Finding Forgiveness

Leo's POV

My phone began to buzz in my pocket. When I pulled it out, it displayed an unknown number on the screen.

"Who's calling?" Luca, who was driving the car whilst I sat in the passenger seat, asked.

"I don't know," I replied swiping to answer.

"Who is this?" I asked.

"Hello, Leonardo," a deep voice said after a few rings. "It's Andrea Martinez."

I instantly gestured for Luca to stop the car and sat up straight.

"I don't doubt that you have heard of me so I won't bother explaining who I am in the same way you don't need to explain who you are. How brilliant it is to finally get the chance to speak to you, the most famous Alpha in the world," he continued.

"Cut the shit," I growled. "Where is my mate?"

"Ooh, a temper just like your Luna," he laughed. "And I'm here with her right now in fact. You see, I know about your little phone call earlier and I'm pissed-"

"What have you done to her?" I said beginning to feel the blood inside me boil

"It isn't what I've done that should worry you but what I'm about to do. She's caused me a lot of trouble and now she has to pay,” Martinez replied. "So I'm going to fuck her and I'm going to enjoy it."

I clenched my fist around my phone. I just about managed to stop myself from crushing it right there and then but I shook with fury all the same. Never had I felt so much anger towards another singular person. I heard a muffled cry come from Ella. The pain and desperation in her voice was real and something you rarely heard from Ella Jones.

"You know who I am, Martinez-"

"I am well aware," he replied. "Leonardo Loren. The most ruthlessly terrifying man to ever live."

"Then you'll be well aware of what I do to people that do things that anger me," Leo said. "And raping my Luna is top of that list."

"You've got nothing on me, Loren. Even if you do find me, you're alone, outnumbered and we have guns,” he said in an amused tone. "And relax, I'll ensure that she has fun. After all, it is the last thing she'll do before death.”

I then heard the ripping of some kinda of clothing.

"Get your hands off my mate," I ordered.

"I know you're not used to being disobeyed but on this occasion, you're just going to have to deal with it. I don't answer to you, Loren."

"Leo, please go," Ella said. "I don't want you to hear this."

"No," he stated. "50 thousand dollars and you stop her immediately.” "You're going to have to go a bit higher than that, Alpha. I own a drug cartel, 50,000 is but a drop in an ocean," Martinez scoffed.

"100,000."

"150 and I let you say goodbye,” Andrea said.

"300 and you don't touch, kill or hurt her and you give her back to me," I said.

"Your mate is worth far more than that in the sex trafficking business,” he said placing his hand on my hips. "She's very pretty by the way." "How much do you fucking want?" I growled.

"How about...if you meet me in Hermosillo with 600 in cash tomorrow afternoon, I will ensure that she is delivered back to you alive. For an extra 200 thousand, you can have her untouched,” he replied.

I glanced at Luca. He was looking incredibly concerned because he knew as well as I did that getting 800 thousand dollars in cash in less than 24 hours was going to be a huge problem.

"Yes or no, Loren? It is my final offer,” he said.

"Deal," I replied finally. "800 thousand dollars."

What choice did I have? I couldn't let him hurt Ella and if nothing else it bought us time.

"2 o clock. Don't be late,” Andrea said before hanging up.

"Alpha-" Luca began.

"I don't know," I interrupted saving him of even asking the question. "I have the money but getting it here and in cash is almost impossible."

I put my head in my hands, taking deep breaths to try and calm down and clear my mind to think logically about this.

"Do we even know that we can trust him to keep his word?" he asked. "We need a plan. And fast," I replied

There were a few moments of silence before I spoke again.

"I know a few packs down here," I said. "They've been fighting with Martinez's cartel for years. We should contact the Alphas. They might have some idea about where we should even start and if nothing else, lend us the money.”

"Good idea," Luca agreed.