still fucking far, although Jax and Li Sheng are covering us. I didn’t think we’d make it across so fucking easily. The door in question bursts open and I instantly change direction, heading for the stairs to the first floor. It’s across the hall, though.
“Stop treating me like I’m incapable,” she snap when I push her away from the line of fire.
“I know you are capable, but I still don’t like you in danger, beautiful,” I reply, pushing her behind an upturned table as I shoot a round of bullets at some men I recognise as Web’s, who try to block our path.
An explosion makes the entire building shake, and I shield Azura as parts of the roof begin falling down, shooting another round of bullets. I glance up at the chandelier as I reload my gun. I only have a few rounds left.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Azura whispers. I exchange looks with her as we both target the light piece above. Me with my gun, and Azura takes out a knife that she had strapped to her thigh.
“Let’s bring it down.” I smirk, “Or let’s see you try. I hope you’re not rusty with your target practice, Lola.” She narrows her eyes.
“Oh, don’t try me before I show you exactly how good my aim is,” she threatens as I shoot the chains above, damaging them, and she throws her dagger.
She has good aim. The throw is precise and holds power. The blade slices through the chains as if they were made of butter. I narrow my eyes, seeing the faint light around the dagger. She had infused it with her moon fire…. Fuck, she’s getting a hang of her powers fast. That’s my girl.
It comes crashing down, the sparks of electricity and the sound of shattering glass filling the air before plunging us all into darkness. I stand up, taking my girl’s hand and tugging her towards the stairs. A few bullets come our way, but I cover her, letting her lead, and shield her as I toss another smoke bomb into the midst. I just fucking hate how that shit messes with my men, too, but there’s little we can do right now.
Once we are at the top, I push the door open slightly and pull her out into the narrow hall. I yank her close as I head down the hall. I need to find a window where we can jump from. Glancing outside one of the windows to see exactly where we are, I see we are on the left side of the building. I press a button on my watch as I hurry down the hall.
“Bring the entire place down. Make sure there’s nothing left,” I order through the microphone. “Any sign of the shooter?”
“No, boss! There was no one on the roof. Surveillance didn’t catch anything.”
“Doesn’t matter. Anyone found out who Web met before the dinner?”
“Yes, and we have footage,” one of my men’s confident and pleased voice answers.
“Perfect, send it to me,” I command as I slide the window open, flipping one leg out and holding my hand to Azura. “We’re pretty high up. Hold on.” She glances down.
“Piece of cake.”
I smirk, “Yeah, but you’re pregnant. We don’t want any impact on the baby. Plus, that bastard was smoking wolfsbane.” She frowns, placing a hand on her stomach.
“I guess you telling him to put it out helped. I do feel a bit… tired.”
“Hmm… I think you coming into your power may have helped somewhat… it could have been worse. That or it just wasn’t potent enough.”
It was meant to be a subtle poison to slow us down, but it had been far too weak, only affecting Azura a little. Was that Judah’s idea? And if so, why did it feel so… bleak? Maybe it was the bastard Web’s idea, and he did his own petty little research and failed. Idiot.
I can still hear shouting and gunshots, followed by a tremendous explosion. They have begun bringing the building down. The distant sound of sirens and the smell of fire soon reaches my ears, too. I glance out at the city in the distance, the glittering lights twinkling, the rush of cold air in my hair, the approaching sirens… and when Azura slides a leg out the window, I slide her close, kissing her softly. These sounds… they give me a thrill… the exhilaration of a showdown… the taste of danger and risks... her here with me just makes it even better.
When she locks her arms around me, and her lips meet mine in a deep kiss, I can hear her heart pounding… but it isn’t the sound of fear or worry, only excitement. My girl loves the thrill as much as I do… the perfect half to make me whole.
Snaking my arms tighter around her waist, I caress her tongue with mine.
Ready? I whisper through the link.
Ready, she murmurs, locking her legs around my waist. I twist, readying to take the plunge, and grip her tightly before I jump.
Our lips are still locked as the wind rushes through our hair. I land on my feet, pulling away from her lips. A small gasp leaves her. I turn to see my car is waiting for us just a few feet away.
“Automated?” She asks me as she slides to the ground.
I nod, unlocking the doors. They slide up, and just as I’m getting Azura in, I see something move incredibly fast from the corner of my eyes. My instincts scream at me, and I shove her inside and jump back, slamming the door shut. Just when the shadowy figure hits the car on the other side, my finger hits the lock button. At least she’s safe.
“I thought you might show,” I growl.
