Alpha Loren novel Chapter 176

"I'll get it," Leo said putting Zacharias's bottle down and venturing to the front door with him still in hand.

I heard the latch click and the door open.

"Leonardo Loren, this is Washington State Police. You are under arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, abduction and involvement with a Mexican drug trafficking operation. Please hand the child to my colleague and put your hands up," the voice said. "Anything you say can and will be held against you."

My heart began to pound and I immediately marched from the sofa to the hallway. In the doorway were three cops, both of which with guns and behind them five or six more with bulletproof vests.

Zacharias clung to Leo and began to make whimpery noises as Cato, Mathias and Silas appeared in the hallway too.

"Sir, I will ask you again-" The officer began.

"I'm not giving you my son," Leo stated. "And what? Attempted murder? Abduction? Who the fuck have I abducted?"

"Everything will be explained at the station. Just hand over the child and put your hands up. Do not make me say it again," he said holding the gun closer to Leo.

"Leo, hand him to me," I interjected anxious to get my son away from the gun.

He handed Zacharias to me and four men immediately lurched forward and tackled Leo to the floor.

"Cooperate, Sir and this will be much easier," one cop demanded.

I didn't doubt for a second that Leo could fight all of these humans off but he didn't and allowed them to handcuff him.

They then dragged him out the door and I immediately followed.

"Ella, call Blair, now," Leo said to me as he was pushed into a car.

"Why are you letting them take you?" I asked quietly so that only he could hear.

"Because if I don't, next it will be the swat team and then the army in. The kids don't need to see that," he replied with a sigh.

"Miss, please step away from the vehicle," one of the officers said touching my arm.

I slapped his hand away. 

"May I have a moment with my wife, Officer?" Leo asked from the car.

He opened his mouth to say 'no' but closed it when he saw Leo's stern glare and nodded with a gulp before scurrying away.

"Do you think they have evidence?" I asked when he was far enough away.

"I can't think of a way that they possibly could," he said looking around to check no one was listening. "But that doesn't mean they don't."

"Don't you know the sheriff from when your Dad used to get him to release you when you were arrested as a kid, right?" I asked.

He screwed his eyes up and threw his head back.

"For graffiti and minor theft, Ella, not drug trafficking, abduction and attempted murder. And this will be a federal investigation anyway."

"Oh fuck. You're really in deep shit this time, Leo," I groaned watching all the armed and armoured men in the front drive of my house.

"Stay with the kids, remember to let Blair know and I'll see you later," he replied. "I love you."

I leant down and kissed his cheek, "I love you too."

He was then driven away along with all of the other cars except one.

I headed back up to the front door and herded my children, who had all been watching the whole ordeal, back into the house as I kept my peripheral vision on one of the remaining officers who slowly approached.

"I'm sorry Miss for this disturbance," he said in a tone that couldn't have meant it less. "This must be hard for you."

"I don't need your pity," I snapped. "My husband is innocent."

 "Regarding that," he began. "As his wife, I need to ask you a few questions. May I come in?"

I looked around the drive. There was nothing but the cop car and the three men that accompanied it. Apart from them I was alone with eight children and wasn't particularly keen on the idea of letting a stranger in my house. 

Especially this man. He was not particularly tall but stocky and stood with his chest out and a straight back. He had a grey stubbly beard, harsh eyes and a face as expressionless as cardboard.

I shook my head, "No."

"Miss, we suspect that the allegation made against your husband may be false but we need your help to prove it," he explained.

I didn't reply.

"If he is not proven innocent, he will go to jail for a long time. What do you think would happen to you and your family without him?" he added. "I shouldn't like to think how you'd manage-"

"Fine," I interrupted. "But for the record, we'd be fine."

I felt Lili wrap her arms around my leg as I moved to the side slightly and let the cop entered as all of my children glared at him.

"Quite a handsome brood you have here," he pointed out. "Are they all yours?"

I nodded again.

"Where are you taking my Daddy?" Cato asked.

"We'll talk about his later," I said crouching down to their level. "But for now would you all go upstairs and play?"

They all eyed the cop one more time before following each other up the stairs just as I had instructed.

"And Cato, will you use the phone in the office and call Blair. Tell him to come over as soon as he can," I added.

I then lead the cop into the kitchen as Cato went into his father's office and the others all went upstairs. The officer placed some kind of recording device on the table. I put Zacharias down in his crib next to Stefano in the corner making my way back to the table

"First of all, I am the Cheif Investigator at WSP, Detective Clarke," he began pulling a badge from his pocket and showing me the Washington patrol star logo. "Is your name Ella Jones?"

"Ella Loren actually," I replied sitting down at the table.

"Is Leonardo Loren your legal husband?" he asked.

"Yes," Not strictly true. We never officially married in the human way.

"Is your maiden name Jones?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any evidence of your marriage?" He asked.

"No," I replied. "Why are you concerned about my marriage?"

"Earlier today we had a call from the Mexican police concerning your husband. A man has reported him for trying to kill him and kidnapping his girlfriend, whose name is supposedly Ella Jones."

"I'm afraid you have the wrong people," I replied my heart beating faster.

Andrea? How is this possible

"What makes you so sure?"

"I've been married to Leonardo for the last seven years. We have eight kids," I explained trying to calm my nerves as the detective watched me intently.

"Have you separated at any point in your relationship?" he asked. "As in have you broken up or had time apart?"

"No," I said. "And I certainly don't have a Mexican boyfriend."

"Have you travelled to Mexico in the last week?"

"Yes."

"What was the purpose of your trip?" he asked.

"A vacation."

"You aren't on the border records. Did you enter legally?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"Not exactly."

"How exactly did you enter?" he questioned raising an eyebrow.

"Some back road. I don't know exactly," I replied vaguely.

"If Leonardo did kidnap you, any threat he may be holding against you is void. He is in police custody," the officer replied.

"He didn't."

"Are you sure?" he questioned.

"Yes, I'm sure! Why have you arrested him on account of such a wild accusation with no evidence when you suspect it to be bullshit?" I asked. "I am here of my own free will."