Luciano's POV
"You offered him your help?" Andrea asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"And was he suspicious?"
"As expected," I said with a nod.
Andrea's face lit up, "So you settled with just the address?"
"Exactly as planned."
"Excellent," he replied a wide smile on his face. "I never would have guessed that Loren would be so predictable."
"And I was sure to include details about the state of his Luna. You should have seen his reaction," I added with a wink.
"Good job, Luciano," he said shaking my hand. "You have impressed me."
"Oh, and there was something he told me that you might like to know," I began. "He's sided with a powerful ally of yours?"
Andrea furrowed his eyebrows, "Gustavo Escobar?"
"He didn't mention a name."
He leant back into his chair and stared ahead for a few moments in thought.
"Fetch my wife, will you?" he replied. "I have just realised something that has made me exceedingly angry."
"Gladly."
I hurried upstairs and marched into the library where I knew Ella would be. Where she usually seemed to be.
She looked up from her book momentarily and scowled, "Piss off, Luciano."
I grinned with the intention to unsettle her and easily succeeded. Her eyes snapped back to me and her eyebrows creased as she closed her book.
"What?" she asked looking me up and down.
"Your Alpha is dead," I teased.
I watched as my words sunk deeper in and the shock faded to a choking, suffocating grief. Her lip quivered and the book she clutched in her hands dropped to the floor, the pages crinkling on impact.
"Fucking hell, Ella," I said, grinning through my teeth. "I'm kidding. But you need to get a grip."
"That's not funny," was all she said before wiping the tears from her eyes and taking a deep shaky breath.
"Well you better get used to the idea because he will be soon," I replied with a shrug as I leant my hand on the door frame. "Anyway, Andrea wants you downstairs. He seems really pissed."
"I'm busy," she said pulling her hands into the sleeves of her sweater.
"Not sure he really gives a shit," I replied. "Now move it."
She shook her head and cowered further into the armchair she was curled up in.
"Fear doesn't look good on you, hun," I said. "Chin up and get your ass downstairs. Don't make me drag you."
"Fuck off, Luciano," she hissed.
"Time is ticking babe," I replied looking at my watch. "And Martinez is only getting angrier."
"I haven't done anything," she protested. "Why is he mad?"
"Something about a Gustavo Escobar?" I said.
Her face dropped, "shit," she mumbled under her breath.
She then stood up and marched past me, down the stairs and towards Andrea's office.
She opened her mouth to speak but Andrea interrupted.
"Let me guess," he began standing up from behind his desk. "Andrea, I can explain," he mocked. "Then fucking explain, Blanca," he added slamming his fist on the table, "Why the fuck is your Alpha working with Gustavo Escobar?"
"I-I don't know," she stuttered.
"Don't fuck with me," Andrea hissed. "I told you about Escobar and then your Alpha sought him out? How so?"
She paused for a moment clearly unsure of what to say.
"Escobar is a secretive man just like me. How would Loren know to go looking for him?" he asked.
She swallowed but said nothing.
Andrea's jaw tightened, "Did you inform your Alpha about Escobar!?"
His tone was a deep growl and Ella took a step back. I'd never seen her this frightened before and frankly, it was exceedingly amusing.
As she stepped even further back, I put my hand on her back and pushed her forward again.
"How the fuck does he know?!" Andrea repeated, grabbing her wrists. "I want the truth."
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