In a flash, I’m around the car, slamming the man away from the car. His back hits the ground and once again, I find myself face to face with none other than Judah Gallahan. He kicks me in the stomach, and I block, aiming my own kick at him. His dull murky eyes widen as he tries to yank at the car door. I’m certain he wasn’t expecting me to get Azura into the car in time. But the fucking question is, how the fuck to kill him? Sure, I had a feeling he might show, and I had some shit in place, but none of that is of any use if we don’t know what the fuck he is.
Leo, let me out, maybe I can help! Azura’s voice pleads, her fear and panic vivid in my mind.
No! There’s no chance for a maybe. She’s his target, and she will remain safe.
I punch him across the face. The aim is to kill. My claws are out, ready to tear him to shreds.
“You really don’t know what you’re messing with, Leo Rossi.” He smiles coldly. “So you should hand the freak to me, and let’s move on.”
I growl, slashing him across the face, only for him to lunge out at me. I’m not going to waste time arguing with him.
Judah’s here, I say through the link to Jax and Li Sheng.
Fuck! Coming! Jax growls.
“Isn’t it a coincidence that our paths have become intermingled?” I spit as I move to rip through his chest, but he jumps back in time, his eyes flashing as he glares at the car behind me. Too bad for him that car is not only bulletproof but practically indestructible.
We fight as he tries to gain the upper hand. I feel the pain within me spread like white-hot fire as I push my body to its limit. Kicking him in the chest, I pull the trigger of my gun, emptying all the shots into him. He simply laughs sadistically as he jumps up, rushing to the car and trying to rip through it.
“Get out!” He roars, slamming his fists against the window.
I grab him from behind, throwing him to the ground. When he turns, his eyes are full of rage as I try to snap his head. He slams me back with immense power, and my head hits the stone ground.
“She’s mine!” He shouts. His eyes look manic, his otherwise calm voice sounding deranged as he launches himself on top of me. I slam my knee into his back.
“Nah, she’s fucking mine,” I shoot back, rolling us over and smashing his head into the ground. He lets out a humourless chuckle as blood drips from the back of his skull.
“No, she’s not. She loved me first and gave me her all. She promised to be mine. One way or another, she will come back to me. Just you wait…”
I try to grab his throat, only for him to block. I can taste blood in my mouth, my worry going to Azura, who I know can feel my pain. I can sense her panic and anger as she tries to free herself from the car. Her worry that something will happen to me fills my mind.
“She fucking won’t,” I growl; my claws graze his chest once more.
I hear shouting before Judah is tasered from behind, and I kick him off to see Li Sheng holding the taser. His eyes flash as he kicks Li Sheng off him, jumping to his feet. He turns, and then he’s gone in a blur of smoke. Just like that. No scent, no direction of which way he went… it’s as if he just vanished.
I get to my feet and run to the car. Unlocking it, I look at Azura, who is staring at me, her eyes wide. Her mask is gone, and her heart is thundering with fear as she stares up at me.
“Baby -” I’m cut off by a sharp slap across the face, shocking me. Her chest is heaving with blistering anger. I hear a shocked snicker from behind me, and I know it’s Jax without turning. Dick.
“You asshole,” she hisses before flinging her arms around me. I raise my eyebrow, hugging her back. As much as I want to hold her forever, I need to get her to safety.
“Move out!” I command the others before moving back and shutting the door. I scan the area once more. I have to do it. Walking around the car, I open the driver’s door and press my microphone. I take a deep breath. “Activate the fences in ten.”
“On it!” Someone replies as I get in the car, driving towards the gates at blinding speed. Seven… five… three… one. I have just passed through the gates, my heart racing as the blinding blue light shoots into the sky, powerful enough to kill anyone in contact.
Keep the barrier up for a few minutes… if there's no sign of the bastard, let it go. Jax, send his location to all parties tracking him, including Alejandro.
Understood.
Cutting the link, I drive faster; through the rear-view mirror, I see the venue go up in flames, illuminating the night sky. Perfect…
I see the fence come down and hear Jax’s sigh of defeat.
We lost him.
It’s fine, we got some answers from Web. That was the aim for tonight.
But there is still one issue that needs dealing with, and that is the blazing silver-eyed woman sitting by my side, glaring at me with burning fury. Seems the slap in rage earlier wasn’t enough. Her chest is heaving as she glares at me with such wrath that, for a moment, I see Scarlett Westwood, not Azura, glaring back at me. Azura may not be Scarlett’s biological daughter, but she’s more like her than Kiara, and right now, that rage is channelled directly at me.
Well, fuck.