Leo Rossi: The Rise of a True Alpha (The Rossi Legacies Book 2)
Precious Bonds Chapter 2

JAX.

"Fucking hell," Leo growls as he tosses the phone he just hung up onto the table and runs his hand through his hair. I cock a brow, exchanging looks with Jin. "You're going to have to step up soon," Jin says quietly.

The six of us are chilling together. It's been a week or so since we've all been back home.

"I didn't want this, nor did I expect it so soon," Leo says, sitting forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

"No one sane wants this, but when things come your way, you gotta do what you gotta do. Alejandro knows he can rely on you." Ace says, picking up Leo's cigarette packet and offering him one. Leo takes one and Dan leans over lighting it for him. "See? You're already getting all this shit done for you, you're king material already." I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

Leo's never been one to shy away from responsibility... there's more to his reluctance than he's letting on.

"What are you afraid of?" I ask the question the other four want to raise.

Li-Sheng looks up from where he's sitting on a couch that is towards the back of the room. Leo tenses for a moment, taking a drag on his cigarette and shakes his head.

"Nothing."

Ace cocks a brow. "Nothing? That shit ain't true."

Leo sighs. "You guys are fucking bastards. Stop pushing me to answer that shit, then."

"That ain't a fucking option. Now spit it out." I say.

"That fucker thinks I can take the reins better than he can, but the fact is he won't just sit back. He'll dive into all this shit that's going on and he is the fucking glue that holds the Rossi family together. If anything happens to him..." Leo mutters. I can't help but smirk. "Damn, is Leo actually worried for his uncle, and cares about the Rossi family? Shit," I tease.

He gives me a scathing glare. "Fuck that shit, do you want me to throw it back at you?"

"And what exactly do you have on me?" I challenge arrogantly.

"I don't know, maybe the fact you were in a tad too much of a hurry to go see Shane this morning, or should I say Kareena?" Leo says coldly with a cocky-as-fuck smirk.

"Bastard," I mutter. Nothing gets past him. "The kid was my concern."

Was it? I'm not so sure... I can't deny that as the months went by, I've begun seeing her as a little more than my brother's woman... but that was something I knew from the very start could happen.

Did I hate it? No... but that's not something I wanted to ever push for... it's getting harder to hold back around her. Especially when she doesn't realise how sexy she looks and acts so clueless to it. She's always been damn gorgeous, but I know I'm noticing her way too much...

The image of sweat trickling down her stomach and into the band of her yoga pants flashes in my mind. I groan and scrub a hand down my face.

"My fucking point exactly," Leo remarks.

"And does she still not know you go into haze every other month?" Jin asks.

"No, and he won't tell her," Dan adds with a sigh.

"He's scared," Ace adds, extremely unhelpfully.

"Honesty... why don't you two just, you know, get it over with and that can end the haze and heat periods for the both of you?" Li-Sheng says as he stretches his arms behind his head.

"So, she thinks you fucked someone, not knowing you tried to be the chivalrous bastard that you are, and held out," Ace says.

"And why are you holding out nearly two years later? She won't see you like that, Jax unless you make a move. If you care... show her." Dan says quietly and Jin nods.

I sigh.

"Told you he's not going to do it." Ace ads.

"Not helpful. Don't make me tell Sera to sort you out." I say, frowning slightly as I ponder over it. "The haze is getting worse, lasting longer each time, and I don't know how long I can keep tolerating it. I admit that, but it is what it is." "You could just replace someone to get it out of your system, but... as I'm saying that shit out loud, I am not a fan of that option." Leo sighs.

"Exactly," I answer pointedly.

"That is disrespectful to Kareena.... Yet we can't expect her to just accept him, either." Jin says quietly.

"It's been months since he's passed... maybe she needs to let go," Dan says looking at his hands.

I think he's talking about himself too...

"It is a mess, but if you had done what you needed to in the beginning, it would have been more ideal... it is a little late now," Leo says, his sharp eyes on me. "Yeah... maybe so," I say quietly.

'Jax?'

'Mishiko?' I ask.

'Yes, hello. I'm sorry, but where are you?'

'Keeping an eye on your man. I reply with a smirk.

She chuckles 'Well that's good to know. I know Kareena will not tell you herself, so I thought I will; Shane Jr. was asking for you!

'Me? He doesn't talk...' I reply, concerned.

Was he ok?

'Men... goddess, help me. He saw a picture of you and Jin and kept crying. Kareena's taking him home, but you should check up on him!

'Thanks, don't worry, I'll head there now. Do you know if they've eaten?'

'Not here. Shane Jr. suddenly got so upset, the poor baby!'

'Got it.' I say, standing up.

The rest cock a brow.

"Where are you going?"

"My champ is upset," I say, picking up my phone and shoving it in my pocket.

Leo smirks. "You sure you can handle it?"

"Yes, thanks for asking, but if you guys want to help, get me a family-size half-and-half pizza, of our favourites, a mini cheese and tomato and some fries," I say as I walk to the exit. "Sure, I'll do home delivery for you guys!" Dan says as he unlocks his phone.

"Thanks," I say as I leave the underground headquarters and make my way towards Kareena's home.

It's dark, and a wind is blowing through the trees, but aside from that, the weather isn't too bad.

'Pizza will be with you in about an hour, nothing else faster. Sorry, man.' Dan's apologetic reply comes.

'It's cool, thanks, man! I'm not sure Shane will be awake, but I'm guessing Kareena's probably fed him by now.' I respond through the mind link.

I reach the house that has become a second home to me and for a moment; I stop outside the door. She wouldn't be expecting me at this time.

I can hear Shane Jr crying, and Kareena humming to him. The upstairs hallway window is open...

I ring the doorbell, letting her know I'm here, before I step inside, shutting the door behind me.

"Jax?" Kareena's voice comes.

"Yeah," I call back.

Moments later, she appears at the top of the stairs, one arm around Shane's thighs and the other supporting his upper back. He's red in the face as he cries his eyes out. Damn.

"What are you doing here?" She asks as Shane continues to scream.

"1-"

I'm cut off when Shane screams again, throwing himself backwards as he spots me, holding his arms out to me.

"Alright champ, come on, I got you," I say, making my way up the steps two at a time.

I was never great with kids, but I've seen him grow and I think I'm not too bad now.

I reach out for him when he holds out his podgy hands to me.

"Dada!" Shane says, making both Kareena and I freeze.

Our eyes meet and her heart is thumping as I slowly take him from her, rocking him. Dada...

"Shh, I got you," I whisper, not knowing what to say to her.

She stands there for a moment and I carry Shane, who is calming down, to his room.

"I ordered pizza. It should be here in under an hour... I'll put him to bed." I say, not looking at her.

"You don't need to..."

"I want to," I say quietly, trying to put an end to this discussion.

"He's upset, he's just going to bother-"

"Kar. I don't care what you think about me, or whatever our relationship is, but I promised myself I will always be here for this one. Don't argue with me on it."

She sighs but doesn't respond, and I hear her footsteps recede.

Shane looks up at me as he sucks his thumb, a habit he's had since birth.

"You know you are going to have to stop that as you get older," I tell him gently as I remove his hand softly from his mouth, preparing for him to scream, but he only gives me a toothy smile. "That's my boy," I whisper.

I hear the creak of a floorboard outside and know she's heard, but what I said is not a lie.

He is mine.